Hong Kong: Over 50s intern for new careers To encourage the latent work force to enter the labour market, the Employees Retraining Board's Post-50 Internship Programme assists individuals aged 50 or above by equipping them with new skills to re-enter the workforce or change careers. About 800 people have signed up for the programme in the 2023-24 year, with about 150 participants being offered internships and joining experience activities. Paula Poon and Wendy Ma signed up for the programme and took part in its Work Experience Day at a hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui to learn about careers in the hotel industry. The hotel, which is one of the participating companies, organised the Work Experience Day to introduce the participants to its facilities, working environment as well as full-time and part-time job vacancies. They also gave the participants a tour of the hotel to give them an insight into the different work roles and arranged on-site job interviews. Confidence boost Ms Poon, who previously worked in clerical positions, said the programme has opened her eyes to the possibility of a hotel career. I did not realise there were so many roles for people over 50. It gives me hope that mature workers are not only limited to jobs related to the elderly or healthcare. While Ms Ma was pleased to discover that on-the-job training was available to help ease her into a completely new career. I have no experience in the hotel industry. This hotel offers training for employees, so I am not worried now and believe I can join the sector. The Employees Retraining Boards Post-50 Internship Programme assists unemployed or career-transitioning individuals aged 50 or above gain firsthand experience through short-term internships or work experience. Through taking part in the programme, participants gain a better understanding of the latest job market trends and industry developments, in addition to building up their confidence and adjusting their mindset for changing careers or re-entering the job market. Career change Denise Chan left the workforce a decade ago to take care of her family. She interned under the programme, assisting a charity in organising exhibitions and community projects. After completing the internship, she was offered part-time employment. With over 20 years experience in human resources management, Ms Chan said the programme helped her make a successful career transition. When I was working full-time, I was under a lot of stress. But now, working part-time makes me very happy. I can continue to communicate with people in the community and stay connected to society. New mindset Ada Lee also secured an internship through the programme as an exhibition docent at the same charity. Taking a break from the workforce to become a full-time homemaker for more than 10 years, Ms Lee credits the programme with helping to boost her confidence and adjust her mindset. I have discovered that besides earning money, there are issues that society needs to address, such as protecting the environment. It has broadened my horizons. There are about 50 participating organisations covering around 20 industries, including public utilities, social services, information and communication technology, business as well as property management supporting the programme by offering more than 100 internship positions. After completing their internships, participants get an allowance from the Labour Department. For participants who achieved an attendance rate of 80% or above, they will also receive a bonus awarded by the participating organisations. The Employees Retraining Board hopes to promote social recognition of people aged 50 or above and encourage employers to hire older jobseekers through the programme. This story has been published on: 2024-01-27. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Wakayama, Jan 28 (News On Japan) - The creation of 'Kitcho,' a vibrant good luck charm traditionally displayed on Setsubun, is underway at Kumano Hayatama Taisha in Shingu City, Wakayama Prefecture. 'Kitcho,' symbolizing omens of good fortune, is a revered object in the locality, believed to bring happiness when adorned during Setsubun, which is held on February 3 this year. At Kumano Hayatama Taisha, willow branches, considered to welcome the gods of fortune, are trimmed. The shrine maidens then decorate them with colorful mochi resembling flowers, as well as ornaments like sea bream and koban (old Japanese gold coins). Approximately 1,100 Kitcho, both large and small, are prepared for Setsubun. Source: YOMIURI There are two different issues that have just cropped up in the public domain and have constituted the discussion points for most commentators observing the trajectories of the Counter terror war being waged by the Armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I must say that everyone who is somebody in the World of scholarship is involved in the observation of the goings on in the war on terror in the North East of Nigeria. These two issues are the just announced national training exercises by the Nigerian Army to cover all parts of Nigeria and secondly but not the least is the talking point on the statement credited to the Nigerias Army Chief Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai that combats are not enough to overcome the terror threats in Nigeria but that there is the essential element of the spiritual dimension or what I have chosen to call the Spiritual warfare. Beginning from the angle of the arguments and debates that are beginning to dominate the social media space which is the issue of the need for a Spiritual dimension to the fight on terror, I will state categorically that the statement by the Army Chief has been misinterpreted and misunderstood by some of these prominent commentators and agenda setters who have unleashed a wave of criticisms condemning the statement and painting a graphic picture of a military chief who no longer has any winning strategy to combat once and for a the terrible but formidable threats that armed boko Haram terrorists pose to the corporate existence of Nigeria. This misinterpretation could have been avoided if those making the remarks had taking their time to read through the published speech made by the Army Chief and if these observers have found the intellectual presence of mind to just conduct just three hours research on the thematic area of what in the West is termed Islamic terrorism. Before I delve into citations of authorities to show that what the Army Chief of Staff said is the correct statement of facts all over the contemporary World, I will state straightaway that there can be no terrorism without distorted religious and ideological belief system spread by some radicalized elements found in almost all religious groups and nationalities. So, I admit that terrorism is not an exclusive preserve of bad MOSLEMS but even White Supremacists who have on many occasions engaged in mass shootings in New Zealand, USA and Australia are not MOSLEMS. The best way forward as a strategy for winning the hearts and minds of the people of the territorial space whereby the war on terror is waged, is to accept the reality that it will take intensive Spiritual and theological reorientation by the real and genuine scholars of Islam for instance who should normally be expected and requested to play significant roles to change the wrong mindset of the younger elements who are rapidly been radicalized and wrongly indoctrinated by the hierarchy of the boko Haram terrorists. I will return to this point and back it up with contemporary but profound research findings. Terrorism is a very developing speciality with trailer load of scholarly works developed or about to be fully developed. By the last count, I have read about two dozen newly published academic findings on the different dimensions of the global war on terror which intensified since September 11th 2001 when the World saw the coordinated attacks by the Islamic terrorists group al-Qaeda against the United States of America on the morning of Tuesday September 11th 2001 which snowballed into a global incident since out of the well over 3,000 casualties, virtually every continent of the World lost their members. But first let me remind these critics who I must admit mean well for Nigeria that the Chief of Army Staff did not call for the abdication of combats by the professional soldiers neither did he advocate that the soldiers who are fighting in the war fronts or flashpoints of war on terror should abandon their professional callings to embrace spiritual exercises in Churches and Mosques. Far from it. Rather, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, said that terrorism and terrorist groups could not be eliminated alone by the military unless religious bodies and organizations in the country come to the forefront of this spiritual battle. The army chief noted that the focus must be religious groups interfacing on addressing the ideologies which fuelled the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists. Buratai stated these on Monday in Abuja at a spiritual warfare seminar at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre with the theme, countering insurgency and violent extremism in Nigeria through spiritual warfare. The army chief, who was represented by the Chief of Administration, Maj Gen Sani Yusuf, therefore, urges Islamic and Christian clerics across the army formations to join the fight against terrorism, and reorient the people against negative ideologies. Buratai said, It is easier to defeat Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists than their ideology because while we degrade the terrorists and their havens, the narrative of the ideology grows the group. Therefore, communities, families, and groups should join in the fight and narratives to reject and prevent the ideologies of the terrorists and extremist groups. Religious bodies and organizations in particular who interface regularly with the grassroots should be at the forefront of this spiritual battle and fashion out ways of stepping up their roles. The fight against terrorism, Boko Haram and ISWAP, as well as other security threats, cannot be left to the troops in the battlefield alone. Yes, we will do our duties but the need to tackle groups through spiritual warfare and re-orientating the followers against the ideology is also a necessity. It is a well-known fact that terrorism and terrorist groups cannot be totally eliminated by mainly military actions. This means focusing our efforts on the underlying narratives through ideologies that are employed by these terrorists to lure innocent citizens to their fold. The need to defeat the ideologies of Boko Haram and ISWAP is based on the awareness that it is the ideologies that enhance their resources and help to recruit new fighters to their fold and as such; kill their ideology and the terrorist movement withers The army chief added that religious leaders and clerics who regularly interfaced with members of the society must fashion out ways of stepping up your roles, remembering that the fight against terrorism is a collective responsibility. At the risk of violating the seeming oath of secrecy sworn to when I enlisted as a member of a 7 man Presidential Committee on restoration of Peace and Dialogue in Northern Nigeria which sat for nearly three years prior to the emergence of the current administration, I will tell my readers that top Islamic clerics were part of that committee and their specific roles was to deploy their intellectual wherewithal and their iconic Islamic trainings to re-orientate members of boko haram terrorists whom we met in different undisclosed detention facilities all across Nigeria with the aim of deradicalizing them and reintegrating them through methodical reorientation to once more embrace constructive coexistence with divergent groups of people in the larger communities. So Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai was much more than 100% correct to affirm that the war on terror cant be conclusively and decisively won through physical means without activating the spiritual mechanisms and dimension. Now let me quote the experts to back up my affirmations aforementioned. In the scholarly article titled Towards a definition of terrorist ideology by Gary A. Ackerman and Michael Burnham these versatile scholars and intellectuals reached a determination that to defeat terrorism you need to have a total appreciation of the underlying spiritual ideology governing these whole ranges of armed terrorists. They wrote thus: While conventional wisdom holds that the ideology espoused by a terrorist organization is somehow related to that organizations actions, the precise nature of the relationship between these phenomena is hotly debated, with scholarship often yielding contrasting empirical results. Reminding us that we argue that one reason for this divergence in viewpoints and research findings is an inadequate understanding of what ideology actually is and how it relates to terrorism, but restated their deep conviction that it is the case as it were. Indeed, these authors revealed that terrorism literature reveals widely disparate uses of the concept of terrorist ideology. In this aforementioned article the writers endeavor to provide a common framework for approaching ideology in the context of terrorism studies by systematically building a new definition of terrorist ideology from first principles. In so doing, they introduce a definition of terrorist ideology that is logically consistent, has robust theoretical underpinnings, and connects the study of ideology within terrorism to broader disciplinary research traditions regarding ideology. This style they stated provides a conceptual foundation from which to examine terrorist ideology in an objective, systematic manner and thereby enables terrorism researchers to more productively investigate important outstanding questions, such as which aspects of an ideology are most relevant to violent behavior. Another study on the online caliphate:internet usage and ISIS support in Arab World, James A. Piaza and Ahmet Guler who are experts argued that the internet has provided expanded opportunities for violent extremist groups to propagandize and recruit. The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, is an exemplar in that it has heavily invested in an online presence and uses online communities and social media to attract and retain supporters. Does ISISs online presence translate into a higher probability that individuals in its target audience will become supporters? In this study we analyze over 6,000 individuals in six Arab countries to find if those that use the internet to follow political news or to express political views are more likely to support ISIS. The researchers states that: We find that respondents who get their news online are significantly more likely to support ISIS than those who follow the news on television or print media. Moreover, those who use online for a political expression are also more likely to express support for ISIS. Indeed, they reasoned that individuals who engage in online political discussion are more likely to support ISIS than those who engage in conventional political activity, though less than those who engage in contentious political behaviors such as attending a political protest. We conclude with a brief discussion of the academic and policy implications of these findings. On the fears that the forthcoming national combat exercises by the Nigerian Army will infringe on human rights if one of the components is to restrict freedom of movements enshrined in the Constitution by way of demanding identification, I need to say that ad a human rights campaigner with deep interests in the internal security operations in the Country, we have received assurances that citizens human rights will not be wantonly violated since the Nigerian Army as a constitutionally created agency must comply with chapter 4 of the Nigerian Constitution and as I write the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai has written and distributed a GREEN BOOK containing law based guidelines on protection of human rights of all citizens by the military during combat and non-combat internal operations. I have a copy of this book and I must state that the contents are so rich that Nigerians need not worry that the military will harass, intimidate or abuse their human rights with reckless abandon. Moreover, accredited human rights groups will be on ground to observe the operations just as the Nigerian Army has a functional full fledged department of civil and military relations with vibrant human rights desks in all segments of the Army presence nationwide. *Emmanuel Onwubiko heads Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) and blogs @www.emmanuelonwubiko.com; www.thenigerianinsidernews.com PONTIAC Bank of Pontiac's previously announced acquisition of three branches of Farmers-Merchants Bank of Illinois closed on Jan. 26, a news release announced. The transaction added banking locations in Paxton, Melvin and Piper City to the footprint of Bank of Pontiac, which has 11 locations throughout Livingston, McLean, Tazewell and Grundy counties. Total assets of Bank of Pontiac increased to approximately $1.16 billion as a result of the transaction, the news release said. NORMAL Nearly 600 people gathered in the Brown Ballroom on Friday night at Illinois State University to honor the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and hear from civil rights activist Sherrilyn Ifill. Ifill, an activist and civil rights lawyer who worked as president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund Inc. for nearly a decade, said she was honored to be invited to ISU for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Dinner. "I'm astonished to see this room full," she said in her opening remarks. Transformative work Before the dinner, Ifill spoke with the press about her work advocating for voters' rights and raising awareness about 14th Amendment. "It's such an important provision of our constitution," Ifill said, "and it's always mystified me that we have very little conversation about it and the fact that the average man or woman on the street couldn't tell you what was in the 14th Amendment. "They could tell you about their First Amendment rights. They could tell you about their Second Amendment. But they couldn't tell you about the 14th Amendment," she said. While there has been more talk about the 14th Amendment due to recent court cases seeking to bar former president Donald Trump from the 2024 ballot, Ifill said the amendment was part of a "second founding" of the United States. "If our nation was founded in 1789 (with the ratification of the Constitution), the second founding was the new nation that was created after the Civil War, in which, for the first time, Black people would be included as full citizens," she said. Before ratification of the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments, Ifill said citizenship, and, thus, political power, was reserved for a certain portion of the population because of compromises made during the writing of the constitution. "We have a long history, and checkered history, of voting in this country," she said. "We know that women could not vote, although they were citizens at least, white women were citizens from the beginning of the Republic, but could not vote until 1920." Beyond that, the Three-Fifths Compromise further secured power in the hands of enslavers in the Southern states, Ifill said. "This was the project that the first founders were unable to commit themselves to," she said. "Instead they made compromises that counted us as three-fifths of a person for purposes of representation. "While not using the word 'slavery,' (the Constitution) allowed for, what they called, 'importation of persons.' All of that is in the first Constitution," Ifill said. But the passage of the post-Civil War amendments, especially the 14th, transformed what it means to be an American, she said. "The purpose of the 14th Amendment was to ensure that states could not take away from us the guarantees of citizenship. The first line of that amendment is utterly transformative, and transformed not only the 19th century, but also the 20th century in this country," Ifill said. The 14th Amendment guarantees birthright citizenship, meaning any person born within the borders of the United States is a citizen of the country and the state in which they were born. "Think about the transformative effect on the 20th century all of our stories about immigrants and Ellis Island, all of them are driven by the fact that America is this place where you can be a naturalized citizen, and if you are born here and your parents don't speak English and were born somewhere else, you are American," she said. "Democracy work" Choosing a speaker for an event like the Cultural Dinner, to honor a civil rights leader like King, is serious work, said ISU Interim President Aondover Tarhule. "When you're honoring an icon like Martin Luther King it's very easy to get it wrong and actually trivialize his memory and his legacy," he said. "You don't want to do that." The selection committee, with students and faculty alike, chose Ifill because of her work and her character. "It was like a no-brainer," Tarhule said. "Anybody who knew of her work knew this was exactly the kind of person that we knew would be able to speak to this issue in a way that was accessible, but also fundamentally based on facts and prior experience." For others in the audience, it was important to see a female civil rights activist. "It shows that we matter... Dr. King could not have done what he did without the backing of (Coretta Scott King)," said Goline Lawrence, president of the Bloomington-Normal Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. "You don't see that. You don't see the women that she brought along with her to help the men that were out in the forefront," Lawrence said. Showcasing someone like Ifill "brings about that highlight that, now it's time that women are seen, too, that they can do similar jobs, if not even better, and still contribute to the whole dream that Dr. King was trying to bring to us," she said. Still, half a century after King was assassinated, Iffill said there is still much work to do. "We cannot claim to be a healthy democracy, and yet, every week, you and I open the newspaper and sometimes, more than once in a week, read about a man, usually a Black man, who has been released after spending 20, 30, 40 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit. ... I don't argue that we're a democracy. I simply say that we're an unhealthy democracy," she said. Even though civil rights work, "democracy work," Ifill called it, is oftentimes difficult, she remains positive. "The part of me that feels optimistic and I can't help it, I am always optimistic about this country, I don't know why, but I am is the part that sees in this crisis an opportunity for us to think differently and to build the world that we actually want," Ifill said. 23 photos from the 48th Annual MLK Awards Luncheon Friends and family of the I Have a Dream honoree Bradley Ross Jackson (center) I Have a Dream award winners Harini Shloka Ravinuthala, Siddhi Hindurao with Shree Aytam (center) Willie Holton Halbert, Ryleigh Rose Beaulieu, Shirley Boykin Dan Brady, Greg Fraley Memuna Lee, Michael Brown Shari Harris, Barb Waddell, Kiara Armstrong Jeff Jurgens, Mose Rickey, Michael Brown Carol Calhoun, Vanessa Rice, Mamie Duggon Delta Sigma Theta Sorority alumnae Cheryl Jackson, Krystal Shelvin, Cheryl Fluker, Beverly Butler Gay, Debra T. Thomas, Jaeda Thomas Dr. Cathy Lust, Valeda Harvey, Kim Taber Messina Lambert Donise Brown, Arlene Stevens, Carolyn Ware Senator David Koehler, Sharon Chung, Mike Matejka, Kevin McCarthy Dr. Carla Campbell Jackson, "I Have a Dream" honoree Bradley Ross Jackson Virgie Ray, Kiara Armstrong Shari Harris, Barb Waddell, Vanessa Rice Longtime friends Bradley Ross Jackson, Seth Harrison Cheryl Fluker, Chemberly Harris Prajna Kurella, Pritika Jakka Rhonda Smith, Tony Jones Pamela Davidson, Sharon Chung, ISU Interim President Aondover Tarhule, Rose Tarhule Rev. Terrance Thomas, Rev. Elexis Wilson Doris Houston, Terrance Bond, Janet Hood Cody Hendricks, Mose Rickey Dan Brady, Shirley Boykin CHICAGO Two teenage boys who were fatally shot Friday by masked suspects as they and other students were leaving a Chicago high school have been identified by authorities. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office identified the victims as 17-year-old Monterio Williams and 16-year-old Robert Boston. Both died at a hospital, police said. They were among a group of students walking out of Innovations High School on Friday afternoon when multiple masked suspects jumped out of two cars in front of the school and opened fire on the group, police said. Both teens were struck in the chest by gunfire and Williams was also shot in the hip, police said. No arrests had been announced by police in their killings as of Saturday afternoon. Chicago Police Deputy Chief Jon Hein called the shooting a "senseless act of violence" and noted that the jacket of a woman who was walking in the area was grazed by a bullet. Community activist Andrew Holmes told the Chicago Sun-Times the families of both students are devastated and want to know who is responsible for killing them. "Whoever is responsible has no respect for human life," he said. With 443 students, Innovations High School is the largest of 17 privately run, publicly funded schools operated by the organization Youth Connection Charter School. It's an alternative school that aims to re-enroll and re-engage children who may have dropped out or faced trouble in traditional schools. Photos: Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2023 Brandon Johnson - 2023 Brandon Johnson - File Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Awutu Senya East Constituency of the Central Region has expressed its discontent with the directives issued by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) instructing journalists to blacklist activities involving the Kasoa Member of Parliament, Mavis Hawa Koomson. The party contends that the attack on a journalist during the NPP's parliamentary aspirant vetting in Cape Coast was not orchestrated or carried out by the MP's camp. During the vetting process, a Cape FM journalist, Ohene Kwame David, was allegedly attacked, and he claimed that the attackers were wearing t-shirts affiliated with MP Mavis Hawa Koomson. The victim further mentioned that the attackers questioned him about stories he had done against the MP on Adom FM and suspected that the attack might be a case of mistaken identity involving his brother who works at UTV. MP Mavis Hawa Koomson denied the claims, urging a thorough investigation into the matter. However, the GJA, in response, issued a directive urging journalists to boycott the MP's activities. The leadership of the Awutu Senya East NPP, in a press conference, expressed disappointment over the GJA's directive, stating that the MP's office received no updates on the investigations after an initial contact by the GJA. The Constituency Secretary, Mr Micheal Addy, also voiced the party's dissatisfaction with the GJA president's statement that the MP associates with murderers who attack people even in their homes and mosques, demanding a retraction and an apology to the MP. The party called for a more in-depth investigation into the matter before any conclusions were drawn by the GJA. The party's internal investigation reportedly found no evidence that any member of the MP's team participated in the mentioned attack. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video 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 helicopter combating a forest fire at Los Alerces National Park in the Argentine province of Chubut, in Patagonia, January 26, 2024. Firefighters in Argentina were battling an "out of control" blaze in a national park in Patagonia on Saturday, struggling to keep it from reaching two nearby towns. The fire in Los Alerces National Parka UNESCO World Heritage Sitehas already charred about 600 hectares (1500 acres). "The fire is out of control," said Mario Cardenas, head of the park's fire, communications and emergency department. Conditions are "unfavorable because we still have a lot of wind and high temperatures. This makes our work very difficult," he said. Temperatures in Patagonia, a normally cold and windy region in Argentina's far south, have topped 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in the southern hemisphere summer, with two provinces declaring states of emergency due to fire risk until April. Chubut province rescue workers were trying to block flames from reaching the towns of Esquel and Trevelin, about 2,000 kilometers (1,242 miles) southwest of Buenos Aires. Los Alerces Park features glacier-carved landscapes including rivers and lakes, and pristine forests of alerce trees, the second-longest living tree species in the world. 2024 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Astronomers have nicknamed the stars "old smokers" Nearing the end of their life, they sit quietly for long periods of time, barely noticeable, before suddenly puffing out a cloud of smoke. A mysterious new type of star nicknamed "old smoker" has been discovered hiding in the heart of our Milky Way galaxy, astronomers revealed on Friday. The "peculiar" puffing behavior of these stars has never been seen before in such red giants, astrophysicist Philip Lucas told AFP. The international team of scientists behind the discovery had not been looking for such old stars during their 10-year survey, which took in hundreds of millions of stars across the sky. Instead, they were using the VISTA telescope in the Chilean Andes to search for newborn starscalled proto-starswhich are prone to frequent, exuberant eruptions. They spotted 32 proto-stars, "the largest number anyone has ever found before in one batch", said Lucas, a professor at the UK's University of Hertfordshire and lead author of a new study. But lingering in the background was a "nice surprise", he added. 'We don't fully understand' The old smokers were puffing right in the center of the Milky Way, a densely packed and metal-rich region called the Nuclear Stellar Disc. A newborn star, called a proto-star, observed by the VISTA telescope in the Chilean Andes. "What was surprising about this new discovery is that we're seeing stars that were just sitting doing nothing at all," Lucas said. Then abruptly the stars would become between 40 to 100 times dimmer, sometimes so faint that the telescope's infrared vision could barely spot them. A couple of years later, seemingly without warning, they would return to their former brightness. "Everything we have been able to learn about them suggests that this is a case of stars throwing off puffs of smokefor reasons that we don't fully understand," Lucas said. Those smoke puffs are thought to temporarily obscure the stars from our sight. There are many more "heavy elements"anything heavier than hydrogen and heliumin this region of the galaxy, which could create more dust in the star's atmosphere, Lucas said. Exactly what puffs that dust out remains a mystery. The "old smokers" are about 30,000 light years away, near the centre of our galaxy. But if this theory is correct, then the amount of matter being thrown off by these stars could play a significant role in how heavy elements are spread throughout our galaxyand beyond, he said. Lucas emphasized that these were just early best guesses. "We're just sort of scrabbling around trying to see what makes the most sense," he said. The researchers spotted at least 21 old smokers but suspect there are many more out there. The study was published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. More information: Phil Lucas et al, The most variable VVV sources: eruptive protostars, dipping giants in the Nuclear Disc and others, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (2024). DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stad3929 Zhen Guo et al, Spectroscopic confirmation of high-amplitude eruptive YSOs and dipping giants from the VVV survey, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (2024). DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stad3700 Carlos Contreras Pena et al, On the incidence of episodic accretion in Class I YSOs from VVV, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (2024). DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stad3780 Zhen Guo et al, Multi-wavelength detection of an ongoing FUOr-type outburst on a low-mass YSO, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (2024). DOI: 10.1093/mnrasl/slad201 Journal information: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 2024 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A firefighter in Nemocon, Colombia on January 26, 2024. The once bright green Andean forest where Maria Yadira Jimenez worked as a tour guide has been reduced to ashes. Since Monday, forest fires have been advancing on Nemocon, a rural area with beautiful landscapes about 60 kilometers (37 miles) outside the Colombian capital Bogota. Though usually cool, the mountains surrounding the town have become a hellscape, with the blazes driving out residents and wildlife. Distraught, Jimenez joined volunteers whoalong with firefighters, rescuers, police and the militaryare fighting to extinguish one of the 34 fires that the government has detected in Colombia, which has declared a "natural disaster" amid hot, dry conditions due to the El Nino climate phenomenon. Fires have razed more than 17,000 hectares (42,000 acres) across Colombia since November, when the drought started and temperatures started to rise, authorities say. With no experience in emergency response or any fireproof clothing, the volunteers follow in the footsteps of firefighters and use jugs of water to cool areas that have been brought under control. With picks, shovels and machetes, they stir up the smoldering earth to make sure the fires don't spark back up. "This is a disaster that is going to bring very serious consequences. Birds were burned, native species were lost and everything was affected," the 46-year-old Jimenez tells AFP. The area's environmental authority rescued a disoriented fox and an owl from the smoke, but other animals were not so lucky, perishing in the flames. A woman carries water jugs to help to put out the forest fire in Nemocon, Colombia. Sun that stings more In Bogota, a thick column of smoke rises from the mountain range that edges the city of eight million inhabitants. The sound of helicopters pouring water on the flames echoes all day in the east. Faced with the "natural disaster" decreed by the government, President Gustavo Petro has sought help from international partners. The Environment Ministry says at least 20 fires are still active, affecting forests, farmland and the mountain ecosystems that provide water to lower altitudes. Locals in Nemocon have accused a power company of causing the fire, which spread unchecked among the area's parched pine trees. When consulted by AFP, the company said the fire was caused by "climatic conditions generated by the heat wave" and that its officials have shut down supply lines that cross the area. January 2024 is forecast to be the hottest month in Colombia since records began 30 years ago, according to environmental authority Ideam. "The sun didn't sting so much before," Jimenez explains worriedly. View of the aftermath of a forest fire in Nemocon. Francisco Mendoza, 52, loads a pump with water to stop flames from reaching his property. "We haven't stopped day and night," he says, on the verge of tears, wearing glasses and a mask to protect from the smoke. "Everyone's property is my property, so when a neighbor is at risk, we are all at risk. We are trying to support each other in that way," he adds. In Nemocon and Bogota, Indigenous people have been performing rituals asking for rain, but science is not very optimistic. Ideam anticipates February will be even hotter, and only in March will rainfall alleviate the situation. For Mendoza, it's a message from nature. "It is Mother Earth crying for help because we are behaving very badly with her." 2024 AFP By Politico staff writer The Political Parties Registration Commission, PPRC has invited elders and senior members of the main opposition APC to a meeting today to discuss the conduct of the Interim Transition Governance Committee the body that has been running the affairs of the party following a High Court ruling on the eligibility of the former party executive in April this year. The PPRC say the conduct of the ITGC has not been complimentary to the well-being of the party, noting that despite the commissions best efforts to call them to order have proved futile. According to the PPRC, they have little or no oversight authority over the ITGC because unfortunately they are not a regular organ of the party, they are a creation of the court. The PPRC intends to use todays meeting to update the elders and other stakeholders of the party about the unsavoury happenings in the IGTC. Other units in the Election Management Body have been invited to the meeting where the party stakeholders will have the opportunity to proffer suggestions, as to howthey could be of help to the process. This meeting is taking place against the backdrop of mutual recriminations among the two groups that constitute the IGTC. In an interview with Politico, Sulaiman Bumneh Kamara, the Publicity head of the IGTC accused Abdul Kargbo, the Secretary to the committee of running a parallel group thereby undermining the Chairman of ITGC, Alfred Peter Conteh. He said Kargbo has refused to cooperate with the chairman so that funds can be accessed from the partys bank account for the committee to carry out its activities. He also accused the PPRC chairman Abdulai Masiambay Bangura of supporting the emergence of a parallel administration within the 21 man committee and addressing Kargbo as National Secretary-General of the APC when there was at present no such a position. Kamara said the old executive and the partys leadership in parliament are the ones supporting Kargbos faction with the belief that they own the people. They are sending out wrong messages to party supporters that Conteh and his followers are being sponsored by the ruling party to destabilize the APC. In his reaction, Kargbo accused the interim leaders people of insincerity and claimed they continue to hinge on the partys National Advisory Councils one third quorum which he said is non-existent at this material time. He said it is impossible for him as Secretary to sign off monies from the partys bank account on the directive of only seven members of the committee which according to him contravenes the court order. Responding to accusations that they are working for the former executive, Kargbo countered: They have clearly shown they are working for Sam Sumana. Meanwhile a statement signed by the fourteen members of the ITGC faction to which Kargbo belongs, repeated the same allegations against the chairman of the ITCG and concluded that all appointments made by chairman Conteh are illegal and that that all party members should cease cooperating with any form of illegal or unilateral activity organized by Conteh including his proposed registration of members. Copyright 2022 Politico Online TOKYO, Jan 28 (News On Japan) - Shogakukan's manga app "Manga ONE" editorial team has released a documentary titled "Ura Manga The Hidden Side of Manga" on the official "Manga ONE" YouTube channel. The documentary "Ura Manga The Hidden Side of Manga" offers an in-depth look into the Manga ONE editorial department, known for producing hit series such as "Mob Psycho 100," "Kengan Ashura," "Blue Orchestra," "Japan Sankoku," and "Hotaru's Marriage." A director, armed with only a camera, closely follows the manga editors to meticulously depict the behind-the-scenes work of the editorial team. The first episode of the documentary was released on January 26, with subsequent episodes scheduled to be released at a rate of about six per month. In this project, cameras were allowed to follow the editorial team for an extended period, capturing the job of manga editors from various angles, a profession not widely known to the public. The documentary includes scenes such as editorial meetings for the fighting manga "Kengan Omega," where editors can be seen engaging in actual combat, giving a real-life glimpse into the interactions between manga artists and editors. Sync Creative Management, a company known for producing various in-depth documentaries such as "PRODUCE 101 JAPAN THE GIRLS," "THE ROLAND SHOW," "Attack on Noah," and "Tani Momoko Ballet Company," is responsible for the production of "Ura Manga The Hidden Side of Manga." The direction and supervision are handled by Eijin Watanabe, who directed "Hyper HardBoiled Gourmet Report," and Tokio Shiratake, who is active on the YouTube channel "Shimofuri Tube" by comedy duo Shirofuri and on the television program "Downtown Gaki no Tsukai." Source: Dengeki A soaking rain will fall Sunday morning with hit-or-miss showers for the rest of the day. 'A parting shot of precipitation Monday morning will bring snow for some. All the while, coastal flooding will be around once, if not twice. That steady rain from Saturday night will continue until the warm front with the system lifts north of us. For South Jersey, that will be between 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday. Winds then will kick up out of the east, gusting from 25 to 30 mph, with just spotty showers falling for the rest of the daytime hours. During the six-hour stretch from 11 a.m. to sunset, I'd say up to an hour will have rain. But drizzle and mist will be around, so it's not as if outdoor plans will be all fine for the afternoon. Temperatures will rise from around 40 degrees to the upper 40s in the afternoon. That's above average. As low pressure moves off the Jersey Shore, steadier precipitation will re-enter the picture between 8 and 10 Sunday night. This will fall all night long. Winds will shift and be out of the north early Monday morning. That will send temperatures down into the 30s. As that happens, rain will change mix or change to snow north of the Atlantic City Expressway as early as 3 a.m. Monday. South of the Expressway, it'll just be rain showers. Precipitation will end between 8 and 10 a.m. If you see snow, you'll have a coating at most. This won't be a winter wonderland. The rest of the day will be dry, with a few peeks of sunshine around. If you live near the bays, coastal flooding will be around Sunday and Monday. For Sunday, anytime from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. could flood. However, not all towns will flood. This will be more localized. For Monday, you could flood between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. This will be more widespread, with flooding up and down the Jersey Shore. However, it will likely be minor flood stage. That'll be more of a nuisance in the susceptible, low-lying bayside roadways. The reason for the flooding will be the onshore winds this weekend. That pushes water into the bays. Winds will be northerly Monday. That doesn't put new water into the bays but won't really drain them out, either. Consider it purgatory. Find high tide times and what streets are forecast to flood here Below are Jersey Shore locations with previous and forecast tide data. The forecasts show wh Tuesday will have a seasonable, partly cloudy sky. Highs will be in the upper 30s. An Alberta Clipper system, a cold, fast-moving low-pressure system, will dive into the Northeast on Wednesday and Thursday. However, it looks like it'll swerve around New Jersey to our west and then south, so I forecasted just a cloudy sky. Temperatures will rise. A weak storm system will again move into the Northeast on Friday. That could bring a few rain showers. If it does, you'll still have plenty of dry time outside. I'm keeping a close eye on late next week into early next week. There is a nor'easter signal out there. Finally, you can find our extended forecast and seasonal content on our website in the coming days. You won't hear from me as often, though. That's because I'm heading to the American Meteorological Society's annual meeting in Baltimore! My "Across the Sky" weather team co-worker, Sean Sublette, and I, will give a talk on how our parent company, Lee Enterprises, pushes the boundaries of meteorology in media. The meeting is like Disney World for meteorologists. More than 6,000 people will be there. If the weather becomes more active, I'll be right here with video and written updates. PLAINFIELD A New Jersey firefighter died and at least three others were injured in a house fire in Plainfield, authorities said. Marques Hudson was among the firefighters called to the 8 a.m. Friday blaze in a home across the street from Emerson Elementary School, officials said. About 10 people were inside and all got out without injuries, a Plainfield spokesperson said. Officials said other firefighters retrieved Hudson from inside after an emergency was called. He died at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital. At least three other firefighters were taken to the hospital for injuries said not to be life-threatening. Mayor Adrian Mapp told reporters at a news conference that Hudson "either fell through the floor or fell down the stairs." Officials did not release further details about the circumstances, citing an active investigation. The mayor said Hudson's death had brought "unimaginable sorrow" to those close to him, and he called the day the worst in his 10 years as Plainfield's top elected official. "He was not merely a firefighter he embodied the very essence of heroism, putting the lives of others before his own, a testament to his unwavering commitment and courage," Plainfield officials said in a statement. Gov. Phil Murphy said he would sign an executive order calling for flags to be lowered to half-staff in Hudson's honor. "The tragic loss of this courageous young man is a reminder of the great risks our firefighters face every day in the line of duty," Murphy said in a statement. "We owe a debt of gratitude to all of the brave firefighters, like Firefighter Marques Hudson, who serve our state." WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP New maps of the roads of Wharton State Forest identify about 200 miles of usable, legal roads where there were more than 500 miles included on a previous map. The state Department of Environmental Protection unveiled the proposed new maps Wednesday, beginning a review and public comment period that will continue online until March 9. The feedback will be used to finalize the visitor map, planned to be released later this year. During an open house at the Batsto Visitors Center, a steady progression of visitors could inspect the maps and speak with DEP and park officials. A series of maps was set up in a museum at the property, with cardboard displays set in front of information on Colonial ironworks and displays of arrowheads. Several who attended expressed concern about the state limiting access to the roads in the forest, which covers close to 125,000 acres and accommodates almost a million visitors a year. Members of the public could leave written comments, and those who were unable to attend the event Wednesday can see the same material at njparksandforests.org/wharton until March 9. Years in the making, the new map will improve safety for visitors and offer greater protection for the wild areas of the sprawling forest, according to DEP officials. As part of the process of creating the proposal for a new map, the DEP began with a topographical map approved several years ago. Open house for Wharton State Forest visitor vehicle use map set for Jan. 24 The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection will host an open house and public comment session on the draft Wharton State Forest Visitor Vehicle Use Map on Jan. 24. But John Cecil, the DEPs assistant commissioner for state parks, said many of the roads included in that map should never have been considered roads in the first place. Some were boundary lines, fire lines cut through the forest or previous trails. Many are impassible, Cecil said at a Wednesday briefing on the proposal. Some would be appropriate for a canoe, but not for any vehicle with four wheels, he said. Other areas were removed from the map based on the proximity to sensitive wetlands or endangered species of plants or animals, Cecil said. Previous efforts to limit where people can drive within the state forest were challenged by local advocates, some of whom seem set to challenge these proposals as well. John Druding, president of Open Trails NJ, has been trying to rally like-minded vehicle users to attend the Wednesday session and advocate for keeping roads open. Our group includes hikers, hunters, enduro riders, geocachers, 44 enthusiasts, kayakers, horseback riders, photographers and environmentalists who want to help solve some of the problems facing the Wharton State Forest while keeping it open for responsible recreation, Druding said in a statement. Druding cited a 2015 effort he said would have closed more than 250 miles of road within the forest. The DEP eventually backed off that plan, Druding said. Shawn M. LaTourette, the DEP commissioner, bristled at the suggestion that the DEP is closing any roads. The idea that somehow by identifying appropriate legal routes that there is necessarily a restriction of other routes is fundamentally incorrect, he said Wednesday. Instead, he argued, people should not have been driving those routes to begin with. There was an idea that if the use was not prohibited, it was permitted, he said during an online briefing before the start of the public meeting. A Visiting Vehicle Use Map with clearly defined driving routes and recreational access opportunities is long overdue, LaTourette said in a statement. This map will become an important tool in ensuring responsible enjoyment of this natural and recreational treasure as well as a valuable resource guide to the many recreational opportunities Wharton offers. The DEP had also considered creating a system of vehicle permits for Wharton and other state lands, a proposal that proved unpopular. That idea has been set aside, Cecil said, but LaTourette indicated it remains under consideration. As part of the process of preparing the map, the DEP surveyed park users on where they drove most often, what parts of Wharton they found most valuable and other questions. The results were loud and clear that there needed to be more enforcement of vehicle use in the forest, Cecil said. The survey also gave state officials data on the most popular driving routes in the forest. Responders also raised concerns about the conditions of some of the roads. The map will improve safety for users and protection of natural resources, Cecil said, as well as allow the state to better patrol and maintain the existing routes. State opens survey on the use of roads in Wharton State Forest Hundreds of people tuned in for a virtual meeting on vehicle use in Wharton State Forest on In previous public comment portions, advocates for keeping road access argued many of the roads in the state forest predate the states ownership of the land. Several speakers at previous hearings described the use of vehicles on the sand and dirt roads of the forest as a way of life that has endured for generations. That was the concern of Patrick Robison, of Shamong Township. He uses the roads to access areas of the forest for deer hunting, but added hes in the forest throughout the year. People whose parents drove them along those roads are now taking their grandchildren, he said. Its a generational thing, he said. But he also understands there are reasons for concern, such as people with overpowered vehicles tearing through underbrush or deepening the ruts in the roads. I dont know why they do it. I guess its fun to them, he said. Robison wants to make sure future generations can access and enjoy the wild area. All my life has been in the pines. Now they decide theyre not going to let us use some of the roads, he said. We all respect the woods. Bodies ID'd in 6ABC helicopter crash in Pinelands A news helicopter has crashed in New Jersey, killing both the pilot and photographer on board, the television station said. The road use is limited to street-legal vehicles, meaning those that have been registered and insured. Dirt bikes, ATVs and other off-road vehicles are not allowed on any state land, but Cecil acknowledged that unlawful ATV use is a problem throughout New Jersey, in state forests, private lands and urban areas. Plans are to increase enforcement in the park. While Cecil said there is a shortage of State Park Police, he said plans are to hire more enforcement officers. In 2021, fines were increased for illegal off-road vehicle use. Fines now run $250 to $500 for a first offense, $500 to $1,000 for a second offense, and a minimum of $1,000 for a third or subsequent offense. If a violation results in damage to or destruction of natural resources, an additional fine of five times the cost of the damage may be assessed, according to DEP officials. Strengthening the economy and increasing business growth is a major goal for the City of East Moline. Now, the city is considering a new mechanism to help achieve it. A business development district (BDD) is a program that allows the city to apply a sales tax a specific area in order to increase local services and amenities, employment opportunities, and sales and property tax revenues. East Moline currently has a BDD in place at The Bend, City Administrator Mark Rothert said, but he believes it could be applied better if it includes other developing areas. "With my economic development background and having worked in cities where I have created business development districts and TIF districts, these are tools we are not as effectively putting into use currently (in East Moline)," he said. Within the BDD, the city can then adopt incentives for existing business owners to help with property and building improvements through grants, loans and reimbursement. Rothert said when it comes to base sales tax rates East Moline is behind the curve compared to Rock Island and Moline. Rock Island consumers pay an 8.5% sales tax. Moline already has a BDD and consumers there pay 9.5% in sales tax, while outside the district they pay 8.5%. East Moline, by comparison, has a sales tax of 7.75%. The goal of the BDD, Rothert said, is to raise the sales tax by .75% to put it on par with the other communities. The 8.5% sales tax would put East Moline right inline with Rock Island and Moline outside its BDD, and the funds can go to a variety of projects. "We're just trying to get to where they are on the base level," he said. "As long as we create a program and a framework of which businesses can apply to, they can potentially benefit form the funds that are created." Residents and business owners who are interested in expressing their opinions on the proposed district are invited to an open meeting Thursday, Feb. 1 at the East Point MetroLink Transfer Station Conference Room, 1201 14th Avenue, from 6 to 8 p.m. Comments can also be left online. Thursday's meeting is informational only and no decisions will be made, Rothert said. He will take the feedback gathered and present it to council to vote on at a later time. The council has not identified where the district would be, but downtown, Avenue of the Cities and along Rt. 5 have been earmarked as potential candidates for growing commercial benefits. 2nd Annual Junior Achievement Inspire Career Expo Baby deaths in the Quad-City Region since 1998 Feb. 25, 2002: According to court records, 19-year-old Amber Inskeep of Moline gave birth to a baby girl at her parents' home and hid the baby under the bed. Police found the baby's body. She was convicted in March 2003 of endangering the life and health of a child and sentenced to probation. April 25, 2001: Baby Sarah Jones was found in a bucket in a closet in a Bettendorf home. An autopsy concluded the infant was not born alive. The mother was not charged with improper disposal of a body because Iowa law states: "It is not a body until it breathes." April 10, 1999: Baby April Whiteside was found along the banks of the Hennepin Canal. Her mother, Catalina Mendoza, 21, of Sterling, Ill., was charged with murder. May 1997: Galesburg Baby was found along a fishing road near Lake Storey. April 21, 1997: Baby April LeClaire was found in the back yard of a LeClaire home. Authorities claimed this was the second baby killed by the same mother, Carole Bowe of LeClaire. She eventually was charged in connection with the deaths of Baby April LeClaire and Baby Leap Year, who was found in 1992. Nov. 11, 1996: Baby Jane Lincoln was found inside a barn just east of Lisbon, Iowa. She was alive at birth and died of exposure. Aug. 17, 1996: A baby girl was found dead in a toilet at a campgrounds near Tipton, Iowa. Authorities determined that a 12-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy were the parents of the baby, who was born alive and died of exposure. No charges were filed. April 11, 1995: Baby Northwood was found dead in a cardboard box on the first floor of the Northwood Village Apartment complex in Davenport. Maintenance workers discovered the bloodied body wrapped in a towel. Police identified the mother about two weeks later. She was not charged with a crime. Feb. 27, 1994: Baby Blake John Paul Doe was found in a hallway at Samaritan Hospital South in Clinton. The infant, found healthy and alive less than a day after he was born, was lying on layers of sheets and blankets and tucked in a laundry basket. Authorities said the mother's identity would remain anonymous because she was a juvenile. Her case was handled through juvenile court. Sept. 12, 1993: Baby Girl September was found in a plastic bag beneath the 27th Street bridge in Moline. The full-term girl was born alive and died from injuries, including severe head trauma, before she was discarded in the river and found more than a week later. April 11, 1992: Baby Girl April was found near the Mississippi River at the end of 17th Street in Moline. Her cause of death was a combination of hypothermia and suffocation. Angela Renee Siebke, 50, pleaded guilty to a charge of endangering the life of a child resulting in death on Nov. 22, 2021. She was sentenced on Feb. 15, 2022, to two years in the Illinois Department of Corrections with credit for the 14 months she had served in the Rock Island County Jail awaiting trial since her arrest in December of 2020. Feb. 28, 1992: Baby Leap Year was found in a plastic bag along Moline's Ben Butterworth Memorial Parkway. She died of a fractured skull. Sept. 10, 1991: Baby John Moses was found alive and wrapped in a blanket inside a basket. The baby had been placed on the steps of the Hampton Township Clinic in East Moline. March 3, 1990: Baby Jane Doe was found frozen to death in a snowdrift on East 18th Street in Davenport. Jan. 7, 1990: Baby John Doe was found alive in a cardboard box in a hallway at Indian Bluffs Apartments in Moline. Aug. 18, 1989: Baby Jane Doe was found alive in an athletic bag in a garbage bin behind Big Sur Waterbeds, 1010 E. Kimberly Road, Davenport. July 26, 1988: Baby Joey was found alive and wrapped in a blanket in a car parked at NorthPark Mall, Davenport. Jan. 19, 1988: Rock Creek Baby Girl was found dead in the ice under the Rock Creek Bridge outside Erie, Ill. A Davenport man is facing a charge of first-degree murder after police said he shot and killed a family member Friday night. Wade Steven Gittings, 41, was being held Saturday in the Scott County Jail on a cash-only bond of $250,000. According to the arrest affidavit filed by Davenport Police Detective Sgt. Geoffrey Peiffer, officers were dispatched to 7206 Volquardsen Ave. at 9:07 p.m. to investigate the report of a gunshot victim. The victim was pronounced dead by Medic EMS paramedics. Gittings and the victim live together in the house. During a post-Miranda interview, Gittings admitted to retrieving his own firearm from his bedroom and then confronting the family member. Gittings admitted to shooting the man once, and then several additional times before he fell in a pool of blood. Another family member was present and called 911 for assistance. Peiffer said that at the time of the shooting there were no physical altercations occurring that could be considered a threat to Gittings. It was a verbal altercation that escalated to a shooting. Under Iowa law, first-degree murder carries an automatic sentence of life in prison upon conviction. Quad-City area schools are looking to get students and staff back to normal routines after a nearly two-week wave of winter weather-related disruptions. With storms first hitting the region on Jan. 8, many local districts have yet to complete a full week of school since returning from winter break. "I think the struggles we had with these two snow storms were that they were so long," said Pleasant Valley Superintendent Brian Strusz. "It would snow for 12 hours or longer, and you just never really seem to get ahead of that snow. Then the blowing wind came, and you have to fight that, so it's a challenge. We try to make sure we always have a game plan the night before." Like many local school districts, PV's snow-removal endeavors, including plowing district parking lots and applying ice melt to sidewalks, typically begin around 4 to 4:30 a.m. "When it's really cold out, one of the biggest things we (watch) is if our big buildings are functioning correctly," Strusz said. "You don't want pipes to freeze We watch that very closely." Quad-Cities area superintendents attend a National Weather Service (NWS) webinar at 4:30 a.m. to gauge their districts' response. The NWS also regularly distributes detailed forecast information to local superintendents. "Typically, we're (superintendents) driving the roads from about 3:30 to 4:30, so we can assess the roads ourselves," Strusz explained. "We jump on the (NWS) webinar, that's usually done around 4:45. Then, superintendents are texting and calling each other, saying 'What are we seeing in our districts?'" He said most local superintendents aim to make weather-related calls by 5 a.m. "So our food service staff, custodial crew and bus drivers all know what the plan is," Strusz said. "Then, we can let parents know right away." Jay Morrow, superintendent of United Township High School District, said building staff did "phenomenally well" in preparation. "With the large snowpack and the melting, the strains on our roofing and drainage system are also being tested," he said. "But so far, nothing major (in terms of operational disruptions.)" While early-morning NWS guidance helps with planning, conditions like dangerous wind chills and freezing keep things erratic. "Like this morning, there were no freezing concerns at all," North Scott Superintendent Joe Stutting said Tuesday. "Right around 6:30 to 7, for whatever reason, stuff started to freeze up Sometimes, it isn't very predictable and we get surprised." Considering North Scott's more rural geography, he said the district also carefully coordinates with the Scott County Roads Department. "Our buses probably take 25% longer on their routes right now," Stutting said. Charlie Silver, a senior at Bettendorf High School, said cancellations threw a wrench in final exam schedules. "There was some stress about finals We just had to focus on making sure we do all the (review) content on our own which is good for some but really not good for others," he said. When classes were delayed on Tuesday, Silver wished students had more notice. "I understand it was unpredictable circumstances but it still would have been nicer to see that sooner," he said. "We found out school was delayed by two hours (Tuesday) at 7 a.m., which is a time when some teachers are already at the building and most people are awake, trying to get ready for the day." Still, Silver said his teachers were good about making necessary adjustments. Choosing e-learning or emergency days? Both Iowa and Illinois law now permit districts to use virtual learning or, e-learning in lieu of cancelling on days when harsh weather conditions would prevent school buildings from opening. The process of determining whether to cancel school or hold an e-learning day typically varies by district. "Ultimately, each superintendent has to do what's right for their own community," East Moline Superintendent Kristin Humphries said. When making this call, common factors Illinois school leaders consider include end-of-year calendars; teacher and staff feedback and busing routes. East Moline schools had to shift gears on Jan. 9, as the district's e-learning platform, Google Classroom, crashed unexpectedly. "We sent out a message to let (families) know, 'Go out and enjoy the snow. We're sorry that the system didn't work as intended,'" Humphries said. "If our parents had questions for our teachers and staff, they could still send those messages." Prior to this month, the district hadn't needed to use an e-learning day since the pandemic. "The last couple of years we've been very fortunate with weather," Humphries said. "For the last two weeks, we've been working behind-the-scenes trying to make sure that we're set up so this (platform crash) wouldn't happen in the future." In case inclement weather continues, the district's goal was to ensure all teachers and students were trained on the platform by Monday. Humphries expects the district would use e-learning days going forward. Rock Island High School also uses Google Classroom for its e-learning days. Asa Mahn, a senior at Rocky, said his teachers are good about communicating their expectations on these days. Still, e-learning isn't optimal for some students or classes, he said. "It's much harder to see step by step demonstrations and maybe a math or science class," Mahn said. "And, I think lots of students are less invested in their work when they're not around peers." He also sees the benefits of this option. "For someone who maybe needs to take care of a dog or has other things in their schedule, it's more accommodating," Mahn said. "For me, I sleep for probably half-an-hour later on e-learning days." Reflecting on his experience through the pandemic, Silver has some doubts about e-learning's effectiveness. "We know that people were not focused (during COVID-era virtual learning) unless they were being held accountable through their grades," he said. "If we had the option of doing online learning, I wouldn't want to do it It's far easier to learn through reading or listening to something than it is to get in a call with 20 other people, (especially) when some platforms are just so confusing or difficult to use." While he said e-learning can't replace classroom instruction, Humphries is a "big believer" that e-learning days are better used on brutal winter days than adding days at the end of the school year. For local students on the Iowa side, e-learning is not yet an option, as districts have not adopted formal plans for e-learning days. A committee of PV teachers and administrators plan to meet this spring, Stursz said, to examine possible e-learning options moving forward. "We just have not enacted that yet, "he said. "From the pandemic, we just really couldn't figure out what (e-learning) would truly look like for a kindergartener, and what that would look like for a senior." Adopting an e-learning plan could be in North Scott's future, too. "We would not want to go past five (make-up) days," Stutting said. "That could change with whether or not we started using virtual learning, adding minutes or whatever we might do differently to (avoid going) into the week of June 10." North Scott tries to avoid late starts, he added, due to complications they cause for instructional time and families' transportation plans. Parents who disagree with his decision to delay school won't be punished for keeping their children home, he said. He notes that like many school districts, developing an e-learning plan at North Scott could be a challenge. For example, the district doesn't send technology devices home for kindergarten through fourth-grade. "I think there are a lot of factors every district is going to have to consider, on their own," Stutting said. "To know whether or not (e-learning) would be productive enough to count as an education day." Bouncing back to routine Despite natural scheduling conflicts spurred by the recent delays and cancellations, Quad-City school leaders are eager to get back into routine. "I want to commend our parents, staff and students for their flexibility in these situations," Strusz said. "Just in being able to work with everybody to make sure everyone gets to school safe." While East Moline schools seem to be bouncing back well, Humphries said weeks of snow days and cancellations can be disruptive regardless. "It's hard to get into a rhythm, educationally, during these kinds of weeks," he said. "We do our best, and our teachers are working hard Personally, I'm just glad to get back into rhythm, too." Sarah Ott, spokeswoman for Davenport schools, said district staff worked to ensure a "smooth transition" back to school as weather has improved. "The district is currently evaluating options for making up missed time and will communicate that plan to families once it is solidified," she wrote via email to the Quad-City Times. "As we move through the upcoming winter months, we will continue to work with NWS Quad Cities to evaluate (inclement) weather and road conditions for the safety of our students." To Mahn, the bulk of Rocky's student body appears to be gearing back up well. "We're just further behind than we would be," he said. "I find that smaller classes tend to stay on track more, because there are fewer people that a teacher needs to accommodate." Aside from catching up on school work and reviewing for finals, Silver said he also spent his snow days playing video games, chatting with friends and enjoying the snow as much as he could, that is. "Just generally what a teenager would do if they didn't have to be at school," he said. Photos: Second snowstorm hits the Quad Cities in one week The Richmond Times-Dispatch has concluded its 2023 Richmond Christmas Mother fund campaign with a grand total of $356,133.06. The Times-Dispatch has sponsored the Richmond Christmas Mother program, a yearly holiday fund drive, since 1935, some of those years in partnership with the former afternoon newspaper, The Richmond News Leader. The Richmond Christmas Mother program receives donations from RTD readers and advertisers, and it is building an endowment to help future services. If additional donations are received by March 1, the donors will be offered the choice of having their gifts credited to either the 2023 campaign or the 2024 campaign. Visit go.richmond.com/christmasmother to give online or send contributions by mail to Richmond Christmas Mother Fund, P.O. Box 25864, Richmond, VA 23260. Checks should be made payable to Richmond Christmas Mother Fund. While youre online, visit RichmondChristmasMother.com. This years Richmond Christmas Mother, Jacquelin Ukrop Aronson, and her husband, Scott, lost their infant son 20 years ago. Each Sunday in December, Mrs. Aronson shared a new reflection to support and comfort those who were grieving through the holidays. Previously reported $353,427.85 Todays gifts $2,705.21 Grand total $356,133.06 Joni and Mark, in memory of our parents: Dwight and Pauline Dray and John and Jessie Pascoe $250 Robert and Sherry Kelly, in tribute to the wonderful volunteers of RPI, a nonprofit organization that plans and organizes the Richmond Christmas Parade $100 Ian and Sandra Asplundh $250 Mr. and Mrs. Christopher H. Williams, in memory of Joy and Harry Williams$1,000 Virginia Farm Bureau $104 Dunlora Womans Club $100 Unity of Richmond $901.57 DATA SCIENCE Virginia Tech has announced that Nathaniel Porter, social science data consultant and data education coordinator for University Libraries, has been named maintainer community lead for The Carpentries, an international community of data and computing educators. His primary role will be to recruit, connect, and coordinate The Carpentries lesson maintainers from all over the world. Porter has been involved in The Carpentries in a variety of ways as an instructor, trainer and local community lead, maintainer in instructor training, Curriculum Advisory Committee member, and trainer leadership. He is also a part of a cohort supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the University of California, Los Angeles, that is designing new library carpentry lessons related to open science. MEDICAL Delta Dental of Virginia has apponted Dr. Frank P. Iuorno Jr. of West End Orthodontics in Glen Allen to its board of directors. His professional background and service-focused roles include: past president of the Virginia Dental Association; current chair of the Virginia Dental Services Corp.; and board member with both the Virginia Health Catalyst and the Virginia Orthodontic Education and Research Foundation. Iuorno earned his bachelors degree from Hamilton College and went on to receive his doctor of dental surgery from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Following dental school, he completed a one-year advanced education in general dentistry residency at the Eastman Dental Center in Rochester, New York. Iuorno earned his masters degree and completed a unique combination of residencies at Virginia Commonwealth University, earning certification in both oral and maxillofacial surgery and orthodontics. Jehan Gigi El-Bayoumi, Melissa Schooley, and James Wilding have been named to the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTCs advisory board. They join 19 board members with diverse industry backgrounds and expertise. El-Bayoumi, a medical doctor, has dedicated her career to medical education and improving health equity. In 2013, she helped found the Rodham Institute in Washington, D.C. El-Bayoumi is a professor at Georgetown University Medical Center. Schooley is the vice president for health policy and government affairs at Abiomed, a company providing technology for better cardiovascular health. She partners with physicians and patient advocates to grow awareness of life-changing therapies for heart recovery. Wilding, a Virginia Tech alumnus, is the president and co-founder of Confluence Financial Partners, a wealth management firm headquartered in Pittsburgh, and one of the citys fastest growing companies. ORGANIZATIONS The Kiwanis Club of Roanoke has announced the induction of its board of directors for the fiscal year 2023-24. The new officers elected to serve are: Mike OBrochta, president; Jeanne Bollendorf, president-elect; Joyce Montgomery, vice president; John Montgomery, secretary-treasurer; Ben Spiker, past president; and J. Lee Osborne, president Roanoke Kiwanis Foundation Inc. Directors serving on the 2023-24 board are: Alex Barge, Bill Bestpitch, Bob Habermann, David Hartman, Greg Lionberger, Stephanie Moon-Reynolds, Kevin Reeder, Sheila Umberger and Harry Zulauf. Roanoke Womens Foundation has announced its 2024 officers: Betsy Whitney, president; Trudy Brailsford, secretary; and Ann Green, treasurer. OTHER Roanoke City Council member Stephanie Moon Reynolds has been appointed vice chair of the National League of Cities 2024 Council on Youth, Education, and Families. She will play a key role among a diverse group of local leaders to encourage collaboration, networking and the development of resources and programs beneficial to communities that share demographics, size or location that can be replicated across the country. Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project has named Evangeline Richie its new director of housing and community development. Richie has contributed to community development initiatives throughout her nearly 30 years in the field. Before joining SERCAP, she served as vice president of housing for the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority. Richies professional designations include certified apartment manager, public housing manager and assisted housing manager. Her expertise spans various domains, from public housing and multifamily housing to project-based Section 8, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties, and conventional private sector developments. Richie is also a licensed real estate professional in Virginia. Also at SERCAP, Lashonda Saunders has been promoted to loan fund manager. She has extensive experience in both accounting and finance corporate and nonprofit sectors. Saunders is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Old Dominion University. T. Michael Harshman is the new Maryland state lead for SERCAP. He graduated from College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine, with a bachelors degree in ecology. His previous experience includes business management and program development work for local and national nonprofits. ETS Recruit has announced the following changes: Blake Harris has joined as the business operations and recruitment coordinator. He earned his bachelors degree in history from Radford University. Adam Spangler is a recruiter support associate. Spangler graduated from Roanoke College with a degree in communications. Alex Marjanovich has also joined as a recruiter support associate. He attended Virginia Tech and has a degree in journalism. ETS Dental has announced that Mark Miller has been promoted to recruiter from business operations and recruitment coordinator. A graduate of Virginia Tech, Miller will be focusing on placing dentists in long-term career positions in the Pacific Northwest region. Blog Archive: Mar 2024 (90) Feb 2024 (145) Jan 2024 (156) Dec 2023 (155) Nov 2023 (150) Oct 2023 (155) Sep 2023 (150) Aug 2023 (155) Jul 2023 (155) Jun 2023 (150) May 2023 (155) Apr 2023 (150) Mar 2023 (155) Feb 2023 (140) Jan 2023 (155) Dec 2022 (156) Nov 2022 (150) Oct 2022 (155) Sep 2022 (150) Aug 2022 (155) Jul 2022 (154) Jun 2022 (150) May 2022 (155) Apr 2022 (150) Mar 2022 (155) Feb 2022 (140) Jan 2022 (156) Dec 2021 (156) Nov 2021 (150) Oct 2021 (155) Sep 2021 (150) Aug 2021 (155) Jul 2021 (155) Jun 2021 (150) May 2021 (155) Apr 2021 (150) Mar 2021 (155) Feb 2021 (140) Jan 2021 (155) Dec 2020 (155) Nov 2020 (150) Oct 2020 (158) Sep 2020 (150) Aug 2020 (130) Jul 2020 (124) Jun 2020 (120) May 2020 (124) Apr 2020 (120) Mar 2020 (124) Feb 2020 (116) Jan 2020 (125) Dec 2019 (126) Nov 2019 (120) Oct 2019 (124) Sep 2019 (120) Aug 2019 (125) Jul 2019 (124) Jun 2019 (120) May 2019 (123) Apr 2019 (121) Mar 2019 (124) Feb 2019 (112) Jan 2019 (125) Dec 2018 (126) Nov 2018 (120) Oct 2018 (124) Sep 2018 (121) Aug 2018 (124) Jul 2018 (125) Jun 2018 (120) May 2018 (124) Apr 2018 (121) Mar 2018 (124) Feb 2018 (112) Jan 2018 (123) Dec 2017 (124) Nov 2017 (124) Oct 2017 (141) Sep 2017 (135) Aug 2017 (138) Jul 2017 (137) Jun 2017 (134) May 2017 (138) Apr 2017 (135) Mar 2017 (139) Feb 2017 (129) Jan 2017 (143) Dec 2016 (135) Nov 2016 (138) Oct 2016 (142) Sep 2016 (128) Aug 2016 (133) Jul 2016 (136) Jun 2016 (138) May 2016 (164) Apr 2016 (311) Mar 2016 (348) Feb 2016 (320) Jan 2016 (348) Dec 2015 (314) Nov 2015 (338) Oct 2015 (363) Sep 2015 (358) Aug 2015 (399) Jul 2015 (374) Jun 2015 (331) May 2015 (337) Apr 2015 (319) Mar 2015 (320) Feb 2015 (271) Jan 2015 (286) Dec 2014 (254) Nov 2014 (238) Oct 2014 (287) Sep 2014 (267) Aug 2014 (259) Jul 2014 (260) Jun 2014 (238) May 2014 (241) Apr 2014 (228) Mar 2014 (240) Feb 2014 (217) Jan 2014 (263) Dec 2013 (226) Nov 2013 (254) Oct 2013 (256) Sep 2013 (252) Aug 2013 (263) Jul 2013 (261) Jun 2013 (251) May 2013 (250) Apr 2013 (221) Mar 2013 (193) Feb 2013 (164) Jan 2013 (157) Dec 2012 (155) Nov 2012 (240) Oct 2012 (526) Sep 2012 (411) Aug 2012 (394) Jul 2012 (284) Jun 2012 (229) May 2012 (213) Apr 2012 (213) Mar 2012 (253) Feb 2012 (269) Jan 2012 (298) Dec 2011 (273) Nov 2011 (219) Oct 2011 (204) Sep 2011 (201) Aug 2011 (236) Jul 2011 (217) Jun 2011 (211) May 2011 (206) Apr 2011 (215) Mar 2011 (215) Feb 2011 (186) Jan 2011 (215) Dec 2010 (107) Nov 2010 (98) Oct 2010 (55) A man who evidence showed inflicted a fatal brain injury on a 4-year-old girl entered a no-contest plea to second-degree murder in a rare Sunday hearing in Roanoke Circuit Court. Jonathan Shaquille Anderson, originally charged with first-degree murder and two child abuse-related counts, accepted a plea agreement hed rejected Jan. 11. The case had been set for a jury trial Monday. Under the terms of the deal, the first-degree charge was amended to second-degree murder, and the two other charges were dropped. For a first-degree murder conviction at trial, a jury would have had to have found that Anderson acted willfully and with premeditation. Chief Circuit Judge Christopher Clemens sentenced Anderson, who turns 33 next month, to serve 20 years in prison with an additional 20 years suspended. Anderson also must serve five years of active probation upon release. Clemens told Anderson that it is very unusual to hold court on a weekend. But when attorneys involved told him theyd reached an agreement that could alleviate bringing a jury pool of 60 or more people to court, and more importantly, spare a sibling of the victim from having to testify, he acted. The murder victim, Avianna Nicole Adams, was one of four children, then aged 2, 4, 7 and 9, being watched by Anderson at a residence in the citys Norwich neighborhood on Jan. 21, 2023, according to a summary of evidence presented by Assistant Commonwealths Attorney David Billingsley. The case originated as a 911 call about a child who was unresponsive after running into a door frame in the home. First responders found Avianna on a sofa and began attempts to get her breathing. They transported her to a hospital within minutes. A paramedic who responded to the call quickly noted that Andersons story of what happened did not match the childs injuries. At the hospital, the treating physician diagnosed very significant, irreversible brain damage, according to Billingsleys summary. Doctors, too, said there was no chance that Andersons story aligned what had happened to the child. Two police officers responded to the home in the 2100 block of Russell Avenue Southwest and interviewed Anderson, who initially stuck with his story and showed no remorse about the injuries to the child. Later, Anderson said he whipped the child on her bottom for spilling some seeds, according to the summary. Meanwhile, a forensic interviewer at the Childrens Advocacy Center in Roanoke questioned the two older siblings of Avianna. The oldest said that Avianna had angered Anderson by spilling the seeds near his dogs, which could have taken ill from eating them. Anderson threw Avianna against a wall, according to the childs account, summarized by Billingsley. Police initially charged Anderson with malicious wounding, though the charges were upgraded after Avianna died Jan. 24, 2023. An autopsy found the 4-year-old had a coup pattern injury to her brain, indicating that her brain collided with the inside of her skull while it struck a stationary object, the prosecutor said. She also had a fresh collarbone fracture and significant bruising. Billingsley told the court the question of whether those actions were willful would have been difficult for a jury to decide. Defense attorney Chris Kowalczuk agreed and noted the arc of justice is well served by the outcome. Avianna Adams was Roanokes third homicide victim of 2023, a year in which the city saw a record 31 killings. CHRISTIANSBURG Continuing racial gaps in specific areas of Montgomery Countys education and policing were the topics Saturday as the long-running Dialogue on Race held its Winter Summit. More than 100 people gathered at Christiansburg Middle School for a five-hour program that was part presentation of data and part appeal for solutions or at least for ideas about more digging more deeply into problems that some participants called unsettling in their persistence. Why are the trend lines going in the wrong direction? a woman asked during one of the small group statements given throughout the summit. Martha Ann Stallings and Wornie Reed, both retired career educators and members of the Dialogue on Race Steering Committee, shared information on schools and policing gathered as part of the Dialogues ongoing work. After each presentation, 16 groups, about six to 10 people each, settled in to discuss what theyd heard, then made short statements back to the whole gathering to summarize their thoughts. Reed focused on traffic stops conducted by the Blacksburg, Christiansburg and Virginia Tech police departments and the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office. For the two towns and county, he presented figures from 2016 through 2020. For Tech, he had numbers just for 2020. All seemed to show that Black drivers were more likely than white drivers to be pulled over by officers. In the towns and county, the disparity was greater in 2020 than in 2016, and in Blacksburg, it rose each year that was tracked. Reed looked at the white and Black percentage of the populations of each locality, then at the share of traffic stops that each group had. Each time Black drivers percentage of traffic stops was higher than Black residents percentage of the population. The biggest gap that Reed found between traffic stops of Black and white drivers was in sheriffs office stops in 2018, when Blacks were 3.4 times more likely than whites to be pulled over. Yet the number of tickets written or charges issued after the traffic stops did not show the same disparity, Reed said. Black and white drivers were about equally likely to be ticketed or charged, meaning a higher percentage of Black drivers received just a warning after being stopped, Reed said. Speaking after his presentation, Reed said that he thought the figures for traffic stops showed a problem but that it would be a worse problem if Black drivers were ticketed, charged or faced other harsh outcomes when they were pulled over. A professor emeritus of sociology at Tech, Reed said that he and a team of graduate students were continuing to look into the data in hopes of gleaning more insights. After the small group discussion that followed, numerous summit participants asked law enforcement agencies to respond to Reeds findings. We see it do you see it? Why do you think its happening? one of the small group statements said. Two of the police chiefs present at the Dialogue called for a deeper look at the numbers. Like many of you, we came to the conclusion that the data starts here. It doesnt stop here, Tech Chief Mac Babb said in his stint as spokesman for one of the discussion groups. Blacksburg Chief Todd Brewster said after the summit that he was not ready to say if there was a problem with race-driven traffic stops in the town or nearby jurisdictions. Because so many people commute into Montgomery County for work, the demographics of a larger commuting area, not just Montgomery County, would be a more appropriate comparison when examining traffic stop numbers for the countys law enforcement agencies, Brewster said. Without more review, Brewster said, he could not reach any conclusions. In her look at school issues, Stallings walked summit participants through numbers showed higher rates of chronic absenteeism among Montgomery Countys Black students than among their white classmates, a greater likelihood of receiving short-term suspensions, and lower reading achievement. According to Stallings findings, during the 2022-23 school year, 17.7% of white students missed 10% or more of school days while 27.2% of Black students missed 10% or more. Looking at short-term suspensions during the 2021-22 school year, Stallings found that white students made up 79.3% of the student body and received 77.3% of short-term suspensions, while Black students were 4.4% of the student body and had 8.9% of short-term suspensions. For the 2022-23 school year, white students were 78% of the student population and had 75.3% of short-term suspensions, while Black students were 4.5% of the student population and 12.1% of short-term suspensions. Black students also had lower reading achievement scores than white classmates during three recent years, though in two of those years, Montgomery Countys Black students outperformed the average for Black students across Virginia, Stalling said. As with the policing issues, the summits small group discussions led to calls for a deeper look at the factors that might be contributing to the gaps between Black and white students. Among the areas highlighted for possible review were family histories of trauma, employment of students older relatives, and availability of transportation. After both the law enforcement and education presentations, summit participants called for anti-bias training for staff, whether it be law enforcement officers or teachers and other school staff. The summits opening and closing statements came from Penny Franklin, a co-founder of the Dialogue on Race, Montgomery County School Board member since 1999, and the countys first Black elected public official. She urged summit participants to keep trying to bridge racial gaps, saying that it was more effective to work together to solve problems than to point fingers at one another. You are what helps bring about the change. As youve seen from the data today, weve got work to do, Franklin said. When the work is done and done correctly, the impact on peoples lives is huge, Franklin continued. Were all in this together, whether we like it or not. The latest steps in the return of passenger rail to the New River Valley will occur with a project open house Monday in Blacksburg. The event will be held at the town Community Center, 725 Patrick Henry Drive from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. The Virginia Rail Authority also plans another community survey that also will open on Jan. 29. It can be accessed at vapassengerrailauthority.org. The project, which would extend Amtrak service from Roanoke to a new depot now planned for somewhere near the Uptown Mall in Christiansburg, has been in the works for years. In 2021, the state reached an agreement with Norfolk Southern to extend passenger rail service along the former Virginian Line from Roanoke to the New River Valley for the first time since 1979. Currently, talks and planning continue to finalize and construct the routewhich officials say includes tunnels in Montgomery County that will require potential significant improvements. After the approval of the agreement with Norfolk Southern, several sites near the Christiansburg mall and the Huckleberry trail were selected as the top location for the new passenger depot. The New River Valley Passenger Rail Station Authority also is involved with the project. It is a separate regional entity established in 2021 by the General Assembly. The New River Valley authority is supported by the New River Valley Regional Commission, and its membership includes Montgomery, Pulaski, and Giles counties, Radford, the towns of Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and Pulaski, Radford University and Virginia Tech. The extension of passenger rail to the New River Valley is part of a more than $250 million project that also included the start of a second Amtrak train to and from Roanoke north. The timeline for the start of the passenger rail service in the New River Valley has been in the 2025 to 2026 range. - The Roanoke Times Correction Jan. 28, 2024, 9:30 a.m.: The originally published version of this article, which has been updated, incorrectly reported the governor who pushed to eliminate the car tax. It was Gov. Jim Gilmore, who served from 1998 to 2002. Its no middle of the road issue. Everybody in Virginia loves to hate the car tax. Like cars need gas, cities, towns and counties need cash to keep going. Politicians who talk about steering the state away from vehicle taxes quickly realize they are veering down a bumpy road. Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin challenged the Democrat-controlled Virginia General Assembly to eliminate the single most hated tax in Virginia, during his state of the commonwealth address earlier this month. We can eliminate the car tax, provide real relief, and keep our localities whole, Youngkin said. Our neighbors in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida have lower taxes, or started their journey to lower taxes. But Youngkin did not specify how to eliminate the annual personal property taxes on cars in his proposed state budget this year. In response, Senate Democratic leadership said the idea was dead on arrival, and pointed to a need for greater public education funding. While partisan rifts remain, the idea at least got a boost. Its been decades since former Republican Gov. Jim Gilmore fell short of the no car tax bumper sticker campaign slogan that helped him win election at the turn of the 2000s. Democratic Roanoke City Council member Trish White-Boyd ran for state Senate last year, campaigning against the car tax. She was unsuccessful in her attempt to unseat incumbent Republican Sen. David Suetterlein of Roanoke County, who could not be reached for comment for this story. After 20 years, nobody had talked about it. We campaigned on it because it was an issue that came up during our polling, White-Boyd said. Now our governor is interested in doing it. People need cars every day, especially in rural areas where White-Boyd campaigned, she said. It is a regressive tax, and really impedes people here in Southwest Virginia, White-Boyd said. I think the governor probably saw some validity to that. Regressive means people with lower incomes pay a proportionately larger slice to the car tax. Even if Democrats and Republicans agree theres an issue, the trick is finding an agreeable solution. Youve got to figure out a way to make the localities whole, White-Boyd said. If you take away that revenue from the car tax, what are you going to replace it with? Roanoke in years past offered partial car tax rebates when the city had a budget surplus, but people dont get very much back from that, White-Boyd said. Thats what we can do at the local level, White-Boyd said. It has to be done at the state level. As one possible answer, White-Boyd said state income tax brackets have not been updated since 1990. A result is that taxes owed have outpaced Virginians incomes, a situation known to tax experts as bracket creep, according to a state-funded study published 2022. But Republicans have expressed disinterest in tax changes that could increase rates even for wealthier people. Youngkin said he is only interested in a plan that reduces taxes for Virginians. Del. Joe McNamara, R-Roanoke County, said he is all ears for any proposal to reduce taxes. He works as an accountant when he isnt lawmaking. Id love to get rid of the car tax, but I need a few more details, McNamara said. What are we going to cut to in order to make that a reality? Across Virginia, localities generate about $3 billion in combined car tax revenue per year, and some is already offset by the state, he said. For comparison, that $3 billion total is equal to roughly 10% of the states annual general fund. The sticking point with eliminating the car tax is its a huge revenue source for our localities, McNamara said. It would require either raising taxes in some form or fashion to offset the car tax, or pretty significant reductions in our overall budget. No other tax is more hated, he said. It will take more time, continued revenue growth and ongoing focus to find a solution, and even that might not be a full car tax repeal. Over a multi-year period, if we really put our heads together and that becomes a focus, McNamara said. I think we could at a minimum put a pretty significant dent in the overall level of taxation relative to cars. There hasnt been much movement since former Gov. Jim Gilmore was in office, according to a memo posted last year by the Virginia Association of Counties. Gilmore made the car tax a key issue in his successful 1997 campaign. Since 2004, Virginia has capped its car tax reimbursement total at $950 million, distributed proportionally for localities across the state to pass along to taxpayers. That $950 million per year is what remains today of Gilmore's 1998 plan to fully eliminate the car tax. The plan ran out of gas due to rising costs of implementing a full tax repeal, according to the association of counties memo. Lawmakers in years since have attempted bills to stop the car tax. Those attempts continue into this legislative year. During this 60-day lawmaking session, Senate Bill 126 proposes to use 25% of any $250 million or higher state surplus for car tax reimbursement. The bill comes from first-term Sen. Christie New Craig, R-Chesapeake, and has yet to be heard by a Senate committee. Astronauts often experience atrophy the loss of bone and muscle during their months living in space. People on Earth also tend to see their bones and muscles weaken as they age, increasing the risk of injuries from falls. As companies like Elon Musks SpaceX and Jeff Bezos Blue Origin work to open space travel for more people, scientists are trying to figure out a solution for atrophy. At the University of Central Florida in Orlando, researchers received state funding to collaborate with biotech company Vaxxinity, which moved its headquarters from Texas to Cape Canaveral in Florida last year, to develop vaccines that can prevent or mitigate atrophy. The funding for space medicine research is in line with UCFs roots the public university opened in 1968 to support the growing U.S. space program and will help develop studies to assess the effects of Vaxxinitys immunotherapies on proteins in the body that could affect bone and muscle growth. The goal is to create a vaccine that can help reduce bone and muscle loss or help recover in case of injury, immobility or space travel. Such a vaccine could help people on Earth and in space live a better and healthier life as they age, according to Dr. Melanie Coathup and Dr. Michal Masternak, professors who work in UCFs College of Medicine and are involved in the collaboration. If all goes well, human clinical trials for the vaccines could begin as early as 2025, said Lou Reese, co-founder and executive chairman of Vaxxinity. Research into how people can live longer and healthier lives as they age is becoming more important in the U.S., which expects to see its population of people 85 and older triple by 2060. Healthy aging research is also key to Floridas future; the state has more than 5.5 million residents 60 and older, outnumbering the senior population of 20 other states combined, according to Floridas Department of Elder Affairs. Florida is second to California in people 60 and older. By 2045, Florida is projected to have more than 8.4 million older adults, comprising more than 30% of the states population, according to the departments 2022-2025 state plan on aging. The state is home to NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, which annually sees more than 1.5 million visitors. A vaccine to help stop or reduce the deterioration of bone and muscle also could help further space exploration. It opens up a whole new opportunity for thinking and trying to work out what solutions can come from this and trying to learn as well because what happens in that extreme environment (space) is so different to what happens (on) Earth, Coathup said. NASA is planning to send astronauts back to the moon, a mission planned for 2025. If the U.S. wants to conduct longer space missions, such as to Mars, finding ways to mitigate bone and muscle deterioration will be key in reducing some of the health strains of space, Masternak said. Astronauts exercise for an average of two hours a day to reduce the bone and muscle deterioration caused by zero gravity, according to NASA. Without the exercise, the space agency says astronauts wouldnt be able to walk or stand up when they return to Earth months later. A recent 2022 study of bone loss in 17 astronauts who flew aboard the International Space Station, with missions ranging from four to seven months, found that the astronauts experienced significant bone loss during six-month spaceflights. The astronauts exhibited 2.1% reduced bone mineral density in the tibia, one of the bones of the lower leg, and 1.3% reduced bone strength, according to Reuters. The loss is what we would expect to see in older adults over two decades on Earth, and they only recovered about half of that loss after one year back on Earth, University of Calgary professor Leigh Gabel, the lead author of the research published in the journal Scientific Reports, told Reuters. Nine of the astronauts didnt fully recover bone mineral density a year after their flight. Reese, Vaxxinitys executive chairman, said the company wants to help humanity prepare for the next millennia, and this vaccine research is just part of the puzzle. If humanity is to become a space-faring species," he said, "solving fundamental problems related to space travel and living are table-stakes." 9 essential pieces of midcentury design popularized by the Space Race 9 essential pieces of midcentury design popularized by the Space Race Pastil chair by Eero Aarnio, Componibili storage by Anna Castelli Ferrieri, Birillo lamp by Carlo Nason Panton chair by Verner Panton Ball chair by Eero Aarnio and Moon lamp by Gino Sarfatti Inflatable sofa by Quasar Khanh Its Advice Week! In On Second Thought, well revisit questions from the archives and dig into how much has changed since Slate began giving advice in 1997and how much hasnt. Read all stories here. Ah, the early 90s: a simpler time. It was before reality TV revolutionized the entitlement of the masses who want to get attention and money for just existing, before 9/11 and the safety theater of the TSA, before presidential candidates in the U.S. could run on an explicit platform of ending democracy. And it was a time when What is a butt plug? was a common question to write in to a sex advice column. At least thats how Dan Savage broke down a key difference between writing his advice column then and now during a recent phone conversation from his home in Seattle. Butt plugs have a Wiki page nowI dont have to explain butt plugs anymore, said the writer and podcaster, whose Savage Love advice column began publishing in 1991. Now everything is about situational ethics, he said, as peoples conception of sex has expanded through the years, thanks in no small part to Savage himself. And those columns are harder to writeand easier to fuck up. In the mid-90s, I would say, I write a sex advice column, and professors, journalists, researchers wouldnt want to play in that sandbox because it was so demeaning, Savage recalled. He said thats much different now, as I can also attest, as the co-author of Slates sex advice column, How to Do It. Another change: He said he receives far fewer gay panicrelated questions now than he did when he started, as well as fewer questions that ask, in so many words, Am I normal? Thats a question, he said, he worked hard to make go extinct. There was also the rise of porntube sites in the mid-aughts, a trend Savage credits with expanding understanding of the range of sexual practices out there (or, as queer theorist Gayle Rubin put it, benign sexual variation). As a result, you just couldnt be in denial anymore about how infinitely varied and subjective desire, arousal, turn-ons, kinks, all of that was, and theres just this collective shrug where everybody went, Were all freaks, Savage said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sex advice column is a working example of how culture operates as a feedback loop, which is informed by the same public it goes on to inform. In Confidential to America: Newspaper Advice Columns and Sexual Education, David Gudelunas writes, The primary function of an advice columnist is not to dispense interpersonal advice to writers but rather to serve as a cultural benchmark that both identifies and helps to shift social norms pertaining to human sexuality. The focus of Gudelunas book is Dear Abby and Ask Ann Landers, so he argues that this role has existed for well over half a century. Writer Tristan Taormino, who said her diaristic Village Voice column Pucker Up (which ran from 19982008) was a direct result of the papers aim to expand upon Savages early success, pointed to the term pegging, which Savage coined via a 2001 reader contest. And all of a sudden, pegging is in all the advice columns, she said. I feel like the audience got savvier. Taormino has watched the discursive profile of anal sex in general grow over the years. When my book [The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women] first came out in 1998, people did not want to talk about it. And now, quite literally, there are anal sex columns in Teen Vogue, she said. Advertisement Taormino wrote her own advice column, The Anal Advisor, in the Hustler offshoot Taboo from 19992014. These days, a lot of her advice-giving takes place when she speaks on college campuses; she said shes seen an increase in questions about BDSM but also a consistency in subject matter over the years. Theres a through line of basic questions which havent changed since the late 90s. And that comes out of abstinence-only sex ed, she said. Once they get to college, all of a sudden they have the opportunity to ask these questions. Advertisement Related From Slate Ive Noticed a Very Strange Change in Young People Nowadays Read More Audience savvinessor lack thereofhas long been a guiding force of advice columns, and not just for how it has complicated questions. In Newspaper Confessions: A History of Advice Columns in a Pre-Internet Age, Julie Golia writes of the communities that formed around newspaper advice columns of old, like the Detroit News Experience, which regularly featured reader input on questions, resulting in an anonymous community in a mass-media form to ask for guidance but also to be heard and valued. As Golia told me, That traditional model cannot be understood outside of the constant dialogue that happens on the internet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her book, Golia draws a parallel to the subreddit Am I the Asshole?, a crowd-sourced Reddit advice column for the modern age that effectively amputates the central personality of the traditional model for something more democratic. Carolyn Hax, who has published a now-daily advice column in the Washington Post since 1998, regularly integrates reader responses to questions into her answers. She told me this was in part a product of an active online community in the comments section. Once a week, Hax sits it out, and her column is devoted entirely to reader responses. The column is more about general relations than sexual ones, though Hax does occasionally broach the topic. Previously, she was less confident about opining in an area of specialized knowledge, but now Im much more comfortable with the idea of just being sex-positive, she said. My understanding of this has gotten so much better over the yearsof what works and what doesnt work and what comes with a side of shame, which complicates everything and makes it worse. Thats just time and experience. Advertisement Feedback has been a mixed blessing for Savage. A lot of us learn to stop reading our mentions, he said. And yet, hes learned and grown from being yelled at by readerssometimes literally. He recalled running into writer Kate Bornstein on the streets of Seattle in the 90s, who took him to task for something jokey stupid he wrote about gender-confirmation surgery. Their meeting spawned a column, which introduced the gender theorist to many of Savages readers. And all because I fucked up, Savage said. And because I was receptive when Kate Bornstein said, You fucked up. I didnt tell her to fuck off. I didnt do a Netflix special about how much I hate her. Still, when Savage started writing in print, his archive wasnt instantly accessible, the way it is today. There was this understanding that writers and columnists were still thinking and reassessing and revising their opinions as more info or life experience came in, he recalled. And somehow the internet destroyed peoples ability to perceive that or allowed bad actors to argue that thats not what you did. They will hold up the bloody shirt of something you wrote 25 years ago, and youre like, Have you read anything that Ive written in the last 20 years about literally that? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As forebears to the modern advice column like Dr. Ruth Westheimer and Lovelines Dr. Drew Pinsky did on television and radio, respectively, many of todays self-styled dispensers of advice have expanded beyond the written word, using TikTok, YouTube, and podcasts. (Savages Savage Lovecast turns 18 this year.) This is another mixed blessing, according to Dr. Debby Herbenick, professor and director of Indiana University Bloomingtons Center for Sexual Health Promotion. I think theres a lot of upsides to video-based sex education and sex information coming out, said Herbenick, who has written several advice columns, including Kinsey Confidential for the Kinsey Institute from 2001 to 2018. It can be entertaining, it can be engaging, it can get it to lots of different sources. On the other hand, theres also not a lot of eyes on it for fact-checking. When you dont have something thats kind of written out there that people can parse and go through, it really does kind of become a little invisible. Advertisement Taormino noted that the market for sex podcasts is saturatedand were all vying for the same ad dollars. She contrasted the post-Savage boom that saw the birth of her Pucker Up column and countless others crop up with the current censorious state of media, in which writers and sex workers are penalized for talking about sex on social media. Herbenick recalled a drugstore chain dropping an unnamed magazine she wrote for as the result of her writing about sex. I had to fight to talk about HPV and sex toys, she said. And I didnt always win those fights. And when I did, those publications were taking a risk. Advertisement Advertisement Shrinking and obliterated newsrooms only add to the difficulty of writing about sex (at least, writing about sex and getting paid for it). A certain strain of common wisdom states that people dont read anymore, so its only natural that a lot of the public sex discourse has poured into audio and visual media, or pithy comments on crowdsourced advice columns like r/AmITheAsshole. Yet the written sex-advice column persists. Advertisement Advertisement For Savages part, he remains just as engaged as he was 33 years ago. Im getting questions now from the middle-aged children of the people I gave advice to before they had kids, he said. If I had to write Whats a butt plug? over and over and over again, forever, Id probably lose my mind. The trouble that people get themselves into seems to constantly be interesting. And the situational ethics, theres an infinite number. One genre of sex advice is Whats a butt plug? Theres an infinite number of ways that people can shit the bed and fuck up their life and need help or need validation or need to be told that theyre not the asshole or be told that they are the asshole. And so I think it is still interesting. And I still get questions that surprise me. On a cold and rainy November day, a 65-year-old American rabbi trudged down the muddy roads of a Palestinian refugee camp. When the rabbi and his colleagues stopped, refugees gathered around them in a scene of disappointment, frustration, [and] despair. Gaunt men and children, big-eyed and thin, walked up and clutched the rabbis raincoat. Several began chanting, in Arabic, We want to go home! Weary, broken women watched silently from their tents as rain and wind chilled their bare feet. Guilt overcame the rabbi. In my deepest heart, I said the prayer of confession, the rabbi wrote, referring to a prayer recited on Yom Kippur, the fast of atonement. Anachnu Chatanu. We have sinned. One could imagine this scene taking place recently. Yet it was 1953 when Rabbi Morris Lazaron walked through the refugee campShatila, located in Lebanonwhere he witnessed firsthand the suffering of Palestinian families who had lost their homes during the war that accompanied Israels creation in 1948. The illimitable misery of the refugees, to use Lazarons words, had a decisive impact on the former head rabbi of the prestigious Baltimore Hebrew Congregation. After his trip, Rabbi Lazaron began calling on the Israeli government to recognize the right of Palestines Arab refugees to return to their prewar homes and urged the Jewish state to admit 100,000 of them into the country immediately. Lazaron felt that the Jewish historical experience should compel all Jews to support the Palestinian refugees. As members of what he called the tribe of the wandering feet, Lazaron pressed fellow American Jews to remember that they, too, were once strangers in the land of Egypt. Jewish identity weighed heavily on the rabbis mind as he considered how to respond to Palestinian suffering. Yet the hidden context of the rabbis trip reveals that the stakes of his response extended far beyond the realm of Jewish ethics. Lazarons visit to Lebanon had been organized and financed by a secretly CIA-funded advocacy organization called American Friends of the Middle East, a group created to give Americans a more sympathetic picture of the Arab side of the Israeli-Arab conflict. AFME published Lazarons book about the trip in 1955, apparently as part of a broader public relations effort that aimed to make it easier for United States officials to pressure Israel to accept the return of 75,000 Palestinian refugees. Slate receives a commission when you purchase items using the links on this page. Thank you for your support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CIA was far from the only government body interested in American Jewish responses to the Palestinian refugee crisis. Lazaron articulated his lament on a playing field where various governmental actorsIsraeli, American, and Araball jockeyed to shape U.S. public opinion surrounding the Palestinian refugee question. Just as AFME was organizing Lazarons trip, Israeli diplomats were quietly working to undermine both the Jewish newspaper that Lazaron wrote for and the anti-Zionist Jewish group he represented, the American Council for Judaism, which in turn had begun fostering warm ties with Arab officials. The American Jewish debate over Palestinian rights involved a struggle over Jewish identity, as Lazarons words reflect. But as his broader story shows, the debate also is, and always has been, part of a high-stakes political struggle between government officials and others over the future of Israel, the fate of the Palestinians, and the orientation of American foreign policy toward the Middle East. Advertisement There is a narrative about the trajectory of the American Jewish relationship with Israel that pervades all corners of the organized Jewish community today. For millions of secular-minded American Jews, Israel was the glue. Israel was the cause, declared conservative commentator Bret Stephens at the American Jewish Committees 2022 Global Forum. Zionism was an effective and powerful and emotionally satisfying substitute for religious observance, he continued, bemoaning that in contrast, at the height of last years war [the 2021 Gaza crisis], so many young American Jews were eagerly signing letters denouncing Israeli behavior. While young American Jewish letter-signers may not appreciate Stephens tone, they probably would not dispute the gist of his historical observation, which is considered common knowledge both in Jewish political commentary and in scholarly works. For decades, American Jews had rallied around the Jewish state, with Israel uniting American Jewry in a way that nothing else could, including religion. But then at some point, according to this telling, young left-wing Jews began criticizing Israel over its policies toward the Palestinians, breaking with past generations to shatter this once-sacred consensus and imperil any semblance of Jewish unity. Advertisement Advertisement Despite its ubiquity, this narrative is flawed in its basic assumptions. Ever since an estimated 750,000 Palestinians lost their homes amidst Israels birth in 1948, there have been American Jews deeply unsettled by Israeli policies toward both the Palestinian refugees and Arabs living under Israeli rule. These critics of old consisted not only of a few stray rabbis like Morris Lazaron, but in fact extended well into the American Jewish establishmentincluding leaders and staff members of the AJC. The collective amnesia with regard to this history has been complete: None of the over 1,000 AJC members in Stephens audience likely had any idea that in 1957 their organizations president confronted Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion, urging him to liberalize Israels policies toward its Arab citizens. The audience would not have known that at an AJC gala 66 years before their own, the Jewish advocacy organization announced a plan to aid Palestinian refugees that it ultimately shelved in response to Israeli pressure. And unless they had sifted through faded yellow papers in their archives, they could not have known that the first Middle East expert on the AJCs staff, Don Peretz, lost his job because Israeli diplomats did not like his research on the Palestinian refugee issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stephens and his audience cannot be faulted for being unaware of these past events because they are, more or less, unknown. Histories of American Jewish life make almost no mention of any communal concern for the Palestinians in the years after Israels creation, implying that it emerged, at the earliest, in the 1970s. Even studies of Jewish anti-Zionism and non-Zionism during Israels early years have tended to neglect the Palestinian question, focusing instead on debates over the role of nationalism in Jewish identity. Advertisement The fact that this historical undercurrent is so unknown is, to some extent, the result of concerted campaigns. From the beginning, Israeli diplomats watched American Jewish interest in Palestinian rights issues with deep suspicion. Declassified Israeli foreign ministry files reveal that some of Israels most celebrated diplomats secretly plotted to undermine American Jews who wrote about the sensitive question of Palestinian refugees, often succeeding in getting them removed from positions of influence. These diplomats persuaded reluctant employers to drop troublesome employees whom they had once trusted, quietly sidelining various American Jewish efforts to highlight or resolve Palestinian rights issues in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Advertisement These findings call for a rethinking of the very nature of the early Israel-American Jewish relationship. So much written about this era focuses on the emotional affinities that American Jews held for Israel, but far less has been written on Israels views of American Jewry. Rather than acting from a place of emotional connection and intracommunal kinship, Israeli officials acted in pragmatic ways toward the American Jewish community in the context of a wider public relations battle that raged between them and pro-Arab voices, which included Arab diplomats and some in the U.S. government. Israel during its early years was in a precarious place as it faced an economic crisis, high security costs, and the expense of resettling hundreds of thousands of Jewish immigrants. To meet these budgetary needs, the Israeli government turned to American Jews, who between 1948 and 1956 sent Israel more than $700 million in charitable donations and over $270 million in cash from bond sales, a combined sum that would total over $10 billion in 2022 dollars. American supporters of Israel, including Jews, also lobbied elected officials on diplomatic issues and successfully urged the government to send economic aid to Israel, which totaled $450 million (around $5 billion today) in combined loans and grants during that same eight-year stretch. Since the young country was reliant on American Jewish support in so many ways, perhaps it should be expected that its officials acted to ensure that the question of Palestinian rights did not weaken American Jewrys commitment to Israel, harm Israels public image, and damage the U.S.Israel relationship more broadly. Israel was, in short, acting as any state might, given the circumstances. Advertisement Advertisement To a certain extent, my new book shows that Israeli leaders instrumentalized American Jewish organizations, which highlights the power of the young state and the political savvy of its diplomats. But to focus only on that would be an oversimplification. American Jewish organizations first had to yield some of their autonomy to the Jewish state. Doing so involved American Jews beginning to conceptualize their interests and ideals not as distinct from those of Israel but as identical to thema process that blurred crucial differences between the community and the state. This required that these organizations turn away from a distinctive American Jewish identity as a historically dispossessed minority that has thrived in a liberal secular state and instead adopt the values of Israel, a country premised on meeting the needs of an ethno-national majority. To frame the question underlying this shift in biblical terms, as Lazaron might have: Is the core of Jewish identity remembering that we were once strangers in the land of Egypt? Or is it all about maintaining a restored Kingdom of David? Advertisement American Jews of the 1940s, 1950s, and beyond often had remarkably deep conversations about the meaning of Israels power over Palestinians. In recovering this history, Our Palestine Question serves not so much as a starting point for discussion as a medium that will inform conversations that are already taking place today and engage them with lost voices from the past. From there, one can see how the path to the present involved not fate but crucial decisions made over the course of decades that have shaped the politics of today surrounding Israel, the Palestinians, and the nature of transnational Jewish politics. Advertisement Advertisement This history sheds light on political dynamics that at times feel very distant from those of the present. The American Jewish establishment did not always view anti-Zionism as inherently antisemitic. Some Jewish community leaders considered themselves non-Zionist until years after Israels founding. American Jewish institutions that had been established long before 1948 took time to accommodate themselves to the reality of Jewish statehood, a process that involved countless discussions about what Jewish sovereignty overseas meant for Jewish citizens of the United States. Jews had been a perpetual minority, so many American Jewish institutions had mobilized around liberal and left-leaning ideologies designed to protect minority groups and those seeking refuge. Suddenly, after 1948, there was a Jewish state that not only ruled over a non-Jewish minority group but also denied the right of refugees to return to their homes on the basis of their ethnicity and religion. Israels birth created a sense of cognitive dissonance for these American Jewish organizations as they attempted to come to terms with Israels power over the Palestinians without abandoning the ideologies that they regularly used to protect the rights of Jews outside the Jewish state. More than 75 years later, American Jews are grappling with new aspects of these same crises, an internal struggle that the bloody Israel-Hamas war in Gaza has made all that more urgent. These dilemmas will not be resolved easily, but perhaps the only way to start working through them is by reflecting on their long, forgotten history. Excerpt adapted from the introduction of Our Palestine Question: Israel and American Jewish Dissent, 19481978, by Geoffrey Levin, published by Yale University Press, 2023 by Geoffrey Levin. Refer to book for footnotes. All Rights Reserved. Equator Coffees: Honduras Liquidambar ParainemaJust featured on Fellow Drops, our newest coffee comes from Liquidambar: a Honduras farm named after a tree indigenous to Central America and prominent throughout the valley where the farm is located. Established only seven years ago, Liquidambar has already experienced great success. A washed Parainema lot from Liquidambar was one of the winners in last seasons Cup of Excellence competition in Honduras. This light-roasted coffee is complex and concentrated, with flavors of starfruit, toffee, and licorice. Back to top. Greater Goods Roasting : Rungeto PB Rarely has a coffee release synced up with the start of a season quite like this one. Hailing from Kirinyaga County in central Kenya, this peaberry lot is the warm, comforting, hot cocoa in front of the fire the spirit of winter in coffee form. Peaberry makes up about 10% of Kenyas coffee export and is highly sought out for its depth of sweetness and a thick, syrupy body. You can enjoy your winter days with notes of golden apple, black treacle, and red currant jam. Joe Coffee : Colombia La Familia Guarnizo This coffee comes to us through a strong relationship between Joe Coffee and the El Paraiso growers association in Huila, Colombia. This bright and light-bodied selection was grown by a special group of El Paraisos member farmers: the Guarnizo family. Featuring notes of stone fruit and almonds with a medium acidity, this coffee is a customer favorite. Madcap Coffee Company : Finca de Dios Husband and wife duo Ellen and Stuart Prentice oversee a 19-hectare farm, encompassing a multitude of microclimates. Ellen inherited the farm from her father in the early 70s, falling in love with the coffee growing process and planting more and more on the land. Together with their daughter Ashley, theyve established state-of-the-art processing equipment for their farm, Finca de Dios (Farm of the Gods). In this years harvest, expect notes of cacao, orange, and agave. Monogram Coffee : Trifle Four different coffees have been layered (like a trifle!) to create a unique brewing experience where the flavours will mingle and change as you brew through the bag. As you enjoy Trifle, youll work your way through: a spicy anaerobic marsellesa natural from Costa Rica with delicious cinnamon notes a fermented honey processed castillo peach coffee from Colombia a delicious chiroso caturra natural with strawberry yogurt notes a fermented honey processed castillo grape coffee from Colombia Night Swim Coffee Night Swim Coffee: Blue Orchid SumatraTypically we expect specialty grade coffees to come from mountainous regions along the equator. Brazil, Colombia, Honduras, and Ethiopia rank among the largest coffee producing countries in the world, but I think people would be surprised to know that both Vietnam and Indonesia are #2 and #4 on that list. Connecting people to the places where coffee comes from, our core effort at Night Swim, provides us some unique opportunities to tell the stories of all kinds of coffee, not just ones were familiar with or are currently popular in the US market. Over the next few months, well begin highlighting coffees from China, El Salvador, Tanzania, Bolivia and this beautiful coffee from Indonesia. You can find coffees from these regions roasted by great roasters around the globe, but theyre new to Night Swim. I think a lot of coffee drinkers are probably really unfamiliar with coffees from Asia, and as we started thinking about how we wanted to focus our coffee menu for the upcoming months, we were simply excited to drink coffees that we dont interact with very often. This is a semi-washed or wet-hulled coffee from Sumatra, Indonesia. Its fruity-sweet, tropical, and finishes like one of our favorite candy bars. Were thrilled to offer this first installment in our initiative to highlight underrepresented coffee growing regions! Back to top. Olympia Coffee Roasters Olympia Coffee: Jose Landaverde Gesha NaturalOne of the worlds most sought-after varietals, grown in one of Central Americas finest regions. Jose Landaverde Gesha Natural underwent a 60-hour anaerobic fermentation before drying in the natural method, yielding coffee deeply imbued with tropical-fruit sweetness and balanced with smooth, full-bodied flavor. Back to top. Onyx Coffee Lab Onyx Coffee Lab : FramilyWe are excited to release our seventh edition of this heartwarming Holiday coffee that embodies the joy of spending time with friends and family. This washed coffee from Banko Gotiti is a developed medium roast creating complex cocoa notes mixed with sweet berry cobbler-like flavors. Designed to accommodate the coffee nerd or the heavy-handed cream and sugar in-laws youre welcome, my friends. Back to top. Partners Coffee Partners Coffee: Ethiopia Meselech TubeMeselech Tube tends a three hectare farm in Sidama where she focuses her attention on high quality naturals. She is among a growing cohort of coffee farmers in Ethiopia whose production is available in isolation, traceable all the way to the farm itself. This lot is a classic representation of Sidamas naturalswe taste syrupy strawberry, blueberry, banana, and black tea. Back to top. PERC Coffee PERC: Java Frinsa EstateThis is our second time sourcing this beauty from Java. If you tasted it last year, youll know why! Its an intensely sweet and funky coffee. The anaerobic fermentation done at the farm contributes to its big fruity flavors, and the cup finishes with a deep, fudgy note thatll keep you coming back for more. Its truly a unique coffee that delivers all the wild vibes you can handle. Back to top. Stumptown Coffee Roasters Stumptown Coffee: Bella Vista Bella Vista has been gracing our menu for nearly two decades, and every year, when we think theres no way it can get any better, it does. This exceptional single origin coffee represents one of our oldest direct trade relationships, and every sip reflects the meticulous care that goes into producing it. This years lot is supremely balanced with notes of candied citrus and milk chocolate with a soft, honeyed finish. Back to top. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240127/trump-calls-porous-southern-border-weapon-of-mass-destruction-1116442323.html Trump Calls Porous Southern Border 'Weapon of Mass Destruction' Trump Calls Porous Southern Border 'Weapon of Mass Destruction' Sputnik International Donald Trump, the likely Republican nominee for president, lashed out at the Biden administration on Saturday for allowing the migrant surge on the southern border to continue. 2024-01-27T22:47+0000 2024-01-27T22:47+0000 2024-01-27T22:47+0000 americas us donald trump joe biden texas republican mexico illegal migration illegal immigrants illegal migrants https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/1b/1116442454_0:0:3192:1796_1920x0_80_0_0_f1005608dc0fa7fa30ebfc288163c349.jpg "Our border has become a weapon of mass destruction our destruction," he wrote in a series of blog posts on his Truth Social media platform. The former US president, who is seeking reelection in the 2024 race, wrote that 302,000 migrant encounters were recorded in December, in what he described as "an all-time record." He claimed that "terrorists" were pouring, unchecked, into the United States from all over the world and that there was now a "100% chance" of a major terrorist attack happening in the country. The simmering border security dispute between Congress Republicans and Democrats escalated this week after the Supreme Court allowed federal border patrol agents to remove physical border barriers placed by Texas, to which Texas Governor Greg Abbott said he was ready for a conflict with federal authorities. More than two dozen Republican governors expressed solidarity with Texas in its standoff with the federal government over efforts to secure the states border with Mexico from illegal migration. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240127/texas-border-dispute-shows-entire-us-constitutional-system-collapsing-in-multiple-ways-1116422032.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240126/extremely-dangerous-texas-border-battle-portends-growing-us-dysfunction-civil-war-1116420922.html americas texas mexico Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International donald trump, presidential candidate, presidential campaign, presidential hopeful, presidential election, us elections, us presidential elections, 2024 us elections, 2024 us presidential elections, washington-texas war, illegal migration, illegal migrants, what's going on in texas, constitutional crisis, texas and us federal government, texas and washington in a standoff, texas, us civil war, civil war, border crisis, washington-texas war, border security https://sputnikglobe.com/20240127/us-border-patrol-union-says-its-upsetting-biden-prevents-securing-us-southern-border-1116442100.html US Border Patrol Union Says It's 'Upsetting' Biden Prevents Securing US Southern Border US Border Patrol Union Says It's 'Upsetting' Biden Prevents Securing US Southern Border Sputnik International US National Border Patrol Council Vice President Art Del Cueto told Sputnik that it is upsetting the Biden administration continues to block efforts to secure the US southern border. 2024-01-27T22:22+0000 2024-01-27T22:22+0000 2024-01-27T22:22+0000 border security us joe biden texas texas national guard us supreme court americas us border patrol us-mexico border biden administration https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/1b/1116441943_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_620ca9fa6cde4e95e40907f85e607a8b.jpg On Monday, the US Supreme Court ruled that federal agents can cut razor wire fencing Texas installed on miles of the US-Mexico border, but it does not require the state to remove it. The Texas National Guard placed razor wire fencing along the state's border with Mexico in order to deter the record level of migrants coming into the United States illegally and overwhelming local resources and communities struggling to cope with the crisis. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said on Friday that he was prepared for a conflict with federal authorities over the dispute. The Biden administration also recently asked the Supreme Court to prevent the Texas National Guard from blocking federal Border Patrol agents from accessing a stretch of land along the US southern border town Eagle Pass, Texas. The border town has been a hot spot for illegal migration since President Joe Biden came into office in 2021. The Biden administration has argued that Texas' actions on the southern border prevent federal agents from doing their duties. US Customs and Border Protection recently revealed that there were more than 302,000 migrant encounters on the US southern border in December, marking the highest single-month figure ever recorded. The Biden administration has experienced three consecutive years of record numbers of illegal migration on the southern border. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240127/texas-border-dispute-shows-entire-us-constitutional-system-collapsing-in-multiple-ways-1116422032.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240126/extremely-dangerous-texas-border-battle-portends-growing-us-dysfunction-civil-war-1116420922.html texas americas Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International washington-texas war, illegal migration, illegal migrants, what's going on in texas, constitutional crisis, texas and us federal government, texas and washington in a standoff, texas, us civil war, civil war, border crisis, washington-texas war, border security https://sputnikglobe.com/20240128/belarus-russia-to-build-2-twin-engine-planes-jointly-by-2026-1116454857.html Belarus, Russia to Build 2 Twin-Engine Planes Jointly by 2026 Belarus, Russia to Build 2 Twin-Engine Planes Jointly by 2026 Sputnik International Belarus and Russia plan to design and build the first two 19-seat, twin-engine aircraft by 2026 and ramp up their production to dozens within the next four years, Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Petr Parkhomchyk said Sunday. 2024-01-28T19:48+0000 2024-01-28T19:48+0000 2024-01-28T19:50+0000 world belarus russia plane civil aviation cooperation passenger plane https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/1c/1116454698_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_46dcdad90ade92faafefd62c93bfb9d8.jpg "We are making swift progress. Last year our companies signed an agreement on the construction of a 19-seat, twin-engine aircraft. We are designing it jointly. The task isnt easy: We must build the first two planes by 2026 The smallest number of jets to be produced by 2030 is 85-100," he told the Belarus 1 TV broadcaster. belarus russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International belarus-russia relations, belarus-russia cooperation, belarus-russia union, joint plane, civil aviation, passenger plane https://sputnikglobe.com/20240128/death-toll-from-israeli-strikes-in-gaza-strip-rises-to-26422-1116447802.html Death Toll From Israeli Strikes in Gaza Strip Rises to 26,422 Death Toll From Israeli Strikes in Gaza Strip Rises to 26,422 Sputnik International The death toll from the Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip has reached 26,422, while 65,087 people have been injured, the Gaza Health Ministry said on Sunday. 2024-01-28T10:31+0000 2024-01-28T10:31+0000 2024-01-28T10:31+0000 world israeli-palestinian conflict israel-gaza conflict palestine-israel conflict hamas https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0b/0f/1114965853_0:100:1920:1180_1920x0_80_0_0_fc1e7dc44874d78d2de9631cda907e8f.jpg "The number of victims of Israeli aggression since October 7 has risen to 26,422; 65,087 were injured," the ministry said on Telegram. In November, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said that Hamas had been defeated in the northern part of the enclave and the Israeli military would now mover to the center and south of the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military claims that about 9,000 Hamas fighters were eliminated in the three months since the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip. Various estimates put the total number of Hamas troops between 30,000 and 40,000. On October 7, Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel from the Gaza Strip while its fighters breached the border, attacking both civilian neighborhoods and military bases. As a result, over 1,200 people in Israel were killed and some 240 others abducted. Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. On November 24, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the prisoners and hostages, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1. More than 100 hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240128/the-end-of-israel-national-leaders-say-netanyahu-is-existential-threat-to-country-1116444112.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International israel-hamas conflict, israel gaza war, gaza deaths, hamas, palestine killed https://sputnikglobe.com/20240128/ex-mp-uk-navys-lack-of-missiles-shows-anti-houthi-op-was-knee-jerk-reaction-1116452910.html Ex-MP: UK Navy's Lack of Missiles Shows Anti-Houthi Op Was 'Knee-Jerk Reaction' Ex-MP: UK Navy's Lack of Missiles Shows Anti-Houthi Op Was 'Knee-Jerk Reaction' Sputnik International The US-led operation against Yemen's Houthis has exposed a serious gap in the UK Navy's missile capabilities, as per the Telegraph. Ex-UK MP Matthew Gordon-Banks sat down with Sputnik to discuss the issue. 2024-01-28T19:29+0000 2024-01-28T19:29+0000 2024-01-28T19:29+0000 united kingdom (uk) military military & intelligence yemen red sea navy houthis tomahawk royal navy british royal navy https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/105017/09/1050170922_0:80:1438:889_1920x0_80_0_0_afbf472b5a8be80018cb6e110135581e.jpg Starting January 12, the US and its allies have carried out several rounds of strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. However, it turned out that none of the Royal Navys warships can fire missiles at targets on land, forcing the UK to scramble Royal Air Force jets based 1,500 miles away to conduct the mission. Eventually, the US had to carry out most of the strikes on Houthi targets.While American destroyers can fire Tomahawk missiles, the UK military vessels mostly used Harpoon anti-ship missiles, which were subsequently retired in 2023. As per the Telegraph, the Norwegian-made Naval Strike Missile, which is capable of hitting land targets, "has only been installed on one vessel so far as part of a trial and has yet to be fired."The newspaper quoted a former senior defense chief who fumed over the Royal Navy lacking surface-to-surface missiles: "Its clearly a scandal and completely unsatisfactory," he said.The media further cited Rear Admiral Chris Parry, a former senior naval officer, who warned that the lack of proper surface-to-surface missiles had left the navy "exposed": "The real worry is that we are not going to be able to go toe-to-toe with our Chinese and Russian opposite numbers in encounter actions and we are going to see more and more of these issues," he stressed.The UK leadership clearly miscalculated when it decided to jump on Washington's Mideast military op bandwagon, according to Matthew Gordon-Banks, an international relations consultant, former member of parliament and retired senior research fellow of the UK Defense Academy.The former MP explained that "the UK did not think through the consequences of its actions before sending a ship to the Red Sea" whereas other European NATO member states have been "more cautious and realistic." "We need to sharpen our diplomatic tools not to create a wider conflict in the region," he stressed.When asked whether it is reasonable to expect a gradual decrease in tensions in the face of the depletion of Western forces, the British politician replied: https://sputnikglobe.com/20240127/us-think-tanks-cost-of-bidens-attacks-on-houthis-may-exceed-that-of-red-sea-trade-disruption-1116435814.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240116/us-uk-launch-strikes-on-al-bayda-province-in-central-yemen---source-1116201578.html united kingdom (uk) yemen red sea Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova uk royal navy, uk navy's lack of surface-to-surface missiles, us-uk attack on houthi targets in yemen, palestine-israel conflict, russian navy, chinese navy, uk navy unpreparedness for great power conflicts, joe biden's middle eastern strategy https://sputnikglobe.com/20240128/high-ranking-ukrainian-defense-officials-exposed-in-40-million-corruption-case-1116448361.html High-Ranking Ukrainian Defense Officials Exposed in $40 Million Corruption Case High-Ranking Ukrainian Defense Officials Exposed in $40 Million Corruption Case Sputnik International The past few years have seen a slew of corruption scandals shatter Ukraines military sector, prodding President Volodymyr Zelensky to remove Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov in September 2023. 2024-01-28T12:57+0000 2024-01-28T12:57+0000 2024-01-28T12:57+0000 world ukraine corruption charges cases suspicion ukrainian counteroffensive attempt https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/1c/1116448203_0:0:3001:1688_1920x0_80_0_0_eff316c0e97a99f509110d9ef9abbb39.jpg Ukraines Security Service (SBU) has searched houses and offices of Ministry of Defense (MoD) officials and managers at the Lvov Arsenal arms supplier who they claim are involved in a massive corruption scheme.Who is Accused?Five individuals from the MoD and Lvov Arsenal have reportedly been served notices of suspicion (the first stage in Ukrainian legal proceedings), while one suspect has been detained trying to cross the countrys border, according to the SBU.The Ukrainian Security Service stated that the documentation of the crime took place with the assistance of the country's current Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. According to the investigation, former and current high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Defense were also involved in the scheme.The suspects include former and current heads of the MoD's department for military-technical policy, the Lvov Arsenal's head and commercial director, as well as a representative of a foreign company. Investigators are currently determining a preventive measure for the remaining defendants in the case who face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.How Embezzlement Took PlaceA contract for the shells was clinched with Lvov Arsenal in August 2022, while payment was made in advance, with some funds transferred abroad. No arms, though, were ever provided, with some funds then moved to other foreign accounts, the statement said.Last September, Ukraines Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov was reportedly dismissed over numerous cases of graft in the military. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky scrambled at the time to reshuffle the countrys top brass against the backdrop of Kievs botched counteroffensive, which finally claimed the lives of at least 160,000 Ukrainian soldiers. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230208/corrupt-draft-evasion-scheme-uncovered-in-ukraine-source-says-1107075050.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230904/what-are-the-corruption-scandals--failures-plaguing-the-kiev-regime-1113103252.html ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg corruption cases in ukraine, searches in houses of ukrainian ministry of defense officials and managers of the lvov arsenal arms supplier, kiev's botched counteroffensive https://sputnikglobe.com/20240128/israel-defense-forces-says-conducted-exercises-to-increase-readiness-on-northern-border-1116444775.html Israel Defense Forces Conduct Exercises to Increase Readiness on Northern Border Israel Defense Forces Conduct Exercises to Increase Readiness on Northern Border Sputnik International The IDF said the training combined tanks, combat engineering, infantry and artillery forces. 2024-01-28T03:56+0000 2024-01-28T03:56+0000 2024-01-28T04:40+0000 military israel defense forces (idf) israeli-palestinian conflict gaza strip israel-gaza conflict hamas palestine-israel conflict israel https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116372960_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_ea7c3732cad7204655dc9ab0105c8e1f.jpg The IDF said the training combined tanks, combat engineering, infantry and artillery forces. On October 7, 2023, the Gaza Strip-controlling Hamas movement launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel and breached the border. As a result, over 1,200 people in Israel were killed and some 240 others abducted. Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. About 26,000 people have been killed so far in Gaza, local authorities said. On November 24, 2023, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the prisoners and hostages, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1, 2023. More than 100 hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240128/the-end-of-israel-national-leaders-say-netanyahu-is-existential-threat-to-country-1116444112.html gaza strip israel Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International idf, israeli defense forces, gaza strip, gaza conflict, israeli-palestine conflict, hamas, humanitarian disaster, humanitarian catastrophe, humanitarian ceasefire, israel-hamas conflict, gaza strip crisis, shelling of gaza, gaza devastation, israel-palestine conflict, palestine-israel conflict, israeli-palestinian conflict, palestinian-israeli, zionist regime, zionists, hamas attack, israeli strikes, israeli forces, israeli military https://sputnikglobe.com/20240128/mediators-propose-hostage-release-deal-to-establish-4-month-ceasefire-in-gaza--reports-1116446618.html Mediators Propose Hostage-Release Deal to Establish 4-Month Ceasefire in Gaza Reports Mediators Propose Hostage-Release Deal to Establish 4-Month Ceasefire in Gaza Reports Sputnik International Arab mediators are working on an agreement between Israel and Hamas to release all remaining hostages in the Gaza Strip in exchange for a roughly four-month ceasefire, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, citing Egyptian officials familiar with the plan. 2024-01-28T08:11+0000 2024-01-28T08:11+0000 2024-01-28T08:11+0000 world israeli-palestinian conflict israel-gaza conflict palestine-israel conflict hamas hamas leaders https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0b/08/1114815396_0:23:3013:1718_1920x0_80_0_0_482b0400d62c3ad3e601bc35c213c46d.jpg The proposal provides for an initial six-week pause in the fighting to allow the release of children, women and elderly people in need of medical care from Hamas captivity, according to the report. In exchange, Israel will release a significant number of Palestinian prisoners and increase the flow of aid into the Gaza Strip. The Egyptian officials added that under the plan, in subsequent stages, Hamas would release female soldiers, then male soldiers, and also hand over the remains of the dead to Israel. At the same time, Hamas will receive international guarantees, including from the United States, that during this ceasefire, a comprehensive agreement that will lead to an end to the war in Gaza will be reached. The sources added that Israel and Hamas had not yet officially responded to the proposal, and that the deal may not go through at all. The parties now mainly agree on the framework of a future deal, which includes several stages and a potential long-term ceasefire, the sources said. On October 7, the Gaza Strip-controlling Hamas movement launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel and breached the border. As a result, over 1,200 people in Israel were killed and some 240 others abducted. Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. About 26,000 people have been killed so far in the Gaza Strip, local authorities said. On November 24, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the prisoners and hostages, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1. More than 100 hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240128/the-end-of-israel-national-leaders-say-netanyahu-is-existential-threat-to-country-1116444112.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240127/insanity-on-steroids-ex-us-official-describes-israel-neocon-nexus-driving-foreign-policy-1116423242.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International israel-hamas deal, israel-hamas at war, gaza strip crisis, gaza war https://sputnikglobe.com/20240128/niger-mali-and-burkina-faso-quit-ecowas-citing-threats-to-members-1116450803.html Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso Quit ECOWAS Citing 'Threats to Members' Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso Quit ECOWAS Citing 'Threats to Members' Sputnik International Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali have announced their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS). 2024-01-28T15:03+0000 2024-01-28T15:03+0000 2024-01-28T15:55+0000 world africa insight niger burkina faso economic community of west african states (ecowas) mali https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/01/15/1106548408_0:26:3073:1754_1920x0_80_0_0_5b775ef56ff18f969f0b4795777ebd53.jpg Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali have announced their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS)."ECOWAS, under the influence of foreign powers and having betrayed its founding principles, has become a threat to member states and their peoples... the organization has failed to assist our countries in the fight against terrorism and insecurity," the joint statement published on the National Council for the Defense of the Fatherland of Niger page said.The countries also noted that the regional bloc introduced illegal, illegitimate, inhumane and irresponsible sanctions.Niger's military-appointed Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine accused ECOWAS of dishonesty on Thursday after the negotiating mission, whose arrival was expected in Niger's capital Niamey, failed to show. The delegation explained its absence by citing a technical malfunction of the aircraft. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230917/mali-burkina-faso-niger-sign-charter-to-create-defense-alliance-1113425182.html niger burkina faso mali Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International burkina faso, niger and mali have announced their withdrawal from the economic community of west african countries (ecowas). https://sputnikglobe.com/20240128/north-korea-fired-several-cruise-missiles-from-east-coast---reports-1116443922.html North Korea Fired Several Cruise Missiles From East Coast - Reports North Korea Fired Several Cruise Missiles From East Coast - Reports Sputnik International North Korea has fired several cruise missiles from its east coast, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported citing the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). 2024-01-28T02:54+0000 2024-01-28T02:54+0000 2024-01-28T02:55+0000 military north korea south korea missiles sea of japan missile launch cruise missile https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/08/15/1112754500_0:0:896:505_1920x0_80_0_0_26b0947bda4afca80b0d5204f6b671f8.png According to the report, the launch occurred at about 8 a.m. (23:00 GMT Saturday) off Shinpo Port. No further details were provided, citing an ongoing analysis. Earlier this month, a spokesman for the North Korean National Defense Ministry said in a statement that Pyongyang had tested the still under-development "underwater nuclear weapon system Haeil-5-23" in the Sea of Japan in response to the joint three-day naval exercises by the United States, South Korea, and Japan involving a US nuclear carrier and other warships. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240125/north-korea-carries-out-first-test-fire-of-new-type-strategic-cruise-missile-1116371864.html north korea south korea sea of japan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International dprk missile, north korea missile, cruise missile, north korean missiles, north korean launches, north korean army, north korean rockets https://sputnikglobe.com/20240128/pentagon-chief-vows-retaliation-after-attack-on-us-troops-in-jordan-1116454988.html Pentagon Chief Vows Retaliation After Attack on US Troops in Jordan Pentagon Chief Vows Retaliation After Attack on US Troops in Jordan Sputnik International US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said Sunday he was outraged by the deadly attack on American troops in Jordan, promising that retaliation would come "at a time and place of our choosing." 2024-01-28T20:09+0000 2024-01-28T20:09+0000 2024-01-28T20:09+0000 world us central command (centcom) joe biden us lloyd austin pentagon jordan us bases us military bases drone warfare https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/08/1116065797_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_1eb14ec82e510e452db88924c8ad9678.jpg "I am outraged and deeply saddened by the deaths of three of our U.S. service members and the wounding of other American troops in an attack last night against U.S. and Coalition forces," he said in a statement. Earlier in the day, US Central Command said three US soldiers were killed and 25 others were injured in a drone attack at a US military base in Jordan's northeast near the border with Syria. US President Joe Biden pinned the blame on unspecified Iran-backed militant groups while also saying that the US was still gathering the facts. Jordanian cabinet spokesman Muhannad Mubaidin said it was a drone attack. He also insisted that the strike targeted the US Al Tanf base in Syria, rather than a base in the Jordanian territory. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240128/us-centcom-says-3-servicepeople-killed-25-injured-in-drone-attack-on-base-in-jordan-1116452048.html jordan syria Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International lloyd austin, us bases, us bases, us military bases, us troops, american soldiers killed, american bases, us-jordan relations, us-iran tensions, iran attacks american bases, iran attacks us, iran-us war, us-iran war, us bases shelled, american bases shelled, us base under attack, israel-palestine conflict, palestine-israel conflict, israeli-palestinian conflict, drone attack, drone strike, drone warfare, us-jordan war, jordan https://sputnikglobe.com/20240128/putin-says-russia-belarus-have-common-interests-in-antarctica-1116451318.html Putin Says Russia, Belarus Have Common Interests in Antarctica Putin Says Russia, Belarus Have Common Interests in Antarctica Sputnik International Russia and Belarus are going to cooperate in Antarctica as both countries have common interests in the region and things to work together on, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday. 2024-01-28T15:54+0000 2024-01-28T15:54+0000 2024-01-28T15:54+0000 world vladimir putin alexander lukashenko russia belarus antarctica union state https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/1c/1116449216_0:104:3070:1831_1920x0_80_0_0_269bfabf6903bf6fd5cf58c719a49348.jpg "Today we have considered such an unusual issue as cooperation in Antarctica. One could wonder as to where we are and where Antarctica is. No, it turns out that there are joint interests there as well, there is something to work on together. And we will certainly do so," Putin said at a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko also said he discussed the economy and defense industry cooperation at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday.Lukashenko added that the two allies would take the experience of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine into account when advancing their defense industry cooperation.Putin said ahead of the meeting in St. Petersburg that he would update his counterpart on the latest developments on the battlefield.Putin, for his part, welcomed advances in cooperation between Russia and Belarus, singling out trade as a case in point.Putin hosted Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in his home city on Sunday ahead of a Union State summit on Monday. He said Russia was Belarus largest investor, with a total of $4 billion. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240128/putin-launches-new-complex-of-vostok-station-in-antarctica-1116449100.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231213/how-deep-does-russia-belarus-military-cooperation-go-1115557014.html russia belarus antarctica Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia and belarus are going to cooperate in antarctica as both countries have common interests in the region and things to work together on, russian president vladimir putin said on sunday. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240128/russia-uk-not-enemies---uk-heritage-party-leader-1116447370.html Russia, UK Not Enemies - UK Heritage Party Leader Russia, UK Not Enemies - UK Heritage Party Leader Sputnik International David Kurten, the leader of the UK party Heritage, has said that Russia is not an enemy of the United Kingdom and slammed the news of a possible war with Moscow. 2024-01-28T09:43+0000 2024-01-28T09:43+0000 2024-01-28T09:43+0000 world russia-nato showdown united kingdom (uk) david kurten sergei naryshkin nato expansion https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/0a/19/1090200041_0:159:3077:1890_1920x0_80_0_0_f06b9064f580ca0ab761a71997ca982d.jpg On Wednesday, UK Chief of the General Staff Gen. Patrick Sanders urged UK citizens to be prepared to serve in the military in the event of a conflict with Russia. At the same time, the UK government promised that it would not introduce conscription."What a load of rubbish. Russia is not our enemy," Kurten said on X, commenting a claim by security expert Anthony Glees that UK citizens will have to go to war with Russia "within six years." Earlier this week, Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergei Naryshkin told Sputnik that Western claims of Russia allegedly planning to attack NATO were an information war to justify the West's current hybrid warfare against Moscow. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia had no need to attack anyone. Russia has been vocal over the past years about NATO's unprecedented activity along its western border, saying that NATO was expanding its presence under the pretext of "deterring" perceived "Russian aggression." Moscow has repeatedly expressed concern about the buildup of NATO forces in Europe. The Kremlin has said that Russia is not threatening anyone, but will not ignore actions that are potentially dangerous to its interests. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240126/prudent-or-war-psychosis-what-are-prospects-for-european-military-1116396900.html united kingdom (uk) Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia-nato showdown, russia, uk, uk heritage party, nato expansion, nato buildup https://sputnikglobe.com/20240128/struggling-to-meet-recruiting-goals-us-navy-says-high-school-diploma-no-longer-needed-1116444917.html Struggling to Meet Recruiting Goals, US Navy Says High School Diploma No Longer Needed Struggling to Meet Recruiting Goals, US Navy Says High School Diploma No Longer Needed Sputnik International Were telling our recruiters to go get 40,600 people to join the Navy, said the branchs chief of personnel. We dont fully expect to get that many. But were going for it. 2024-01-28T04:25+0000 2024-01-28T04:25+0000 2024-01-28T04:38+0000 military us us navy military & intelligence pentagon us troops us soldiers us marines americans biden administration https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/12/1092336803_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_7c204c8774f3a49cae953f783ee15e86.jpg The Navy is the latest branch of the United States armed forces to lower its recruitment standards after struggling to meet its yearly goals.Now the Navy will accept some of those potential recruits lacking a high school diploma or GED, assuming theyre able to score 50 or above on a qualification test.The move comes after the service previously lowered their qualification requirements in 2022, again amidst recruitment challenges. The Navy is the only branch of the US armed forces that admits applicants who score below 30 out of 100 on the qualification test. Officials say some positions, such as in maintenance or food preparation, dont require a conventional education.The change in policy likely wont be enough to fully meet the Navys recruiting shortfall. The branch fell 5,866 recruits short of its goal last year, while Cheeseman estimates perhaps 500 of the applicants it turned away would immediately be able to score high enough on the exam. Still, the Navy hopes the revised policy will encourage more people to enlist, and that low-scoring applicants can eventually make the grade with proper training.The US Air Force also reported failing to meet their recruiting goals last year, while the Army said they fell 15,000 short of their target. Only the Marine Corps and the fledgling Space Force hit their goals.The recruitment problems come as the Biden administration recently announced talks to end the countrys 20-year military presence in Iraq. Biden presided over a chaotic pullout from Afghanistan in 2021. Polling shows Americans confidence in the countrys armed forces has reached a two decade low. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230929/us-lawmakers-demand-pentagon-explanation-over-soldiers-inadequate-living-conditions-1113804803.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20220902/ex-dod-analyst-spike-in-us-military-sex-abuse-triggered-by-lowered-recruiting-standards-1100323946.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg us soldiers, us army, recruiting crisis, us navy, us recruits, marine corps, high school diploma, educational background https://sputnikglobe.com/20240128/the-end-of-israel-national-leaders-say-netanyahu-is-existential-threat-to-country-1116444112.html The End of Israel? National Leaders Say Netanyahu Is Existential Threat to Country The End of Israel? National Leaders Say Netanyahu Is Existential Threat to Country Sputnik International A group of 43 prominent figures from throughout Israeli society have released a letter demanding the immediate removal of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 2024-01-28T03:17+0000 2024-01-28T03:17+0000 2024-01-30T10:27+0000 analysis benjamin netanyahu palestine-israel conflict israel israel defense forces (idf) hamas israeli supreme court hezbollah israeli-palestinian conflict israel-gaza conflict https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/07/1116035190_0:320:3072:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_ee658cf5eb68c38e759e20ad789c7e85.jpg A group of 43 prominent figures from throughout Israeli society have released a letter demanding the immediate removal of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.Netanyahu is a clear and present danger to the country read the statement, which claimed Israel has leaders capable of replacing him immediately.The letter was delivered to the Israeli parliament and President Isaac Herzog. Copies were also sent to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, underscoring the importance of Israels largest state benefactor in the countrys governance.The remarkable act of defiance comes as the economic damage of Israels almost four-month long state of war sets in. Some 360,000 reservists, or about four percent of Israels population, were called into military service in the days after Hamas October 7 operation. Nearly half a million people have fled the country.The unprecedented societal upheaval caused a labor shortage even before the Houthis effective blockade of the Red Sea in recent weeks damaged the economy further. When Israel pulled thousands of troops from Gaza earlier this month, Israeli military spokesman Admiral Daniel Hagari admitted the government hoped to ease the burden on the economy.But Israeli society faced political turmoil before October 7 as demonstrators flooded the streets to protest Netanyahus planned judicial reform package. The Israeli Supreme Court recently struck down the legislation, ruling in an 8-7 decision that the prime ministers proposal would harm the core character of the State of Israel as a democratic country.The letters signers suggested Netanyahus damage to the cohesiveness of Israeli society enabled Hamas unprecedented attack. Leaders of Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas openly praised what they correctly saw as a destabilizing and erosive process of Israels stability, led by Netanyahu, and seized the opportunity to harm and damage Israels security, they alleged.The composition of the Israeli prime ministers political coalition has caused him considerable strain in recent months. Netanyahu was forced to include hardline figures like Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich in his cabinet in order to eke out a narrow majority in the Knesset, Israels lawmaking body. But Biden administration officials have criticized the two lawmakers by name recently in response to their open calls to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza.Netanyahu rejected calls to step down at a press conference last week, using the occasion to also reject the possibility of a Palestinian state. His posturing suggests hes keen to keep far-right members of his coalition on board, but the rejection of a two-state solution places him at odds with Biden.It remains to be seen how long Netanyahu can publicly rebuff the United States or to what degree President Biden might pressure the prime minister amidst significant pushback from his own base. In the meantime, observers have suggested Netanyahu has an incentive to prolong military action to secure his political fate.If Biden is replaced by former President Donald Trump this fall, Netanyahu may find himself with greater leverage to implement the Israeli rights desired ethnic cleansing of Gaza. The outcome assumes a highly-fractured Israeli society is able to unite behind him for another ten months, a proposition that remains to be seen. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230806/israels-netanyahu-vows-to-scale-back-judicial-reform-amid-protests-1112426006.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231221/expert-milquetoast-us-support-for-two-state-solution-created-trigger-happy-israeli-politics-1115734065.html israel palestine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg benjamin netanyahu, netanyahu must leave, netanyahu's domestic policy, israel-hamas war, israel-hesbollah war, two-state solution, humanitarian disaster, humanitarian catastrophe, humanitarian ceasefire, israel-hamas conflict, gaza strip crisis, shelling of gaza, gaza devastation, israel-palestine conflict, palestine-israel conflict, israeli-palestinian conflict, palestinian-israeli, zionist regime, zionists, hamas attack, israeli strikes, israeli forces, hostages, israeli military, hamas fighters, hamas soldiers, hamas military, killings of civilians, civilian infrastructure, civilians dead, civilians die, israel kills civilians, civilian casualties, civilian deaths https://sputnikglobe.com/20240128/trump-considering-imposing-60-tariff-on-chinese-imports--reports-1116446163.html Trump Considering Imposing 60% Tariff on Chinese Imports Reports Trump Considering Imposing 60% Tariff on Chinese Imports Reports Sputnik International Former US President Donald Trump discussed with his advisers the possibility of imposing a 60% tariff on all imports from China if he is re-elected, the Washington Post reported on Sunday, citing sources. 2024-01-28T06:39+0000 2024-01-28T06:39+0000 2024-01-28T06:39+0000 world china us-china relations donald trump joe biden https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0c/18/1115788179_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_6045cab4ada66b9d44a7ed885c97eb79.jpg The former president is considering options for starting a new large-scale economic attack on China if he returns to the White House, which, according to the report, could lead to a global trade war. Experts asked by the newspaper said that such a move could lead to enormous disruption to both the US and global economies, which would be much more serious than the impact of the trade wars of Trump's first term. The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to Washington Post's request for comments. The United States currently has a 25% tariff on $300 billion worth of Chinese imports. Relations between Washington and Beijing have significantly deteriorated under the Trump administration, which started a trade war with China. Under incumbent US President Joe Biden, the situation did not improve, as a number of incidents, including a visit to Taiwan by then House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the destruction of a Chinese balloon in US airspace, led to a new round of diplomatic confrontation. Recently, the Biden administration has taken some steps to normalize relations, in particular, senior US and Chinese officials held several meetings, but full rapport between Washington and Beijing was not achieved. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240117/chinas-gdp-at-end-of-2023-up-52-yy---national-bureau-of-statistics-1116213054.html china Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International donald trump, trump china, us-china trade war, china us relations https://sputnikglobe.com/20240128/what-are-russias-year-round-and-seasonal-research-stations-in-antarctica-1116452370.html What are Russia's Year-Round and Seasonal Research Stations in Antarctica? What are Russia's Year-Round and Seasonal Research Stations in Antarctica? Sputnik International President Vladimir Putin green-lit the trial operation of a new winter module at the Russian Vostok study station in central Antarctica on January 28. How many research stations does Russia have in the South Pole and what role do they play? 2024-01-28T18:58+0000 2024-01-28T18:58+0000 2024-01-30T10:29+0000 russia world antarctica vladimir putin alexander lukashenko ussr stations antarctic south pole sputnik explains https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/05/07/1095333842_0:131:2500:1537_1920x0_80_0_0_7d7b4772efbb3c713c9b17ca96df740c.jpg Russian President Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko remotely took part in the ceremony to inaugurate a new winter module at the Vostok research station in Antarctica on Sunday.However, Russia's record of Antarctic exploration is even greater. In the period from 1819 to 1821, the Russian south polar expedition on the vessels "Vostok" and "Mirny" under the command of Thaddeus Bellingshausen and Mikhail Lazarev approached the shores of an unknown ice continent several times. The continent was later named Antarctica at the end of the 19th century. The first confirmed sighting of the South Pole land mass is, therefore attributed, to the Russian expedition.Presently, Russia operates 10 research stations in the South Pole: five year-round facilities and five seasonal stations.Year-Round Stations:"Mirny": The station became operational in February 1956, becoming the first year-round Soviet center in the South Pole, located in Queen Mary Land on the Antarctic coast of the Davis Sea. After a short period, the station received special magnet, seismic and aerologic facilities. Geological, aerologic, gravimetric and other laboratories were also built there and a radio station located at the base ensured its direct connection to Moscow. Now, the station is mostly used for climatological and geophysics research."Vostok": The station was founded in 1957 during the second Soviet Antarctic expedition. It is located at an altitude of 3,500 meters in inland Princess Elizabeth Land near the South geomagnetic pole of the Earth making it possible for Russian researchers to observe changes in the Earth's magnetosphere."Novolazorevskaya": The station is located at the southeastern tip of the Schirmacher oasis and on the shores of Lake Stantsionnoye, Queen Maud Land. It was opened on January 18, 1961. It hosts an airfield: the runway was built in 1979 to receive Il-76 aircraft."Bellingshausen": The first Russian Antarctic station on the West Antarctica coast which was founded on February 22, 1968, at Collins Harbour on King George Island of the South Shetland Islands. It's the northernmost Russian Antarctic station providing capabilities for unique geological, glaciological and biological studies."Progress": The station, which is located at the Larsemann Hills Antarctica oasis on the shore of Prydz Bay, was founded on April 1, 1988. Initially, it was a seasonal base for geological and geophysical research, while in 2012 a new wintering complex was opened in it. By November 2022, Russia had built a new airfield near the station. The airfield allows bringing Russian expedition staff to Antarctica faster compared to traveling by ship.Seasonal Stations:"Molodezhnaya" started operating in 1962 and had long been considered the capital of Soviet Antarctica. There were about seventy buildings at the base, lined up into streets. Closed in 1999, it was switched to seasonal operations in 2006. It is located in the Thala Hills on the southern shore of Alasheyev Bight in the Cosmonaut Sea."Oasis Bangera" was founded in an Antarctic coastal oasis in the western part of Wilkes Land in 1987. The first Soviet base, initially installed in the Bunger Oasis in 1956, was donated to Poland and renamed Dobrovolskaya station."Druzhnaya-4" was founded in 1987 near Sandefjord Bay (Coronation Island) to ensure the logistic support to Soyuz Station and Progress Station. The climatic conditions in the base area are favorable for seasonal work."Leningradskaya" is located on the northern shore of Victoria Land on the Oates Coast. It became operational on February 25, 1971. It was used for studies of meteorology, Earth magnetism, oceanology and glaciology. It was closed in 1991, but the works at the station partially resumed after 2008."Russkaya" is located on the Ruppert Coast in Marie Byrd Land in Western Antarctica. It was opened on March 9, 1980, and closed in 1990. In 2008, it was reopened for seasonal research. In 2019, a decision was made to switch the station to year-round operation and work is still ongoing to make the necessary modifications. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240128/putin-launches-new-complex-of-vostok-station-in-antarctica-1116449100.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230731/russian-scientists-succeed-in-growing-watermelons-in-antarctica--research-institute-1112277158.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240128/putin-says-russia-belarus-have-common-interests-in-antarctica-1116451318.html russia antarctica ussr antarctic south pole Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova russia, antarctica, vladimir putin, russian explorers in antarctica, soviet antarctic missions, russian year-round stations in antarctica, what are russia's year-round stations in antarctica, russia's seasonal stations in antarctica, what are russia's seasonal stations in antarctica This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Social media platform X, formerly Twitter, will open a moderation office in Texas with an emphasis on fighting content linked to child sexual abuse, the company said. The initial goal of the "Trust and Safety center of excellence" in Austin will be to recruit 100 content moderators, focusing on weeding out child sexual exploitation (CSE) content and other violations of the platform's rules, Joe Benarroch, head of business operations at X, told AFP Saturday. "X DOES NOT have a line of business focused on children, but it's important that we make these investments to keep stopping offenders from using our platform for ANY distribution or engagement with CSE content," Benarroch said in an email. The company purchased by Elon Musk at the end of 2022 said in a blog post Friday it was "determined to make X inhospitable for actors who seek to exploit minors." "X has strengthened its policies and enforcement to tackle CSE. We are now taking action on users that distribute this content and also taking immediate action on the networks of users who engage with this horrible content." Benarroch noted that children under 13 cannot open accounts on X, while young users aged 13 to 17 automatically default to a private setting, and cannot be targeted by advertisers. X's announcement comes ahead of a hearing in the US Senate on Wednesday, titled "Big Tech and the Online Child Sexual Exploitation Crisis." Top executives from Meta, Snap, TikTok, Discord and X will testify in front of the Senate's Judiciary Committee. X will be represented by CEO Linda Yaccarino. She was in Washington last week to meet with elected officials from both parties on topics including child protection, content moderation, disinformation and artificial intelligence. "We wanted to help Senators/staff understand how X is a new company and what has evolved over the past 14 months. Because as it relates to CSE in particularthere had been a lot ignored before acquisition that X has changed," Benarroch said. X currently has more than 2,000 content moderators, both full-time employees and contractors, he said. Musk, a self-declared "free speech absolutist," vowed to remove restrictions at Twitter after he bought the platform. Many rules were removed or relaxed, with numerous banned figures able to return. Last month, the EU announced "formal infringement proceedings" against X, under a law designed to combat disinformation and hate after identifying suspect posts related to Hamas's October 7 attack in Israel. The action was the first against a major online platform since Brussels implemented the Digital Services Act (DSA), a sweeping piece of European Union legislation that strengthens online companies' responsibility for content moderation. 2024 AFP We may earn commission from links on this page learn more This captivating six-part series offers an exclusive peek into the lavish lifestyles of Third Homes elite clientele. Advertisements The show takes viewers on a grand tour of some of the most luxurious and sought-after holiday homes across the globe. Giles Adams, the Head of Strategy at Third Home, serves as our guide, showcasing how the worlds wealthiest individuals enjoy their leisure time. In the first episode, audiences are introduced to the inner workings of this exclusive club. The journey begins with visits to Kenya, South Africa, and Canada, offering a glimpse into the world of millionaire holiday home swaps. The episode seeks to uncover whether these high-end vacations truly live up to their extraordinary reputations. Originally aired on Paramount+ under the title Millionaire Holiday Home Swap, this series is a must-watch for those fascinated by the opulence of the elite. The Big Posh Holiday Swap airs on Channel 5 on Sunday, 28 January 2024 at 10:00PM. Hearne Superintendent Adrain Johnson has been in public education for 46 years. He never envisioned all Texas schools would be required to have an armed security officer on campus as a measure of defense. We used to just do tornado drills and fire drills, Johnson said. Well, now theres a long list of things we have to train for with our staff and students to make sure theyre prepared for whatever the issue might be. House Bill 3, which was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott last June, requires an armed security officer at every campus in the state. The bill came in direct response to the May 2022 shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, which left 19 children and two adult teachers dead. The bill gave school districts $15,000 per campus and $10 per student to help fund these new mandates, and also allotted $1.1 billion to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to award grants to schools and districts. Yet, school administrators say these funds wont allow districts to create a permanent and stable source to budget new requirements, such as armed security officers, that are recurring costs. Fencing, if we can do it through a bond or some other way, its a one-time cost for a good long time, but armed security personnel, thats going to be a recurring cost so barring another donation or some legislative change coming up, we will have to find a way to fit that into our budget somewhere else which theres a finite amount so that would have to take the place of something else or be able to find more grants, said Kevin Beesaw, Bryans assistant superintendent of business services. Both the Texas House and Senate drafted bills during Novembers special session that wouldve shared up to a combined $2.1 billion in school safety funds with districts across the state and give the TEA an additional $400 million to award in grants dedicated to school safety. Neither bill was voted on in the other chamber, though, as the funds were tied to a bill that included a school voucherlike program that was voted down by the House. Abbott made it clear during the four special sessions last summer and fall he planned to veto any education funding bill that didnt include vouchers. State Rep. John Raney, R-College Station, authored an amendment to kill the House bill during the fourth special session and the amendment passed easily. While it killed Abbotts final chance of passing a voucher-like program, it also took additional safety funding off the table. There is a shortfall in funding and we need our elected officials to give us assistance because these mandates were pushed down and the burden to comply with that on the financial side, that responsibility has been given to the district, said Tracee McClendon, College Stations coordinator of safety and risk management. The Bryan, College Station and Hearne school districts, along with a number of other districts across Texas, passed deficit budgets for the 2023-24 school year. Public documents show employee salaries account for the largest percentage of the Bryan and College Station school district budgets. In August, both Bryan and College Station school districts approved contracts with TNT Security Solutions to comply with HB 3. Both districts had previous agreements with their citys respective police departments to provide school resource officers at certain schools, including the high schools. College Station added officers at each of the districts 13 elementary and intermediate schools. Both Bryan and College Station school districts received unsolicited $1 million donations from the Donald and Donna Adam Family Foundation in January 2023 as the Legislature geared up for the 88th session. Beesaw said those funds, along with money from grants, will allow Bryan to pay for armed security through next school year. Then comes the challenge of figuring out whats next. I know there were districts that didnt have funding available for that, so they just had to say they could not do it, which is difficult when the Legislatures mandating that, Beesaw said. Although grants have proven to be helpful for districts in this area, McClendon said there are some limitations. College Station could receive up to $4 million in grant money if all current applications are approved, but McClendon said the district wouldnt be able to use all of that toward armed security officers due to allowable costs. Were going to pull together and find resources to get things done, McClendon said, however, we still need help from our elected officials to help us fund these mandates. Johnson said hes talked with other superintendents across the region that have indicated they share a similar need and desire for additional funding to consistently comply with safety measures, including armed security officers. He hopes the state can give districts funding to fulfill required mandates. In our district, our motto is: keep the main thing the main thing, Johnson said. And the main thing is student success, but also student safety. We want to keep our focus on student success and achievement, but you cant have students achieve and staff perform at a top level if theyre concerned about safety. A fifth special session doesnt appear to be coming this spring, and the state Legislature wont meet again in regular session until next January. Both state representative spots are open in the B-CS area, too, as Raney is retiring and Kyle Kacal is not seeking re-election. We hope [lawmakers] come together and put something thats permanent and stable in place to accomplish these things, Beesaw said. We have to play by the rules we have, so well continue to search out other options to be able to pay for those things if thats the route we need to go. In November, during the fourth called special session, I offered an amendment to strike education savings accounts, also known as vouchers, from House Bill 1, the education bill. My amendment passed on a vote of 84-63. I am proud of the voucher stance 20 of my Republican colleagues and I took despite the intense pressure from our own political party. We stood strong and voted our districts. I am by no means a public education expert, but I believe in my heart that using taxpayer dollars to fund an entitlement program is not conservative and is bad public policy. Under the voucher provision of House Bill 1, the actual biennial cost to the states next biennium would have been as high as $7.3 billion just to provide $10,500 for each current private school student and $1,000 to each current homeschool student. Having served four terms on the House Committee on Appropriations, I can assure you, if ever vouchers pass, the Legislature will have no choice but to raise taxes. We can also kiss goodbye the notion of a reduction or elimination of school property taxes. The Texas Education Code is an extensive, comprehensive framework of rules and laws governing tax-supported public schools. Spending taxpayer dollars to fund choice programs without the accountability of the code undermines our constitutional and moral duty to educate and protect the nearly 5.5 million students of Texas. A better alternative would be to reduce these rules and laws governing public schools and create more local control. An assertion has been made that I once supported vouchers given my presence at Brazos Christian School last spring. Gov. Abbotts staff asked me to introduce him at the event in my district. As a courtesy, I did so. I should note that I edited the lengthy introduction script presented to me by Gov. Abbotts staff to reflect my long-time position of supporting education as a whole in addition to praising Gov. Abbotts public education funding effort during last springs regular session. House Bill 1 would have increased public school funding by over $7 billion. It would have also provided a onetime $4,000 teacher retention stipend for full-time teachers, librarians, counselors, and nurses ($2,000 for part-time), created a paid leave option to supplement FMLA benefits, increased basic allotment, increased special education funding and several grants related to it, created a teacher residency program, and offered a pathway to a six-figure salary with a focus on low-income and rural communities. Gov. Abbott knew he did not have the votes to pass vouchers, so he tried to force the Houses hand by including it in House Bill 1 a bill he described as an extraordinarily effective bill. Had House Bill 1 not been pulled by the author at the direction of leadership because vouchers were no longer included, it undoubtedly would have passed the House. Gov. Abbott took his ball and went home shifting his focus to retaliation at the polls. President Ronald Reagan said, The person who agrees with you 80 percent of the time is a friend and an ally not a 20 percent traitor. Gov. Abbott should take a page out of President Reagans book. Instead, he is endorsing and reportedly helping to fund primary opponents running against the members of his own party who could not, in good conscience, vote for his voucher plan. Shame on you, Gov. Abbott. The Chit-Chat Cafe and other businesses have been affected by the closure of the Pacifica pier after it was damaged by high tides and waves. Paul Kuroda/Special to the Chronicle A person walks on the Pacifica pier, about half of which city officials predict theyll be able to repair and reopen by Valentines Day. Paul Kuroda/Special to the Chronicle After Pacificas pier shut down due to storm damage, local businesses said they were relying on each other and the local community to weather what, for some, has been a dramatic downturn in business. The historic location has been shut down since Dec. 28, after high tides and massive waves damaged the far end of the pier, as well as its guardrails and supports. Ever since, local merchants say the lack of tourists coming to fish or walk down the pier has caused a drop-off in foot traffic through the area. Spending is usually slower in the early weeks of the year after the holiday shopping rush. But between the pier closing and recent heavy rains, Branden Jenkins, owner of Chit-Chat Cafe, said January sales were down around 50% from usual. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its killing us, he said. Branden Jenkins, owner of Chit-Chat Cafe, says sales are down about 50% because of the pier closing and the recent heavy rains. Paul Kuroda/Special to the Chronicle Jenkins and his wife bought the cafe, located just next to the now-fenced-off pier entrance, only in November. Their coffee and sandwiches would lure in tourists visiting the area or staying in Airbnbs along Beach Boulevard, and fishermen would come by to shop for bait. The two are far from alone. Other local business owners, themselves facing less foot traffic than usual, have made an extra effort to stop by and support Chit-Chat, Jenkins said. We are all experiencing the quietness of it, said Caitlyn Cuadra, owner of Malt + Stone. Especially on a Saturday like today when its sunny outside, usually theres people out on the street. Now that the pier is closed, theres not an outlet for people to go see something else. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Cuadra has operated Malt + Stone a womens fashion boutique that showcases home goods from other women-owned businesses for nearly five years. She opened a storefront on Palmetto Avenue, a short walk from the pier, last April. Before that, the business had been solely run online and through pop-ups. The Pacifica pier has been shut down since Dec. 28, when high tides and massive waves damaged the far end of the pier, as well as its guardrails and supports. Paul Kuroda/Special to the Chronicle Even before she had a physical storefront in the area, Cuadra said Pacifica residents were always particularly supportive of small businesses, which has helped many retailers from suffering too much. Still, others say increased support from local residents isnt sufficient to replace the lost tourist traffic. Were a small town, thats not enough to sustain a whole business district. We need the hikers coming through and the people who are driving to Half Moon Bay, and thats hard with the pier closed, said Margaret Coles-Wesley, co-owner of Shampas Pies. Advertisement Article continues below this ad On a normal weekend, about 30% of the customers at Shampas Pies would be visitors stopping by for the beautiful beaches and cool ocean breeze, Coles-Wesley said. Since the pier closed, she estimates the number of tourists coming through has been cut in half. Chelsea Candelaria makes a purchase from Simone Wesley of Shampas Pies, which has suffered since the Pacifica pier closed. Paul Kuroda/Special to the Chronicle To combat the slowdown in business, merchants are uniting to draw more visitors back into the area leaning on relationships and lessons they learned during pandemic shutdowns, according to Katie Brookshire. Brookshire has owned Table Wine for almost a decade, but moved to Francisco Boulevard near the pier in early 2020. During the pandemic, she and other merchants organized events to rally support for the local business community, she said. We survived the pandemic. We bonded together because of it, Brookshire said. We joined forces and then saw the community respond and really try to keep their money local. Advertisement Article continues below this ad That collaboration laid the groundwork for local business owners to continue working with each other on ways to attract new customers, she said. Brookshire and others have been working on a February promotion where shoppers can collect raffle tickets from local businesses in a bid to get more people shopping locally. City officials predict theyll be able to repair and reopen about half of the pier by Valentines Day. But the section that runs parallel to the beach was already damaged before the storms and may take years of repairs before its safe again, according to the Department of Public Works. A full assessment of that damage wont be done until March, after the winter storm season ends. Michael and Diane Poirier, along with their dog, Brianna, check out the view along the Pacifica pier. The pier has been closed for a month after damage by high tides and waves. Paul Kuroda/Special to the Chronicle Coles-Wesley hopes people wont wait that long to explore all the rest of what Pacifica has to offer from the safety of the shoreline. The pier is great, but whats great about the pier is actually just the waterfront, she said. Everything (visitors) love about the wild California coast is still here. You dont need to go out on the pier. Its all up and down, from Sharp Park all the way down to Linda Mar. Jessica Flores is a reporter for The San Francisco Chronicle. Before joining The Chronicle in 2021, she worked for USA Today, NPR affiliate KPCC and Curbed LA. Originally from L.A., she received her masters degree in journalism from the University of Southern California and a bachelors degree from Mount Saint Marys University in Los Angeles. She can be reached at Jessica.Flores@sfchronicle.com. A poster is displayed on a door in Richmonds Office of Neighborhood Safety at City Hall in 2019. The office has played a critical role in the city bringing its homicide rate to historic lows in 2023. Michael Short/Special to the Chronicle Adey Teshager, left, listens as Marisol Cantu leads a meeting of members of the Reimagining Public Safety Community Task Force in Richmond in 2021. Cantu is one of many progressive community leaders in Richmond who believe that addressing the root causes of crime is the best way to improve public safety. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle 2021 Richmond Police officers and an EMT tend to a suspect, whom they claim reached for a gun, during a sideshow patrol ride along in October 2021. Philip Pacheco/The Chronicle 2021 Similar to the 1990s, when worsening crime rates and peoples justified fear made California more conservative on public safety, folks in the Bay Area today are longing for mass incarceration tactics of the past, while blaming current violence on progressive policies. Decades of data showing we cant arrest our way to safer communities isnt enough to get people to embrace new thinking. They need recent proof that progressive policies can reduce violent crime. They need to see what just happened in Richmond. Advertisement Article continues below this ad There were eight homicides last year in the East Bay city of 115,000, which was a decrease from 18 in both 2022 and 2021, and 22 in 2020. The decrease is significant for a city that in the 1990s and 2000s was often outpacing most of the country in murder per capita. City leaders credit the 2023 decline to numerous initiatives, including the work of the citys Office of Neighborhood Safety, which is a civilian arm of government that focuses on disrupting patterns of violence in neighborhoods by building relationships with people, and directing folks to violence prevention and intervention programs; community-led police oversight by the citys Community Police Review Commission; the citys Reimagining Public Safety Community Task Force created in 2020; reentry programs for parolees; and youth-focused initiatives like the Richmond Promise program. The city didnt flood the streets with cops or start over-policing Black and brown neighborhoods. In 2021, while other cities like Oakland and San Francisco were backtracking from promises to reimagine policing, Richmond shifted $3 million from its police budget to social services. This isnt to say everything about Richmond has been a fairy tale. Crimes like aggravated assaults and robberies were higher last year than in 2022. But even those numbers need to be put in context: Last years 298 robberies were still fewer than any years between 2015 and 2019, before Richmond leadership, inspired by the 2020 racial justice protests, became one of few cities in America to reallocate policing funding. Between 2020 and 2022, overall violent crime incidents dropped drastically from over 766 incidents to 565, according to police data. Even when factoring in the ebb and flow of crime trends, what cant be written off is that Richmond, a city that not long ago was one of the most dangerous in the country, recorded single digit homicides in 2023 while fully embracing progressive initiatives. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The outcome makes a compelling case for other Bay Area cities to prioritize social programs that provide education, housing, mental health services and employment in their public safety dialogues. These are the root causes of crime issues that cops cant fix. Its crucial for more Bay Area cities to understand this message, particularly when 2024 political agendas are driving fear-mongering on violent crime. National Republicans, and local moderates echoing their talking points, will say anything to convince voters that progressive policies wont keep them safe. But Richmond is proving the opposite is true: Progressive policies can be effective when given time to work. At the center of Richmonds decline in homicides is the Office of Neighborhood Safety, which was established in 2007 long before such offices were more common, thus making it a pioneer in the community-focused model of fighting gun violence. If youre going to reduce gun violence, the only way to do that is to go into the community and partner and build relationships with the people responsible for it, said Sam Vaughn, the deputy director for community services at ONS. That takes time so this work isnt always politically palatable. Its especially not palatable in a political climate where moderates in cities like San Francisco and Oakland are failing to realize that resorting to outdated law enforcement tactics not only perpetuates cycles of violence, but also fails to address the underlying issues that lead to crime in the first place. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Marisol Cantu, who serves on the Reimagining Public Safety Community Task Force, said Richmonds focus on providing youth with access to jobs and higher education in recent years is intentional and key in improving public safety. Theyre closer to the issues, Cantu said. Its a missed opportunity when cities do not look for their youth to really engage to see what they need and also what they can imagine. It wont be easy for other Bay Area cities to imagine the same kind of world. Nearby Oakland has recorded more than 100 homicides for four straight years, and San Francisco didnt see a drastic drop in its own number of homicides between 2022 and 2023. Both cities have expanded their police budgets and shied away from following through on some of their promises from 2020. If youre someone who is truly dedicated to this work, you cant give up. You have to succeed despite all the obstacles and hindrances that are put in your way, Vaughn said. Even the most fanatical anti-progressives should see Richmonds lower homicide rate and start believing that devoting time, energy, and resources to progressive tactics that tackle the root causes of crime is worthwhile. The city has shown the Bay Area that compassion isnt the enemy of public safety, and progressive policies are key to making cities safer. Firebrand Artisan Breads new production facility and in Alameda. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle Firebrand Artisan Breads, whose croissants and pretzels are ubiquitous at cafes throughout the Bay Area, is often held up as a success story for a socially conscious business. It operates under an employee-governed trust, and 80% of its 115 workers are formerly incarcerated or homeless people. It offers free health care, financial literacy and ESL classes. A week after it opened a public cafe at its enormous, new 40,000-square-foot production facility in Alameda last summer, it was named best employer of the year by the citys chamber of commerce. But behind the scenes, the business has been in turmoil. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Firebrand is facing a wage-theft lawsuit from a former employee and a separate wage-theft claim filed with the California Department of Industrial Relations. Amid the Alameda expansion, the company borrowed $1 million. It turned into a financial nightmare, pushing Firebrand to the brink of insolvency, owner Matt Kreutz said. Last fall, as Firebrand fought the lender in court, its wholesale accounts and payment processors were effectively frozen. No money came into the business for six weeks. Firebrand fell behind on rent and vendor payments and almost couldnt pay its employees, Kreutz said. We were two days away from going bankrupt, he said. The company is now in the middle of a debt restructuring process that Kreutz hopes will put Firebrand on a path toward stabilizing its finances and preserving its idealistic mission. Advertisement Article continues below this ad If we fail, he said, it will be knowing I tried to do everything right. Weve always tried to operate that way, at the financial cost of the company. The financial issues, and an alleged lack of internal transparency around them, are particularly concerning given the companys public image, said a Firebrand employee, whom the Chronicle is not identifying under its anonymous sources policy. Firebrand Artisan Breads is known for its mission-driven ethos and hiring formerly incarcerated and homeless people. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle Last May, former Firebrand lead baker Flor Cajabon accused the business and Kreutz in a lawsuit of a systematic pattern of wage and hour violations, including not paying employees for regular and overtime hours and failing to provide required breaks. The lawsuit describes a work culture that allegedly prioritized the business over labor laws and employee well-being. Cajabons attorney, Justin Lo of Work Lawyers PC, declined to comment or make her available for an interview, citing the ongoing litigation. The lawsuit was filed in Alameda County Superior Court under Californias Private Attorneys General Act, which allows employees to seek penalties for labor violations on behalf of themselves and other workers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Cajabons lawsuit alleges that she and other Firebrand employees were regularly not paid for off-the-clock work, and that Firebrand adjusted their clock-in and clock-out times to keep it off the books. Inadequate staffing, meant to cut labor costs, put additional pressure on employees and their ability to take proper breaks, the lawsuit claims. Kreutz declined to comment on the specifics of the lawsuit. We didnt have adequate systems in place to manage staff, he said. But I dont think thats who we are. In a legal response filed in July, attorneys for Firebrand called Cajabons allegations frivolous, groundless and without merit. The response accused her of wrongful conduct that caused or contributed to the allegations, but did not provide further detail. Firebrand said Cajabon voluntarily waived breaks, according to the companys legal response, and that any alleged failure to pay wages was not intentional. A jury trial is set for February 2025. In August, another baker filed a state wage theft complaint, according to a document provided by the California Department of Industrial Relations, which Kreutz disputes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Fresh loaves for sale at Firebrand Artisan Breads in Oakland in 2014. Jen Fedrizzi/Special to the Chronicle Wage theft is common in the food industry. But the allegations stand in stark contrast with Firebrands public identity as a people-first business that is committed to radical candor. Kreutz started Firebrand with a wood-fired oven in a small West Oakland warehouse in 2008. He cites his mothers incarceration and his own experiences with homelessness he said he slept at Firebrand for three years as he built the business as inspiration for its ethos. As its list of wholesale clients grew, Firebrand graduated to a space in Uptown Oakland in 2015. The bakery tripled its sales that year, from $1 million to $3 million, according to a report by Bay Area business accelerator ICA Fund, which has invested in Firebrand since 2015. Firebrands pastries became staples at many Bay Area coffee shops, and its loaves filled the shelves at Whole Foods and other grocery stores. Last year, Firebrand brought in about $10 million in revenue, Kreutz said. Many business owners and investors are attracted to Firebrands mission. Adhi Jusuf, who recently opened Indonesian coffee shop Kopiku in San Francisco, said he chose to serve Firebrand pastries because the workers are happy. (Kreutz) employs people out of prison. That kind of thing is more important to me. Advertisement Article continues below this ad CEO Matt Kreutz slides dough into the wood-fired brick oven at Firebrand Artisan Breads in Oakland in 2014. Dan Evans In 2021, Kreutz decided to dramatically change the business ownership structure. Firebrand transitioned to a perpetual-purpose trust, which owns 51% of the business shares. (Outdoor clothing company Patagonia, known for its progressive values, operates under a similar model.) A board and five-person stewardship committee oversee the trust: a community member; an independent voice from a related sector, such as the criminal justice system; Kreutz; and two Firebrand representatives picked by him. (Soon, the committee will instead vote to fill those two slots, said Kreutz.) They are supposed to make sure Firebrand adheres to commitments in its corporate charter, which includes hiring formerly incarcerated and homeless people, and offering all employees fair wages and profit sharing. I wanted that protection, Kreutz said. I didnt want financial incentives or disincentives to dissuade us from pushing forward with the mission. As the bakery flourished, projecting millions in annual revenue, Firebrand outgrew the Oakland location and decided to take over a former Alameda Point naval warehouse. Firebrand raised more than $8 million to fund the expansion, including to build the facility, purchase equipment and pay off debt, Kreutz said. In 2022, after Firebrand started building a 1,500-square-foot cafe there, it became too expensive to finish. Trevor Smith, owner of East Bay company Spark Smith Electric, said Firebrand was three months late on payments for electrical work he performed at the Alameda facility in 2022. That never has happened with any other customer, he said. Kreutz denied this and said that Smith was paid in full three weeks after his last job. Theyre supposed to be this really great, philanthropic company but you dont care about me or about my bill, Smith said. The City of Alameda stepped in and loaned Firebrand $300,000 to finish the cafe, citing Firebrands hiring practices and a hope it would activate Alameda Point. Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, a former probation officer, told the City Council in September 2022 that this is exactly the kind of business we should be supporting I love everything it stands for. Firebrand Artisan Breads received a $300,000 business development loan from the City of Alameda to finish construction of a new cafe, pictured above. Elena Kadvany/The Chronicle Last year, Firebrand needed to cover a financial gap, Kreutz said, and entered into a $1 million cash advance agreement to be paid off through a weekly percentage of sales. But when two major contracts fell through in July, Firebrand stopped making payments to the New Jersey lender, KYF Global Partners. KYF sued Firebrand in October for $1.173 million and sent a collections agency to Firebrand. A Uniform Commercial Code filing, which allows lenders to recoup loan funds if the borrower defaults, was sent to all of Firebrands vendors, payment processors and biggest accounts, Kreutz said. No money came into Firebrand for six weeks, he said, until they filed a legal challenge and then KYF dropped the lawsuit two days before payroll was due. As Firebrand tries to rebuild, the financial strain may put undue pressure on its altruistic model. Since committing to sharing its profits with employees, Kreutz said the business hasnt made a profit, so workers have not seen any checks. Firebrands website says it is on track to B. Corporation status, which is granted to businesses that meet certain environmental and social standards. But Kreutz is unable to pay the consultant necessary to pursue the certification. Kreutz acknowledged Firebrand is behind on paying vendors, but said the business is establishing payment plans with all of them. Yet Firebrands very model may make it harder for the business to dig itself out of this hole. Its challenging to sell potential investors on profit sharing and never owning a majority of the business, Kreutz said. We wanted to be better. Were those decisions that benefited us financially? No, he said. But were trying to do whats right. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said his company will take aggressive action to safeguard the worlds elections during an appearance last week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Markus Schreiber/Associated Press This year, nearly half of the global population will head to the polls in a succession of national elections and all over the world, generative AI (or GenAI) is going to unleash a tsunami of toxic and untrustworthy political content, including remarkably convincing deepfaked images and videos showing candidates saying and doing things that never actually happened. This isnt a theoretical threat. Weve already been treated to deepfaked images of Donald Trump picking out a prison jumpsuit, fake videos of President Joe Biden announcing a military draft and even a super PAC-funded bot that impersonates Democratic challenger Dean Phillips. And its not just a U.S. problem, either: Days before Slovakians went to the polls last year, deepfaked recordings were released purporting to show one candidate plotting to steal the election. As the U.S. election cycle intensifies, and other races around the world pick up steam, its reasonable to expect that things are going to get much, much worse. Advertisement Article continues below this ad So whats the solution? Speaking this month in Davos, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said he was taking aggressive action to safeguard the worlds elections and ensure that his companys ChatGPT technology wasnt used to misinform the public or corrupt the worlds democratic processes. Among his ideas: limitations on the way that ChatGPT can be used by lobbyists and other political activists, digital watermarks to help verify the provenance of images and videos, new efforts to steer ChatGPT customers toward reliable sources of information and better processes for rapidly remedying problematic content thats flagged by web users. That all sounds great but is it enough to keep our elections safe in an era of ubiquitous GenAI? Unlikely. The problem is twofold: first, OpenAIs countermeasures arent likely to prevent misinformation created using their tools; and second, OpenAIs tools represent only a subset of the GenAI resources available to bad actors intent on skewing our political discourses. Take OpenAIs focus on asking consumers to report deepfakes and other misinformation when they spot it. Of course, GenAI platforms could prioritize tools to let users flag problematic content. But while such measures are necessary, they are insufficient: the whole point of GenAI, after all, is that its gotten so good that its now incredibly hard for users to spot deepfakes. The better GenAI gets and it will keep getting better the less effective these user-dependent guardrails will become. Advertisement Article continues below this ad And, of course, even if OpenAI could eliminate all misinformation and fakery from ChatGPT, thats not enough because bad actors would simply migrate to one of the countless other resources that let people create propaganda and bogus videos from their smartphones in a matter of seconds. With tools such as FreedomGPT and Elon Musks Grok already promoting themselves as offering GenAI without the guardrails, it wont be hard for bad actors to find the tools to keep cranking out deepfakes and other sketchy AI-generated content. Instead of relying on OpenAI to save us from misinformation, the entire AI tech ecosystem is going to need a more systemic solution. That will start with building advanced and scalable tools capable of detecting, flagging, and hopefully, removing problematic GenAI-created content at scale. As FBI Director Christopher Wray noted recently, AI models are now getting pretty good at identifying fake content. These capabilities can be leveraged to build solutions capable of monitoring the outputs of multiple GenAI models simultaneously and expunging deepfakes from everywhere they live on the web. Thats a far more difficult problem than simply responding to user complaints, but its the challenge AI leaders face if they are to keep our elections safe. To be clear, Im far from a skeptic when it comes to generative AI and consider myself one of OpenAIs biggest fans. I was a Silicon Valley CEO during the dot-com boom, and I believe that generative AI is poised to be every bit as transformative as the internet has been. Tools like ChatGPT will shake up (and, for the most part, improve) our lives and our society far faster and more comprehensively than the web ever did. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But precisely because change is happening so quickly, AI platforms cant afford to simply sit around and wait to see how things shake out. Its important for them to seriously consider the risks and take decisive steps to counter them as soon as theyre identified. On that level, of course, OpenAIs efforts to safeguard our elections are a step in the right direction. The nonprofit has already suspended the developer behind the Dean Phillips bot. But these safeguards are only a step. A viable solution will need the efforts and contributions of AI innovators, regulators and other stakeholders working together. Entrepreneur Bilal Mahmood launches his campaign for District 5 Supervisor Dean Prestons seat Saturday at Boeddeker Park in San Franciscos Tenderloin neighborhood. Mario Cortez/The Chronicle Mahmood shakes hands with state Sen. Scott Wiener during the rally at Boeddeker Park in San Franciscos Tenderloin neighborhood. Mario Cortez/The Chronicle A new contender is vying for San Francisco Supervisor Dean Prestons seat in District 5: Bilal Mahmood, an entrepreneur and Tenderloin resident. Mahmood formally launched his campaign with a rally Saturday afternoon at Boeddeker Park in the Tenderloin. During his kickoff speech before a crowd of about 300 supporters, he emphasized housing, public safety and reactivating the districts economy as key priorities. San Francisco Democratic Party Chair Honey Mahogany, Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association President Jen Laska and state Sen. Scott Wiener joined Mahmood onstage to support him. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Bilal knows how to put things together and get things done, and also understands that you need to be able to work with everyone, even if you have some strong disagreements in another area, Wiener said. I am thrilled to support you. During his speech, Mahmood shared neighborhood residents frequent grievances on open air drug dealing, homelessness and vacant businesses. He said he would work toward streamlining approval processes to build housing and expedite the hiring of emergency responders, which the city is short of. He also proposed a university town, moving schools into empty office space to help revitalize the citys economy. When District 5 thrives, so does San Francisco. And when San Francisco thrives, so does the nation, Mahmood said. He pointed to his background as a Stanford-educated neuroscientist and economist as strengths. He also said that working as a policy analyst for the Obama administrations Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and his efforts to establish a foundation to help immigrant families access guaranteed incomes are proof he can get results. Mahmood attracted about 300 supporters at the kickoff for his campaign to unseat District 5 Supervisor Dean Preston. Mario Cortez/The Chronicle Mahmood, 36, hammered Preston, 54, on the supervisors record on approving housing. He said drug overdose deaths in the Tenderloin went up by 20% and more than 1,100 small businesses closed in Hayes Valley and the Haight during Prestons four years representing those neighborhoods. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Dean Preston is not a progressive. He is a regressive that has set us back. Weve had four years of broken promises and being told no to housing, Mahmood said. Preston, the most progressive member of the Board of Supervisors, is facing intense competition in his effort to maintain his seat on the board. He often clashes with Mayor London Breed and her moderate allies, who say his stances on housing, policing and the fentanyl crisis put him out of touch with most voters. Earlier this month, Breed condemned but declined to veto a resolution introduced by Preston calling for a sustained cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war. Supervisor Dean Preston said of the competition for his District 5 seat: I think the voters will decide who is for them, and who is for the billionaires. Salgu Wissmath/The Chronicle 2023 Reached for comment Saturday on Mahmoods candidacy, Preston responded in a text: Bilal has run for 3 offices in the 3 different districts in just the last 2 years, including running for two different offices right now at the same time. He has lived in District 5 less than a year. He is bankrolled by tech billionaires and has spent over $500,000 of his own money shopping unsuccessfully for elected office. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I am a 27-year District 5 resident, public school parent, and former small business owner. I focus my efforts on helping everyday San Franciscans. I voted to approve almost 30,000 new homes in 4 years, with 86% affordable, raised $400 million for affordable housing, and saved thousands of tenants from being evicted. I think the voters will decide who is for them, and who is for the billionaires. Mahmood ran for the state Assembly in 2022, losing to Matt Haney. Mahmood is also running for a hotly contested seat on the Democratic County Central Committee a little-known but powerful group that hands out coveted endorsements in election years. He is outraising and outspending his opponents by thousands of dollars in that race. Part of a moderate candidate slate called Dems for Change, Mahmood raised more than $206,000 largely from donors in the tech sector in his race for a seat on the committee. He has so far spent $110,000. The person who has raised the second-most money in the DCCC race is moderate Supervisor Matt Dorsey, who has raised a little over $60,000. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Labor and Working Families Slate, which is hoping to keep progressives on the committee, has also been busy raising money. Former progressive supervisor and ex-mayoral candidate Jane Kim, who is part of the slate, has raised a little over $16,000. LINCOLN The Nebraska Soybean Board is looking for soybean farmers interested in filling one of Nebraskas four director positions with the United Soybean Board, for a three-year term. Nebraska soybean farmers, your participation is crucial to the success of U.S. agriculture, and we invite you to apply and become part of the United Soybean Board, said Andy Chvatal, NSB executive director. It is a great chance to make your mark and help shape the future of the soybean industry by guiding strategic investments in research, education and promotion of U.S. soy. USBs 77 volunteer farmer-leaders work on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers to achieve maximum value for their soy checkoff investments. These volunteers create value by investing in research, education and promotion with the vision to deliver sustainable soy solutions to every life, every day across the three priority areas of infrastructure and connectivity, health and nutrition, and innovation and technology. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff. All checkoff-paying soybean producers in Nebraska are eligible to apply. The Nebraska Soybean Board district directors will submit a first preferred choice nominee and second preferred choice alternate for the open position to USDA for consideration. The Secretary of Agriculture will make the final appointment. The USDA has a policy that membership on USDA boards and committees is open to all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation and marital or family status. The appointed individual is eligible to serve a total of three consecutive terms. To be considered for the national leadership position, interested farmers need to submit a USDA Background Information Form before the March 15 deadline. To obtain this form, contact Andy Chvatal at the Nebraska Soybean Board office at 402-441-3240. For more information about USB expectations and processes, visit https://nebraskasoybeans.org/file/241/USB%20Recruitment.pdf. For more information about USB, visit www.unitedsoybean.org. Midwest Dairy offers six Nebraska Division Scholarships for students OMAHA Midwest Dairy is seeking students to apply for Nebraska Division College Scholarship for the 2024-2025 academic school year. Students are invited to apply for the scholarship until March 1 through an online process. There are two levels of scholarship that include: Full-time undergraduate and graduate students with minimum second-year enrollment at an accredited college. Preference will be given to those pursuing a career within and/or supporting the dairy industry. Scholarship levels include one $1,500 and two $1,000 awards. When answering the essay question on future career plans, applications are to describe how their education will be used to support the dairy industry. Full-time undergraduate and graduate students at an accredited college. First-year students are eligible for this scholarship level. Scholarship level includes three $500 awards. Additional scholarship eligibility includes: Applicant must contribute to Midwest Dairy checkoff as of Jan. 1 of the current calendar year by one of the following: Applicant, or applicants parents/guardians/grandparents/sibling, must own a dairy farm located in the state of Nebraska. Applicant must be employed on a dairy farm located in the state of Nebraska and be recommended by the producer employer. Former recipients of the scholarship may re-apply in subsequent years, providing they remain eligible. Applicants will be evaluated on contribution to and involvement in the dairy industry, leadership, career plans and academic standing. Transcripts, reference letters and essay questions are all part of the application. For online application and more information, go to: https://www.midwestdairy.com/nebraska-scholarships Dairy students are also invited to apply for scholarships from Dairy Management Inc., which offers checkoff-funded scholarships at the national level. For more information about the dairy scholarships, please visit MidwestDairy.com. 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 Pro-Palestinian messages line Clay Street outside the federal building in Oakland on Friday. Inside, a judge was hearing a case brought by Palestinian rights groups accusing President Joe Biden and top officials of aiding genocide in Gaza. Noah Berger/Special to the Chronicle President Joe Biden has a growing problem with younger voters because of his support of Israel. And so, by extension, do other Democrats. Progressive grassroots Democrats are turning on Biden for his support of what they call Israels genocide in Gaza through the $3.8 billion the U.S. annually gives to Israel for its military and missile defense systems. Last week, San Franciscos Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club rescinded its March 5 primary endorsement of Biden, citing widespread outrage over his handling of the war and cities including Oakland and Richmond have passed resolutions calling for a cease-fire in the region in opposition to the presidents policy. It is not just that younger and progressive voters are questioning Bidens policy. Its that Democrats havent explained the reasoning behind it well enough. Too often their explanation sounds like a version of what Bidens reelection campaign seems to be: At Least Im Better Than Trump. Or, in Bidenese: Dont compare me to the Almighty, compare me to the alternative. Advertisement Article continues below this ad That isnt going to cut it for some Democrats. Ask Kimberly and Lisa Aiken, two Oakland sisters standing in line Friday outside of the federal courthouse in Oakland in support of a lawsuit that alleges the U.S. is complicit in Israels campaign of genocide against Palestinians after the Oct. 7 attacks. Both voted for Biden four years ago. But now, theyre not going to vote for a politician demonstrators Friday were calling Genocide Joe. Their non-Biden vote wont matter in deep blue California, where Trump is loathed. But attitudes like theirs will hurt Biden in battleground states. But thats not their responsibility. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its actually the Democratic Partys responsibility to present better candidates, Lisa Aiken said. Right now, it seems like their platform is, The other guy is worse. And thats not a policy platform. So the onus is on them, not on me. Democrats arent just divided on their Middle East policy, theyre divided about how to explain it to the voters they need to prevent a second Trump term. In California, 55% of voters under 30, 49% of those under 40 and 73% of strong liberals said that the best course of action is for Israel to agree to a cease-fire even if it means Hamas remains viable, according to a Berkeley IGS Poll this month. The survey found that 52% of likely voters, including a 49% plurality of Democrats, disapprove of Bidens handling of the war. Democrats mixed messages are popping up everywhere, from Mayor London Breeds criticism but not veto of a Board of Supervisors resolution calling for a cease-fire to the way that House candidates are tiptoeing around the issues while on the stump. Then there are Californias top U.S. Senate candidates. Even though they each hold different positions on the Middle East, none of them will call what Israel is doing genocide. Not even Oakland Rep. Barbara Lee, who was among the first lawmakers nationally to call for a cease-fire after the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel when Hamas terrorists killed around 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages. I think that its important to talk about what is taking place, because I dont want to be misinterpreted. I dont want people to take their definition and create something, Lee told the Chronicle. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Lee believes that what Israel is doing by killing civilians is against international law because civilians are being killed and should not be in the midst of a war there are ways you prosecute wars that do not leave so many people dead. This is a humanitarian catastrophe. And the United States, I think, has a responsibility to show some more leadership. I think the president is trying. Hes having some very tough conversations. So is Secretary (of State Antony) Blinken, but Im not sure how its working right now. But thats no reason not to vote for Biden, she said. Im not gonna be like, Yes, its OK not to vote for President Biden, Lee said, touting that she is one of the people that young people listen to. She fears a repeat of 2016, when a significant chunk of Democratic voters either sat out or voted for third-party candidates in battleground states, delivering the White House to Trump. Rep. Adam Schiff of Burbank is marching in lockstep with Biden. He opposes a cease-fire and doesnt believe what Israel is doing is genocide, because genocide is an effort to wipe out a people because of who they are. And this is not an effort to wipe out a people. It is Israel defending itself against the Oct. 7 attacks, he said. Schiff added that if you want to look for a perfect definition of genocide, you can find it in the Hamas Charter, which calls for the annihilation of the Jewish people. Schiff said that Biden is doing what he should be doing, which is, figure out what the right answer is. This is a matter of war and peace, life and death. And then,whatever that answer is, (say)Ill do it and figure out how to deal with the political consequences. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Then comes the hard part. Schiff said Biden will have to make the case to young voters that hes doing the right thing, even though its the difficult thing, and even though they may disagree with him. But young voters shouldnt withhold their votes from Biden, Schiff said, because regardless of his handling of the war, hes still not Trump. Schiff said Biden should remind young voters that if what the alternative is offering is somehow going to be better for them vis-a-vis their concerns in Gaza or their concerns with climate or the concerns with gun violence or concerns with student debt or anything else. They need to take a closer look at a guy whos going to be a dictator. Orange County Rep. Katie Porters position on the Middle East has evolved from supporting Bidens opposition to a cease-fire to now supporting a lasting bilateral cease-fire after certain conditions are met, including that the hostages taken on Oct. 7 are released, resources are allocated to rebuild Gaza, Israel is secure and there is a free state for Palestinians where they can thrive. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But war crimes? Porter told the Chronicle that I dont have the facts to make that kind of determination. She wants the U.S. to continue to evaluate, under current federal law, whether its aid is being used consistently with the purpose for which it was given and consistently with U.S. law. It is a nuanced position. And nuance isnt easy to explain in the heat of a campaign. Or a war. Staying home and not voting for Biden, however, isnt the answer, Porter said, as theres already too much orthodoxy in politics. Instead, she said, dissatisfied young voters should press Biden to do something different while he is campaigning for president. People who want Joe Biden to lead differently in this space need to make that known, Porter said. Democrats should be telling young people that if you dont like it, then you have to change it. And the demographics are on their side. If they show up and they vote, they will transform our democracy and the policies will follow. On housing, on climate, on racial justice, on LGBTQ rights and on foreign policy. Lisa Aiken wasnt impressed by the politicians answers. You guys have been playing these wordsmith games since the beginning of time, she said. This is nothing new. I dont expect anything different. I would just say status quo. Kimberly Aiken would consider voting for other Democrats on the down ballot. Would there be anything Biden could do to persuade her to support him? Foreign investors net buy $42 mln of Vietnamese shares during Jan 22-26 By Nhat Huynh, Minh Hue Sun, January 28, 2024 | 3:56 pm GMT+7 Foreign investors recorded their second consecutive week of net buying Vietnamese stocks with 64.64 million shares worth over VND1.03 trillion ($41.86 million) from January 22-26, up nearly 3.5 times in volume and 2.3 times in value than the previous week. On the HoSE alone, they were net buyers for four sessions in the week and net sellers for only one session on Thursday, resulting in a total net-buying value of VND895.7 billion ($36.4 million), up 53.12% from the previous week. The VN-Index dropped 5.83 points to close at 1,175.67 during the January 22-26, 2024 week. Photo by The Investor/Trong Hieu. Statistics show that VCG of Vinaconex topped the list of 10 stocks most net purchased by foreign investors with a value of VND322 billion ($13.08 million). It was followed by HPG of steel giant Hoa Phat with VND290 billion, EIB of Eximbank (VND238 billion), and CTG of VietinBank (VND192 billion). Meanwhile, VNM of dairy giant Vinamilk was most net sold to the tune of VND177 billion ($7.2 million), followed by SAB of Sabeco, DGC of Duc Giang Chemicals, VHM of real estate developer Vinhomes, MSN of Masan Group, MWG of Mobile World Investment Corp., KBC of Kinhbac City Development Holding, VND of VNDirect Securities, and TPB of TPBank. During the week, the VN-Index, representing the HoSE, recorded a decrease of 5.83 points to close at 1,175.67, marking the first week of correction after five consecutive gaining weeks. VCB of Vietcombank, BID of BIDV bank, and GVR of the Vietnam Rubber Group had the most positive impact on the VN-Index, contributing more than 2.5 points to this bourse. On the contrary, SAB of brewer Sabeco, MSN of Masan Group, and GAS of PV Gas were the most negative influencers. The average trading value on all three exchanges namely the HoSE, the Hanoi Stock Exchange (HNX) and the Unlisted Public Companies Market (UPCoM) hit VND16.3 trillion ($662.5 million), up 3.6% from the previous week but down 10.3% compared to the five-week average. Broker Saigon-Hanoi Securities (SHS) believes that in the short term, the VN-Index will continue to increase in the coming sessions on the way to the nearest resistance zone of 1,200 points. In the medium term, it is moving into the balance area to form a new accumulation base in the range of 1,150-1,250 points. The broker recommends that short-term investors consider putting money down during fluctuations in the coming sessions while medium- and long-term ones gradually accumulate stocks as it will still take quite a long time for a new uptrend to form. Another broker Vietcombank Securities (VCBS) says the market may continue to have recovery sessions next week and is likely to retest the territory of around 1,190 points. Short-term investors should maintain the T+ surfing strategy for stocks that show signs of attracting stable cash flow as the VN-Index may return to the 1,190-point area in the coming sessions, it notes. Long-term investors should consider partial purchases of stocks that maintain stable growth and are not affected too much during correction sessions, it adds. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. 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MUSC brought in more than $300 million in research funds in fiscal year 2023, leading the state overall in research funding. MUSC also leads the state in federal and National Institutes of Health funding. For information on academic programs, visit musc.edu. As the health care system of the Medical University of South Carolina, MUSC Health is dedicated to delivering the highest-quality and safest patient care while educating and training generations of outstanding health care providers and leaders to serve the people of South Carolina and beyond. Patient care is provided at 16 hospitals (includes owned or governing interest), with approximately 2,700 beds and four additional hospital locations in development, more than 350 telehealth sites and nearly 750 care locations situated in all regions of South Carolina. In 2023, for the ninth consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report named MUSC Health University Medical Center in Charleston the No. 1 hospital in South Carolina. To learn more about clinical patient services, visit muschealth.org. MUSC has a total enterprise annual operating budget of $5.9 billion. The nearly 26,000 MUSC family members include world-class faculty, physicians, specialty providers, scientists, students, affiliates and care team members who deliver groundbreaking education, research, and patient care. Orangeburg County is studying the possibility of charging developers an impact fee based on the size of their construction projects. The impact fee will be used to offset the cost of new developments on existing county services, officials say. County Council has unanimously passed a resolution directing the Orangeburg County Planning Commission to conduct studies and to recommend an impact fee ordinance to council for its future consideration. The Planning Commission will hire an outside consultant to help it conduct the impact fee study. County Council will provide the Planning Commission with a deadline for the completing the study that could be extended with a future resolution. If it passes, an impact fee will be charged to a developer prior to breaking ground on a project. An impact fee is typically based on how much land is being cleared and what the land is being cleared for, according to county officials. The impact fee would help cover any impacts the construction of a development would have on county resources such as law enforcement, sanitation, emergency medical services and fire response. County officials say it could take at least a year to implement the impact fee because the study needs to be done and the county will have to budget for engaging consultants. The impact fee is a process, County Community Development Director Stewart Haig told council. Even with funding today, I probably would not have something to bring before council for at least a year. We have to do a study and that study is extensive, not just about the fee that we are going to set on it, but where those funds would be used by the county as far as capital improvements, Haig said. We are working on it. We are currently doing a lot of research on it right now, but we are in the early stages. Haig said the content of the study will be dictated by state law and will focus on the countys planned capital improvement projects and comprehensive plan. Haig cited an example of where an impact fee could come into play: the county's plans to build a new courthouse. One of the things we don't want to do today is to build a courthouse that will automatically be too small, Haig said. It is the same principle. We want to make sure these impact fees when we do the study address these things as we go along. Councilwoman Janie Cooper-Smith asked Haig if the impact fee for developers will vary depending on the cost of houses built in a particular development. Haig said the impact fee would be the same across the board. The fee would only impact future development projects and not ongoing or past projects. The fee would also only impact developments that occur within the county's jurisdiction. The impact fee is being considered as part of a larger discussion on the part of county officials on how to hold companies accountable for damage on county-maintained roads during construction projects. Orangeburg County currently has no way other than a lawsuit to recoup the cost of road damage during construction projects. In addition to the impact fee, the county is also considering requiring developers to apply for a road encroachment permit before clearing land. Haig said the objective is for council to pass the road encroachment ordinance in the short term to help address development impacts currently ongoing and those in the immediate future. Orangeburg County currently maintains its roads with money from its annual road maintenance fee. Under the proposed road encroachment ordinance, the county would have a road inspection both before and after a construction project begins. The inspection would provide the county with a mechanism to assess the cost to restore the road to its pre-inspection condition. The ordinance would require developers to pay security deposits. They could face other financial costs should a road be damaged and could have their building license and permits revoked if they fail to follow the ordinance. According to a draft, the ordinance would not affect the state's Right to Practice Forestry Act. If the ordinance is passed, Orangeburg County could be the only county in the state to have an encroachment permit for construction projects, according to county officials. As part of the process, the county would most likely have to set up a land development department that developers would consult before breaking ground or clearing land in the county, according to county officials. Ground was broken for construction of the new East Elementary School in Holly Hill Sept. 8. The ceremony was attended by Orangeburg County School District Superintendent Shawn Foster, school board members, faculty, students and community members. Several speakers at the ceremony thanked the community for supporting the $190 million bond, which included funding for the new school. Voters approved the bond issue in November 2022. Welcome to what you have done, because as a community, if you did not buy into Dr. Fosters vision, you would not have voted for the bond referendum, Orangeburg County School Board member Betty Pelzer said. So I want to say thank you for buying into Dr. Fosters vision. I want to say thank you for buying into the needs of the students of this community. Faculty and students from each of the three area schools that will be consolidated into the new facility upon its completion Holly Hill Elementary, St. James Gaillard Elementary and Vance-Providence Elementary spoke at the event, including the principals of all three schools. For the past 69 years, our school has done her job well, Avaeh Pratt, a student at St. James-Gaillard Elementary School, said. Saying goodbye will be difficult and we will have a mixture of nerves and excitement as we prepare to walk the halls of the new facility. When our students see their new building, new desks and new materials, it will really make it all worth it. The school will cost up to $40 million and house 750 students upon opening, with the possibility of expanding further. Construction was previously reported to be scheduled for completion in 2025. Many said the school would not only positively impact the students, but the wider community as well. St. James-Gaillard Principal Keonia Gillard said the new facility would be a pillar of our community for decades to come. If you know me, you know Ive been born and raised right here in this community, Latanya Durant, principal at Vance-Providence Elementary, said. In my 40-plus, almost 50 years of being here, I think this is very historical, because Ive never witnessed a brand new elementary school being built for the children and Im very proud to be a part of this process. Holly Hill Principal Johnnie Smith said students were excited about the new school being built when he talked to them in a class the day before the groundbreaking. And with all the distractions out there, anything that gets our students excited about learning is nothing less than phenomenal, Smith said. Allen Taylor, principal architect with the new schools designers LS3P, said the ongoing construction will not only provide state-of-the-art facilities for the students, but also give them a chance to see STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics) throughout construction. Many speakers thanked Foster for his role in getting the school funded and built, but he did not want to take the credit himself, he said. It isnt about me, he said. I appreciate the sentiments, but Ill tell you Im not that great to do this alone. Aside from the financial support from the community through the bond, Foster thanked the sacrifice from staff of the three schools who may not have a job after the consolidation in the new building. Theres always a concern about my livelihood, Foster said. Whos going to be here? What am I going to do? So it shows an even greater investment from the adults at the three schools to say Im going to take a step even when I cant see the stairway, as Martin Luther King said, because I know that whats best for those little people is most important and everything else will work itself out. So I thank them for trusting us. Not only with their dollars, but with their livelihoods and with their teachers. Were going to continue to make sure we consider those things and consider the sacrifices that they made as well. We owe it to them because they are then putting in an even greater sacrifice for those young voices you heard earlier, Foster said. While many were excited for the new facilities, some faculty, students and parents were also nostalgic for the original, existing structures, said Joseph Brown, school counselor and 36-year-employee at Holly Hill Elementary. Its kind of bittersweet, Brown said. I always thought I would retire from Holly Hill Elementary, and I really considered doing that, but I said, No, I think Im gonna stick around just to see the transition. Because change is always good. Im very excited, mainly for the kids, because they will get the opportunity to be in a new, upscale building with the latest technology, latest equipment and give them the opportunity to compete with kids from all around the state and all around the country. SANTEE -- The Orangeburg County Disabilities and Special Needs Board in July cut the ribbon on its new $3.2 million, 8,450-square-foot work activity center. The Santee Industries center, which is located at 1787 Bass Drive, will serve as the home base for OCSNDB services on the eastern end of the county. The July 28 event served as a launch for when the center officially opened Monday, Aug. 14. This ribbon-cutting ceremony is the culmination of a dream dreamed by many individuals, OCSNDB Vice Chair Teresa Hinnant said. When Santee Industries first opened, we acquired a building that needed to be retrofitted to accommodate our needs. Now we have a building that has been built specifically for our people. How exciting it is going to be to work out of a new environment that has everything we need to be more successful. Santee Industries serves persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and help them receive the skills necessary to obtain and maintain necessary employment. The building includes a technology center for the individuals to work on computer skills, a conference room for training, a full nurses suite, a personal care room (with a shower and relaxation area), updated kitchen, dining area, laundry room, a lobby and lavatory facilities. The center will be staffed with about 12 employees to include a manager, administrative assistant, adult instructors and CNAs/nurses. Residential managers for the Holly Hill and Elloree area will also occasionally work from a designated office in the building. Currently the center serves about 50 people. The general contractor for the buildings construction was Pawleys Island-based Walker Engineering & Construction LLC. Ground was broken on the building in August 2022. The architect was Florence-based FW Architects Inc. and the engineering firm was Florence-based Ervin Engineering Co. Inc. The facility was financed in part by a South State Bank loan. The former building at 758 Bass Drive was sold to Parks Real Properties LLC. OCSNDB Chair Janet Gilchrist, quoting The Byrds' song, Turn, Turn, Turn, says the ribbon cutting of the new work center marks "the end of one season, and the beginning of a new season." This beautiful project has been a long time coming, Gilchrist said. This agency has worked to provide a quality of life for thousands of disabled individuals through early intervention, enclave employment and housing projects for over 50 years. We are one of the few, if not the only agency, in Orangeburg County that supports individuals from the womb to the tomb. Gilchrist said the OCSNDB supports over 200 staff members and over 1,100 individuals with developmental disabilities and pumps over $14 million into the economy annually. There is no question we are an agency that makes a positive impact on Orangeburg County, she said. Without Santee Industries, disabled citizens from the eastern part of this county would be isolated. Each is afforded an opportunity to be gainfully employed earning higher wages for their work, thus improving their quality of life. We are excited to welcome our consumers into a facility that will meet their needs. OCDSNB Executive Director Vonda V. Steward said the new building is much needed. Santee Industries II (as it is also named) was needed to provide a safer and more modern environment, Steward said, noting the center has been operating out of an old former carpet and warehouse store. The facility will enable us to better provide vocational services to our individuals. Santee Industries has been the source of air fresheners, scented bars and body oils purchased and sold as far away as Canada. The items have been made at Santee Industries by OCDSNB consumers since 1995. Former Santee Industries manager Sen. Vernon Stephens, D-Bowman, said the ribbon-cutting ceremony is "all about love." Love for individuals who have a disability but a disability that did not stop their lives, Stephens said. But a disability that taught us more how to love and how to give back. The facility will provide a number of services to include day activity, career preparation and employment services. A real estate development company announced in October its plans to invest a minimum $75 million in the construction of an industrial speculative building near Bowman. High Point, N.C.-based DG Real Estate will be developing the building. It will be marketed by Colliers South Carolina's industrial team, according to a Columbia Regional Business Report article. The Bowman Industrial Center will be a 677,160 square-foot- facility located on about 84 acres on Vance Road near Interstate 26. Colliers describes the property as strategically located in Orangeburg County at the intersection of I-26 and I-95 with superb access to the Port of Charleston and Charleston International Airport. Also, 70% of the United States population is accessible within a two-day drive. Orangeburg County Council gave unanimous, first-reading approval to an ordinance and resolution providing tax incentives for the building, including fee-in-lieu of taxes, a special source revenue credit and the placement of the company in a multi-county industrial park. DG Real Estate will spend about $71 million in machinery and equipment and $4.8 million in building and grounds. Utilities awarded millions Several projects throughout The T&D Region were scheduled to receive a share of American Rescue Plan Act funds. Some of the local projects and communities receiving funds are: Lake Marion Regional Water Agency, water system improvements $10 million Orangeburg Department of Public Utilities/Bull Swamp Rural Water Company, Bull Swamp Rural Water System connection $10 million Bamberg Board of Public Works, multi-project water and wastewater $8,497,190 City of Denmark, wastewater system improvements $4,441,250 Bamberg Board of Public Works, interconnection with Orangeburg Department of Public Utilities $3,657,550 Orangeburg Department of Public Utilities, water system improvements $3,409,825 Town of St. Matthews, wastewater system improvements $2,957,106 Elloree Water System, water system rehabilitation $1,748,610 SCDOT seeks funds to replace I-95 bridge The S.C. Department of Transportation is planning to replace the Interstate 95 bridges over Lake Marion. SCDOT officials say the project is needed to maintain connectivity and a safe interstate for the traveling public. The existing narrow shoulders on the bridges do not allow for vehicle recovery if an incident occurs, or space to move a vehicle over that has been involved in an incident. Approximately 38,900 vehicles, including freight, travel over the bridge daily, according to SCDOT. The construction target for the bridge replacement project is the summer of 2025. Neeses area to receive broadband Orangeburg County announced it would spend $3.7 million for the second phase of broadband installation in the Neeses area. South Carolina-based Utility Service Contractors Inc. was awarded the $3.7 million contract for the broadband project. The broadband expansion project will be completely funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Voorhees presents 1st graduate degrees Seven Voorhees University graduates received the universitys first-ever graduate degrees. Shelley Ann Bronson, Aliska LaShaun Brown, Ruthie Furse Brown, LaTayvia Shlequia Green, Madyson Simone Harris, Equanda Maria Wearing and Denigia Kenu Williams were the inaugural graduate class members receiving masters degrees in teaching and learning. OCSD donates buildings for community use The Orangeburg County School District Board donated the former Nix Elementary School and Rivelon Elementary School to Orangeburg County for community use. The transfer of properties was an offshoot of discussions the district had with the community about what would become of school buildings and properties the school district would no longer need or that would close as part of its district-wide $190 million building plan. The county did not have any immediate plans for the buildings. Amoeba Music stands on Haight Street adjacent to a residential construction site in San Francisco. The owner of Amoeba is concerned the new housing will add more cars to a street that already has limited parking. Benjamin Fanjoy/The Chronicle For the past six months, Amoeba Music co-owner Joe Goldmark has watched as an apartment building at 730 Stanyan rises next to his San Francisco store. The concrete of the third story has been poured and pretty soon it will be looming over the old bowling marquee left over from when the record shop was Park Bowl. Goldmark counts himself as an enthusiastic supporter of the 160-unit projects mission to bring low-cost housing to the corner of Haight and Stanyan, the former McDonalds site that for decades was a gathering spot for the drifters and unhoused young people who have long been attracted to the iconic neighborhood. But there is one aspect of the project Goldmark is less happy about: It has no parking. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I think they are really screwing the neighborhood more than anything, he said. Cars and construction vehicles sit parked across from a residential construction site along Waller Street in San Francisco. The development will bring 160 housing units to the Haight neighborhood. Benjamin Fanjoy/The Chronicle Merchants say that Upper Haight Street with its eclectic blocks of thrift stores, restaurants, head stops, skatewear emporiums, historic bars, bookstores and ephemera outlets is one of the hardest places to park in the city. Now business owners are bracing for an influx of cars to the already busy area when hundreds of new neighbors move into the Stanyan Street building. Sunny Powers, who owns the Love on Haight store, said city officials who think that residents at 730 Stanyan wont be car owners are looking at the situation through rose-colored glasses. To me, it seems more like a pipe dream and this is me in full tie-dye saying this, Powers said. Its wishful thinking. The reality is we have a long way to go until we get to the La-La Land where everyone is taking public transportation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For San Francisco housing officials, the motivation for eliminating parking in affordable housing is clear: it saves money and is good for the environment. By eliminating parking, the city saves between $50,000 and $75,000 a unit money that can be better spent on housing families. It also encourages biking and public transit ridership, and ultimately helps the city reach its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 61% below 1990 levels by 2030. A residential construction site along Stanyan Street in San Francisco will bring affordable housing but no new parking to the area. Benjamin Fanjoy/The Chronicle A 2019 Municiple Transportation Agency study showed that low- and moderate-income families are less likely to own cars about 53% of families earning less than $100,000 a year own vehicles, compared with 75% of families earning more than $100,000. But even at those car ownership levels and the survey found that 9% of low-income families own more than one car its likely that the Stanyan Street building will add more than 80 cars into an already packed neighborhood. That has not gone well in the Mission District, where buildings without parking have opened at 2060 Folsom (Case Adalante) and 1950 Mission (La Fenix.) An article in Mission Local recounted tales of one affordable housing resident who racked up $5,000 in tickets, boots and tows, while another family accumulated $2,500 in towing charges and fees. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Supervisors Dean Preston and Rafael Mandelman, who represent different parts of the neighborhood, said they have heard from constituents worried about the issue. Mandelman said the push to eliminate parking minimums to encourage transit ridership makes sense but only if transit is adequate. Given that Muni ridership is down 29% from 2019 and has a projected operating deficit of $240 million by fiscal 2026, its likely that Muni will get worse before it gets better. Conceptually, if we are going to add all these new units of housing we should be engaged in a similar process to expand transit capacity, he said. Unfortunately that is not happening. There is not a plan for a great expansion in transit. He added: It does beg the question, How are these people going to get around? I dont think the neighbors are wrong to be concerned. Its a fantasy to think that none of these people are going to own cars. A residential construction site along Stanyan Street is being built without on-site parking. Business owners are concerned that will make the streets already tight parking situation worse. Benjamin Fanjoy/The Chronicle Preston said he has heard from merchants and is attempting to get a better estimate of the number of anticipated vehicles and look forward to exploring options to minimize the impact on neighborhood parking. Advertisement Article continues below this ad One option frequently brought up is the 330-space parking lot at Kezar Stadium, across Stanyan from the new building. The lot is owned by the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department. The city could theoretically reserve some spots for 730 Stanyan residents. But Rec and Park Spokesperson Tamara Aparton said there are 30 people on the waiting list for reserved monthly spaces, which go for $241 a month. The lot is 85% to 100% full every day, she said. From the beginning, the citys plans for 730 Stanyan contemplated not having underground parking, in order to both maximize the number of units and to keep costs as low as possible, according to Whitney Jones, a deputy director of operations for the developer, Chinatown Community Development Center, or CCDC. With the highest construction costs in California, San Francisco needed to do everything it could to control costs in order to be competitive for state affordable housing financing, he said. Jones pointed out that non-car owning residents would be more likely to be customers of the goods and services of neighborhood businesses. He said that CCDC would advocate for the City to create more access to these businesses with improved transit and other measures. Robert Emmons, who owns two stores in the neighborhood Welcome Haight & Ashbury and San Francisco Mercantile said that traffic is bad enough that cars are constantly taking up the commercial loading spots in front of his businesses. We have to double park when trying to drop stuff off and get tickets, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As a neighborhood that relies heavily on tourist dollars, the lack of parking is hurting his business. Amoeba Music stands on Haight Street adjacent to a residential construction site in San Francisco. Benjamin Fanjoy/The Chronicle At least when you go to Pier 39 or Fishermans Wharf you have garages to park in, Emmons said. We need enough spaces here that people can come and find a place to park and enjoy the restaurants, bars and shops. And with Muni ridership at 63% of what it was before the pandemic, Emmons said he thinks car ownership is likely increasing, rather than decreasing. We had really good mass transit before the pandemic, he said. Now the whole system is in upheaval. Goldmark said having no parking in a building may persuade some people to relinquish their vehicles. SPRING CREEK Quick thinking and a random turn of events saved two children at the Spring Creek Marina on Friday afternoon when they fell through the ice dozens of yards away from the shoreline. The children, believed to be as young as 8 and 12 years old, were spotted by a group of young adults playing Pokemon Go at the marina. Jarett Carver, 21, Sequioa Passmore, 21, and William Pike, 21, had stopped at a bench swing along the walking path around the marina when they noticed the children playing on the ice about 40 to 50 feet to the right of island in the middle of the marina. Passmore said she saw the children playing on the ice and expressed concerns to her friends. Then they watched as one child, then the other, fell in through the ice. It was terrifying, Pike recalled. We saw one of them drop. We screamed out that they dropped. The other one went close to him and dropped straight away. At that moment, Carver raced toward the children as Passmore called 911 for help. I didnt give it a second thought. I just went for them, Carver told the Elko Daily Free Press. Pike saw Carver take off his jacket and throw it to one of the children to pull them out of the water. But as they pulled on it, the sleeve tore and he pulled out one child with his hands. Then Carver himself fell through the ice, climbed out and pulled the second child to safety. He brought the children back to the shore. Carver said his feet didnt touch the bottom of the marina. The plunge into the cold water also took his breath away when he fell in, rendering him speechless until he was out of the water. I know the kids were in way worse condition than I was. Once they were out of the water, Pike said the children were terrified, crying and shaking, with one child having fully bloodshot eyes. Carver said he heard the ice cracking behind him as he ran toward the children, and thought about his own safety. But he pushed those thoughts aside. Im a heavier-set guy, too, so it was a little scary, but I wasnt going to let two little kids drown or anything, you know, Carver said. Pike said he attempted to follow, but he went through the ice himself and was unable to follow. He ran to a house for help and rope to get them all out. Pike then raised the attention of an unidentified woman who was at the marina farther away. She drove her car to the group, allowing the children get in the car, remove their wet shirts and bundled them up with blankets until an ambulance arrived. Carver, who emerged from the water with bloodshot eyes, was checked out by emergency medical personnel and did not require treatment. The children appeared to be unsupervised, according to the three friends. A woman identified as mother to one of the children arrived and was bawling her eyes out, Pike said. A man, identified as father to one of the children, arrived as they were leaving. The names and conditions of the children were not immediately known, according to Spring Creek Association President and General Manager Jessie Bahr. It was unclear if the children were siblings, relatives or friends to one another. A Random choice Carver and Pike were visiting Passmore for the holidays. Pike traveled from London and Carver came from Oklahoma. They all met through online gaming and have been friends for seven years. Passmore, who lives in Spring Creek, said the decision to go to the marina on a sunny Friday afternoon was a random one, and a choice that may have saved the childrens lives. Especially since the marina was practically empty at that time, the group said. We wanted to go and see if we could catch some Pokemons, Pike said. If we didnt go down that route, there was no one else on the lake. No one [would have seen them]. Even the woman who was nearby and drove her car to the rescuers told the group she thought it was Canadian Geese in the middle of the marina because she wasnt wearing her glasses, Passmore said. We were the only ones close enough. We had the closest access to the water, Pike added. The Spring Creek Association issued a statement Friday evening warning residents not to walk onto the ice at the marina, regardless of how solid it may seem. Please do not walk out onto the Marina. The ice is unsafe and inconsistent across the entire surface. There are signs posted throughout the area to keep off the ice at the Marina and the duck ponds, the statement read. The thickness of the ice is not updated by the association and walking out on the ice at any time is not recommended. Rather, it says, enjoy the area from the safety of the walking paths around the Marina. About an hour after the ordeal, Carver recounted his story as he warmed up under two blankets at Passmores house. He, Passmore and Pike all agreed that the ice is not a playground. Dont let your kids play on the ice. It is not safe. Everybody knows that, Carver said. Pike said they noticed the ice was unsteady when they arrived. As they left the marina, they made an alarming discovery. We saw where they walked. They walked from the edge of the lake straight to the middle, walking around the edge where its the most thinnest, Pike said. If they fell in a minute earlier, they would not have been in view and there would have been nothing anyone could do. Its not smart. It really isnt, Pike continued. Its not worth losing your life for a little bit of adrenaline or adventure. Its not worth it. He added, If a parent lost their child like that, that would ruin someones life. I agree with what they said, dont go on the ice. Its really not worth it, Passmore said. People need to be careful, read to the signs that are posted everywhere and do not go on the ice. Its a risky thing. Passmore thanked the quick response from the Elko County Ambulance and the Spring Creek Association who arrived quickly. A huge thanks to how fast the EMT got there. It was less than five minutes and they were there, Passmore said. I wish I had the ladys name who brought her car. She was so wonderful. Carver, Pike and Passmore are all thankful the afternoon had a happy ending. Im so glad those kids are OK. Thats the main thing, Passmore said. 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. by Kazi Anwarul Masud OUSTED PRIME MINISTER IMRAN KHANS LETTER TO THE ECONOMIST In an article in the respected British journal, The Economist Pakistans ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed doubt about the fairness of the forthcoming General Elections scheduled to be held in January 2024. In his words, Imran Khan is now in jail on charges of exposing state secrets by reading out in the Pakistan National Assembly a secret telegram sent by the Pakistani ambassador to Washington which accused the US government of conspiring with the Pakistani military authority to oust Imran Khan from his post as Prime Minister. File Photo of Pakistani senior Army Officers IMRAN KHAN ACCUSES THE US AND THE PAKISTANI ARMY OF COLLUSION The allegation was naturally dismissed by the US government. Imran Khan wrote Whether elections happen or not, how I and my party have been targeted since a farcical vote of no confidence in April 2022 has made one thing clear: the establishmentthe army, security agencies, and the civil bureaucracyis not prepared to provide any playing field at all, let alone a level one, for PTI. It was, after all, the establishment that engineered our removal from government under pressure from America, which was becoming agitated with my push for an independent foreign policy and my refusal to provide bases for its armed forces. Imran Khan added Because of what the cipher message said, I believe that the American officials message was to the effect of pulling the plug on Imran Khans Prime Ministership through a vote of no confidence, or else. Within weeks our government was toppled and I discovered that Pakistans Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, had, through the security agencies, been working on our allies and parliamentary backbenchers for several months to move against us There were two assassination attempts on my life. My partys leaders, workers, and social media activists, along with supportive journalists, were abducted, incarcerated, tortured, and pressured to leave PTI. Many of them remain locked up, with new charges being thrown at them every time the courts give them bail or set them free. Worse, the current government has gone out of its way to terrorize and intimidate PTIs female leaders and workers to discourage women from participating in politics IMRAN KHAN INCARCERATED IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT I remain incarcerated, in solitary confinement, on absurd charges that include treason. Those few of our partys leaders who remain free and not underground are not allowed to hold even local worker conventions. When PTI workers manage to gather together they face brutal police action. In this scenario, even if elections were held they would be a disaster and a farce since PTI is being denied its basic right to campaign. Such a joke of an election would only lead to further political instability.Despite all this, PTI remains popular, with 66% support in a Pattan-Coalition 38 poll held in December; my personal approval rating is even higher. Now the election commission, desperate to deny the party the right to contest elections, is indulging in all manner of unlawful tricks. The courts seem to be losing credibility daily. FORMER PRIME MINISTER NAWAZ SHARIF CLEARED OF CORRUPTION CONVICTION Meanwhile, a former prime minister with a corruption conviction, Nawaz Sharif, has returned from Britain, where he was living as an absconder of Pakistani justice. In November a Pakistani court overturned the conviction. I believe that Sharif has struck a deal with the establishment whereby it will support his acquittal and throw its weight behind him in the upcoming elections Imran Khan adds that I remain incarcerated, in solitary confinement, on absurd charges that include treason. Those few of our partys leaders who remain free and not underground are not allowed to hold even local worker conventions. When PTI workers manage to gather together they face brutal police action. In this scenario, even if elections were held they would be a disaster and a farce since PTI is being denied its basic right to campaign. Such a joke of an election would only lead to further political instability. If convicted Imran Khan faces a jail sentence of fourteen years. PAKISTANI ARMY DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY RULED THE COUNTRY Since Major General Iskander Mirza became President of Pakistan the army either directly or indirectly has been ruling the country. A Pakistani analyst wrote in October 2021 before the ouster of Imran Khan from the post of Prime Minister was the blue-eyed boy of the Pakistani army. Once again, in a repetition of the same pattern that has dogged Pakistani politics since the countrys inception, the military and civilian government have become embroiled in a tense and highly publicized tussle for power. Imran Khanwho became Prime Minister in an election allegedly rigged in his favor by the armyhad refused to sign off on the appointment of Lt. Gen. Nadeem Anjum as the countrys top spymaster. As a result, Islamabad has become the setting of a constitutional crisis that has enervated the state and left crucial military departments without leadership and direction. At the center of this conflict is Faiz Hameed the outgoing current director general of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), who has been blamed in various quarters for rigging the 2018 election. From General Ayub Khans ten years of so-called prosperity during which the country was completely under the control of the army to General Yahya Khans ignominious defeat at the hands of Lt. Gen Jagjit Singh Arora was a period of shame for the Pakistan Army. After campaigning on autonomy for East Pakistan, Sheikh Mujibur Rahmans Awami League won almost every seat in the National Assembly that had been allotted to the east wing of then Pakistan. Logically he now was the paramount leader in East Pakistan, and, because his party had won a majority of the 300 contested seats in the National Assembly, Bangabandhu Shiekh Mujib was entitled to form the national government. However, Bhuttowhose Pakistan Peoples Party had won a commanding majority in West Pakistanand the military establishment refused a government where the countrys future might be unilaterally decided by the East. Arguing that Mujib did not have a single seat in the western provinces and that he, Bhutto, was the only serious representative from the west wing, Bhutto insisted on using another formula to organize the civilian government. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib having been elected on the promise of pursuing autonomy in East Pakistan, was unwilling to compromise on his six-point program for the East to enjoy increased self-governance. Bhutto and his associates, meanwhile, saw the program as an end to federation altogether. Bhutto convinced Yahya Khan to postpone the convening of the National Assembly as the two sides worked to find a solution, and Yahya Khan did so on March 1, 1971. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib declared that the people of Bengal had once again been betrayed by the power in West Pakistan. In the dead of night, the Pakistan Army launched one of the worst genocides in the history of the world on unarmed and unaware Bengalis which finally led to the birth of Bangladesh as an independent country. Unfortunately, the US sided with Pakistan in the debate in the UN Security Council and noted that its alliances with Pakistan did not commit Americans to take sides in a civil war, even one internationalized by the Indian invasion of East Pakistan. It was clear that India had effectively and irreversibly dismembered Pakistan and that the Muslim country would now take a different form from the one created by Mohammed Ali Jinnah and the Muslim League. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto the leading politician in what remained of Pakistan, assumed the presidency. Bhutto was placed under house arrest, and, on July 5, 1977, Gen. Mohammed Zia ul Huq, Bhuttos personal choice to head the Pakistan army, took the reins of government. Bhuttos subsequent arrest on charges that he ordered the assassination of a political rival, and Zias insistence that he be tried for this alleged crime, brought an end to the Bhutto era and ushered in the Zia ul-Haq regime. Found guilty and sentenced to death, Bhutto was hanged on April 4, 1979. His regime ended on August 17, 1988, when he was killed when his aircraft blew up in mid-air. The cause of the crash, which also took the life of the U.S. ambassador to Pakistan and several top-ranking Pakistani generals, has never been fully determined. He was succeeded by Zulfiqar Ali Bhuttos daughter Benazir Bhutto. She had another stint as Prime Minister. National elections were held again in October 1993. In a close contest, the PPP won a pluralitythough not a majorityof seats in the National Assembly; Nawaz Sharifs new Pakistan Muslim League (N) was a somewhat distant second. Benazir Bhuttos assassination while campaigning for the third term ended her career. After the resignation of Parvez Asif Ali Zardari was elected President as neither the PML-N nor the PML-Q candidate won enough support to pose a challenge to Zardari, the PPPs candidate. The latest twist in Pakistani politics was the return of Nawaz Sharif whose earlier criminal offences were withdrawn by the court. In between was the killing of Osama Bin Laden the leader of the al-Qaeda network. The assault, carried out by a small team transported by helicopter, was launched after U.S. intelligence located bin Laden living in a walled compound in Abbottabad, a medium-sized city near Islamabad. Bin Ladens presence in Abbottabad threatened to add new tension to the often-troubled security alliance between the United States and Pakistan. Pakistani officials had often denied claims that bin Laden was hiding out in Pakistan, possibly abetted by Islamic militants in the remote and rugged areas on the Afghan border. After bin Ladens death, the news that he had lived in a large compound in an affluent area near the Pakistan Military Academy, one of the countrys most prestigious military institutes, raised questions about how his presence could have escaped the notice of Pakistans security forces. This in brief is the history of the armys rule in Pakistan which does not appear to be curtailed in the foreseeable future. (For this part of the history of the Pakistani army and civilian relationship I am indebted to Encyclopedia. Britannica) POWER PLAY BETWEEN CIVILIAN POLITICIANS AND THE ARMY Sources say that Imran Khan was fearful of being voted out when the country scheduled to go to the polls in 2023, and he was adamant that Hameed should not be replaced, even though he has been posted to command a corps in Peshawar. According to an analyst, this was because Imran Khan did not believe he could win without the support of ISI, which was guaranteed for as long as Hameed remained in his post. In digging in his heels over this appointment, Imran Khan had placed himself in direct conflict with General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the long-presiding chief of Pakistans army, who authorized the replacement of Hameed with Anjum. An erstwhile ally of Imran Khan, Bajwa now has to suffer the ignominy of being defied by a Prime Minister whom he not only helped install but also protected at great cost to the armys reputation. IMRAN KHAN WAS PREFERRED BY THE ARMY OVER THE PPP AND PML-N The two main partiesthe PPP and the PML-Nboth held long-standing grudges with the establishment and could no longer be trusted to do its bidding. Both had been deposed in military coups; both had had their leaders persecuted by the state and, at various times in history, both had campaigned on anti-military platforms. It was in this environment that the army began to promote the candidacy of Imran Khan, with whom it believed it could cultivate a different sort of relationship. Political Scientist Maliha Lodi opined that it all speaks to the noisy nature of politics in Pakistan that there are competing power centers and even when it looks like the whole thing has been stitched up. Everything is being run from General Headquarters and there is more fluidity in the system. Kazi Anwarul Masud is a retired Bangladeshi diplomat. During his tenure, he worked in several countries as the ambassador of Bangladesh including Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea and Germany If you have a great workplace, here is your chance to shout about it. Earn recognition as a Tucson Top Workplace. For the second year, Tucson Media Partners and the Arizona Daily Star will honor quality workplace culture in the region. Any organization with 35 or more employees in Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz or Cochise counties is eligible to earn Top Workplaces recognition. The nomination deadline is March 8. Anyone can nominate any organization, whether it is public, private, nonprofit, a school, or even a government agency. To nominate an employer or for more information on the awards, visit tucson.com/nominate or call 520-542-2109. To qualify for a Tucson Top Workplaces award, employees evaluate workplaces using a short 24-question survey that takes about 5 minutes to complete. Companies will be surveyed through May. There is no cost to participate, and winners will earn the coveted gold Top Workplaces badge to tout their achievement in 2024. Roche Tissue Diagnostics landed the No. 1 spot in Tucsons inaugural Top Workplaces awards for a large employer in 2023. The Law Offices of Snell & Wilmer garnered the top honor in the small employer category. The program also recognizes companies with special awards celebrating leadership, embracing new ideas, efficiency, values, communication, appreciation, work/life flexibility and more. Energage, the Pennsylvania-based research partner for the project, conducts Top Workplaces surveys for media in 65 markets nationwide and surveyed more than 2 million employees at more than 8,000 organizations in the past year. Top Workplaces awards are a celebration of good news, said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. They exemplify the significance of a people-first workplace experience, reminding us that employees are the heart of any thriving organization. A former foster parent already serving life terms in an Arizona prison for child-sex crimes has been sentenced to an additional 218 years behind bars in a separate case, officials say. Pinal County Superior Court Judge Jason Holmberg sentenced Francisco M. Medina, 53, after a jury convicted him of six counts of sexual conduct with a minor, dangerous crimes against children and molestation of a child, the Pinal County Attorney's Office said in a news release. Medina is already serving multiple life sentences related to more than a dozen counts of sexual conduct with a minor in Pima County, the release said. "I hope this outcome gives the victim some small amount of closure and helps her in healing," Pinal County Attorney Kent Volkmer, said in the release. "I can't fathom what she's had to deal with, but I admire her strength and courage to hold her perpetrator accountable." In 2020, the Tucson police spoke to the victim, who is now an adult, related to past reports of sexual abuse by Medina when they lived in Casa Grande in the late 1990s and she was under his care. She told investigators, Medina entered her room at night on multiple occasions and sexually abused her, the release said. Medinas sentence will run consecutively to his life sentence in Pima County. A 23-year-old man was fatally shot Friday afternoon while driving on Tucson's east side near the city's William M. Clements recreational and fitness center, police said. The Tucson Police Department gave the following account in a news release Saturday: Officers were called at about 2 p.m. Jan. 26 to a report of a shooting victim found in the 8100 block of East Poinciana Drive. They began rendering CPR and other aid to the man, who had gunshot trauma. Tucson Fire Department personnel arrived and took the victim to St. Joseph's Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Several hours later, just after 9:30 p.m., the man, Devon Sullivan Thompson, died of his injuries. Detectives determined "the victim was driving a black Dodge Challenger on Poinciana Dr. when he was approached by an unknown group. Gunshots were fired after which the group fled the area, and the victim drove to a large parking lot where his vehicle struck the building" and stopped, police said. Police said they don't know the names of shooters nor a motive. They ask anyone with information on the homicide to call 9-1-1, or 88-CRIME where they can remain anonymous. Electric buses are coming to Flowing Wells and Tucson unified school districts, thanks in large part to a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. Flowing Wells will get one new electric bus while TUSD will receive 10. RWC Group, a transportation outfit serving dozens of school districts in Arizona, was the lead applicant for the Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition. It applied on behalf of 11 Arizona school districts, prioritizing Title I schools, said Tom Hartman, who leads RCM Groups busing division. Schools serving a significant number of students from low-income families receive the federal Title I designation. The grant, totaling nearly $16.5 million, awarded funds for 44 electric school buses to the 11 Arizona school districts. The grant funds dont pay for each bus entirely, Hartman explained, but help bridge the gap to make having the energy-efficient buses part of the districts fleets. Tucson Electric Power will also be involved in seeing the project through, he said. RWC Group will continue to support the school districts as the project moves forward, Hartman said. The bus is very important, but we work with the school districts, we hold their hands. I would say that we are speaking to them about charging infrastructure, and less about the bus. Hartman said the average bus route is 50 miles in the morning and 50 miles at night. An overnight charge will keep the buses selected going for anywhere from 130 to 300 miles, depending on the model, he said. The goal of the program is to remove pollution from the air/community, he added. Therefore, the school has to remove ten 2010 or older diesel buses from the road. RWC Group will help to decommission those buses. In Flowing Wells case, it would have to decommission one bus minted in 2010 or earlier. Flowing Wells Unified School District Superintendent Kevin Stoltzfus said details are still early in the discussion stage. We are excited about the possibility, he said. TUSD officials said in a written statement: Tucson Unified School District is excited to receive the Clean School Bus Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to purchase electric and low-emission school buses. We are working in partnership with Tucson Electric Power (TEP) to finalize the logistics and move forward with the program. This is an amazing opportunity that will benefit our district, students, families, and the Tucson community. Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition is part of the Investing in America agenda. According to an EPA news release, the grant funding will help selectees purchase over 2,700 clean school buses in 280 school districts serving over 7 million students across 37 states. RWC Group was awarded all of its grant requests in this round. The other Arizona school districts included in RWCs efforts include districts in the Phoenix, Casa Grande, Coolidge and Flagstaff areas. The Clean School Bus Program, offering $5 billion to qualifying programs nationwide, funds clean school buses. Those include electric buses, compressed natural gas and propane buses, which produce zero tailpipe emissions compared to their older diesel predecessors. The program requires that at least half of the funding go toward zero-emitting school buses. RWC Group will purchase buses from International Corp., Greenpower Motor Co. and Collins Bus Corp., Hartman said. PHOENIX An Arizona lawmaker says legislators shouldnt make laws while on drugs for the same reason they shouldnt drive while under the influence. If they do, theyll make bad decisions, says the lawmaker, Rep. Julie Willoughby. So, she has introduced a proposal to require all members of the Legislature to submit to random drug testing at the discretion of the Senate president or the House speaker. That would apply any time lawmakers are in session. A drug has the power of inhibiting your reasoning ability, to make you paranoid, to make you see things that arent there, to make you hallucinate, Willoughby, a first-term Republican representative from Chandler, told Capitol Media Services. And that could be severe when youre talking about the job that we do as far as legislating new laws and defending different things. Consider drunken driving, she said. You see someone no longer being able to have the correct response time to things, Willoughby said. Yet Willoughbys measure would not allow lawmakers to be tested for their blood-alcohol content to see if theyve perhaps had one too many drinks at lunch before they come to the floor to vote. That exemption, she said, is justified by the technology involved. To test alcohol without a breathalyzer, you need a blood draw, which would require a lot more work to obtain the sample than a urine blood screen, Willoughby said. Anyway, she said, the key is testing for non-prescription drugs in a lawmakers system. That wouldnt account for marijuana, which, due to a 2020 public vote, essentially has the same legal status in Arizona as alcohol. While there are limits in the amount any person can possess at one time, there is nothing illegal about the use of the drug, whether for someone who is self-medicating for a condition or using it for recreational purposes. But Willoughby said she thinks marijuana also should be something looked for in random drug tests. Though its a legal drug, its not legal to use all the time, she said, citing a situation, for example, in which someone is working as a health-care professional. That would kind of be the same umbrella in my thought process for this drug. That presents a host of different challenges. The test for marijuana involves looking for metabolites, chemicals left behind as the drug breaks down in the body. They can remain long after the effects of the psychoactive elements are gone. And the Arizona Supreme Court has ruled, in drunken driving cases, that the mere presence of metabolites is insufficient to sustain a conviction. Instead, a prosecutor must show a driver actually was impaired. Willoughby said she doesnt see that as a problem. The bill is more allowing for the ability to do drug testing, she said. Its not calling for what would happen after theres a positive drug screen. Instead, the results would be referred to the legislative Ethics Committee, which would determine if the lawmaker was doing something inappropriate. Willoughby said the same logic would apply to someone who tested positive for a drug for which they have a prescription, whether or not it was the kind that could impair someones judgment. The Ethics Committee would decide. Results of the drug tests would become public only after the Ethics Committee reviewed them and after its members voted to require the lawmaker to respond. That is the point when everyone would know the results, Willoughby said. Asked about the issue of probable cause, of having a reason to test someone, she responded, Thats a fair question. In fact, she acknowledged, allowing the Senate president or the House speaker to decide who to test means it could be weaponized against somebody you dont like. But Willoughby said she is relying on the discretion of those leaders to use the power only when they see someone acting abnormally, perhaps even in an uninhibited manner. That question of what sort of unusual behavior might trigger a demand for a drug test bemused Sen. John Kavanagh, a Fountain Hills Republican who has been in the Legislature since 2007. Many of our legislators are capable of coming up with weird bills without the use of drugs, he said. Nor does Kavanagh believe drug testing is necessary, particularly as the legislation exempts alcohol. I cant remember of all my time there of any lawmaker that was even suspected of doing drugs, he said. There might have been a few isolated instances of alcohol intoxication on the night the budget was done, Kavanagh continued. But there is no history of any kind of abuse like that. Thats also the assessment of former Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers, whose legislative history goes back to 1997. He said he had not in that time seen people who appeared to be on drugs. But I knew some were absolutely under the influence of alcohol, he said. Even if there was a lawmaker who was drug impaired, Bowers dismissed the possibility he or she could do real harm to the democratic and deliberative process. It takes 31 votes to get a measure approved by the House. I dont think, unless they got 30 plus one all toking at once, that it would have some wave of influence, he quipped. How far legislative leadership is prepared to let Willoughby go with the measure remains unclear. House Speaker Ben Toma, a Peoria Republican who would gain the power to demand random drug tests under her bill, has yet to assign it to a committee for a hearing. Willoughby acknowledged her bill may not be quite ready for prime time. But she said that in introducing and pursuing it, she is keeping her commitment to constituents who first raised the issue about drug-impaired lawmakers with her, prompting her to craft the legislation. January 27, 2024: Ukraine has developed and used a new EW (Electronic Warfare) technique called inflection. This works by transmitting an electronic signal that manipulates, but does not disrupt, the electronic guidance signals used by incoming UAVs and cruise missiles. Ballistic missiles can also be misled by an infliction signal. This infliction of electronic guidance signals means all the incoming missiles and UAVs are diverted to a different altitude and location in unison and subsequently detonate in the air. The guidance systems of the inflected missiles and UAVs will still believe they have all hit their intended targets. So far in 2024 inflection has been used several times and the Russians are working on a countermeasure. Until they come up with one, their attacks fail whenever used against an area where Ukraine has deployed equipment which transmits inflection signals. This electronic equipment is compact enough to be carried in the back of a pickup truck. That means these vehicles have become prime targets for Russian forces. Thats not as ominous as it sounds because the Russians have been trying to find and destroy the 39 HIMARS missile launching vehicles since 2022 and have failed. Then again, the inflection vehicles must halt and transmit their inflection signals while the HIMARS trucks were constantly on the move and transmitted no easily detectable electronic signal. Ukraine has long been a major developer and manufacturer of weapons and military equipment. Before 1991, when Ukraine was a part of the Soviet Union, Ukraine was a Soviet center for high tech weapons development and production, and these innovation and manufacturing capabilities were recognized and encouraged. Since independence in 1991 Ukraine has continued to encourage its defense firms to continue their work. This has resulted in several new weapons and upgrades for existing systems. One new weapon is a long range, nearly 200 kilometers, high-speed missile with a guidance and targeting system that can get past Russian electronic jamming and air-defense missile systems. The new missile was revealed as the mystery weapon used to destroy a Russian S-400 SAM (surface-to air missile) battery. This was not the first new Ukrainian missile design to be used against Russia. The new missile, like many new Ukrainian weapons, doesnt have an official name or details of its specifications and capabilities. That is normal for a weapon developed during a war and not seeking export sales. That will happen once the war is over, and Ukraine offers its combat-tested new weapons to export customers. The 99th annual Tucson Rodeo Parade will have a new route this year. The parades new route will begin at South 12th Avenue and West Drexel Road, according to a joint news release from the city and the Tucson Rodeo Parade Committee. It had been starting on East Ajo Way, but the route required participants to cross railroad tracks just west of South Park Avenue. The parade will now head east on Drexel to South Nogales Highway. From there it will head north until it reaches East Irvington Road, just before reaching the rodeo grounds. The parade is set to begin at 9 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 22. The route change was necessitated by Union Pacific Railroads decision to no longer hold trains, for the three hours necessary, on the section of track that the parade has historically crossed on its previous route, the release said. This is just the second change to the parades route in its history. In 1991, the parade route moved from downtown to its current location, having riders and marching bands travel south on Park Avenue to Irvington then stopping near the rodeo grounds on South Sixth Avenue. That route crossed the railroad tracks twice. Photos: Tucson Rodeo Parade through the years The new route intends to keep the parade off railroad tracks, but it will still end near the rodeo grounds. The parade is free. But there are tickets being sold for the grandstand, which will located on Drexel Road near South Liberty Avenue, the release said. Grandstand tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children 12 years old and younger. Included in the parade will be local and national dignitaries, Native American tribal leadership and performers, historic wagons, colorful floats, marching bands, mariachis, royalty from four rodeos, and working cowboys, the release said. In all, the parade features over 120 entries consisting of over 500 horses, approximately 2,300 people, 85 wagons and buggies, and eight marching bands. Go to tucsonrodeoparade.com, or call 520-294-1280, for more information about the route change or to buy tickets. On this day in 1991, Cleveland native Marine Capt. Craig Berryman was shot down piloting a Harrier jet on his seventh mission of Operation Desert Storm. He was captured and taken by Iraqi soldiers to Kuwait City where he was kicked and stomped. He was moved from Kuwait City, to Basra, Iraq, and then Baghdad. "It is very difficult when you lose your freedom, especially as Americans, you don't realize what you have until you lose it," Berryman later said. "It was very difficult coping with the interrogations. For myself, basically the love of my family and my faith in God is what got me through the difficult times." The war ended Feb. 28. The fliers were liberated on March 5. Berryman arrived in Tulsa later that month to a heros welcome. He retired as a lieutenant colonel in Pensacola, Florida. Here's a look back at our "Veterans Remember" series by Tim Stanley: Perle Mesta, the Oklahoman who became the queen bee of Washington society and whose name will always be synonymous with party-giver, often expressed a wish to be remembered for her other accomplishments. They were many -- in business, politics, diplomacy and philanthropy. But her special niche in history will be as a party-giver; as the "hostess with the mostes' "-- the title she got from a Broadway musical. Mrs. Mesta showed her business acumen by taking an active role in managing the vast steel and manufacturing business left to her by her millionaire husband, George Mesta, who died in 1925. Mrs. Mesta became interested in politics as a child by eavesdropping on lobby conversations at the Skirvin Hotel that her father, William Skirvin, opened in 1911 in Oklahoma City. She enjoyed cordial relationships with every president (except John F. Kennedy) from Calvin Coolidge in 1923 until her death in 1975 when Gerald Ford was president. Born Pearl Reid Skirvin in 1889 in Sturgis, Mich., she married Mesta of Pittsburgh, who was about 20 years her senior, in 1917 and the two became active in politics when they donated $100,000 to Calvin Coolidge's campaign for president. After Mesta died, she continued her political activities. Mrs. Mesta switched parties and changed the spelling of her first name to Perle when Republican Wendell Wilkie lost his race for president in 1940. Four years later she was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. But she maintained friends in both parties and even campaigned for Republican Richard Nixon in his race for president against Kennedy in 1960. She frequently had parties that involved guests entertaining each other. Over the years, Harry Truman played the piano; Dwight D. Eisenhower sang, former Tulsan Patrick Hurley, a diplomat, gave a Comanche war whoop, Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt whistled in a duet. She came to the rescue financially of the nearly broke Democratic Party during Truman's campaign for re-election as president in 1948 when pollsters predicted that Republican Thomas E. Dewey would win. Truman won. And he created a diplomatic post for her as minister to Luxembourg. By the time she was recalled to the United States in 1953, she had entertained more than 25,000 servicemen at her own expense. When she was asked how she wanted to be addressed, she replied "Call me Madam Minister." The title was shortened to "Call me Madam," which became the title of an Irving Berlin musical based on her life that included the song "The Hostess with the Mostes' " -- a nickname that stuck. The Broadway musical was a hit with almost everyone, except the State Department. En route home for her first report, Madame Minister received a wire from Secretary of State Jim Webb who advised her to go directly to Washington and NOT to attend the musical based on her life. She complied, went directly to Washington and, with the permission of the president, went to New York with Mrs. Truman and the Trumans' daughter, Margaret, and attended the Broadway show. When show star Ethel Merman took a curtain call with a man who looked remarkably like the president, many in the theater were convinced it was Truman. Did Madam Minister like the show? Her reaction was lost to posterity. Secret Service agents rushed the party to a car the minute the final curtain dropped -- and back to Washington. Like this column? Read all the columns in the Only in Oklahoma series from the Tulsa World Archive. Katie Henke to succeed Elizabeth Osburn as senior vice president. The Tulsa Regional Chamber has announced staffing changes within its government affairs division, which oversees annual development of the OneVoice Regional Legislative Agenda and advocates year-round on behalf of the northeast Oklahoma business community. Elizabeth Osburn, the Chambers senior vice president of government affairs, is departing after eight-plus years with the organization. Osburns new role beginning Jan. 29 will be director of public advocacy at ONE Gas, a natural gas utility based in Tulsa. During her Chamber tenure, Osburn worked with elected officials at the city, county, state and federal levels, advocating for issues important to the nonprofit and its members within the business community. Former state legislator Katie Henke, currently the organizations vice president of government affairs, will assume the senior vice president role. Henke, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, joined the Chamber in 2019 after serving in the Oklahoma House of Representatives for three terms. She served in several capacities, including Vice Chair of the Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Education, Majority Caucus Secretary and Floor Leader. Prior to her stint in the legislature, she was a schoolteacher in the Tulsa area for more than five years. At the state capitol, Henke authored several key pieces of legislation, one of which amended the Reading Sufficiency Act, empowering parents and educators to make individualized decisions for Oklahoma students. She also penned a bill that created the Oklahoma Transportation Network Company Services Act, establishing a framework for ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft to operate in Oklahoma. Makala Barton, the Chambers director of government affairs, will succeed Henke as vice president.With the Chamber since June, Barton previously served as community relations liaison at the City of Broken Arrow. Before that, she held public relations, retail and economic development positions in Colorado, where she also was a small business owner. To submit an announcement in Business People, which highlights new hires and promotions, call the Tulsa World Advertising Department at 918-581-8510. One of Tulsas largest employers and a major player in the U.S. natural gas industry is marking a double anniversary. ONE Gas this week is marking 10 years since it separated from ONEOK, another Tulsa energy giant. It is also marking 118 years of Oklahoma Natural Gas, which it owns. It also owns Kansas Gas Service, and Texas Gas Service. Its really unique to have a company thats both and 118 years old and 10 years old, said ONE Gas CEO Sid McAnnally. Because (118 years) gives you the benefit of a very stable history and a very strong legacy, especially in a business like this, where you have such strong relationships with your customers. The 10-year part ... as a business we really had a chance to step back and look at whats best in class for technology or practices, or a chance to really think about how we do business. For example, he said, the company early on embraced a new technology to help it replace gas pipes. We have 65,000 miles of pipe broken into a million segments and we, every year, look at every one of those segments to see which segments need to be replaced, and thats how we make that decision, and its through a very sophisticated algorithm that didnt exist much more than 10 years ago, he explained. When we acquired it, it was cutting-edge technology and now its still state of the art, but weve got a long runway with it compared with other people who are just now adopting it. The technology allows ONE Gas to systematically upgrade its infrastructure, without having to dig holes at random locations to check the condition of pipes. The added benefit for us is not only does that make the system safer and more efficient, but it also makes it more environmentally friendly because youre taking out pipe that might have a higher leak profile. ONE Gas has about 2.3 million customers in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas. Its major markets include Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Wichita and Topeka, Kansas; and parts of Kansas City, Austin and El Paso. The company employs about 1,000 in Tulsa, 1,800 in Oklahoma and 3,800 total. Some have been with the company as long as 50 years, ONE Gas officials said. Its gross revenue last year was about $2.4 billion, but that figure also includes the cost of natural gas the company purchased for its customers. Everybody who is a utility worker deserves respect McAnnally touted the companys safety record and reliability. During the bitter cold blast in February 2021, called Uri by the Weather Channel, ONE Gas had fewer than 800 outages, or about 0.0347% of its customers, he said. During the most recent winter blast earlier this month with subzero temperatures, snow and ice, ONE Gas had fewer than 200 customer outages, he said. Those investments that we made in our system allowed us to provide energy to people in a life-threatening situation, and very few customer losses, McAnnally said. Those investments that you make are what allow you to have the kind of system reliability that customers expect. Everybody in the energy business is concerned about reliability. McAnnally joined the company in 2015 as senior vice president of operations, was promoted to chief operating officer in 2020, and was named chief executive officer in June 2021. He serves on the board of directors and the executive committee of the American Gas Association and is a past chair of the board of trustees of the American Gas Foundation. Additionally, he is a member of the National Petroleum Council, an advisory organization to the Secretary of Energy in Washington, D.C. He lauded those who work on the front lines to make sure people have reliable utility service. Everybody who is a utility worker deserves respect, whether its the electric side or the municipal water side or the gas side these people do heroic work under very, very difficult circumstances, he said. Of course Im partial to the folks who work at our company because I know them and I know what their work ethic is like, but I really applaud everybody in the utility sector because they do incredible work, especially in the environment that we live in, which is so dynamic from a weather standpoint. Natural gas future: Two emerging products/technologies As for the future in natural gas, he said, There are two emerging ... products, as much as technology. The first is renewable nature gas, which is the gas that comes from decaying biological material, as opposed to thermogenic gas, which is created by pressure from under ground, he said. Biogenic gas has just vented into the atmosphere, and now theres an effort to try to capture that. There are projects all over the country to generate more RNG. The second is hydrogen. While RNG is still pretty much a methane molecule ... hydrogen can be manufactured in any number of ways. You have to have an energy source to start ... the manufacturing process for hydrogen. But hydrogen is also a very small molecule, so that makes it difficult to compress and that makes it difficult to move over long expanses. So what were going to see is a hydrogen economy that springs up where youll have hydrogen manufacturing facilities that could be powered by stranded electrons from a wind (turbine) that cant get grid access, or from another manufacturing facility, or from the refineries across the country. Theres just a lot of ways you can generate hydrogen. He said his company is participating in a project right now with the U.S. Department of Energy, UT Austin and the Gas Technology Institute. Were looking at sort of a closed system if you take hydrogen in ... How can you use it? How efficient is it? What are the implications of using it? Were on the edge of understanding ... the applications for hydrogen. A key he said, will be How much energy does it take to generate either the molecule or the electron, how much energy do you use to move it from point A to point B and how much energy do you have to utilize it? And thats something well pursue when it meets that test of safe, reliable and affordable, because that really has to be what drives the work we do to support our customers. Energy spinoff, acquisition in Tulsa When ONE Gas spun off from ONEOK 10 years ago, McAnnally said, it was during a time when some investors were buying ONEOK stock for its midstream (storing and transporting) liquid natural gas operations, and others were buying for the utility side, which eventually became ONE Gas. Investors really wanted a cleaner story. They were saying I want to buy the thing I want to buy and not have to buy both. he said. The other advantage is, when you spin out a utility, it can grow in a way thats different than it can as a subsidiary of another business that may be growing faster. McAnnally said last years purchase by ONEOK of Tulsas Magellan Midstream Partners for $18.8 billion believed to be the largest private transaction in state history it made sense to us. Youve got two businesses that do pipeline business, that do things that are complimentary. My initial reaction is that it was good for Tulsa. Anytime you can keep public company headquarters in your town, thats good for the town. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. 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 Tulsa Public Schools stands to recoup hundreds of thousands of dollars lost to alleged embezzlement and misappropriation by a former senior administrator, newly obtained public records indicate. The states largest school district has received new email communications in January that it could soon receive as much as $470,000 from its claim against its Travelers Insurance fidelity and crime policy that protects against losses caused by employees fraudulent or dishonest actions. Claim documents and other emails obtained from TPS by the Tulsa World through public records requests reveal many new details about how TPS then-chief talent and equity officers freewheeling use of taxpayer and donor funds on employee bonuses triggered multiple investigations that continue to this day. Newly hired Superintendent Ebony Johnson said that from what she has learned about the case since taking the helm, she believes that Devin Fletcher, her predecessor Deborah Gists Cabinet member, had far too much leeway to direct the payment of school district funds and to solicit and obtain outside donor support through the nonprofit Foundation for Tulsa Schools. And Johnson said a handful of Fletchers human resources department employees showed poor judgment in accepting $42,000 total in bonus payments he directed their way from a vendor company in addition to their district salaries. We have put serious new internal controls in place and are now requiring signature confirmation that employees have received the district policy book, which clearly states you cannot accept payments from a district vendor, Johnson said. The timeline Public records and interviews with TPS officials show the cascade of revelations and discoveries that all added up to far greater losses than the $20,000 TPS initially publicized as well as an additional $330,000 in suspected losses of donor funds meant for TPS from the Foundation for Tulsa Schools. An immediate investigation reportedly was triggered June 8 or 9, 2022, upon the revelation that under Fletchers direction in late 2020 and 2021, a handful of employees in the districts talent management office had violated district policy in accepting payments from a vendor company called Snickelbox LLC. Within 2 weeks, more questionable conduct by Fletcher reportedly was uncovered and he was forced out at TPS. He resigned June 27. Documents reviewed by the Tulsa World show that the second, final blow was the discovery that Fletcher had gone rogue on a contract with a new human resources vendor called Fountain and bilked the district out of $17,280. The insurance claim submitted by TPS states that Fletcher circumvented the districts in-house legal office, as well as the elected school board, and personally signed a $32,500 contract with Fountain. Then he paid Fountain with his own personal credit card and got the other vendor, Snickelbox, to cover the expense but he submitted an apparently falsified credit card statement in order to obtain an excessive reimbursement totaling $49,780. District officials reportedly took what they knew to local law enforcement officials June 26 and, a few days later, announced to the public that there was a problem. Gov. Kevin Stitt was quick to compel the Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspectors Office to perform a forensic audit, but that work is still ongoing; no findings have been reported to the public. Email records from TPS show that Tulsa police detectives were initially investigating the matter, but by September 2022, the Federal Bureau of Investigation took the lead in the case. Fletcher pleaded guilty in October 2023 to a $604,000 wire fraud conspiracy involving a combination of taxpayer dollars and donated grant funds and allegations that Fletcher schemed to benefit himself and two of his family members through the use of a phony human resources consulting company owned by his sister S. Monee Kemp, called Talented 10th. Suspicions regarding (Talented 10th) originally arose out of an investigation of a different vendor Snickelbox LLC conducted by the districts outside counsel at the superintendents direction, states TPS insurance claim. The document cites federal prosecutors forfeiture filings in federal court in stating: Once she was an approved district vendor, Kemp billed and received district funds when, in fact, she provided no services to the district and had no business relating to such services and money she received from the district was shared with Fletcher and their mother. In May 2023, public court records revealed FBI agents seized a combined $216,105.95 from two bank accounts listed under the relatives names. TPS General Counsel Jana Burk said the district stands to recoup those funds, as well, but federal officials have given the school district no timeline as to when. Neither of the relatives, identified in the same document as Fletchers sister Kemp and their mother, has been charged with any crime. Fletcher, who reportedly was pursuing career aspirations of becoming a superintendent himself, once simultaneously held the two most demanding oversight responsibilities in TPS: human resources and academics. Now, the plea deal with federal prosecutors would make him a felon, and hes facing up to 20 years in prison. Burk has the most firsthand knowledge of the case because she initiated the internal investigation and has served as the districts point person with law enforcement and insurance company investigators, as well as state auditors. She said Fletchers actions disgust her and his other former colleagues because he was presenting himself as a professional and someone who was absolutely dedicated to the work of the district when in reality he was for several years stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars meant to benefit Tulsas kids. He perpetrated his crimes through extensive deceit and lies, Burk said. He broke the trust of his co-workers, our teachers, the districts board members, and the public and our civic donors, and wielded his organizational power for his personal gain. Hes wreaked havoc and anguish in the district for many people. Bonus pay and cash gifts Outgoing Chief Financial Officer Jorge Robles told the Tulsa World the entire saga was sparked by one recipients offhand remark about a Snickelbox bonus. Burk immediately reported the matter to the districts superintendent, who agreed that outside counsel should investigate the matter given the significance of the concerns, the district reported to Travelers Insurance. The outside counsel was Brian Kuester, a former state and federal prosecutor who was then employed at TPS contract law firm, Rosenstein, Fist & Ringold. The TPS insurance claim reveals that Kuester interviewed Fletcher and the owner of Snickelbox, who provided him records during the initial days of the investigation that showed five employees had accepted $42,000 total in bonus payments from the vendor. Additionally, Kuester reportedly learned directly from the two figures involved that Fletcher had been reimbursed $3,922 by Snickelbox for stuffing envelopes with $100 cash gifts to hand out to talent management employees at the holidays in 2020. Burk told the Tulsa World there are no records to back up Fletchers holiday gift claims or whether any employees actually received the cash. Now-Superintendent Johnson said that, in her mind, the fact that those five employees paid income taxes on the bonuses demonstrated that they believed those were legitimate earnings for duties performed. It was poor judgment not to question payment from outside the district; however, look at the circumstances. You have your immediate boss, at a chief level, saying, You went above and beyond and earned this money. Then you have the fact that they all paid taxes, and all of those still currently employed here are making it right by repaying the money, Johnson said. I stand strong around those employees that the lesson has been learned. Four of the employees were paid $2,500 to $6,500 each, and email communications between district administrators and the employees or attorneys of the employees show they were told the bonuses were payment for taking on additional duties because of staffing shortages. All four have either repaid or are in the process of repaying TPS the gross amount they were paid by Snickelbox, with $12,300 repaid to date of the $17,000 total, Burk said. One of those four voluntarily left the district last summer, Burk said. A fifth, now-former employee of the Talent Management Department, Kayla Robinson, reportedly negotiated a $25,000 bonus in September 2020 to compensate her for a salary reduction she received associated with a position change. Those negotiations were with Fletcher and Deputy Superintendent Paula Shannon, but the insurance claim states that Shannon was unaware that Fletcher had arranged for Robinson to receive the bonus payment from Snickelbox, the outside vendor. Email records show Robinson had been retired for months by the time the vendor-funded bonus payments were discovered in the summer of 2022; through an attorney, she has rebuffed all demands by TPS for repayment of the $25,000. Fletchers use of Snickelbox Snickelbox LLC was the vendor company TPS has claimed Fletcher used to facilitate roughly $92,000 in unrelated charges, but sussing out questionable invoices from multiple years of legitimate work by that company has been complicated, TPS explained in the insurance claim. It had six-figure contracts for the 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years to work with the TPS human resources office on its efforts to attract and retain teachers amid a chronic teacher shortage. Its last contract with the district was terminated in July 2022 after Fletchers departure. The owner, Lauren OMara, has not been charged with any crime. TPS insurance claim says school district emails show that OMara was aware of the actual, lower price of the Fountain contract and that a $113,000 Snickelbox invoice to TPS in July 2020 was nearly $93,000 more that it should have been for stipends for teacher trainees. This is because Fletcher and OMara were told in emails dated June 25 and July 3, 2020, that there were only 17 teacher trainees (later 16) to be paid at $1,260 each, but Snickelbox submitted and Fletcher approved an invoice charging the district at cost for 50 trainees at $2,260 each, TPS stated in its insurance claim. Documents and interviews with TPS administrators both indicate that OMara was a regular sight and trusted individual at district offices during the years her business had a contract with TPS. You see this person, Shannon said. Theyre actually a consultant. You know that, but theyre embedded. You work with them every day, and theyre directing work. This person says, Hey, Im following up. Chief Fletcher said were going to make sure that youre compensated for all this additional work youre doing. Just fill this out. And its easy, in hindsight, to say, I should have known better. One of the bonus recipients wrote in a summer 2023 email to district administrators outlining the terms of their repayment plan: Any payments provided to me were for extra work that I was assigned by the district. However, I do understand that Chief Fletcher misled me with the validity of the payment from Snickelbox and that it was in violation of district policy. I accepted the payment in good faith for the extra duties I was assigned and properly reported and paid taxes on the payments from Snickelbox. Possible associates paid Tulsa police detectives and the State Auditors Office each raised red flags to TPS about other vendors, both of whom TPS has since identified as possible associates of Fletchers from Denver, where he lived and worked prior to relocating to Tulsa. The Tulsa Police Department led TPS to look into a $21,000 payment for one month of work on a salary estimator spreadsheet in February 2022 by Kord Golliher of KAG Capital LLC. An investigator for the State Auditors Office flagged $41,400 in pay for Isaac Domingue for a two-month period for support and management of classified and confidential data collection related to COVID-19 vaccinations for TPS employees. The insurance claim states that after extensive records searches and staff interviews, TPS questions whether any work at all was performed by Golliher and whether Domingue produced anything beyond a single report that took a member of the State Auditors Office just 90 minutes to replicate. While the U.S. Attorneys Office did not include all amounts paid to these two vendors within the plea agreement, they did include the portion of those payments that resulted from Fletchers falsification of invoices, TPS officials informed Travelers Insurance in an email. Specifically, Fletcher is accused of receiving emailed invoices from Golliher for $10,500 and $10,800 from Domingue and then turning around and submitting falsely inflated new invoices. That resulted in TPS paying the two vendors an excess of $18,600 total, which is what federal prosecutors reportedly included in the guilty plea to which Fletcher has agreed. Golliher and Domingue are Facebook friends, and Fletcher is shown with Domingue in public photos posted to Domingues account in September 2022. Voicemails left for Golliher and Domingue went unreturned. Foundation also defrauded TPS fidelity bond insurance claim also alleges that the nonprofit Foundation for Tulsa Schools suffered additional losses totaling at least $330,000 because of similar fraud by Fletcher, though TPS is not seeking insurance coverage of those losses because the foundation is a separate legal entity. The allegations included Fletchers submitting to the foundation $105,000 in Talented 10th invoices and facilitating double payments totaling $225,000 to Snickelbox for teacher trainee stipends already paid to the vendor by TPS for the summers of 2019 and 2020. On Monday, the foundation declined to say whether it has filed its own insurance claim to cover those losses or whether it will be pursuing any civil claims against Fletcher or any of the vendors named in TPS insurance claim. The nonprofit organization relies on an outside accounting firm to manage its financial records and, similar to TPS, is subject to an independent third-party audit each year. The Tulsa World requested an interview with Foundation for Tulsa Schools President and CEO Moises Echeverria. Instead, the foundation provided a written statement that in response to the losses connected to Fletcher, in early 2023 it began requiring additional people to review all donor fund payments by the foundation on behalf of TPS. We feel fortunate that our donors and supporters understand that the foundation and TPS were victims of criminal activity, the statement reads in part. Fortunately, our most critical programs and initiatives continue to operate thanks to the generosity of many in our community. Tim Stanley Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Tim Stanley Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today As he prepared to step off the train in Ukraine recently, Jon M. McGrath couldnt help feeling a sense of solidarity with those around him. Rail service is really a big part of their lives, he said of his fellow passengers. And its become even more critical since the war started. The Tulsan, who traveled by rail 12 hours from Warsaw, Poland, to Kyiv two weeks ago, added that the chance to ride the trains and to meet in person the people who keep them going just reaffirmed for him the value of his present endeavor. And hes resolved to keep doing what he can. A longtime railroad contractor, McGrath returned recently from the Ukrainian capital, where he was the only American member of the visiting Global Ukraine Rail Task Force. The international delegation of rail leaders was accompanied by news crews from CNN and PBS during the visit. A wartime effort to support Ukraines vital rail industry, McGrath has been a task force member since it formed in February 2022 after Russias invasion. Now that hes back from his trip, McGrath plans to spend more time promoting American support for Ukraines fight, a case hes preparing to make with congressional leaders in Washington, D.C. War is a nasty thing and you jump in there wherever you can and support your allies, he said. Fifth generation McGrath, who will serve as task force lead on post-war reconstruction in Ukraine, is lending support in an area he knows best. Representing the fifth generation of his family to build railroads, he is president of McGrath LLC, a firm that designs and constructs railroads. Hes been involved in the construction of mass transit systems across the U.S. McGrath said rail infrastructure in Ukraine has taken its share of hits during the war, with many bridges and rail stations destroyed. But the country has done a good job of maintaining it, he said. Rail service is the lifeblood of Ukraine, he said, adding that its economy is rail-dependent. In addition to carrying freight, its how many Ukrainians travel in and between cities. After the invasion started, rail was also crucial to the evacuations, with millions using the countrys railways to leave for Poland and other destinations. During their one-day visit to Kyiv, McGrath and his companions were hosted by officials from Ukrainian Railways and the countrys largest rail union. The visit included a tour of downtown areas devastated by bombings, as well as an underground bunker, where taking shelter during air raids has become an almost daily part of life. McGrath said he got to experience a small part of what thats like. The air raid siren did go off while we were there. Russian bombers had taken off from Belarus. Fortunately they turned away from Kyiv, so we didnt have to take shelter. Unprovoked aggression McGrath said the task force began forming within hours of the start of the invasion in February 2022. We are a pretty small industry. Everybody knows everybody, he said of how the effort started. Our goal was just to keep up with what was going on in Ukraine and find out how we can help, he said. The task force has mustered various kinds of support. They needed certain pieces of equipment. We knew how to get them, who to call. The group also has helped get food and medical supplies to rail families. McGrath believes Americas support for Ukraine is essential, and he argues the point in a report he authored. Its consistent with our policies historically, he said. Moreover, Russias unprovoked aggression wont end with Ukraine. Supporting Ukraine now can help prevent America from having to send its own troops to war later, he said. McGraths family history with railroads goes back to the Civil War. Two of his ancestors worked on the nations first transcontinental railroad, which was built in the 1860s. Proud of that history, McGrath never imagined he would be adding this current chapter to it. Its really been an honor and a privilege to be included in this effort, he said of rallying support for Ukraine and its railroad families. Its been very rewarding. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. RAFAH, Gaza Strip Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushed back Saturday, a day after the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to limit death and destruction in the military's Gaza offensive. He declaring that "we decide and act according to what is required for our security." Among the first deaths reported since the ruling, witnesses said three Palestinians were killed in an airstrike that Israel said targeted a Hamas commander. Israel's military is under increasing scrutiny now that the top United Nations court asked Israel for a compliance report in a month. The court's binding ruling on Friday stopped short of ordering a cease-fire, but its orders were in part a rebuke of Israel's conduct in its nearly 4-month war against Gaza's Hamas rulers. More countries pause funds to Palestinian aid agency The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, the main organization aiding Gaza's population amid the humanitarian disaster, said nine countries suspended their funding following Israel's allegations that a number of Gaza staff members participated in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that sparked the war. Those include the United States, Britain, Italy and Finland. Agency chief Philippe Lazzarini said it would be "immensely irresponsible" to sanction it and the community it serves at such a desperate time for Gaza residents, especially after it quickly fired the "small group" of staffers. The 13,000-strong agency, which relies almost entirely on countries' contributions, said it now runs shelters for over 1 million people and its lifeline "can collapse anytime now." Casualties continue to rise The Israel-Hamas war has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, destroyed vast swaths of Gaza and displaced nearly 85% of the territory's 2.3 million people. The Hamas attack in southern Israel killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and militants took about 250 hostages. At least 174 Palestinians were killed over the prior day, the Health Ministry in Gaza said Saturday. It does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its tolls, but has said about two-thirds are women and children. Israel holds Hamas responsible for civilian casualties, saying the militants embed themselves in the local population. Israel says its air and ground offensive in Gaza has killed more than 9,000 militants. Israel's military said it conducted several "targeted raids on terror targets" in the southern city of Khan Younis in addition to the airstrike in nearby Rafah targeting a Hamas commander. Bilal al-Siksik said his wife, a son and a daughter were killed in the Rafah strike, which came as they slept. He said the U.N. court ruling meant little since it did not stop the war. "No one can speak in front of them (Israel). America with all its greatness and strength can do nothing," he said, standing beside the rubble and twisted metal of his home. More than 1 million people crammed into Rafah and the surrounding areas after Israel ordered civilians to seek refuge there. Designated evacuation areas have come under airstrikes, with Israel saying it would go after militants as needed. Bad weather compounds refugees' plight In Muwasi, a narrow coastal strip once designated as a safe zone but struck in recent days, displaced Palestinians tiptoed on sandaled feet through garbage-lined puddles in damp and chilly weather. Walls of sheets and tarps billowed in the wind. A mother wept after rain leaked in and soaked the blankets. "This is our life. We have nothing and we left (our homes) with nothing," said Bassam Bolbol, whose family ended up in Muwasi after leaving Khan Younis and finding no shelter in Rafah. Frustration with the uncertainty grows. As thousands of Gazans fled Khan Younis toward Muwasi, Israel shared video showing a crowd appearing to call for bringing down Hamas. The case brought by South Africa to the U.N. court alleged Israel is committing genocide against Gaza's people, which Israel vehemently denies. A final ruling is expected to take years. The court ordered Israel to urgently get aid to Gaza, where the U.N. said aid entering the territory remains well below the daily average of 500 trucks before the war. The U.N. also says access to central and northern Gaza decreased because of "excessive delays" at checkpoints and heightened military activity. The World Health Organization and the medical charity MSF issued urgent warnings about the largest health facility in Khan Younis, Nasser Hospital, saying remaining staff could barely function with supplies running out and intense fighting nearby. Gaza's Health Ministry spokesperson Ashraf al-Qidra said the hospital lacked anesthesia and other medicines for intensive care units and had "dangerous" shortages of blood. Israelis continue protests for hostages' return Israelis again gathered in Tel Aviv and outside Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem to call for new elections, frustrated with the government's failure to bring all hostages home. More mediation lies ahead in search of a deal to secure the release of the hostages still in Gaza after more than 100 were released in a swap for Palestinian prisoners during a weeklong cease-fire in November. An unspecified number of the remaining 136 are believed to be dead. The U.S. CIA director will meet in Europe with the head of the intelligence agencies of Israel and Egypt and with the prime minister of Qatar, according to three people familiar with the matter who insisted on anonymity. Hamas has said it will only release the hostages in exchange for an end to the war and the release of large numbers of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Israel-Hamas war at 100 days Vietnamese dealers have resumed selling Toyota Avanza Premio MT autos after an over-one-month suspension. The Japanese cars have been delivered to auto showrooms in Vietnam since Friday. Automotive giant Toyota halted its delivery of all vehicles related to its affiliate Daihatsu on December 20 last year due to a safety test scam. The misconduct plagued the Avanza Premio MT in the Vietnamese market. Toyota Vietnam quickly decided to suspend the shipment of the multi-purpose vehicle model on December 21, 2023 to await directives from the Japanese multinational automobile manufacturer. Results of an investigation into its unit related to rigged collision-safety tests showed that one improper modification of the Toyota Avanza Premio MT affected emissions and fuel efficiency. The Toyota Avanza Premio made its debut in Vietnam in March 2022, with the MT and CVT versions. These completely built-up cars were imported into Vietnam from Indonesia. The Avanza cars started to be assembled at a Toyota factory in Vinh Phuc Province, northern Vietnam in December 2022. 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 established an independent third-party committee to probe the case. Production at Daihatsu's factories in Japan has been suspended 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. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A coal company in Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam has presented fish as Tet gifts to its 3,700 employees. Cua Ong Coal Company has spent nearly VND5 billion (US$203,250) buying 18 metric tons of fresh groupers to award to its employees. The firm has also offered its employees bonuses to celebrate the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, or Tet, which is due in February. Its purchase has contributed to boosting the consumption of the fish grown in bulk in Quang Ninh. The company's gesture of providing groupers to its employees is not a novel occurrence, stated a representative of the firm under the Vietnam National Coal Mineral Industries Holding Corporation on Saturday. The coal producer spent a combined VND5 billion purchasing groupers for its workers on some special holidays from 2021 to 2023. Each employee at the firm is slated to receive five kilograms of fresh groupers, a 13th-month bonus totaling around VND13 million ($528.5), and additional gifts as Tet presents for the year 2024. Several coal companies in Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam purchase groupers to support fish farmers in the province. Photo: Tien Thang / Tuoi Tre Some other Quang Ninh-based companies under the corporation have given groupers to their employees ahead of the Tet holiday. Among them is Hon Gai Coal Company. Most of these employees live in the province, so it is easy for them to transport the fish to their homes. Despite facing the economic slowdown in 2023, Vietnam National Coal Mineral Industries Holding Corporation fulfilled all of its targets, providing a record volume of coal for power generation. The corporation contributed some VND29 trillion ($1.2 billion) to the state budget last year, marking its biggest contribution to the coffers so far. The corporation made VND170 trillion ($6.9 billion) in revenue and generated a profit of an estimated VND6 trillion ($244 million) in 2023. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! January 27, 2024: Plans to reassemble the Soviet Union empire stumbled and died in Ukraine. Not only that, but the Russian effort to annex Ukraine failed because the Ukrainians were willing to fight while too many of the Russian invaders were not. Russia plans on going after Belarus and the three Baltic States next. All of these were part of the Soviet Union until the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, with the loss of half its population and some of the most productive territories. None of these former Soviet territories have asked to rejoin the empire and many have joined NATO in an effort to keep the Russians out. Russia invaded Ukraine twice, in 2014 and early 2022, and the 2022 war turned into a disaster for Russia, which is reluctant to completely give back the Ukrainian terrain it still occupies. The Russian plan was to keep fighting in Ukraine for years until NATO tires of supporting Ukraine and leaves Ukraine on its own. That is not likely to happen because neighboring Poland and the Baltic states are NATO members and well aware that Russia intends to attack them unless the Ukraine stops Russia now. Inside Russia there are different attitudes. Former communist era secret police officers, led by Vladimir Putin, are using imperial nostalgia and the more familiar, to these former KGB professionals, police state tactics to at least stay in power and, if possible, make Russia a vast empire once more. Putin, the Russian leader since 2000, as president or prime minister, is officially opposed to the return of the leader for life rule in Russia despite his exceptionally long and questionably legal rule. Russia, like China, is a market economy run by nationalist dictators. For historical analogy, think of Russia as the equivalent to World War II Japan while China is the wealthier and more powerful Nazi Germany. Russias western neighbor is another revived empire; the EU/European Union. Many Europeans see the EU as an unintended effort to revive a European empire that never really existed, although Charlemagne came close for a short time in the 9th century and a thousand years before that the Romans were a contender. There isnt much nostalgia in Western Europe for these traditional empires, though many Europeans back a kinder and gentler empire that is based more on voluntary cooperation than coercion. The EU has run into problems because many Europeans see the EU developing into an unelected bureaucracy that can make all sorts of new rules and even foreign policy without any regard for what their constituents and, technically, employers, European voters, want. A growing number of Europeans think this EU Empire is a mistake and are demanding that their local politicians, who are still responsible to the voters, at least more so than the EU officials, fix this problem or get their country out of the EU. The imperial officials are not pleased with such ignorance and ingratitude by their subjects and are fighting back in a losing battle to keep their new empire together. So far, only Britain has withdrawn from the EU and did so in 2020. Since then, Britain has thrived, or just survived depending on who you ask. The success of an independent Britain forced EU bureaucrats to be more response to the voters EU members did have to pay attention to. Most EU members also belong to the NATO defensive military alliance. NATO was created in the 1950s to defend Europe from Russian aggression. The EU and its NATO military alliance cannot ignore EU and NATO member governments. This includes the United States, which belongs to NATO but not the EU. The Americans have an economic and emotional attachment to Europe. Most Americans are descendants of Europeans. This is important for Europeans because the United States accounts for about 40 percent of worldwide defense spending while China, and Russia together only account for about 17 percent. The rest of the top ten are either allies of the Americans or friendly. Ukraine is, in terms of total defense spending, including recent donations from NATO countries, figuratively in the top five when it comes to defense expenditures. This is a dubious distinction for Ukraine, which is using it all to repel a Russian invasion. Poland, which borders Ukraine and Russia, has increased defense spending, and purchased nearly $15 billion worth of South Korea weapons and munitions. South Korea produces a lot more weapons and military equipment than North Korea and the South Korean weapons and munitions are top grade. One side effect is that once Poland receives all the South Korean tanks, mobile artillery, and rocket launchers on order from South Korea, they will have the most powerful army in NATO Europe. This is to discourage any Russian attacks on Poland or any other NATO nation in the area. The smaller Baltic states have made similar efforts to make Russian soldiers feel unwelcome. Europe had been at peace since the end of World War II in 1945 and, until Russias second invasion of Ukraine in 2022, it was believed the 77 year-old peace would continue. Unlike in the 2014 attack, though, Ukraine was ready this time to oppose Russia effectively while NATO provided prompt and enormous quantities of military and economic aid. The Russians were not expecting this. The Ukraine invasion was supposed to be the first step in rebuilding the Russian empire. That institution was run by monarchies for centuries until the early 1920s when the communist Soviets took over. The former components of the Soviet Union do not want to rejoin any Russian empire and that is why Ukraine fights so hard against the Russian invaders. There were other ways to resist the Russians and the most effective one was economic sanctions. Russia underestimated how dependent it was on key components of its weapons that came from EU nations and the United States. President Vladimir Putin sent his armed forces into Ukraine in early 2022 and by 2023 Ukraines armed forces, with NATO military and Western economic aid, had Russia on the defensive. Since 2014 Russia has been making a lot of headlines but not much else. The economy is a mess, as in stagnant and shrinking. Russia has fewer friends or allies, and the future looks dim. Sending troops into Ukraine (2014), Syria (2015), Libya (2016) and invading Ukraine in 2022 has not helped solve any of the fundamental problems there but made for great propaganda. What went wrong? Russia entered the 21st century with a new elected government dominated by former secret police (KGB) officers who promised to restore economic and civil order. They did so but in the process turned Russia into a police state with less political and economic freedom. Many Russians opposed this, and the government responded by appealing to nationalism. Russia has turned into what Germany had become in the 1930s. This included police state ways and the traditional threatening attitude towards neighbors. Rather than being run by corrupt communist bureaucrats, the country is now dominated by corrupt businessmen, gangsters and self-serving government officials that characterized the last czarist government of a century ago. The semi-free economy is more productive than the centrally controlled communist one but that just provides more money to steal. A rebellion against the new dictatorship has been derailed by astute propaganda depicting Russia as under siege by the West and NATO. Opinion polls show wide popular support for this paranoid fantasy, but some Russians continue to struggle for better government and beneficial reforms. For now, most Russians want economic and personal security and are willing to tolerate a police state to get it. The 2022 invasion of Ukraine and subsequent sanctions did more damage than the ruling politicians expected. That atmosphere, plus the anxiety generated by having troops fighting in Syria, Ukraine and Libya has scared away a lot of foreign investors and many Russian ones as well. Russia can downplay this in the state-controlled media, but Russia cannot grow without foreign and Russian capital. Since 2014 most Russians can see daily that they are worse off than before. Meanwhile China, the only real threat to Russia, quietly makes progress in the east. There China has claims on much of the Russian Far East and is openly replacing Russia as the primary economic, military, and political force in Central Asia. Most Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh, the abbot of the Ba Vang Pagoda in Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam, has been fined VND7.5 million (US$305) for his failure to inform local authorities of the pagodas highly-controversial display of a relic said to be the Buddha hair sarira in late December last year. A local official told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Friday that the administration of the provinces Uong Bi City imposed the administrative fine on the head monk, whose birth name is Vu Minh Hieu. The pagoda was found to have exhibited the so-called Buddha hair sarira during a grand celebration organized between December 23 and 27 last year without giving any notice to local authorities of the display of the object. The object was said to have originated in Myanmar, drawing much attention from Buddhists and curious people. The public voiced their suspicions over the authenticity of the object. Following the exhibition, Most Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh was warned by the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) and did penance before the VBS Executive Council. The disciplinary actions against him have been made known to all VBS standing management boards in Quang Ninh. He must pledge to refrain from engaging in similar activities in the future. Otherwise, he would be stripped of his titles and expelled from the monkhood, according to the VBS, which said that the display of the object provoked public controversy, led to erosion of trust and faithfulness to Buddhism, and tarnished the VBS reputation. The Ba Vang Pagoda was also asked not to organize any international exchanges over a course of one year. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Read what is in the news in Vietnam today: Society -- Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Saturday inspected a project to build a 500kV electric transmission line from Quang Binh Province in north-central Vietnam to Hung Yen Province in the northern region. He visited the construction sites of the project in Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, and Thanh Hoa Provinces. -- Eight fishermen were saved while three others are still missing after two fishing boats sank off the north-central Vietnamese province of Quang Binh on Friday, a local official said on Saturday. -- A head-on collision between a high-capacity motorcycle and a motorbike in Thu Duc City, under Ho Chi Minh City, claimed the lives of the riders on Saturday. -- On Friday evening, a truck overturned on a section of National Highway 19 undergoing upgrades in Binh Dinh Province, located in south-central Vietnam. The incident led to traffic congestion, extending approximately 10 kilometers, and persisted for over 12 hours, a local police officer said on Saturday. Business -- Several beer breweries in Vietnam have released their business results for the last quarter of 2023, which indicated falling year-on-year revenue. Lifestyle -- Authorities in Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam will hold a festival between February 1 and 19 at Phu Dong Park to celebrate the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, or Tet, which is due in February. The fest will feature 106 booths offering a variety of dishes representing different regions Vietnam. -- The Consulate General of Thailand in Ho Chi Minh City joined hands with some agencies to organize an event on Saturday to introduce Thai recipes, with some dishes including Vietnamese ingredients. World News -- The world's largest cruise ship is set for its maiden voyage on Saturday, but environmental groups are concerned that the liquefied natural gas-powered vessel - and other giant cruise liners to follow - will leak harmful methane into the atmosphere, Reuters reported. -- United Airlines said it had resumed use of its Boeing 737 MAX 9 jets Saturday for passenger flights after U.S. regulators gave the green light following a mid-air cabin blowout on an Alaska Airlines flight earlier this month, according to Reuters. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The ongoing chilly weather in Hanoi has brought more challenges to sewer cleaning workers who brave the dark waters of every manhole and sewer, facing not only mud and trash but also numerous other hazards lurking below. Workers from the Mechanized Construction Enterprise of Hanoi Drainage Company persist in their usual tasks despite the cold, toiling beneath the dark, malodorous sewers filled with the stench of wastewater. Standing at about 1.6 meters tall with a slim build, 20-year-old Nguyen Minh Hieu demonstrates remarkable skill during a shift in the Yen So area of Hoang Mai District as he deftly maneuvers a suction pipe. When there are signals, he swiftly brings the pipe to the surface for his co-workers to clear obstructions. Sewer workers brave cold weather conditions down a sewer in the Yen So area of Hoang Mai District, Hanoi, January 25, 2024. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre I hope people dispose of their trash properly instead of dumping it into the drains, causing blockages, Hieu said. It makes our job much harder. After half an hour of labor, Hieu signaled for assistance in climbing out of the manhole, with his tiredness evident. Sewer workers brave cold weather conditions in the Yen So area of Hoang Mai District, Hanoi, January 25, 2024. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre In the chilly air, he splashed water on his face to awaken himself, scrubbing each mud-stained finger as he sneezed vigorously and then drew in a deep breath of cold air to clear his throat. His hands and face reddened given the frigid water. Hieu said that the cold is not as daunting as his experiences at Linh Nam Market in the same district previously. Sewer workers brave cold weather conditions down a sewer in the Yen So area of Hoang Mai District, Hanoi, January 25, 2024. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre That day, it was raining, the worker recalled. When I opened the manhole cover, I was met with a sea of garbage, including sacks, styrofoam, and discarded food. Despite the difficult conditions, Hieu remained determined to complete the task to prevent flooding in the area. Cao Dinh Phuc braves cold weather conditions down a sewer in the Yen So area of Hoang Mai District, Hanoi, January 25, 2024. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre Cao Dinh Phuc, one of Hieus colleagues, emphasizes the necessity of their work regardless of the weather conditions. With weathered hands and a weather-beaten face, Phuc remarks, The first few days of work was the most difficult. Some manholes made me vomit when I saw them. But we must do our job to keep the sewers cleared. My colleagues gave me a lot of encouragement and support. Sewer workers brave cold weather conditions down a sewer in the Yen So area of Hoang Mai District, Hanoi, January 25, 2024. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre Although he has years of experience, Phuc admits to feeling weary when working in drains near eateries, restaurants, and residential areas due to the excessive grease and waste. Drainage workers like Phuc hope for greater public awareness about disposing of waste properly to prevent sewer blockages. When the sewers are clogged, its the residents who suffer first, Phuc underscored. Cao Dinh Phuc holds a sharp ceramic fragment found while clearing and dredging a sewer in the Yen So area of Hoang Mai District, Hanoi, January 25, 2024. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre A sewer worker descends a manhole in the Yen So area of Hoang Mai District, Hanoi, January 25, 2024. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre Sewer workers brave cold weather conditions down a sewer in the Yen So area of Hoang Mai District, Hanoi, January 25, 2024. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre The skin turns reddened and the hands chill after hours of immersion in cold wastewater. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre The skin turns reddened and the hands chill after hours of immersion in cold wastewater. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre A sewer worker washes his face after hours of immersion in cold wastewater. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre A sewer worker washes his face after hours of immersion in cold wastewater. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Representatives of the consular corps, Thai organizations and enterprises, and Vietnamese influencers in Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday joined a cooking class where they were instructed to cook Thai dishes with Thai and Vietnamese ingredients. The event was jointly organized by the Royal Thai Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, the Thai Trade Center in Ho Chi Minh City, the Tourism Authority of Thailand - Ho Chi Minh City Office, and Thai businesses as part of an attempt to promote Thai food. At the cooking class, participants were instructed to cook Thai staples including pad Thai (stir-fried rice noodle), Thai coconut soup tom kha kai, and crispy shrimp with tamarind sauce by culinary expert Torroong Jarungidanan, who traveled from Thailand for the event. Thai culinary expert Torroong Jarungidanan (R) is seen demonstrating how to cook Thai food at the cooking class at the Royal Thai Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, January 27, 2024. Photo: Dong Nguyen / Tuoi Tre News A dish of 'pad Thai' topped with Vietnamese dried tiny shrimps was prepared by Thai culinary expert Torroong Jarungidanan at the cooking class at the Royal Thai Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, January 27, 2024. Photo: Dong Nguyen / Tuoi Tre News According to the Royal Thai Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, Torroong Jarungidanan is a foremost expert on Thai cuisine and founder of several famous Thai restaurants in Thailand. She also published three cookbooks of Thai cuisine. In her instructions, Jarungidanan utilized readily available Thai ingredients that can be purchased in Vietnam, along with local products like rice noodles, sugar, dried tiny shrimps (acetes), and more. This approach was aimed at ensuring that the participants could easily recreate the dishes at home. Thai culinary expert Torroong Jarungidanan demonstrated the preparation of crispy shrimp with tamarind sauce at a cooking class held at the Royal Thai Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, January 27, 2024. Photo: Dong Nguyen / Tuoi Tre News These are the tiny shrimps we use to sprinkle on our pad Thai today. They are roasted on low heat without using any oil, Jarungidanan explained while joining Thai Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Wiraka Moodhitaporn in showcasing the made-in-Vietnam dried shrimps. Thai Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Wiraka Moodhitaporn (L) showcases the made-in-Vietnam dried shrimps to partcipants in the cooking class at the Royal Thai Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, January 27, 2024. Photo: Dong Nguyen / Tuoi Tre News In her remarks at the event, Moodhitaporn said that the objective was not solely to promote Thai cuisine, but rather to demonstrate that making Thai dishes at home is not only possible but also relatively straightforward. Having spent considerable amounts of time overseas, Associate Professor Torroong knows full well that many Thai dishes need to adapt to availability of ingredients while maintaining the signature tastes of Thai cuisine, Moodhitaporn said. The Thai consul general further commented that since assuming her duties in Vietnam, she had observed the widespread popularity of Thai culture in the Southeast Asian country. Thai food has gained significant acclaim, resonating with both the local population and the expatriate community, the diplomat said. Thai food and ingredients for Thai food can be found in supermarkets and local markets across the city, while Thai restaurants, many of which are locally owned and operated, are always packed full, she said. Representatives from the Consulate General of Singapore and the Consulate General of Italy in Ho Chi Minh City collaborate to prepare Thai food during the cooking class held at the Royal Thai Consulate General on January 27, 2024. Photo: Dong Nguyen / Tuoi Tre News Representatives from the Consulates General of Indonesia and Malaysia make Thai food at the cooking class the Royal Thai Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City on January 27, 2024. Photo: Dong Nguyen / Tuoi Tre News 'We have the same tastes' According to Jarungidanan, Thai and Vietnamese cuisines share the common tastes of sweetness, sourness, and saltiness. What distinguishes them from each other is the 'level' of the tastes in the dishes. While in Ho Chi Minh City, Jarungidanan seized every opportunity to explore and savor local cuisine, expressing a particular fondness for Vietnamese food. It's pho, you know it, Jarungidanan had no hesitation in picking her favorite dish in Vietnam, adding that she enjoyed the Vietnamese national noodle soup almost every day. The food guru from Thailand also praised rice noodles in Vietnam for their quality, as well as admired the fact that Vietnamese people love having a lot of vegetables with their dishes. Participants make 'pad Thai' sauce at the cooking class the Royal Thai Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, January 27, 2024. Photo: Dong Nguyen / Tuoi Tre News Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Margot Robbie has been announced as the recipient of the AACTA Trailblazer Award, following her hit film Barbie enjoying global success as well as recent production successes with SaltBurn, Amsterdam and Maid. Previously awarded to Chris Hemsworth, Rose Byrne, Simon Baker, and Isla Fisher, the award recognises the achievements of an Australian screen practitioner whose body of work has served as an inspiration to others. Margot Robbie said I am truly honoured to accept the AACTA Trailblazer Award, especially in my hometown on the Gold Coast. Australia has always been my grounding force, and to receive this recognition here is incredibly special. I believe in the power of storytelling and the impact it can have on shaping culture and inspiring others. This award is a testament to the incredible talent and dedication of everyone involved in the film community, and I am thrilled to be a part of it. Thank you to AACTA for this tremendous honour and I look forward to celebrating with the Australian screen industry in Queensland next month. The Award will be presented to Robbie at the 2024 AACTA Awards on Saturday 10 February at HOTA on the Gold Coast. Australian actress and producer, Margot Robbie, has made a significant impact on the global screen industry with her versatile talent and captivating performances. Her notable roles include the critically acclaimed film I, Tonya, where she portrayed figure skater Tonya Harding, and Bombshell where she played a young woman navigating the toxic environment of a news network, both roles earning her Academy Award nominations. Robbies dedication to her craft and ability to seamlessly inhabit diverse roles have earned her numerous accolades and nominations. Robbie gained widespread recognition for her breakthrough role as Naomi Lapaglia in Martin Scorseses The Wolf of Wall Street. Robbies portrayal of Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad and later in Birds of Prey showcased her ability to bring complex and dynamic characters to life. In addition to her acting career, Robbie has ventured into producing through her company, LuckyChap. She played a pivotal role in bringing forth female-driven stories, such as I, Tonya, Birds of Prey, and Promising Young Woman, contributing to the push for greater diversity and representation in the film industry. Margots influence and impact has been evident with her involvement in Greta Gerwigs Barbie which has grossed over $1.4 billion worldwide. In her role of both lead actress and producer, Robbie broke away from conventional stereotypes and offered an empowering female narrative. Margot Robbies impact extends beyond her on-screen performances, as she continues to shape narratives and challenge industry norms. Her commitment to empowering women in film, combined with her talent and business acumen, solidifies Robbie as an influential figure in the entertainment world and a deserved recipient of the 2024 AACTA Trailblazer Award. Many immigrants with foreign qualifications and considerable work history say they are unable to get jobs in their field because they have no Canadian experience. (Mark Blinch/Reuters - image credit) Sirajus Salekin arrived in Nova Scotia from Bangladesh in 2021. He had a degree in electrical engineering, an MBA and had worked for 10 years in his chosen field. His expectation was that he would be able to get a job in the province. To further increase his chances, he completed a master's degree in electrical engineering at Dalhousie University. But he has been unable to find a job that matches his qualifications and past experience. "I believe that Canadian experience is required for every job in my field," he said. Without that experience, it is also not possible for him to be certified as a professional engineer in Nova Scotia, he said. Sirajus Salekin arrived in Nova Scotia from Bangladesh in 2021 with an engineering degree and a decade of experience but has been unable to find a job in a related field. Sirajus Salekin arrived in Nova Scotia from Bangladesh in 2021 with an engineering degree and a decade of experience but has been unable to find a job in a related field. (Sadia Afroz Shimu) Like many immigrants in Canada, Salekin is in a bind. He wants to get Canadian experience in his field but is unable to do so because he has no Canadian experience. Ontario hopes to address the dilemma Ontario hopes to address the dilemma facing immigrants by introducing legislation banning the requirement of Canadian work experience in job postings and application forms. Legislation was introduced in November and has been referred to a standing committee after a second reading in the Ontario legislature. In an emailed statement, Ontario's labour ministry said everyone with experience should have a fair chance of "getting their foot in the door" regardless of where they obtained that experience. "The proposed change, if passed, would ensure that prospective employees with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform a job are not screened out during the initial stage of hiring," the statement said. "This is intended to help ensure that newcomers to Canada can land well-paying and rewarding careers while also helping to tackle the on-going labour shortage." Story continues In October, Ontario amended another act to ban discriminatory Canadian work experience requirements in regulated professions. Template for other provinces Ontario is the first province to introduce legislation aimed at helping internationally trained immigrants find work in their fields. It may serve as a template for other provinces. In an email, Nova Scotia's Labour Department said the province is "monitoring the impact of the legislation in Ontario." Madeleine Nerenberg, a board member of the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants and director of newcomer services at KEYS Employment & Newcomer Services in Kingston, Ont., said newcomers often struggle because of a lack of Canadian work experience. She said requiring Canadian work experience is often a proxy for racism and xenophobia. "While it is truly commendable to see the government addressing this concerning issue, the mechanism of barring employers from using that specific language in job postings may not generate the outcomes that we would like to see," Nerenberg said. A potential positive effect of the proposed legislation, Nerenberg said, was that it sends a message to employers that the province is keeping a watchful eye out for discrimination against newcomers seeking employment. Rebecca MacDonald is the team lead for international student retention at the Cape Breton Island Centre of Immigration. Rebecca MacDonald is the team lead for international student retention at the Cape Breton Island Centre of Immigration. (Rebecca MacDonald) Rebecca MacDonald, the team lead for international student retention at the Cape Breton Island Centre of Immigration, said she hasn't seen any postings that explicitly call for Canadian work experience, but said it is often a covert requirement. "There's unconscious bias that is a result of structural racism in the system, preventing folks from being open to experience that people might have from their home country," she said. "An employer looks at a resume and ... can't pronounce the name, realizes it's not someone from Glace Bay or Yarmouth and they're not going to look at that resume." For his part, Salekin said a move in Nova Scotia similar to what is being proposed in Ontario could help alleviate staff shortages in many sectors. MORE TOP STORIES Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres (PA) The head of the United Nations has pleaded for aid for Palestinian refugees to resume after the UK and its allies froze donations over allegations that staff took part in Hamas attack on Israel. Nine countries have paused funding to the UN's Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) amid claims several staff members participated in Hamas' October 7 raids. More than 1,200 Israelis were murdered - many in their homes - during the surprise cross-border invasion by militants from Gaza. The UNRWA's commissioner-general, Philippe Lazzarini, said he had "terminated" the contracts of those said to have been involved. The US, UK and other western nations announced on Saturday that they would freeze their funding over complaints 12 members of the agencys staff took part in the attack. Canada, Australia, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Finland also joined in freezing their funding. But UN head Antonio Guterres called later on Saturday for governments to continue, saying that any UN employee involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution. His statement added: "The Secretariat is ready to cooperate with a competent authority able to prosecute the individuals in line with the Secretariat's normal procedures for such cooperation. A UN truck in Rafah, southern Gaza (AFP via Getty Images) "The tens of thousands of men and women who work for UNRWA, many in some of the most dangerous situations for humanitarian workers, should not be penalised. The dire needs of the desperate populations they serve must be met." Mr Guterress said nine of the 12 people implicated had been terminated with one having died while two others are being investigated. He added: "While I understand their concerns - I was myself horrified by these accusations - I strongly appeal to the governments that have suspended their contributions to, at least, guarantee the continuity of UNRWA's operations. The UK Foreign Office had said in a statement: The UK is appalled by allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the October 7 attack against Israel, a heinous act of terrorism that the UK Government has repeatedly condemned. The UK is temporarily pausing any future funding of UNRWA whilst we review these concerning allegations. We remain committed to getting humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza who desperately need it. January 28, 2024: The American military is receiving twelve of the new IFPC (Indirect Fire Protection Capability), a new anti-aircraft system starting production in 2024. These twelve systems will be armed with launchers for the ground based version of the air-to-air AIM-9X heat seeking missile, which has a range of 40 kilometers. The first twelve systems are for further testing and refining of the IFPC system. IFPC is mobile and can detect and destroy cruise missiles, UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), and projectiles fired from rocket, artillery, and mortar systems. The IFPC system consists of a launcher carrying interceptor missiles to protect stationary systems from low-altitude threats. Longer range and higher altitude threats from ballistic missiles are already covered with Patriot and the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) system IFPC uses a LTAMDS (Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor) radar to detect, identify and track multiple incoming projectiles. LTAMDS then launches the appropriate interceptor missile from those it has available. These missiles range from the ground based version of the air-to-air AIM-9X heat seeking missile, which has a range of 40 kilometers, ground based Hellfire (seven kilometers), Stinger (five kilometers) and the Israeli Iron Dome Tamir missile (70 kilometers). There is a modular launcher with appropriately sized cells to hold these missiles. The twelve IFPC systems delivered this year are armed with AIM-9X missiles, with eighteen of these missiles carried in a launcher. This configuration has been tested under realistic conditions, but considerable testing is needed to confirm that the system is ready for a combat environment. At a certain point, IFPC will be sent to Ukraine. Many Western anti-aircraft systems are being sent to Ukraine and heavily used to intercept the growing number of Russian missile attacks. So far these have provided significant protection for Ukrainian targets from Russian attacks. This will continue only if Ukraines supply of foreign air-defense missiles matches the number of Russian missiles attacking. Some of the slower subsonic Russian missiles can be intercepted with automatic gunfire, especially if larger 20mm or 30mm projectiles are used. The trend is towards missiles versus missiles. There is a problem with this trend because missiles are more expensive and difficult to replace, at least compared to machinegun projectiles ranging from 7.62mm to 30mm. Air-defense missiles are much more complex, containing thousands of electronic components. Missile reliability comes from extensive testing and exacting manufacturing processes. This is not only expensive but makes it difficult to quickly increase production of missiles. That means that once peacetime stockpiles are used, replacements are slow to arrive. It is too expensive to stockpile the huge quantity of many different components needed to resume or expand production, especially as those become outdated and even useless much faster than other munitions. This is less of a problem the smaller and simpler the projectiles are. Pistol and rifle bullets consist of several different components but not nearly as many as a missile. In Ukraine Russia is trying to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses with more ballistic missiles. This includes a growing number of missiles purchased from North Korea, the only major producer of these missiles willing to sell to Russia. Iran is another potential source but is currently keeping its missiles off the market because Iran has a number of active opponents who can be discouraged from attacking as long as Iran has an ample supply of missiles. Ukraine depends on missiles supplied by their NATO allies but these nations, especially the United States and Germany do not have stockpiles of missiles sufficient to meet the Ukrainian demand. The Americans, in particular, need some missiles for possible use against China. Defending yourself against airborne threats requires a sufficient number of missiles to intercept the larger missiles used for attacking ground targets. He was just some joker looking for a manger. Leonard Cohen croons over this deeply sad, deeply funny anti-western that I love so dearly. Everything about Robert Altmans McCabe & Mrs. Miller feels kismet in the world it creates. A world full of losers trying to get by and struggling to connect with each other. The fact that it was produced in Canada during the Vietnam War and much of the crew consisted of those who fled the US because of the war, the film feels intrinsically connected to the frontier violence it depicts. And of course, thats just one layer to this rambling, soulful work. McCabe & Mrs. Miller opens on a remote boomtown in Washington during the dawn of the 1900s. John Pudgy McCabe (Warren Beatty) rides into town to set up a whorehouse and soon finds himself subject to the rumors of him being a violent gunman. McCabe is forced to bolster that rumor to gain acceptance in town, then the headstrong British madam by the name of Constance Miller (Julie Christie) arrives, immediately calls him on his bullshit and conscripts herself to run the brothel for McCabe. As the town becomes richer and richer, the Bearpaw Mining Company looks to buy up the brothel. Will McCabe defend what hes built, or is the legend about him wrong? When I think about depictions of masculinity in westerns, I immediately think of McCabe & Mrs. Miller. Pudgy McCabe presents himself to be this stolid, rigid individual, but Constance calls him on his bullshit immediately. In a world where word is all that gets around, McCabe has the perfect cover since a rumor pervades about him being a gunfighter. The entire film is about him struggling to live up to that classic masculine image of a western man, but hes also surrounded by a ton of people concerned with their own image. The bar conversations of men often involve discussion of how they look, in particular theres a funny exchange where a man asks for validation for how great his mustache looks, but his talking counterpart rebuffs him in a really funny, understated way. Everyone in this town is looking for approval. Its how America has always been. Dear god, the texture of this film only adds to the earthiness that Altman achieves in his vision. To him, the true beauty of nature meeting humanity is this lush, grain-filled experience. Its one unlike few other films, and only lends more power to the brown, worn, naturally lit look of the production. Filmmaking par excellence, which is unsurprising coming from a master like Altman. Where some westerns get high off of exaggerated gunfights, McCabe & Mrs. Miller wants you to just live with its characters for a bit. Whatever happens is up to fate, really. Vital Disc Stats: The Blu-rays McCabe & Mrs. Miller comes to 4K Ultra HD with a two-disc UHD100 for the 4K and BD50 for the Blu-ray set that comes housed in Criterions standard scanavo packaging. A fold-out booklet essay is included in the case and is identical to the one included in Criterions 2016 Blu-ray release of the film. Both discs boot up to standard menu screens with options to play the film, set up audio and explore bonus features. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Views & Analysis India Not Among Top 10 Development Partners of Bangladesh India has been lagging in foreign economic assistance to Bangladesh since its independence. Read More Monday January 29, 2024 0:31 AM , Saleem Samad When India promptly felicitated Bangladesh for holding a free and fair 12th National Elections, the government leaders in Bangladesh were visibly excited. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina on her victory for a historic fourth consecutive term in the Parliamentary elections and also said: We are committed to further strengthen our enduring and people-centric partnership with Bangladesh. On the eve of the 75th Republic Day of India , a Bangladesh business daily Share Biz in Bangla publishes a damning first-page lead story India is not among the top 10 development partners of Bangladesh. The story was published in the byline of a reporter Ismail Ali writes, that since the liberation war of Bangladesh, India is one of the friendly countries in South Asia. Having the longest international border, the country always stood by its neighbour at various times. Bangladeshs diplomatic and economic relations with India are also very deep. However, there is a lopsided trade imbalance between the two countries. India is Bangladeshs second-largest source of imports. It is also worth noting that every year Bangladeshs trade gap with India is widening rather than narrowing. In the Financial Year (FY) 2021-22, for example, Bangladesh imported commodities worth US$14.58 billion from India, while its exports to that country were merely US$1.8 billion. Every day, thousands of Bangladesh nationals travel to India for medical treatment, been lagging business and pleasure. The two countries have shared the same history, culture and tradition for centuries during the Moghuls and British colonial era. An estimated US $5 billion annually is remitted to India by documented and undocumented Indian expats working in Bangladesh. Similarly, thousands of economic migrants work in India as menial labourers. Although India boasts of Bangladesh being a development partner and heightened bilateral relations, which both countries reiterate on all occasions. The largest country in South Asia is not on the list of top 10 development partners of Bangladesh. India has been lagging in foreign economic assistance to Bangladesh since its independence. India has provided nominal economic assistance to Bangladesh for 52 years from financial year (FY) 1971-72 to FY 2022-23. This information has emerged in the latest report of the Economic Relations Department (ERD), a government department which negotiates foreign economic assistance. According to ERDs report, Bangladeshs foreign debt has reached US $92.367 billion in the 52 years since independence. At this time, Bangladesh received US $30.105 billion in various grants. The total development assistance received is US $122.472 billion. Of this, $7.031 billion came from food aid, $10.908 billion from product aid and $104.533 billion from project aid. The World Bank has provided the most assistance to Bangladesh among any single international multilateral donor agency, amounting to $28.446 billion. It is 23.23 per cent of the total development cooperation. The international multilateral donor agency has donated $1.623 billion under this economic assistance. The remaining $26.823 billion was loaned by the World Bank. Another, multi-lateral donor agency Asian Development Bank (ADB), which is in the second position on this list provided Bangladesh with $22.424 billion in development cooperation. It is 18.31 per cent of development cooperation and provided only $382 million to Bangladesh. The remaining $22.42 billion was disbursed as loans. The two international multi-lateral agencies have never provided food aid to Bangladesh. However, the two agencies have given some loans under product support. Japan is third in assisting Bangladesh. In the last 52 years, the country has given $20.452 billion or 16.70 percent of foreign aid. Of the total aid, Japan has given $3.609 billion in grants and $16.843 billion in loans. China is in the fourth position. The country has given $8.115 billion or 6.63 percent of aid to Bangladesh. Of the financial assistance, China has donated only $104 million. Russia ranks fifth in the list of development partners. The country has given $6.874 billion to Bangladesh in the last 52 years, which is 5.61 per cent of the total aid. Of the countrys aid, only $35 million was in grants. The United Nations and its bodies are in the sixth position among the list of development partners. The UN has given the entire amount of $4.795 billion or 3.92 percent was disbursed as a grant to Bangladesh. The United States ranks seventh and has provided $3.856 billion or 3.15 percent of foreign aid. The United Kingdom was followed by the USA and provided economic assistance worth $2.727 billion or 2.23 per cent. Germany, ranked ninth and tenth respectively in development cooperation. The country gave Bangladesh $2.251 billion or 1.84 percent and Canada gave $2.214 billion or 1.81 percent. Apart from this, India has given 2.143 billion dollars or 1.75 percent of development assistance to Bangladesh. And the European Union (EU) has contributed 2.105 billion dollars or 1.72 per cent. Contributions from other organisations and countries amount to less than two billion dollars. Among them, the Asian Infrastructure Bank (AIIB), UNICEF, Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Netherlands, France, Denmark and Saudi Arabia have development cooperation amounting to more than one billion dollars. The rest have less support than that. According to ERD data, different countries have provided food aid to Bangladesh at different times. Basically, in the post-independence years, food aid was higher. This support has decreased in recent times. Over 89 percent of food aid in 52 years was received in grants, amounting to $6.268 billion. The remaining $763 million, or about 11 per cent, was loan assistance. Food aid has been given to Bangladesh the most by the United Nations and its various organizations, amounting to 2.143 billion dollars. The United States is next in food aid. The country has provided food aid to Bangladesh at various times under USAID, amounting to $1.804 billion. About 52 percent or $5.651 billion of product assistance came from grants and 48 per cent or $5.257 billion was loans. Japan and the World Bank provided the most product assistance. And 18.186 billion dollars or 17.40 per cent of the project assistance came as grants. The remaining 86.347 billion dollars or 82.60 percent was loan assistance. World Bank, ADB and Japan are the top three lenders. Finally, on 20 January, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar in a microblogging Twitter (X) wrote: So glad to meet with my new Bangladesh counterpart Dr. Mohammed Hasan Mahmud in Kampala [Uganda at 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit] and further stated that India-Bangladesh relations are growing from strength to strength. First published in North East News, Guwahati, India, 28 January 2023 [The writer, Saleem Samad, is an award-winning independent journalist based in Bangladesh. A media rights defender with the Reporters Without Borders (@RSF_inter). Recipient of Ashoka Fellowship and Hellman-Hammett Award. He could be reached at saleemsamad@hotmail.com; Twitter (X): @saleemsamad] Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Health Malegaon Pharmacist (73) who never sleeps Badruz Zaman, a 73-yr-old Pharmacist based in Malegaon, has never slept in his life-time except dozing off for few minutes which he says is not a disease but doctors term it a rarest of rare case of permanent insomnia. Read More Sunday January 28, 2024 11:01 PM , Aleem Faizee, ummid.com [Badruz Zaman in an exclusive interview with ummid.com Saturday January 27, 2024] Malegaon: Badruz Zaman, a 73-yr-old Pharmacist based in Malegaon, has never slept in his life-time except dozing off for few minutes which he says is not a disease but doctors term it a rarest of rare case of permanent insomnia. Despite this peculiar condition, Badruz Zaman never felt any problem or health issue - neither during his childhood nor in the later part of his life. His parents however were worried. They realised in his early age that their child has problem sleeping when they regularly found him awake for night after the nights. Surprising for them was also the fact that the sleeplessness and staying awake round the clock did not have any adverse effect on his health and he could be seen busy in his daily routine hassle-free and without any difficulty. Nonetheless, his father Mohammed Amin decided to consult a Physician. I was 6 then. Dr Syed had his clinic right in front of Noor Hospital at Mushawerat Chowk where Dr Abbas Ali Luqman, a renowned Physician of Mumbai, used to visit once in a month. After thoroughly checking me up for more than half an hour, he took a pen and paper, Badruz Zaman recalled. The sleep centre in your sons brain is very very small, Dr Abbas Ali Luqman explained to my father with the help of brain structure he had sketched on the paper, referring to the hypothalamus - the peanut-sized structure deep inside the brain which contains groups of nerve cells that act as control centers affecting sleep and arousal. You dont have to worry about. Its no illness, he said. Badruz Zaman said after the checkup by Dr Abbas Ali Luqman at Dr Syeds clinic sometimes in 1958 neither he nor his parents approached any other doctor to discuss his sleeplessness. It might be because I never reported any problem because of me staying awake all through the nights and days, he said. Interestingly, Badruz Zaman smartly used his peculiar medical condition in his profession making his Pharmacy only one to serve customers 24x7 from early eighties till 2020 when he had to retire because of a cardiac issue. People needing to buy medical prescriptions at 03 or 04 past mid-night will directly drop at Janta Medical Stores fully assured and confident that I will be there to their service, Badruz Zaman told ummid.com. Doctors and patients both should come to you The opening of Badruz Zamans Janta Medical Stores in itself is an interesting story. He recalled his uncle, Abdul Aziz, after completing MBBS and BDS from Grant Medical College (JJ Hospital) Mumbai wanted to open a clinic like his colleagues. Badruz Zamans grandfather Ahmed Ghode Wale however had a different idea. He asked my uncle Dr Abdul Aziz to do something which brings to his doors not only the patients but the doctors too, he recalled. Ahmed Ghode Wale was a Member of Malegaon Municipal Council . Badruz Zaman credits construction of the Water Tank at the maidan where freedom fighter Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan had addressed a rally and which currently hosts Malegaon Filter Plant to his grandfather. Ahmed Ghode Wale had a social instinct and used to help the poor weavers of Malegaon who because of insufficient funds would sell their Sarees to adhtis and beoparis - the traders of Sapati Bazaar, on through-away prices thus regularly incurring losses. Ahmed Ghode Wale would support the weavers by purchasing their Sarees on fair prices. So on my grandfathers advice, my uncle Dr Abdul Aziz opened a medical store instead of running a clinic. Janta Medical Store is also one of the earliest medical stores opened in Malegaon and remained for years the only pharmacy serving customers 24x7, he added. The doctor-turned-pharmacist Abdul Aziz, who later married former Maharashtra Minister Nehal Ahmeds sister, also obtained a B.Ed. degree and joined ATT High School as a teacher. Napoleon Bonaparte of Malegaon Badruz Zaman never felt uneasiness because of the lack of sleep. But, his typical characteristic of staying awake during the night made him a darling of the people who love spending nights chatting and in gossip, and his Janta Medical Store a hub of such people. Dr Pervez Faizee , Taluka Medical Officer (TMO) Malegaon, who very often visited Badruz Zamans pharmacy right below the Janta Lodge on Mohammed Ali Road developed a kind of bond and friendship with him. Dr Ambekar in our friends circle would lovingly call Badru Bhayya Napoleon Bonaparte of Malegaon, Dr Pervez Faizee said. Napoleon was famous for sleeping very little, with some even claiming that the French Emperor was suffering from sleep apnea syndrome potentially a serious sleep disorder. [Badruz Zaman (R) and Dr Pervez Faizee] Dr MS Ambekar - a famous Sexologist currently based in Nashik, compared Badruz Zaman with Napoleon. But unlike Badruz Zaman, Napoleon used to have a nap during the day that his colleagues said repaired his fatigue. Talking further about Badruz Zaman, Dr Pervez said he never met in his more than 30 years of practice any patient with such a typical sleep disorder if it indeed is a disorder. We can at the best describe Badruz Zamans condition a rarest of rare type of permanent insomnia , he said adding that Badru Bahayya feeling no uneasiness or fatigue because of sleeplessness in itself is a mystery. Unusually High Blood Pressure Sleepless nights became part of Badruz Zamans life and people now stopped wondering and even noticing it. However his rarest of rare case of insomnia came for a discussion once again in 2020 when he reported some cardiac problem and went to doctors for medical assistance. I went to Dr Nazeer Jawale of Mumbai, Dr Dharmadhikari of Nashik and Dr Gaurav Thakre of Malegaon all popular cardiologists, for medical assistance. An angiography was also conducted on me. Upon enquiry, they too were surprised about my sleeplessness and prescribed some tablets. Even after consuming these tablets I did not feel like sleeping, he said. During the course of the treatment, however, it turned out that Badruz Zamans blood pressure (BP) is always around 180-190. It was surprising for the doctors but I did not feel uncomfortable. On the other hand, the tablets they prescribed to lower my BP made me uneasy. So I stopped taking any tablet for High BP, he said. Due to the cardiac problem, Badruz Zamans sons persuaded him to call it a day. Badruz Zaman said good-bye to his pharmacy after serving customers for more than fifty years, with a body still in excellent physical and mental condition. And to company him while he is awake in the nights no not a smartphone as Badruz Zaman believes the grand-old Nokia 3310 is enough to keep him connected with the world, are the books he has collected all these years. [The writer, Aleem Faizee, is Founder Editor of ummid.com. He can be reached at aleem.faizee@gmail.com] Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home International Uganda disowns ICJ Judge Julia Sebutinde for siding with Israel Julia Sebutinde was the only permanent judge in the 17-member ICJ who voted against all six measures announced by the world court on the South African petition over Israeli genocide and massacre of the Palestinians in Gaza. Read More Sunday January 28, 2024 11:23 AM , ummid.com with inputs from Agencies Kampala: Uganda has disowned and broken ties with Judge Julia Sebutinde, who voted against all interim measures announced by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) pertaining to the South African petition which accused Israel of committing genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. In a statement released a day after the landmark ruling by the top UN court , Uganda reiterated its support for the Palestinians and said Justice Sebutinde's stand at the ICJ did not represent the government. Justice Sebutinde ruling at the ICJ (the International Court of Justice) does not represent the Government of Ugandas position on the situation in Palestine, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Uganda to the United Nations, Adonia Ayebare, wrote on social media site X originally launched as Twitter. The government ceatgorically clarifies that the position taken by Judge Sebutinde is her own individual and independent opinion, he said. Ugandas support for the plight of the Palestinian people has been expressed through our voting pattern at the United Nations, he added. Julia Sebutinde was the only permanent judge in the 17-member ICJ who voted against all six measures announced by the world court on the South African petition over Israeli genocide and massacre of the Palestinians in Gaza. Notably, Israel lawyer Aharon Barak who was appointed as the Ad Hoc Judge ahead of the hearing on the South Africa petition at the ICJ did not oppose all the six measures. Aharon Barak voted against 04 of the measures while agreeing on 02. Uganda official stand In the statement, the Government of Uganda also reaffirmed its association with the decisions and potions of the recently concluded 19th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) held in Kampala on 19-20 January 2024 as contained in the Kampala Final Outcome Declaration, and the Political Declaration on Palestine. The declaration condemned the continuing Israeli military campaign against the defenceless Palestinians and deplored the largescale killings since Oct 7, 2023. The declaration also called for an immediate end to the Israeli military aggression and siege on the Gaza Strip. The Kampala Declaration also called for immediate, unimpeded and sufficient humanitarian assistance at scale to meet the enormous needs of the Palestinian civilian population. The NAM Declaration released in Kampala also rejected forcible deportation and transfer of the Palestinians from their homeland calling it grave violation of Geneva Convention. Latest Update from Gaza Meanwhile, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) have not desisted from the massacre of the Palestinians. According to the latest update from Gaza, the Israeli army has killed over 170 civilians in the last 24 hours alone. At least 26,257 people have been killed and 64,797 wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7. Over 7,000 Palestinians are under debris and presumed dead. According to the Health Ministry of Palestine, over 70% of those killed are women and children. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in a landmark ruling Friday January 26, 2024 refused to dismiss the South Africas case accusing Israel of committing genocide and massacre of Palestinians in Gaza. The ICJ further asked the Zionist regime in Israel to use all the power in its hand to prevent genocide of Palestinians, ensure aid in the besieged enclave and submit action taken report in a month. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. HCM CITY More than 200 overseas Vietnamese businesspeople from around the world met in HCM City on January 27 to take part in the Business Association of Overseas Vietnameses (BAOOV) fourth congress, which evaluated the results of the associations activities during the term 2018-2023 and set goals and tasks for 2023-2028. The event saw the participation of exemplary overseas Vietnamese entrepreneurs representing business associations from 40 countries and territories, along with over 100 delegates including Party and State leaders, leaders of ministries, departments, localities, foreign diplomatic representatives in HCM City, and organisations and associations that are partners of the Association. Nguyen Manh ong, deputy chairman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, said that in recent years, along with the growth and consolidation of the position of Vietnamese people abroad, Vietnamese businessmen abroad had also continuously grown in both quality and quantity. Recently, the world economic situation had encountered many difficulties and the political situation had many fluctuations which directly affect Vietnamese businessmen. In this context, ong noted that the amount of remittances transferred to the HCM City was US$9.46 billion in 2023, much higher than foreign direct investment (FDI) of US$5.85 billion in the same period. This showed that even in difficult circumstances, the Vietnamese business community abroad still strived to overcome and bring benefits to the country, and thereby contributed to economic growth for Viet Nam, ong said. ong also commended the members for their positive and important contributions, contributing to economic growth as well as other achievements of the country. The overseas Vietnamese business community plays a vital role in expanding the distribution of Vietnamese goods globally, experts say. Currently, the association has more than 400 affiliated members in 40 countries and territories. The association strictly adheres to the Party's guidelines, legal policies of Viet Nam and the laws of the host country when carrying out its mission of connecting and attracting resources of Vietnamese entrepreneurs around the world to build and develop the country's economy. Over the past years, the association has implemented hundreds of investment and trade promotion activities, promoting and exporting Vietnamese goods, while establishing and developing a system of seven centres to promote and display Vietnamese goods abroad and mobilise overseas Vietnamese and the overseas business community to send remittances to invest and build the homeland. The congress elected the association's 43-member executive board for the 2023-2028 term. Dr. Nguyen Hong Hue was elected chairman of the Business Association of Overseas Vietnamese. The State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs trusts that the association will continue to strengthen its solidarity and capability to accomplish its goals, according to ong. It also commits to working closely with the association and its members, fostering the overseas Vietnamese community, contributing to Viet Nam's modernisation and global integration. The congress passed a new resolution emphasising the need for innovation in organisation and operations, and expanding the association to form a global network to further promote cooperation between Viet Nam and other countries in the fields of economy, trade, science, technology, etc. In the new term, the association will focus more on facilitating trade, strengthening business cooperation and seeking investment opportunities to develop businesses and the country, as well as attracting businesspeople, overseas Vietnamese, and experts to participate in the association's activities. It will also enhance the dissemination of the Party and State's guidelines and policies to Vietnamese people and businesses overseas. Adhering to and implementing Decision No. 1334/Q-TTg dated November 11, 2023, issued by the Prime Minister, approving the project Promoting the resources of Vietnamese people abroad to serve national development in the new situation, the association, under the principle of Innovation Unity Creativity and Sustainable Development, will strive to enhance the participation of delegates from the domestic business community, Vietnamese enterprises, and overseas Vietnamese. This collaboration with state agencies will facilitate the connection of Vietnamese businesses and business organisations both domestically and internationally, establishing cooperative relationships with localities and organisations, bolstering the strength of the Vietnamese business community for nation building. VNS As Vietnamese firms continue to expand globally, it is important for them to invest in brand building on the global media stage to sustain their success, experts said. Speaking at a conference titled Positioning the Vietnamese enterprise brand on international media late last week, Dr Hoang Van Nghia, director of the International Cooperation Department under the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, said the global media landscape was incredibly diverse with various platforms for sharing news and information. "From digital outlets such as social media, websites and blogs to traditional print and broadcast media, there are many opportunities for Vietnamese firms to convey their brand message to a global audience," he added. Late President Ho Chi Minh early recognised the power of international media in positioning Viet Nam on the global stage, according to Nghia. Dr Nguyen Cong Dung, editor-in-chief of the Communist Party Electronic Newspaper, stressed the importance of a powerful story in building a brand image, as well as trust, accountability and familiarity with consumers. One of the key reasons for Vietnamese firms to invest in brand building on global media was to enhance their credibility and reputation. By leveraging global media outlets, Vietnamese businesses could effectively communicate their values, innovation and quality to a wider audience. Ngo Sy Tuyen, chairman of the Vietnam Business Association in Malaysia and CEO of Son Kova (Malaysia), said it was vital to build and assert a brand through product quality and business reputation. It was also necessary to create engaging stories that showcase Viet Nams unique traditional culture and values, he added. He recommended businesses create product ecosystems with an emphasis on a positive business environment, with good awareness of factors such as diplomacy and the local economy. Mac Tan Minh, a Vietnamese American, CEO of Locamos company, said positioning and promoting the brand of global businesses were becoming increasingly important. To make a businesss brand known internationally, the business must first position its product correctly. Only then could it communicate properly, he said. He added that it was essential to keep up with the global trend of healthy and safe consumption and urged businesses to start developing products and services that are resource-efficient. Experts, however, pointed out that investing in brand building on global media requires a strategic approach. Building a successful brand would require large investments in product research and development, improving customer experience, strengthening quality management and corporate culture. This was especially important in large markets with strong regulations, many of which belong to major international trade agreements, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the EUVietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). In such markets, offering high-quality products produced using environmentally-friendly methods would be a key factor to success. Experts recommended that, to stand out and compete effectively, Vietnamese firms proactively engage with global media to ensure that their brand is visible and memorable to global consumers. By establishing a strong presence on global media channels, Vietnamese firms could attract the attention of potential international partners and investors, as well as explore new markets and business opportunities. Vietnamese firms should also carefully consider which global media outlets are most relevant to their target audience and develop a tailored brand message that resonates with international consumers. They should also prioritise building relationships with international journalists and influencers who can help promote their brand to a wider audience. VNS HA NOI The state visit to Viet Nam by Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. and his spouse from January 29-30 will be a milestone in the bilateral relationship between the two countries and contribute to deepening their relationship, said Philippine Ambassador to Viet Nam Meynardo Los Banos Montealegre. Speaking to the media ahead of the visit, the ambassador said that although this would be the first state visit to Viet Nam by President Marcos, he had met Vietnamese officials previously. This visit would help strengthen the closeness between the Philippine President and Viet Nam's highest-ranking leaders, the ambassador said, adding that its also very important in promoting the friendship and partnership between the two countries established in 1976 with great contributions by former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., father of President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr.. Viet Nam and the Philippines would celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties in the next two years. In 2025, they would mark the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership. Over the past four decades, the partnership and friendship between Viet Nam and the Philippines witnessed good developments with high-level visits by the heads of state and leaders of the two countries, including the upcoming visit by President Marcos. Previously, the two countries also exchanged delegations at the ministerial and official levels. At the 10th meeting of the two countries joint commission on bilateral cooperation in August 2023, they agreed to effectively deploy bilateral cooperation mechanisms including the Joint Permanent Working Group on Maritime and Ocean Concerns, the Joint Sub-Committee on Trade, the Joint Working Group on Agriculture, and the Joint Working Group in Fisheries. The two sides agreed to develop an action programme to implement their strategic partnership for the 2025-2030 period; strengthen defence-security cooperation; and strive to soon bring their two-way trade turnover to US$10 billion. The two countries also agreed to promote cooperation in other important fields such as agriculture, culture, tourism, education, transportation, science and technology, environment and people-to-people exchanges. They also agreed to continue to coordinate and support each other at multilateral forums, especially ASEAN and the United Nations. "The Philippines is ready to cooperate closely with the Party, State, Government, and people of Viet Nam to make long-term contributions to the bilateral friendship and cooperation," the ambassador said. Regarding the significance of the visit, the Filipino diplomat said it would be an important milestone and would open up many opportunities to further deepen their relationship for the benefit of their people, and for the peace and prosperity of the region. Meanwhile, assessing Viet Nam's current position in the region, Ambassador Montealegre said that Viet Nam had made many contributions. The Philippines appreciated the great economic achievements that Viet Nam made in 2023 despite many challenges in the global economy, he said. With "bamboo diplomacy", Viet Nam had maintained solid diplomatic relations at the bilateral, regional, and international levels, which helped affirm its role and protect its interests in the region, he noted. VNS HA NOI The upcoming state visit to Viet Nam by Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. will create momentum for the bilateral ties in all spheres, Vietnamese Ambassador to the Philippines Lai Thai Binh has affirmed. In an interview granted to the Viet Nam News Agency (VNA) ahead of the visit on January 29-30, the ambassador said Viet Nam and the Philippines established diplomatic relations on July 12, 1976, and officially signed an agreement to upgrade their relationship to a strategic partnership on November 17, 2015. Since then, the bilateral ties have continuously developed in all fields, he said, elaborating that in politics, high-ranking leaders of the two countries have maintained mutual visits as well as talks and meetings on the sidelines of multilateral conferences. In 2022, National Assembly Chairman Vuong inh Hue had a very successful visit to the Philippines. Last year, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had four talks and contacts with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on the sidelines of high-level conferences, demonstrating the closeness and high political trust between the two countries. The two sides had also maintained and enhanced the efficiency of cooperation forums on national defence and security, both bilaterally and within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the diplomat continued. Their bilateral trade experienced a more than three-fold rise over the past 13 years, from US$2.5 billion in 2010 to $7.8 billion in 2022, which remained unchanged last year, he said. In addition, cooperation in education, tourism and labour was also developing dynamically, contributing to strengthening people-to-people exchanges and deepening the strategic partnership, the ambassador added. According to Binh, the Philippine Presidents visit has been prepared and accelerated by both sides since he took office on June 30, 2022, and it is set to reaffirm the solid strategic partnership, foster political trust at the highest levels, and create momentum to promote the bilateral cooperation in all fields and through all Party, Government, State, National Assembly and people-to-people exchange channels. The visit is also important to strengthening ASEANs solidarity and centrality, especially in the context of political and security uncertainties in the region and the world, including the situation in Myanmar and the East Sea. Through the visit, the strategic cooperation between the two countries is expected to be comprehensively consolidated, for the sake of their people, and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and beyond. During the visit, high-ranking Vietnamese and Philippine leaders are scheduled to witness the signing of some important agreements in such areas as politics-security, economy-trade, culture, education, tourism, agriculture and food security. Binh held that the similarities in geographical location, population, development level, history, culture and people would create a favourable foundation for the two countries to step up their collaboration. The two countries would prioritise boosting some spearheads in their cooperation, the diplomat said, explaining that they would further deploy and improve the efficiency of existing maritime dialogue and cooperation mechanisms. They would also expand collaboration in defence industry, search and rescue operations, humanitarian aid and natural disaster response, while forging cooperation in fighting crimes and responding to traditional and non-traditional security challenges, among other realms. "Two-way trade is set to reach $10 billion in the time ahead," the ambassador said. VNA/VNS THANH HOA Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on January 28 attended a Lunar New Year (Tet) programme and presented gifts to social policy beneficiaries, the poor and disadvantaged workers in the central province of Thanh Hoa. The leader affirmed that the Party and State always strive to improve peoples spiritual and material life, as reflected through the roll-out of national target programmes on poverty reduction, new-style rural area building, and socio-economic development in ethnic minority-inhabited and mountainous areas. He asked Thanh Hoas authorities and socio-political organisations to continue implementing guidelines, policies and laws of the Party and the State, and better the social welfare work. People should be motivated to actively join socio-economic and cultural development, national defence and security, and social welfare, he said, asking the locality to optimise its unique potential and advantages, especially its population that ranks third nationwide, only after Ha Noi and HCM City. The leader also requested local authorities and residents to support competent forces to complete the construction of the Quang Trach-Pho Noi power transmission line that runs through Thanh Hoa. Hailing Thanh Hoas social welfare activities, Chinh said the work should be stepped up in the time ahead, especially during the Lunar New Year festival, to ensure that no one is left behind. Social welfare policies must be comprehensive, inclusive and sustainable, he said, asking the province to pay more attention to housing for workers and low-income earners. "All residents should be given with the equal access to infrastructure, and cultural, sport, medical and educational services," he stressed. Earlier the same day, the PM and his entourage paid tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh at a memorial site in Thanh Hoa city. On this occasion, the leader visited and presented gifts to a sick soldier in Tho Xuan district, and a heroic Vietnamese Mother in Ngoc Lac district. VNS January 28, 2024: Two years of fighting in Ukraine have destroyed the Russian tank force. This was unexpected, as was the Russian inability to replace their tank losses. Ukraines success against Russian tanks and armored vehicles revived predictions that tanks were obsolete. Tanks are still relevant, and the Russian losses were the result of poor employment of armored units as well as design features of Russian tanks that make them much more vulnerable than Western tanks like the American M1, German Leopard or Israeli Merkava. Most Russian armored vehicles were lost while they were on the move, or stationery without adequate infantry support. The first Russian armored units going into Ukraine were told the population would be friendly or neutral. The reality was that the Ukrainians were well armed, hostile, and using tactics the Russians were unaware of and unprepared to deal with. As a result, thousands of Russian vehicles were destroyed in the first month, most of them armored, including some of the most modern Russian tanks plus some ancient models taken from storage facilities for obsolete tanks that might be useful in an emergency. The Ukraine War proved to be that emergency. Most of the Ukrainian anti-tank weapons were portable and carried into combat by teams of soldiers of whom many were recent volunteers with no military experience at all and only a few days of training, rather like most Russian soldiers since the war started. The few days training they received usually began with carrying ammo, including anti-tank missiles and projectiles, plus instruction in how to obey instructions, take cover, etc. Sometimes volunteers were selected for combat duty because they knew the area where their anti-tank team would be operating. These hastily trained anti-tank teams suffered far fewer casualties than the Russians, even after the Russians became aware of the ambush risk, because the Russians had little if any training against attack by man-carried anti-tank weapons, let alone the ability to actually do it. Additionally most of the Ukrainians Western-provided portable anti-tank weapons could accurately hit moving vehicles 300 or more meters away. The Javelin and NLAW guided missiles were fire and forget. That meant once the operator had accurately aimed at a target and launched the missile, the guidance system in the missile would follow the target until the missile hit. NLAWs have a max range of 600 meters and Javelins are 2,500 meters. The Ukrainians were creative with their ambush tactics and the Russians who survived them noted that the Ukrainian were always better prepared and one or more steps ahead of Russian commanders. The Russians were losing six dead for every Ukrainian fighter and that included soldiers killed by rocket and ballistic missile attacks far from the combat zone. Russian armored vehicles had some unique vulnerabilities not found on their NATO counterparts. One was the use of an autoloader for the main tank gun, usually a 125mm. The autoloader required there to be a magazine of shells in the crew compartment, which was the turret, where there were also additional shells used by the crew to refill the autoloader magazine. If any anti-tank weapon penetrated into the crew compartment, especially the turret, one or more of the 125mm shells were exposed and likely to explode. If one shell went, all those near the autoloader did as well. This usually meant the turret would literally be blown off the tank and the entire crew killed. Javelin and NLAW were also designed to attack the less protected top of the turret or body of the tank, which at the very least destroyed the engine or wounded some of the three-man crew. And the primary Russian infantry armored vehicle was the BMP, which was poorly protected against any anti-tank weapon. Trucks carrying supplies, especially fuel, ammo or personnel were even more vulnerable. Machine-gun fire or a hand grenade would destroy or disable a truck. Ukrainian forces concentrated on Russian supply trucks and that meant Russian forces were chronically short of essential supplies. Even when the Russians knew they were facing well-armed defenders their infantry was not well trained in how to scout for and protect their armored vehicles from ambush. NATO tank units train using infantry who know what to look for and are able to call in heavy fire from the armored vehicles they are escorting. NATO forces also have more small UAVs to do some of the scouting. The Russians had few such UAVs and those that were available were poorly used and often shot down by the Ukrainians. Ukrainian forces had lots of armored vehicles, most of them Russian models improved by the Ukrainians. Tank tactics used by Ukrainians were more practical and more likely to overcome defenders, plus Ukrainian civilians were everywhere and generally eager to let their troops know what was going on in the area. After the 2014 initial Russian attack, Ukraine realized they needed new and improved armored vehicles in case the Russian came again in larger numbers. Since 2014 Ukraine has been refurbishing existing equipment with Ukrainian resources. Emphasis is on armored vehicles, which Ukraine had lots of from the defunct Red Army. Most are elderly but were little used in the past and still effective. Initially Ukraine had 250 T-64BMs and 350 T-64BVs. Ukraine also has 1,000 older T-64B tanks in storage. Only the T-64BM and T-64BV are operational and in use with the Ukrainian Army. Since 2007 Ukraine has been upgrading about one of the older T-64Bs to the T-64BM each month. This costs about $600,000 per T-64B. Ukrainian arms factories were also building the T-84 Oplot-M tank with 55 in service by the end of 2015 and 120 more in 2016 at a cost of $3.7 million each. All this is possible because Ukraine contained many Soviet era armored vehicle plants and inherited them when the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. Ukraine also began upgrading about 300 T-72B tanks held in reserve. These were modified to become similar to the Polish PT-91. The official reason for this is that Ukraine wants the T-72Bs to meet NATO requirements, but the upgraded tanks would also improve the defensive capabilities of the Ukrainian Army forces fighting in eastern Ukraine. The upgrade idea came as a result of Ukrainian military officials being given an opportunity to test some PT-91s. Such cooperation between Poland and Ukraine is nothing new because since 2011 defense firms in the two countries have worked together to develop guided 155mm artillery and 120mm mortar shells. Another cooperative effort enabled a Polish firm to develop a less expensive alternative to the Israeli SPIKE ATGM that was based on the Ukrainian RK-3 Corsair ATGM. Ukraine, like Russia, has little choice but to refurbish older vehicles and hope for the best. By the time Russia invaded in 2022, Ukraine was ready. By 2022 Ukraine had over a thousand upgraded tanks and even more other armored vehicles. In addition, East European NATO nations are sending more T-72 tanks from their reserve stocks and even non-NATO nations are sending supporting armored vehicles for use by the infantry. Ukrainian troops were trained to avoid the mistakes the Russians made and instead rely on escorting infantry and supporting fire power to use the tanks as fire support vehicles, not targets. Meanwhile, Russia is trying to rebuild its tank forces. That will take a long time because Russian production facilities, even when operating round-the-clock, cannot obtain sufficient supplies of components to produce more than a few hundred tanks a year. LUANG PRABANG Viet Nam and Cambodia on January 28 pledged to provide maximum assistance to Laos to help it successfully perform the role as Chair of ASEAN 2024. Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia Sok Chenda Sophea made the pledge at their meeting in Luang Prabang, Laos ahead of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers (AMM) Retreat. The two ministers agreed to coordinate closely and support Laos to promote intra-bloc solidarity and bring into play ASEAN's central role in solving regional and international issues. The Cambodian diplomat appreciated Vietnam's initiative to organise an ASEAN forum on rapid and sustainable development, taking people as the center in Laos in April. At their meeting, Son and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos Saleumxay Kommasith expressed their delights at the growing special friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. The two sides agreed to effectively implement high-level agreements and results of the 46th Meeting of the Vietnam - Laos Intergovernmental Committee in January 2024 and continue to step up the implementation of the cooperation agreement between the two foreign ministries for the 2021-2025 period. Son affirmed that Vietnam supports Laos in assuming the role of ASEAN Chairman in 2024 and it will closely coordinate with the neighbouring country in promoting the Strategic Plan of the ASEAN Community Vision to 2045. The two ministers agreed to strengthen coordination and support each other at international, regional and sub-regional forums, and work with other member countries to maintain solidarity and strengthen ASEAN's central role in regional and international issues, including the East Sea issue. VNS Central hub revs up new development A NANG The central citys peoples committee officially signed a series of key Memorandums of Understandings (MoUs) with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for comprehensive and sustainable development in the Master Plan 2021-30, vision 2050, at the Meet a Nang 2024, opening a new development period for the city after decades of successful growth. Also at the event on January 26, a Nangs Semiconductor and AI Centre (DSAC), in co-operation with two semiconductor businesses from the US Synopsys and Intel inked MoUs on human resources training for semiconductor, chip design and Artificial Intelligence (AI), and implementing the Intel AI for the future workforce programme in the city. An investment licence was granted to South Korean KP Aero Industries for construction of an aircraft industry factory at a Nang Hi-Tech Park the second investment project in aviation and aerospace technologies after a Nang Sunshine Aerospace under the Universal Alloy Corporation from the US, put into operation in 2020 making it a destination for hi-tech investors and partners in the coming years. KP Aero Industries project plans to supply aft body, APU door, MIC wing tip, raked wing tip, wing box, winglet, flap fairing support and aircraft metal fabrication facilities for Boeing 737, 787 and Boeing 737 Max aircraft in two phases in 2024-29. The United States Mission to Viet Nam and a Nang currently partner on a number of shared development priorities, including clean energy, pollution reduction, higher education and assisting people with disabilities. Under the MoU signed today, USAID and the city intend to expand their development cooperation to promote innovative solutions in economic growth; clean energy and energy efficiency, environmental protection and climate change response; health; and human resource development. These efforts will support the central beach hubs own goals for human resource development and green economic growth, and represent greater cooperation of the United States in assisting Viet Nam to achieve its future sustainable development goals in line with the US-Viet Nam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, announced in September 2023. Meanwhile, the ADB has provided assistance for a Nang in several projects, improving the land use index to better handle natural disasters and building a pre-feasibility study to relocate a Nang Station. Vice minister of foreign affairs Nguyen Minh Hang highly appreciated the impressive growth of the brand value over the past years, stressing that the city has begun a new stage of dynamic development with a series of positive activities. She said the Meet a Nang was a revving up for a new year with hope fresh development and growth. French ambassador to Viet Nam, Olivier Brochet said France is a prime partner of a Nang in fields of education and training, a collaboration that has recently extended to scientific research and industrial applications. Under the umbrella of the French Tech network, many others operate in Viet Nam in various fields including semiconductors, aeronautics, digital consulting and cybersecurity, and contribute daily to Viet Nams transition toward an increasingly demanding, sophisticated and innovative market, he added. He said French companies are Viet Nams main partners in the scientific field and many French tech companies are operating in the country. He unveiled that Ubisoft, a world leader in video games (Assassins Creed), has chosen to set up a studio dedicated to the development of video games in a Nang. He said in 2017, the University of a Nang and the University of Nice Cote dAzur established the a Nang Institute of Technology, which trains engineers and researchers, and carries out collaborative research and innovation projects. The partnership has extended to the industrial field with the creation of an incubation centre for start-ups developing solutions for smart cities, he said. Japanese consul general Yakabe Yoshinori stressed the importance of high quality human resource education for the citys future development. Chairman of the citys peoples committee, Le Trung Chinh said the city has been preparing land area for investors, investing much in infrastructure projects such as airport and deep-sea port, road upgrading and building the strategy for semiconductor industry and AI. Nguyen Hoang Minh, CEO of FPT IS, a member of FPT Group, said it has 7,000 engineers working in a Nang with an average growth of 30 to 40 per cent annually. He said FPT plans to train 10,000 IT engineers in next five years to serve the semiconductor strategy of a Nang and the companys global market expansion. The Vietnamese ambassador to Luxembourg, Nguyen Van Thao suggested that a Nang should connect with EU partners to achieve the target of establishing itself as an international finance centre as well as an attractive destination of hi-tech industries and hospitality. He said the city has to create a long-term plan luring investors from EU with detailed and clear policies. a Nang has an ambition of training 10,000 engineers serving the semiconductor industry by 2030, and the co-operation programmes with key semiconductors investors from the US, Taiwan, Japan and the EU have been scheduled from 2024. The Viet Nam-Korea Friendship Information Technology University began training the first 500 semiconductor and chip design engineers in central Viet Nam in 2024-27. Trinh Thanh Lam, marketing and business director of Synopsys, said Intel, Marvell Technology Group and Synopsys in the US, paid survey visits to the city in early 2024 seeking co-operation opportunities, and a Nang should be ready for hosting new investment moves. Taiwans Foxlink International company had landed its electronics factory worth US$135 million at a Nangs Hi-tech Park. The University of a Nang and Portland State University agreed on a Letter of Intent (LoI) for the co-operation in training human resources for the semiconductor industry. The central city has called Intel, Marvell Technology Group and Synopsys into the effort to build the city into a global semiconductor manufacturing centre. Last December, a Nang granted investment licences to seven investment projects worth VN9.3 trillion (US$372 million). To date, the city has attracted 1,016 FDI projects worth US$4.2 billion. VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh inspected the project to build the Quang Trach-Pho Noi 500kV electric transmission line and presented Tet gifts to workers at the site during the weekend. The power line, to stretch from Quang Trach District of the central province of Quang Binh to Pho Noi of northern Hung Yen Province, consists of four component subprojects, with a total length of 519km and a total investment of about VN22.36 trillion (US$908.76 million). It crosses 211 communes and wards in 43 districts of nine provinces. The first component subproject was launched on October 25, 2023, while the remaining three were started on January 18, 2024. PM Chinh visited four sites of the project in four provinces of Thai Binh, Nam inh, Ninh Binh and Thanh Hoa. The Government leader underlined the projects significance as a major and urgent step toward ensuring national energy security, especially for the northern region. He hailed the efforts by Vietnam Electricity (EVN) as well as relevant ministries, sectors and localities in overcoming difficulties to implement the project. He asked ministries, sectors and EVN to work closely with local administrations and relevant agencies to mobilise personnel and vehicles, and speed up the progress of the project, striving to have it completed and in operation in June. The PM requested localities to promptly hand over ground to the project and show strong performance in compensation work. He also called on residents of the localities, especially affected ones, to continue supporting the project. VNS PARIS The Vietnamese Embassy in France held a Lunar New Year (Tet) celebration programme at the City Hall of Paris on January 26, with the participation of more than 1,000 overseas Vietnamese in the country. The event saw the attendance of Vietnamese Ambassador to France Nguyen Toan Thang and his spouse, Nguyen Thuy Anh, member of the Party Central Committee, Chairwoman of the National Assembly's Committee for Social Affairs, President of the Vietnam - France Friendship Parliamentarians Group, Ambassador - head of Vietnams delegation to the United Nations Scientific, Educational and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Nguyen Thi Van Anh, first deputy mayor of Paris in charge of Europe, international affairs and Francophone community Arnaud Gregoire, and others. In his remarks, Ambassador Thang lauded the contribution of the Vietnamese community and wished them a new year with good health, success and prosperity. The diplomat emphasised that the year 2023 marked the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-France diplomatic ties and 10 years of their strategic partnership. It also featured many events, activities and exchanges in all fields and at all levels. The 12th France-Vietnam Decentralised Cooperation Conference, which took place in Hanoi in April 2023, was a typical example of closeness and diversity in their bilateral relations, he said, expressing his confidence that the close relationship between Vietnam and France in all fields will continue to bear fruits. For his part, Arnaud Gregoire pledged that Paris will continue to promote cooperation in the C40 network, featuring nearly 100 mayors of the world's leading cities, including Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City, to help the two countries' cities adapt to climate change in innovative ways. Participants at the event had a chance to enjoy art performances by the Vietnamese Culture Centre in France. On January 27, the Consulate General of Vietnam in Frankfurt, Germany also organised a ceremony to welcome the Lunar New Year on January 27. Speaking at the event, Consul General Nguyen Quynh Phuong reviewed Vietnam's outstanding political, economic and diplomatic achievements in 2023, emphasising that Vietnam's foreign relations are increasingly expanding and its prestige in the international arena is improving. She said that the relationship between Vietnam and Germany continued to deepen and become more substantive in many fields. Germany is Vietnam's largest trading partner in the EU and the latter is Germany's largest trading partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN). Their bilateral trade turnover reached nearly US$14 billion last year. She underlined the contributions of the Vietnamese community in Germany to Vietnam's overall success, contributing to popularise the images of the country and Vietnamese people. The diplomat also called on the Vietnamese community to continue supporting the activities of the Consulate General, together looking toward their homeland. VNS By Thanh Nga Nestled next to the green fields along the banks of the Red River, Nha Xa silk cloth weaving village in Duy Tien District of Ha Nam Province has a history of more than 700 years and the ancient craft is now being brilliantly revived. For centuries, Nha Xa silk has been known as among the most famed silk products in Viet Nam, ranking only after Ha ong silk in Ha Noi. According to Pham Van Thuc, a master artisan in the village, by the end of the 13th century, while sailing on the Red River here, Tran Khanh Du, a high ranking mandarin of the Tran Dynasty, observed that the land was fertile, and the local people were poor, so he showed them how to grow mulberries, raise silkworms and weave silk cloth. Later Du became the village's patron saint. Among other famed silk villages across the country, Nha Xa has a unique position thanks to the craftsmanship of the weavers. Our silk cloth is soft, thin and light, and rarely fades. When worn, it feels comfortable, cool in summer and warm in winter, Thuc told Viet Nam News. My family has four generations of silk weaving. As for me, I have more than 30 years in the profession. We do this job with all our heart, so quality must come first. Nha Xa silk is made of natural silk fibres, going through a full range of processes such as spinning, weaving, dyeing and sun-drying, so the product is very durable and beautiful. According to Nguyen Tien Quang, deputy director of the Hong Tien Nha Xa Silk Weaving and Ecotourism Cooperative, initially, Nha Xa's textile served two purposes: to make fishing nets and bags for traders. Through many changes, Nha Xa silk found a place in the market, becoming a much sought after cloth across Indochina. During its heyday, Nha Xa silk was sold as far away as Hong Kong. The Nha Xa silk production process was previously a closed cycle: from growing mulberry trees, whose leaves are used as feed to raise silkworms, unwinding thread from cocoons, to weaving cloth. However, over time, the stages of growing mulberries and raising silkworms no longer exist. Instead, the villagers import raw materials from other places, and only focus on weaving silk cloth. Currently, more than 150 households in the village are engaged in weaving, with 375 weaving machines, producing more than 1 million metres of silk cloth of all kinds each year. The development of weaving has brought a prosperous and peaceful life to the village. The Nha Xa Silk Association was established, and contributed to changing the thinking and way of doing business of the villagers. Product quality and reputation are also increasingly improved. Nha Xa is considered one of the top localities in the country in terms of silk output and product quality. Nha Xa has experienced many ups and downs, especially during the pandemic. But with challenges, there are hidden opportunities, and businesses have found every way to help their products flourish and make a spectacular breakthrough in the market. The village has taken advantage of e-commerce through websites, and social networking sites that introduce their products. Now, the village is proud to possess a large silk production capacity throughout the country, being a source of supply for many other localities such as Hoi An, a Nang, Ha Noi, HCM City, Sa Pa, and a Lat. Over the past two to three years, our silk output has not been able to meet the market demand. Every month we weave about 3,000m of silk fabric with the price from VN150,000 to VN400,000 per metre, Thuc said. Thuc owns the Lien Thuc silk weaving workshop in the village. His facility is one of the few facilities in the village that can undertake all stages of weaving such as spinning, weaving, bleaching and dyeing. His workshop also makes clothes, scarves, bags, sleeping bags, and masks, attracting many domestic and foreign customers. Thucs wife, Pham Thi Ngoc Lien, who is vice president of the Hong Tien Nha Xa Silk Weaving and Ecotourism Cooperative, is also someone who is dedicated to "keeping the fire" of the village's traditional craft. Even though I was not born and raised in Nha Xa, fate brought me to this profession, and I have been involved in silk weaving for nearly 30 years," Lien said. "Since I was young, I have loved silk weaving here. Right after graduating from high school, I asked my parents to go to Nha Xa Village to learn the craft and became successful. For years, I have continued my family's traditional silk weaving profession with my love, youth, and passion. Mai Lan, owner of an embroidery shop in Ha Noi, said: "Customers are very fond of Nha Xa silk because the fabric is completely natural. The Nha Xa silk with diverse colours and elegant patterns is the perfect fabric. Recently, Nha Xa silk weaving craft has been recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. This is the motivation for Nha Xa silk village to continue to be an attractive tourist destination. VNS WASHINGTON (AP) When IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel met privately with senators recently, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee asked for his assessment of a startling report: A whistleblower estimated that 95% of claims now being made by businesses for a COVID-era tax break were fraudulent. He looked at his shoes and he basically said, Yeah, recalled the lawmaker who posed that question, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore. The answer explains why Congress is racing to wind down what is known as the employee retention tax credit. Congress established the program during the coronavirus pandemic as an incentive for businesses to keep workers on the payroll. Demand for the credit soared as Congress extended the tax break and made it available to more companies. Aggressive marketers dangled the prospect of enormous refunds to business owners if they would just apply. As a result, what was expected to cost the federal government $55 billion has instead ballooned to nearly five times that amount as of July. Meanwhile, new claims are still pouring into the IRS each week, ensuring a growing price tag that lawmakers are anxious to cap. Lawmakers across the political spectrum who rarely agree on little else from liberal Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., to conservative Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis. agree it's time to close down the program. I dont have the exact number, but its like almost universal fraud in the program. It should be ended, Johnson said. I dont see how anybody could support it. Warren added: The standards were too loose and the oversight was too thin." The Joint Committee on Taxation estimates that winding down the program more quickly and increasing penalties for those companies promoting improper claims would generate about $79 billion over 10 years. Lawmakers aim to use the savings to offset the cost of three business tax breaks and a more generous child tax credit for many low-income families. Households benefitting from the changes in the child tax credit would see an average tax cut of $680 in the first year, according to an estimate from the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center. The package was overwhelmingly approved by a House committee last week, 40-3, showing it has broad, bipartisan support. But passage through Congress is not assured because many key senators have concerns about aspects of the bill. Wyden said a strong vote in the House could spur the Senate into quicker action. Still, passing major legislation in an election year is generally a heavy lift. Under current law, taxpayers have until April 15, 2025, to claim the employee retention credit. The bill would barsnew claims after Jan. 31 of this year. It also would impose stiff penalties on those who are promoting the employer retention tax credit if they know or have reason to know their advice will lead to an underreporting of tax liabilities. When Congress created the tax break for employers at the pandemics onset, it proved so popular that lawmakers extended and amended the program three times. The credit, worth up to $26,000 per employee, can be claimed on wages paid through 2021. To qualify, generally businesses must show that a local or state government order related to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in their business having to close or partially suspend operations. Or the businesses must show they experienced a significant decline in revenues. Larry Gray, a certified public accountant from Rolla, Missouri, said he had concerns early on about how the program could be abused. There was no documentation really to speak" and the IRS just sent out the checks, Gray said. They just started printing the checks and I believe Congress was wanting them to print the checks. His hunch has proven correct, judging by the filings that he has reviewed. He has even lost clients who didnt want to hear that they did not qualify when others were telling them they did. Generally, he said, the businesses that dont qualify are failing to cite the government order that resulted in their closure or partial suspension. They are also routinely citing reasons for reimbursement that dont meet the programs criteria. For example, one company said it was struggling to find employees and had to raise wages as a justification for qualifying. If I go through the narratives on the filings that Im looking at, every business in America qualifies, Gray said. The IRS paused accepting claims for the tax credit in September last year, until 2024 due to rising concerns that an influx of applications are fraudulent. At that point, it had received 3.6 million claims. Some fraud has been prolific. For instance, a New Jersey tax preparer was arrested in July on charges related to fraudulently seeking over $124 million from the IRS when he filed more than 1,000 tax returns claiming the employment tax credits. In an update issued Thursday about the program, the IRS said that it has thousands of audit in the pipeline and that as of Dec. 31, it has initiated 352 criminal investigations involving more than $2.9 billion in potentially fraudulent claims. Separately, it has opened nine civil investigations of marketers that potentially misled employers on eligibility to file claims. Werfel briefed the Senate Finance Committee recently on the measures that have been put into place to address the fraud, including developing a special withdrawal program for those with unprocessed claims and a voluntary disclosure program for those who believed they were improperly paid. Since then, the IRS has seen an immediate 40% decline in average weekly claims, he said. Lawmakers emphasize that cutting down on the fraudulent claims should also help the IRS more quickly resolve the legitimate claims that businesses have filed and are still awaiting resolution. In early December, the IRS had a backlog of about 1 million claims. Congress routinely has difficulty finding offsets to pay for new spending or tax cuts. But in this case, the employee retention tax credit appears to have few friends left on Capitol Hill. Well-intentioned, but boy oh boy, said Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., in summing up the program. COLUMBIA, S.C. President Joe Biden said Sunday that the U.S. shall respond after three American troops were killed and dozens more were injured in an overnight drone strike in northeast Jordan near the Syrian border. Biden blamed Iran-backed militias for the first U.S. fatalities after months of strikes by such groups against American forces across the Middle East since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. Biden, who was traveling in South Carolina, asked for a moment of silence during an appearance at a Baptist church's banquet hall. We had a tough day last night in the Middle East. We lost three brave souls in an attack on one of our bases," he said. After the moment of silence, Biden added, and we shall respond. With an increasing risk of military escalation in the region, U.S. officials were working to conclusively identify the precise group responsible for the attack, but they have assessed that one of several Iranian-backed groups was behind it. Biden said in a written statement that the United States will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner (of) our choosing. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said "we will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, our troops, and our interests. Iran-backed fighters in east Syria began evacuating their posts, fearing U.S. airstrikes, according to Omar Abu Layla, a Europe-based activist who heads the Deir Ezzor 24 media outlet. He told The Associated Press that the areas are the strongholds of Mayadeen and Boukamal. U.S. Central Command said at least 34 troops were injured by the one-way attack drone, with eight flown out of Jordan for follow-up care. It described the eight as being in stable condition. The large drone struck a logistics support base in Jordan known as Tower 22. It is along the Syrian border and is used largely by troops involved in the advise-and-assist mission for Jordanian forces. Central Command said about 350 U.S. Army and Air Force personnel were deployed to the base. The three who were killed and most of the wounded were Army soldiers, according to several U.S. officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to give details not yet made public. The small installation, which Jordan does not publicly disclose, includes U.S. engineering, aviation, logistics and security troops. Austin said the troops were deployed there to work for the lasting defeat of ISIS. Three officials said the drone struck near the troops' sleeping quarters, which they said explained the high casualty count. The U.S. military base at al-Tanf in Syria is just 12 miles north of Tower 22. The Jordanian installation provides a critical logistical hub for U.S. forces in Syria, including those at al-Tanf, which is near where the borders of Iraq, Syria and Jordan intersect. Hear how retired general thinks the US could respond to drone attack Three US Army soldiers were killed and more than 30 service members were injured in a drone attack overnight on a small US outpost in Jordan, In a statement on Jordans state-run Petra news agency, the country condemned the terrorist attack that targeted the U.S. troops. That report described the drone strike as targeting an outpost on the border with Syria and said it did not wound any Jordanian troops. Jordan will continue to counter terrorism and the smuggling of drugs and weapons across the Syrian border into Jordan, and will confront with firmness and determination anyone who attempts to attack the security of the kingdom, the statement attributed to Muhannad Mubaidin, a government spokesman, said. U.S. troops long have used Jordan, a kingdom bordering Iraq, Israel, the Palestinian territory of the West Bank, Saudi Arabia and Syria, as a basing point. Some 3,000 American troops typically are stationed across Jordan. Since the war in Gaza began Oct. 7, Iranian-backed militias have struck American military installations in Iraq more than 60 times and in Syria more than 90 times, with a mix of drones, rockets, mortars and ballistic missiles. The attack Sunday was the first targeting American troops in Jordan during the Israel-Hamas war and the first to result in the loss of American lives. Scores of U.S. personnel have been wounded, including some with traumatic brain injuries, during the attacks. The militias have said that their strikes are in retaliation for Washingtons support for Israel in the war in Gaza and that they aim to push U.S. forces out of the region. The U.S. in recent months has struck targets in Iraq, Syria and Yemen to respond to attacks on American forces in the region and to deter Iran-backed Houthi rebels from continuing to threaten commercial shipping in the Red Sea. I am confident the Biden Administration will respond in a deliberate and proportional manner, said Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., who heads the Senate Armed Services Committee. Republicans in Congress said the administration's approach had failed to deter America's adversaries in the region. We need a major reset of our Middle East policy to protect our national security interests, said Republican Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., went further, urging the administration to strike targets of significance inside Iran, not only as reprisal for the killing of our forces, but as deterrence against future aggression. The only thing the Iranian regime understands is force. Biden, who was in Columbia, South Carolina, on Sunday, was briefed in the morning by Austin, national security adviser Jake Sullivan, and principal deputy national security adviser Jon Finer, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. In the afternoon, he met virtually with Vice President Kamala Harris and his national security team for an update. The president, in the written statement, called it a despicable and wholly unjust attack and said the service members were risking their own safety for the safety of their fellow Americans, and our allies and partners with whom we stand in the fight against terrorism. It is a fight we will not cease. How cybercrime losses have more than doubled in 2 years How cybercrime losses have more than doubled in 2 years Total and average losses among cybercrime victims are rising BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) An Alabama man wanted on drug and weapons charges has posted a video denying he fed methamphetamine to a so-called "attack squirrel" that he considers a pet. Mickey Paulk posted the video on his Facebook page Tuesday night as authorities continued searching for him. It shows him stroking a rodent that he indicates was the same one seized during a search and then released by authorities. "You can't give squirrels meth; it would kill 'em. I'm pretty sure, (but) I've never tried it," he said. He said the squirrel, which he kept as a pet, was safe and not a threat to anyone. "The public isn't in danger in any kind of way from the methed-out squirrel in the neighborhood," Paulk said with a laugh. Paulk told The Associated Press that a friend gave him the animal shortly after it was born, and he named it "Deeznutz." Stephen Young, a spokesman for the Limestone County Sheriff's Office, said Wednesday investigators were still looking for Paulk, 35, who has an extensive criminal record. "Yes, we're aware of the video," he said. "And yes, that's him in the video." Police said they were warned about a meth-fueled, trained attack squirrel before conducting a drug search at a rural home near Athens, Alabama, on Monday. One man was arrested at the home and police said they released the caged squirrel. In the video, Paulk denied living at the home but said he went there after the raid and saw the pet squirrel in a treetop. The animal scampered down and hopped on his shoulder, he said. "I just pulled up and whistled," said Paulk, who is wanted on warrants accusing him of possession of drugs and an illegal weapon. Deputies released the squirrel in trees near the home, Young said, but there was no way to say whether the squirrel shown in the video is the same one released by officers after the raid. "We don't know if he might even have two squirrels," he said. "It would just be speculation." Speaking in a phone interview with AP, Paulk said Wednesday that he was working with an attorney and relatives on a plan for turning himself in to authorities. Paulk said he had "a few loose ends to tie up" before surrendering, including getting the squirrel to a temporary home in Tennessee. Paulk said he raised "Deeznutz" since it was a baby. "I've had it since it was a little pink thing," he said. Paulk said he didn't know why authorities believed the squirrel was on drugs unless someone saw it acting excitedly and told police "maybe he's on meth or something." Paulk said he isn't in Athens anymore but wouldn't give his exact location. By JAY REEVES Associated Press The CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has a message: Hey billionaires, give away more of your money to address inequality and do it soon. Mark Suzman made the call in his annual letter that led with the story of Chuck Feeney, a billionaire whose philanthropy inspired Warren Buffett, Bill Gates and Melinda French-Gates. Feeney, who died in October, made a fortune through duty-free stores and gave away $8 billion during his life, much of it anonymously. He showed us all how the actions of one generous person can set the wheels in motion for generations of progress, Suzman wrote of Feeney. The message is a familiar one from the Gates Foundation, one of the largest global health funders in the world. The foundation recently announced it would spend $8.6 billion in 2024, its largest budget to date, aided by a $20 billion donation by Gates in 2022. The record-setting budget coincides with the erosion of progress nonprofits made toward ending poverty, fighting treatable diseases and eradicating hunger. Experts say the backsliding is caused by the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and high debt levels in many low- and middle-income countries. We are doing exactly what my call to action is," Suzman said in an interview with The Associated Press. At a time of great need, if there is an opportunity to expand our giving, we should be modeling what that looks like." The foundation's appeal builds on the Giving Pledge, which was launched by the Gateses and Buffett in 2010 as a commitment for billionaires to donate the majority of their wealth. Donors may give while they are alive or at the time of their death and to any cause. Suzman noted that Feeney joined the pledge in 2011, adding, I know that very few people are willing or able to give away all their wealth. But theres a lot of ground between Feeneys blockbuster generosity and the current state of giving among the ultra-wealthy and so many opportunities to make an impact. At least one pledger, the billionaire investor Leon Cooperman, would like to see the pledge go further. In an interview in December, Cooperman told Ari Melber, MSNBCs chief legal correspondent, that the Giving Pledge is a notable idea, it makes sense but its not asking for enough." The foundation and Suzman lean toward optimism, pointing toward research and programs they've helped develop such as low-cost interventions that could decrease maternal and infant mortality and a global agricultural information system that would serve the world's poorest farmers. The Gates Foundation itself plans to increase its annual budget to $9 billion next year, and then hold at that level. The foundation board approved this year's budget but asked the foundation to consider how to sustainably fund its work when the budget stops expanding, Suzman said. Theyre pushing us to say, Would you actually potentially sunset or shift some programs and what does it look like to keep more powder dry against potential opportunities? he said. The Associated Press receives financial support for news coverage in Africa from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Groups aligned with the effective altruism movement, like Longview Philanthropy, also regularly call for even those with a small amount of wealth to give 10% to charities. In September, they issued a report on what could be accomplished if the top 1% of earners gave away 10% of their income. A lot of the conversation talks about it as a responsibility and maybe outrage that donors arent giving more, donors arent giving more effectively, philanthropist Cari Tuna, president of the funder Open Philanthropy and wife of Facebook co-founder and current Asana CEO Dustin Moskovitz, said at an online panel about the report. But what seems most effective at least in my one-on-one conversations is really leading with the opportunity and sharing the excitement that we feel and why we find it so rewarding, she said. Suzman said he personally supports requiring U.S. philanthropic foundations to donate more than the currently mandated equivalent of 5% of their endowment. The Gates Foundation annually donates closer to 10% of its endowment, Suzman said. Complicating the billionaires task is the fact that many keep getting richer. A report from Oxfam International, released during the World Economic Forums annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, this month found that the fortunes of the world's five richest men have doubled since 2020 and that the increasing concentration of wealth could yield the first trillionaire in the next decade. Beyond that, a growing portion of charitable dollars in the U.S. go to donor-advised funds (DAFs), which allow donors to immediately claim a tax advantage. However, there is no deadline for when the funds in a DAF must be given to charitable causes. Chuck Collins, a director at the Institute for Policy Studies who has studied the giving of billionaires, said giving to intermediaries like DAFs is one way the wealthiest donors keep control of charitable funds, instead of giving the money to nonprofits. These are our tax dollars at work and the donors are getting substantial tax reductions in the year they give, Collins said. So we should know how these funds are being deployed and if they are being deployed in a timely way. Older Americans lead the nation in pet spending, but not by much Older Americans lead the nation in pet spending, but not by much Empty nesters, early retirees among the groups spending the most on pets MAHLANYA It is clear that the intention was to kill him not rob him. These allegations were shared by the late Matsapha businessman, Sifiso Simelanes friends, during his funeral held at Mahlanya, under Lobamba Lomdzala Inkhundla yesterday. Simelane, a businessman of Bethany, who is survived by his four children, was robbed by unknown people before they slit his throat and dumped him in a forest at Mahlanya on Monday night. Close to a thousand mourners came to pay their last respects as the late businessman was laid in his final resting place at is parental home grave yard at around 07:40am. This followed a short prayer held at Dups Funeral Home in Manzini. Among the mourners were Simelanes friends who are bikers. They shared their versions on how they viewed the incident. According to his friends, the manner in which the late businessman was murdered was allegedly an indication that the mission was to kill him and not to rob him. suspects They alleged that the robbery was a ploy adopted by the suspects to hide the fact that they were there to kill him. One of his friends alleged that the gruesome murder was an assassination, based on the fact that the suspects were in constant communication with Simelane for about a week. He said he was convinced that the murder was premeditated. Based on the article published by the Times of Eswatini on Friday, some of the people who called him on the fateful day had been calling him for about a week, it is clear then that this had been planned for some time, he said. Another friend mentioned that they suspected that some of the suspects were not from the country, as one of them was alleged to have been speaking Zulu. Yet another of the late businessmans friends alleged that the method in which the murder was committed by slitting his throat, was meant to send a clear message as he believed there were other means that could have been used by the suspects to commit the murder. There are many means that the suspects could have used to kill him but slitting his throat was a clear message that this was intentional, he said. It was also mentioned during the discussions that it was unlike the late businessman to address people he did not know, let alone at night, which was proof that he was familiar with the suspects as they had been in contact for some time. argument This argument was based on the fact that the Times of Eswatini previously reported that on the night of Simelanes murder, the suspects made an arrangement that the deceased should meet them in Matsapha so that they could arrange where they could deliver the tyres for him, which were allegedly in a truck coming from South Africa. Simelanes funeral began with a short prayer in Manzini followed by his burial. After the short prayer, Simelane was escorted by his biker friends who were accompanied by members of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) to his final resting place. Devastated family members, friends and relatives could not hold back their tears when his casket was lowered into the ground.Some of the speakers relayed how they were shocked by the gruesome murder, while some said Simelane was a humble man and a respected member of the community, who was always available to assist whenever needed. While making his address, a representative of the Simelane family thanked all those who supported them during the difficult time. He also thanked all who contributed towards the late businessmans funeral. Another speaker, who was representing the late businessmans mothers family, said they were saddened and shocked by Simelanes passing. She also prayed that the Simelane family found solace in God. It is a sad moment indeed because we were here not so long ago to bury his late mother, she said. Another speaker said she hoped to find the late businessman in heaven as they raised him in a Christian way. I hope that when he was in pain during the incident, he remembered God and we hope to see him in heaven one day, she said. She also said as a family, they were there to support the late businessmans surviving brother and sister and urged them not to hesitate to call them whenever they needed assistance. She said they did not have much, but the Word of God to comfort them. We are only a phone call away, she assured. Speaking on behalf of his friends, Banele Mtsetfwa, said as his friends, they were saddened by Simelanes untimely passing. He, however, said they were happy to have shared good memories with him while he was alive. We learnt a lot from him as he was a man of principles. He was kind but firm and he was a great man and friend, may his soul rest in peace, he said. He said the late businessman was an honest person and they would always remember him. Under Secretary in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Kakhosi Simelane, who was speaking on behalf of the late Simelanes church, the Old Apostolic Church, thanked the church for the support they had shown to the family during the difficult time. He also thanked the late businessmans friends for being there for the Simelane family and also thanked them for the contributions they made towards ensuring the funeral was a success. While sharing words of comfort, he assured the family that God was with them even during such trying times. Please be assured that God is with you and know that as much as it is painful to bury your loved one, this is not the end but a gateway, he said. He also mentioned that the late businessman would be remembered and missed by all those he had touched in his life. Another speaker who spoke on behalf of Simelanes siblings, thanked all those who supported them as a family throughout the ordeal. She also thanked the church for comforting and taking care of them. This was unexpected and we are shocked and heartbroken by the manner in which our brother was taken away from us. We trust that God will comfort us during this difficult time, she said. A speaker representing the chiefdom, relayed that as a community, they had lost a great deal by Simelanes passing, as he was a leader and always there when needed. He was a man we could always count on and come to for advice and assistance. Whenever we had a problem, he was there to support us financially and the only thing he asked was if we would do what we said we wanted to do and do it well. As Indlunkhulu we would like to pass our deepest condolences to his children, family and friends. May his soul rest in peace, he said.He also urged the family members to take care of the late businessmans children who have lost their father at a young age. Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation (27 January 2024) The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation. In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces repelled five attacks launched by assault groups of AFU 32nd mechanised, 103rd territorial defence brigades near Sinkovka (Kharkov region) and Terni (Donetsk Peoples Republic). The enemy lost up to 25 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, and three motor vehicles. In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Force repelled two attacks launched by assault groups of the 63rd Mechanised Brigade and the 44th Rifle Battalion of the AFU close to Yampolovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic) and Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk Peoples Republic). In addition, strikes were delivered at AFU manpower and hardware near Kirovsk (Donetsk Peoples Republic) and Serebryansky forestry. The enemy has lost up to 100 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, and one D-20 howitzer. In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by artillery repelled two enemy attacks close to Shumy and Bogdanovka, and inflicted fire damage on AFU manpower and hardware near Krasnoye, Kleshcheyevka, Andreyevka, Georgiyevka, and Novomikhailovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic). Up to 250 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, and one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system have been eliminated. In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces repelled four attacks of assault groups of the AFU 127th Territorial Defence Brigade near Priutnoye (Zaporozhye region), as well as inflicted losses on AFU manpower and hardware close to Makarovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic). The enemy has lost up to 115 troops, three motor vehicles, as well as two Akatsiya self-propelled artillery systems. In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces supported by artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 63rd Mechanised Brigade close to Rabotino and Nesteryanka (Zaporozhye region). The enemy has lost up to 20 Ukrainian troops, one armoured fighting vehicle, and two motor vehicles. In the course of the counter-battery warfare, one Akatsiya and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems were destroyed. In Kherson direction, as a result of actions of the Russian Group of Forces, the enemy has lost up to 15 Ukrainian troops and two motor vehicles. In addition, four Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems were destroyed during counter-battery warfare. Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged one S-300 SAM system close to Cherkassy region, POL bases and air-delivered ordnance depots near Kirovograd and Dnepropetrovsk regions, as well as AFU manpower and hardware in 102 areas during the day. Air defence systems have intercepted seven HIMARS and Vampire MLRS projectiles during the day. In addition, 28 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were intercepted near Zolotaryovka (Lugansk Peoples Republic), Spornoye, Belogorovka, Kleshcheyevka, Nikolayevka (Donetsk Peoples Republic), and Kazachyi Lageri, Novaya Myachka, and Peschanovka (Kherson region). In total, 568 airplanes and 265 helicopters, 11,283 unmanned aerial vehicles, 456 air defence missile systems, 14,805 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,210 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,881 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 17,940 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation. WtR Good article to read below and take it as you can. The facts are facts and no one should sugar coat when people are dying by the groves, anywhere and at anytime and the people in the West have been given a ride to stupid land with all the lies that have been told about the Russian SMO From when I wrote this article below, I have seen at least another 150,000 to 200,000 Ukrainian men (thousands of foreign mercenaries) and now women. They are dying by the groves in Ukraine I call it over a million dead and two million wounded on the Ukrainian side and like it or not the ration is at around 20 NATO/UKR to 1 RU dying and the ration is spreading farther apart daily Time to wake up people Dead is dead and gone is gone WtR 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. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form MBABANE In the coming weeks, it is anticipated that His Majesty King Mswati III will appoint governing councils, widely referred to as emabandla. These councils are appointed to advise both His Majesty King Mswati III and Her Majesty the Indlovukazi on different national issues. While they all have crucial mandates, it is the Border Determination Special Committee (BDSC) that stands out, due to the nature of the work that it is appointed for. For 28 years, such a structure has been assembled to push the countrys quest to right a historical wrong by clamouring for an adjustment of its boundaries with South Africa. The mandate, however, has not come cheap, as it has cost the taxpayer over E100 million in the close to three decades since the committee was brought to the fore. With close to 30 years gone, the question is whether the taxpayer must continue forking out money for this type of project. divided The territory Eswatini wants back is divided into three sections. KaNgwane which extends up to 40km from Eswatinis west to northeast border, fitting like a cap over the countrys northern area. Ngwavuma, if reacquired by Eswatini, would return the kingdom to its original location on the Indian Ocean. Eswatini would no longer be a landlocked country, but would encompass what is now South Africas KwaZulu-Natal Province south from the Mozambique Border to Lake Sibaya. A 65km by 30km banana-shaped strip, the Nsikazi area, is not contiguous with Eswatini or the other disputed lands and extends north from the White River in South Africas northern Mpumalanga Province. reunited Prince Khuzulwandle, the first chairperson of the committee, would now and again reiterate that the aforementioned land belonged to emaSwati and that most of them on that land longed to be reunited with the rest of the Eswatini population. History dictates that British miners and Boer farmers laid claim to the Eswatini territory in the late 19th century. By 1902, Britain had portioned off large sections of land previously ruled by Eswatini kings into the Boer Republic of Transvaal (todays Mpumalanga Province) and Britains Natal Province, leaving the landlocked rump that today remains as the Kingdom of Eswatini. It is believed that about twice as many emaSwati live in these areas of South Africa, as in Eswatini itself, whose current population is under one million. During his 60-year reign, King Sobhuza continuously sought territorial reunification. South Africas apartheid regime cooperated in the 1980s, in an attempt to prove to the world it had an ally in a black African State. agreement Pretoria wanted to use Eswatini as a Bantustan homeland, of which all South African emaSwati would become citizens, wherever they lived, thus making them legal aliens in the country of their birth. It was reported that a government-to-government agreement was nearly concluded in 1982, but the KwaZulu Legislature successfully sued to block the land transfer. King Mswati sought to revive border adjustment talks upon South Africas democratisation in 1994. Both countries formed border adjustment committees and the one for Eswatini gets to be appointed once in every five years together with other Kings advisory councils. 1996-2008 It was in 1994 when His Majesty King Mswati III announced the formation of the committee and further appointed its chairperson, the late Prince Khuzululwandle. In 1996, the prince and members of the committee got down to business. During its earlier stages, the members, who are usually between 10 and 14 in number, earned a meager E4 000 each and there were calls to have their salaries increased. The E4 000 each meant that more or less E60 000 was spent on them on a monthly basis in salaries. However, it was made public that the exact budget for the committee stood at E3 million per year. It should be noted that around 2003, it was reported that the Kingdom of Eswatini was growing impatient, as it was not getting a response from SA. In particular, it was argued that Eswatini had commitments in the past from SA governments, most notably Nelson Mandela, that the matter would be resolved. However, upon assumption of presidential duties by Thabo Mbeki, the process to reclaim land slowed down. The committee then got busy with royal functions in the Mpumalanga provinces and organising that provinces chiefs to attend Incwala and other ceremonies in the country. At the time, Prince Khuzulwandle lamented how His Majesty King Mswati III had reiterated his desire to see all emaSwati reunited and was concerned that they had waited for over a century to bring their sisters and brothers back into the fold under his leadership. As the years went by, calls to have the salaries of the members increased were made and this led to the budget being increased. It is estimated that during this period, over E20 million of taxpayers money was spent on the project. 2008-2013 By the late 2000s, each member of the committee earned more than E20 000. By 2011, in particular, the members were earning E23 620, while the chairperson took home a monthly basic salary of E38 094 and this excluded a stipulated daily sitting allowance of E259. In total, each member took home E29 789 in total and this included about E6 149 meant for commuted car allowance. 2013-2018 With Prince Khuzulwandle having passed away the previous year, His Majesty King Mswati III then appointed Prince Guduza towards the end of 2013, to head the committee. At the time, the prince was appointed together with his biological sister (share same mother) Princess Elizabeth. Other members of the 14-member committee included Canon Mandla Dlamini, Chief Bhejisa Lushaba, Olga Malinga and Mabili Dlamini, the deputy. During this period, the welfare of the committee members was to be taken care of in accordance with Finance Circular No. 2 of 2013, which replaced the once controversial Finance Circular No.1 of 2010. Based on Finance Circular No.2 of 2013, each member of the committee was paid a salary a basic salary of E50 093, which means collectively, they earned E620 217 per month, while the deputy chairperson was paid a basic salary of E50 659. On the other hand, the basic salary remunerated to Prince Guduza, in his capacity as chairperson, stood at E55 659. This was for the period between 2013 and 2018 and this means that for those five years in office, government spent around E37 million. The highlights of their term include how in 2014 the late King of the Zulu, Goodwill Zwelithini, reportedly made intentions to claim the land that Eswatini was trying to reclaim from SA. At the time, it was claimed that King Zwelithini and KwaZulu-Natals traditional leaders were planning to file the largest land claim, where they wanted rights to the land that made up the entire Zulu Kingdom. 2018-now From 2018 to now, the committee has been headed by Prince David and it has some of the members who were there even in the previous term. In fact, some of them have been there for 15 years, among them is Bheka Mabuza, who is the secretary. Since they are being paid according to the old Finance Circular No. 2 of 2013, it is believed that their remuneration will also be around E37 million. One of the highlights during this term was witnessed in early 2020, when the committee gave feedback that in an effort to speed up the process, they had met with Basotho Lead-Petitioners in Ezulwini to share notes on the matter. The committee issued a statement to the effect that the two parties had exchanged information, in particular the historical background about how both countries lost their land to the settlers and the role played by their coloniser, the Great Britain. It was mentioned that the two countries also exchanged information about developments and progress made in reference to their quest to have boundaries adjusted with their neighbours. Basotho Lead-Petitioners is an organisation of men and women who are demanding the return of the Basotho land. Also, it was reported that the Basotho Lead- Petitioners also shared information of their contacts with Britain through the British High Commission in Pretoria and other key stakeholders on this very important issue. Further, the statement states that the Basotho delegation shared that the South African government had reneged on a promise made by former President Nelson Mandela in 1995, who had promised that the Republic of South Africa would form a committee to address the issue of land and borders with the Kingdom of Lesotho. adjustment of borders The parties also committed themselves to continue with an exchange of information, as they pursued their quest for the return of the land for their respective countries and adjustment of borders. Meanwhile, judging from how things have penned out previously, most of the members stand a chance of being re-appointed for yet another term of office. In previous years, all that has happened was the replacement of some who had either passed away or were deployed to other national duties or commitments. Meanwhile, the Kingdom of Eswatini is not the only country that has made attempts to reclaim part of South African land. A few months ago, the parliamentarians of the Kingdom of Lesotho debated a motion to reclaim large parts of SA forcibly seized by the apartheid government. According to BBC Africa, the bold move was made by an opposition MP who wanted to declare the Free State and parts of four other provinces Lesothos territory. It was stated that the people of Lesotho lived in these areas until the 19th century, when they were seized by the apartheid government, according to the claim. Many Basotho continue to live in SA. Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange along with thousands of others on Saturday embarked on a protest march from Maharashtras Jalna district to Mumbai to draw the state governments attention to the demand for reservation to his community. Speaking to reporters before beginning the march, Jarange lambasted the government for its cruel and insensitive attitude and failure to resolve the Maratha reservation issue, and vowed to continue the fight till his last breath. The protest march began from Jaranges native Antarwali Sarati village around 11 am. The Maratha community gave seven months to the government to provide reservation, but no action was taken all this while, he told reporters. I will continue the protest till my last breath. I wont relent till the demand for reservation is met, said an emotional Jarange. He slammed the state government and ministers as he cited the alarming rise in suicide by Maratha youths. Maratha youths are ending their lives over the issue of reservation, but the government remains unmoved. How can the government be so insensitive and cruel and just watch Maratha youths commit suicides? he asked. He narrated an incident wherein a man from the Maratha community hailing from Paithan in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district told him that his only son ended life for the cause of reservation. Jarange said he would consult with the community members whether to start fasting on the way to Mumbai or after reaching the Maharashtra capital. The protest march led by Jarange is likely to reach Mumbai on January 25. The distance between Antarwali Sarati village and Mumbai is more than 400 kms. Thousands of members from the Maratha community are accompanying Jarange during the protest. The protesters will walk for a few hours everyday and also use vehicles. From January 26, Jarange is scheduled to begin his hunger strike over the quota issue. UN Tourism has celebrated the first major tourism event of 2024, Fitur travel trade fair in Madrid, advancing its priorities for the sector for the year ahead. Ahead of Fitur, UN Tourism the new name for the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) released its latest data. The first World Tourism Barometer of the year highlighted the sector's recovery, with international arrivals back to 88% of pre-pandemic levels at the end of 2023. With full recovery expected in 2024, UN Tourism again served as the bridge between public and private sector leaders to build a more resilient and sustainable future. The organisation welcomed a series of high-level visitors to its Madrid headquarters. The visit of the President of Ecuador Daniel Noboa Azin underscored his country's commitment to tourism as a source of growth and development, also reflected in Ecuador being the official partner country of Fitur 2024. Secretary-General Pololikashvili commended President Noboa and Ecuador's Minister of Tourism Niels Olsen Peet, for making clear the role tourism can play in bringing hope and promoting understanding even in challenging times. In recognition of his leading role, President Noboa Azin was presented with an honorary UN Tourism plaque. Within the framework of Fitur Secretary-General Pololikashvili also held bilateral meetings with the Ministers of Tourism of Albania, Argentina, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Czechia, Dominican Republic, Gambia, Gabon, Haiti, Jamaica, Iran, Jordan, Palestine, Tanzania, Jordan, Serbia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Focus on tourism investments UN Tourism has identified investment as a key priority for transforming the sector. Within the framework of Fitur, UN Tourism hosted "Invest in Zambia", bringing together public sector leaders from the country as well as from other African member states, alongside high-level private sector representatives and investors. Alongside this, UN Tourism further built on its partnership with the Investment Bank for Latin America (CAF). The two parties agreed to jointly publish "Tourism Doing Business" Investment Guidelines focused on Brazil, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico and Peru, while also re-launching the revised guidelines for investing in tourism in Ecuador. Building a more ethical and sustainable sector UN Tourism gathered together a number of signatories of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism. The side event reinforced the shared commitment to addressing climate challenges across the whole of the tourism sector, highlighting key challenges as well as opportunities to do better. Additionally, the International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO) formally welcomed its newest members, Nuevo Leon (Mexico) and Peten (Guatemala). They bring the global network to 44 members. Also growing in size and impact is the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism. UN Tourism welcomed three new private sector signatories, Pinero, Kuoni and Hotel Taimar to the Code, a comprehensive set of principles that helps to maximise the benefits and minimise the negative impacts that tourism development can have on the environment, cultural heritage and societies around the world. Best Tourism Villages 2024 launched Continuing its work to grow tourism as a pillar of rural development, UN Tourism opened applications for the 2024 edition of its "Best Tourism Villages" initiative. UN Tourism Member States are invited to submit up to eight candidate villages. Applications are open until 24 April 2024, with the selected villages announced in the third quarter of the year. Dakota Johnson told America who runs this country during the opening of this weeks episode of Saturday Night Live. And the reveal should surprise no one. The Fifty Shades of Grey star hit the Studio 8H stage for a 5-minute monologue promoting her new movie, looking back at red carpet antics with her dad Don Johnson and reuniting with a famous co-star. But first, Johnson reminded the audience the last time she hosted the sketch comedy show was right after SNLs star-studded 40th anniversary special in 2015. I was actually in the audience for that special, she said, as producers cut to a photo of Johnson doing a bit in the crowd. She pointed out the collection of celebrities seated around her in the auditorium. Sarah Palin, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg. And look whos sitting right behind me. Cameras then zoomed in on former then-presidential hopeful Donald Trump behind Johnson, sitting amused with his arms folded. But then came the punchline. Its just crazy to be standing so close to someone who would become the most powerful person in America, Johnson said, as the camera quickly panned down the photo to reveal Taylor Swift seated in the row directly in front of her. The gag obviously references Swifts influence as a pop icon, still in the midst of her record-breaking Eras Tour which has earned more than $1 billion and further cemented her spot as one of the most popular musicians of all time. The joke drew a big laugh, as Johnson then promoted her new movie Madame Web, hitting theaters on Valentines Day, and then welcomed musical guest Justin Timberlake to the stage as they reminisced about co-starring in the 2010 film The Social Network. Saturday marked Johnsons second stint as host of SNL, her first coming in 2015 with musical guests Alabama Shakes. The Grammy-winners from Athens performed Dont Wanna Fight and Gimme All Your Love in their second appearance on the show. The Alabama Democratic Party was critical Saturday of a tweet from Gov. Kay Ivey recognizing International Holocaust Remembrance Day on the heels of the state using nitrogen gas to execute Kenneth Eugene Smith. Today, we remember the millions of lives lost to unfathomable hatred mindful that antisemitism still tries to resurface in our world. To never again see such evil carry out, we will always continue to preserve the memory of this painful history, Ivey wrote in the post on X, formerly known as Twitter. About four hours after Iveys tweet, the official Alabama Democrats X account responded with the following: A man was gassed to death for 22 minutes Thursday with your permission but yes, tell us more about never again seeing such evil carried out. While some commenters had a similar response, others condemned the Democrats response. What about the victim he brutally assaulted and killed? Where is your outrage over that? These two scenarios are NOT the same. You should do better! BamaBiatch (@WhatTheCrapYall) January 27, 2024 In late 2023, the Alabama Democratic Party was admonished by the Anti-Defamation Leagues office in Atlanta for a social media post likening Sen. Tommy Tubervilles views on the military to Adolf Hitler. The party was responding to an anti-Tuberville ad that included a clip of Alabamas senior senator criticizing the American military as weak and that all this wokeness is infiltrating our military. The Alabama Public Library Service is expected to discuss ways to handle complaints about inappropriate books in public libraries at its next meeting Jan. 30. Gov. Kay Ivey criticized the library service last year for not doing enough to protect children from inappropriate material. She threatened to remove funding for libraries that dont do more. The board plans to discuss an inappropriate book list, which was created in December. The current list has 82 books, including 23 deemed inappropriate by Clean Up Alabama, an organization leading book challenges statewide. Also on the agenda is Sen. Chris Elliotts (R-Baldwin County) pre-filed SB-10 bill, which clarifies how county and city officials can remove local library board members. The bill adds that board members shall serve at the pleasure of their respective appointing authority and may be removed at any time by a majority vote of the appointing authority. The agenda includes recognizing former board vice-chair Virginia Doyle for her 20 years of service. Ivey removed Doyle from the board after Doyle expressed concerns about the legislature pulling funds for libraries. Other agenda items include: Status of the Opinion from the Attorney Generals Office: The APLS requested an opinion from Attorney General Steve Marshall about oversight of the APLS oversees individual library operations. The APLS distributes state funding to libraries but doesnt dictate policy. In the November meeting, Ben Albritton with the attorney generals office said Marshall had 90 days to reply and that 90-day period has expired. APLS Administrative Code Updates: Gov. Ivey threatened to pull funding if libraries cant prevent children from checking out inappropriate books. Ivey suggested changes to APLS policy that will go through the Alabama Legislative Reference Service. Letter to Emily Drabinski, President, American Library Association (ALA): When Drabinski was elected in April 2022 as the national organizations ALAs president, she celebrated with a now-removed Tweet that referred to herself as a Marxist and a lesbian. At the November board meeting, Pack said she would write a letter to Drabinski detailing how her Tweet negatively impacted the library community. Pack recommended APLS leave the ALA to protect funding. The board plans to decide on ALA affiliation in March when their membership is up for renewal. The full agenda can be found here. The meeting was originally scheduled for Jan. 18 but was postponed due to inclement weather. The meeting is at 10 a.m. on Jan. 30 at the Alabama Public Library Service building at 6030 Monticello Drive in Montgomery. An alert for a missing woman in Florence has been canceled. The Florence Police Department had asked for public assistance in finding a missing woman. Shianna Danielle Turberville, 24, was reported missing after being last seen on Friday at 7:08 p.m. wearing dark blue scrubs in the area of Mall Road in Florence, according to an alert issued Saturday by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. That alert was canceled later Saturday morning. U.S. House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan encouraged a crowd of conservative voters Saturday outside a rural wedding venue in Robertsdale to vote for U.S. Rep. Barry Moore on March 5, because he cares about the things you care about. Jordans push for Moores candidacy came during the end of a speech highlighted with stories about his personal conversations with former President Donald Trump, and the concerns he has about liberal politicians coming after our fundamental liberties. Jordan, an Ohio Republican and a founder of the right-wing House Freedom Caucus, said Moore has the same fighter attributes as Trump, and an American attitude also shared by Moore. You know what hes like, and thats why you are out here supporting him, Jordan said about Moore, a member of the House Freedom Caucus who was first elected to Congress in 2020. Hes that kind of guy. Jordan also spent Saturday campaigning for U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Hoover, the other Alabama lawmaker who is a member of the Freedom Caucus. Palmer is opposed by Gerrrick Wilkins, who was recently endorsed by former National Security Advisor Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn. In Robertsdale, the campaign rally was aimed at boosting Moores appeal ahead of a GOP primary contest against fellow Republican U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl of Mobile. The two are battling out in a rare contest of incumbents for a congressional seat in Alabama. Barry Moore is a dear friend, a good man and you know that, Jordan said. In 5-1/2 weeks, make sure hes the next guy staying in Washington and fighting for the things we fight for. Neither Moore nor Jordan mentioned Carl during their remarks, though Moore said afterward that he believes he is the preferred choice among conservative voters within a district that was redrawn into an even more Republican-leaning district than it was before a federal court intervened in Alabamas congressional redistricting. Baldwin and Mobile counties have the districts largest population bases, but much of the City of Mobile is now in the 2nd congressional district, leaving right-leaning Baldwin County as the dominant population base. The two counties are joined with seven rural and heavily conservative counties to its east extending into the Wiregrass. Dothan, in Houston County, is the districts largest city with a population slightly more than 71,000 residents. (The) district went from 75th most conservative to the 6th most, Moore said, referring to a Cook Political Report analysis of the district after the court-ordered redrawing of Alabamas congressional map that led to the 2nd district becoming more left-leaning to give Black voters a chancel to select a candidate of their choice. Moore is the current 2nd district congressman whose home in Enterprise was redrawn into the 1st district. I can run on a (conservative) record and because Im the only House Freedom Caucus member in this race who is fighting to save the nation rather than bring home the bacon, Moore said. The swamp doesnt want me back and they dont want Trump back. The Carl campaign declined to comment about the rally. The rally was also the first since a debate on Wednesday in which Moore and Carl showed some differences in philosophy over a few issues, namely on their views about spending on national defense. Moore voted against the National Defense Authorization Act, saying he is concerned over ballooning federal deficits, unchecked spending on Ukraine, and concern over the four-month extension of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Moore told the media there were several things added into the $886.3 billion NDAA he felt were a poison pill and were a reason why he was a No vote. Moore was the only Alabama member of Congress to vote against the defense spending bill that was passed out of the House with a 310-118 vote. Carl, during the debate, blasted Moore for the No vote, saying that not supporting a national defense bill was about as unAmerican as you can get. He said the NDAA included a 5.2% pay raise for members of the military, and touted the defense bill for including funding to support new ships built at Mobiles Austal USA plant, and $40 million toward Fort Novosel, formerly Fort Rucker. The Freedom Caucus, in the days before the NDAA vote, came out in opposition largely over the FISA authorization. First enacted in 2008, Section 702 of FISA legalized a form of warrantless surveillance first authorized by the Bush administration after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Congress has acted several times to extend Section 702, but the law was set to expire last month. The NDAA vote leaves it intact until April. Some Republicans oppose the program, distrustful of the FBI and its investigation into Trumps 2016 campaign ties with Russia. If you left all nine of the good things (the House Freedom Caucus pushed for) instead of stripping eight of them out, and still said well authorize the FBIs spying on Trump and American citizens during an election year, I would have been a No vote, Moore said. " Those soldiers called my office and said we appreciate you standing and holding the line and we are fighting for the nation and dont mind we didnt get a 5% raise. The fact you said the FBI cannot spy on U.S. citizens, thats more important. Liberty is ultimately the thing. President Biden is in a pickle of his own making, and his efforts to deal with it are as idiotic and destructive as his open borders policy has been. Last month alone over 300,000 mostly military age men illegally crossed our border, with the Border Patrol tasked to easing their invasion and even making them sandwiches rather than detaining and deporting them. Texas governor Greg Abbott directed his National Guard to obstruct their passage by placing floats in the river at the border and installing barbed wire topped fences at Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas. He also spread the misery the border states were feeling by transporting many of the illegal crossers to cities that had virtue signaled they were sanctuary cities, cities that would not turn over illegals to ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) for detention and deportation. Now, those same cities -- which apparently thought El Paso was better able to handle housing and feeding and providing medical care for millions of largely needy military-aged men than they were -- are begging for help and federal money as they are overwhelmed by the task they dreamed would be shouldered by the border states. Polls show that the majority of citizens are strongly opposed to this invasion. Former FBI officials have warned that this influx of unvetted invaders from around the world who have been allowed to travel freely around the country pose a serious national security threat. Still, the President, who blocked further construction of the wall Trump was constructing and ended the Trump policy of making asylum seekers stay in Mexico as their claims were processed, doubled down on allowing unlimited free passage into the United Sates. He demanded that Abbott tear down the border barriers. A federal court enjoined the Administration from removing the barriers to free passage into the country. (Most of these asylum claims lack merit, but it takes years to process during which time the applicants are living and working here.) Border Patrol is being instructed to facilitate illegal entry at scale into the United States. The fundamental problem is that anyone can claim asylum with zero proof, which means all of Earth can come to America. The Administration sought relief from the Supreme Court and got it: The District Court injunction was lifted. Abbott continued nevertheless to fortify the barriers. Governors of 26 states wrote in support of Abbotts actions, some even have sent National Guardsmen and other law enforcement to help Texas defend the border. Nothing, it seems, will stop Biden from pursuing this unpopular, and in my mind, illegal policy. This week, the Administration placed its hopes on a negotiated deal with Congress, tying an immigration fix with aid to Ukraine and Israel. Some Senate Republican poohbahs might be amenable but it doesnt appear the House will go along with any such thing. To date no one knows what the specifics are except that the Democrats at the outset declared off limits any discussion about completing the wall. Theres been a perfectly good immigration law on the books for years which was passed by the House and Senate. It simply needs to be enforced, not ignored. The open border administration is floundering between trying to satisfy more moderate voters (which unfortunately for Democrats includes many of the minority voters in their base who are most deleteriously affected by an open border policy) and its far-left youth faction. First, they had the Department of Homeland Security demand access to Shelby Park, to remove the invasion barriers. Texas attorney general Ken Paxton made some counter-demands: By February 15, DHS must supply the official plat maps and deeds demonstrating the precise parcels to which they claim ownership, an explanation of how Texas is preventing access to those specific parcels, documentation showing that Eagle Pass or Texas ever granted permission for DHS to erect infrastructure that interferes with border security, and proof of Congress empowering DHS to turn a Texas park into an unofficial and illegal port of entry. If the federal government is going to make such claims, it must provide proof. In a sense, Im sorry DHS wont be getting access because one picture of them cutting the wire in Shelby Park should insure a Republican landslide victory. The Administration at some point through the media remoras let it be known it was considering criminal action against the Texas Border Patrol. Unfortunately for that plan, the Texas Border Patrol doesnt seem to be scared off. According to a new post put out by the Border Patrol Union, and a new report from Griff Jenkins of Fox News, Biden has lost operational control of the situation, at least in a practical sense. The Biden administration had initially warned Texas that it had until mid-day Friday to relinquish control of Shelby Park, the nearby boat dock, and the International Bridge. That deadline has now come and gone, and instead of there being a major clash between the Border Patrol and the state-controlled soldiers on site, it appears those on the ground have already de-escalated the situation. The Border Patrol Union ends by slamming Biden for creating the current "catastrophe" and reiterating that there will be no conflict between CBP agents and state forces. The statement is a clear signal of support for the Texas National Guard, its mission, and those leading it, including Gov. Greg Abbott. Rank-and-file BP agents appreciate and respect what TX has been doing to defend their state in the midst of this catastrophe that the Biden Admin has unleashed on America. We want to be perfectly clear, there is no fight between rank-and-file BP agents and the TX NG, Gov. Abbott, or TX DPS. It may make flashy headlines, but it simply isn't true. Furthering the division between the Border Patrol and the White House was a senior CBP official who said they have no plans to follow through on removing the razor wire put up by Texas. Biden has completely lost whatever leverage he had. This is an incredible turn of events. I don't know if "mutiny" is the right word here, but clearly, Biden has no way to enforce his threats at this point. Border Patrol agents are not going to go along with it and short of using the Insurrection Act to mobilize the U.S. Army (and they likely wouldn't act either), this represents a major roadblock to the president's attempts to further destroy the Southern border. All other pathways seemingly having been unavailing, the Administration attempted to economically punish Texas and, in the process, has helped Russia increase its economic hold through energy sales to Europe, strengthen China, cost American jobs, and irritated our allies while doing nothing to promote the climate change policies it also stupidly endorses. It announced a ban on further permitting of Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) exporting. Nobody in the White House seems to understand that countries sign long-term contracts years in advance so they can plan their energy infrastructure and needs. They wont build new gas plants or import terminals without supply locked in -- or they will turn to more reliable sources. Russia now looks like a more reliable energy source than the U.S. Much of the supply from LNG projects in the works is slated for Asia. They would strengthen U.S. relationships and influence in the region to counter China. Xi Jinping no doubt is elated by the Administrations pause, which will do more damage to U.S. strategic interests than blocking the Keystone XL pipeline. Re-election imperatives have partly restrained the Presidents attack on fossil fuels in his first term, but dont expect the same in a second. Recall how the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in early 2022 backtracked on a plan to conduct greenhouse-gas analyses for natural gas pipelines and export projects after West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin raised a ruckus. But Mr. Manchin is retiring, and Mr. Biden wont need to worry about him in a second term. Nor will he have to heed voters in states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. Mr. McKibben will lead a no-holds-barred childrens crusade against fossil fuels. Is Mr. Biden trying to give Americans another reason to vote for Donald Trump? The largest LNG operations happen to be in Texas and it is impossible to see this as anything but a means to punish Abbotts closing of the border. It will do nothing to ease chimerical climate change. Natural gas is one of the most benign sources of energy, even if you subscribe -- and I do not -- to the notion that CO2 emissions need to be severely limited. What it will do is create great problems for our European allies and Asian countries who depend on and plan for steady supplies of energy to meet their domestic needs. Who dreamed up this ludicrous strategy? Apparently 25-year-old Tik Tok influencer Alex Haraus, who demanded Biden save the planet by killing the Calcasieu Pass 2 Natural gas Project. It appears that having infuriated most of the country with an outlandish immigration policy, it hopes to pick up the ignorant youth vote to make up for the loss of millions of voters who see and feel the consequences of those policies. Many liberals are astounded that evangelical Christians support Donald Trump for president. On the night of the Iowa caucus, MSNBC reporter Joy Reid aimed an on-air rant at white Christians [who] see themselves as the rightful inheritors of this country. ... And this is what the Democrats are going to face this is now what white evangelicalism is. It is Christian nationalism. Ms. Reid and her cohorts believe that evangelicals are the misled malicious MAGA minions of Donald Trump. Rather than portraying evangelicals as racists, Ms. Reid should ask why conservative Christians vote for Republicans. Evangelicals have voted for Republicans since 1980, when they deserted Jimmy Carter, a Southern Baptist, to vote for Ronald Reagan. Conservative Christians have continued to vote for Republicans and have no incentive to switch. Democrats believe they are the arbiters of morality and use government agencies to force their reimagined morality on the people. President Obama believes that evangelicals cling bitterly to their religion. Hillary Clinton tossed them into her basket of deplorables. Bidens DOJ wanted to investigate Catholics who choose to celebrate the old Mass. The House Judiciary Committee recently disclosed that the Treasury Department warned banks that customers purchasing religious texts might be violent extremists. Federal investigators then asked the banks to hand over their customer records related to the purchase of Bibles and other extremist material. Since the Feds regulate and control the banks, the records were delivered without a warrant. Evangelicals view Biden, not Trump, as the threat to democracy. At a White House Pride Party last summer, a man calling himself a woman exposed himself on the White House lawn moments after shaking hands with Joe Biden. Democrats suggest that transgender people use restrooms for the opposite sex. Public schools have become tools of state indoctrination teaching children that pansexuality is a morally viable lifestyle. If one doesnt accept the states idolatry of pansexuality, one is accused of bigotry. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon summarized liberal intolerance in an interview with CNBC, saying, The Democrats have done a good job with the deplorables, hugging their Bibles and their beer and their guns. I mean, really? Can we stop that stuff and actually grow up and treat other people respectfully and listen to them a little bit? The government has authority to enact laws, but making something legal doesnt make it a moral virtue. Its legal to consume alcohol and tobacco, but engaging in these activities can be self-destructive. Legality doesnt neutralize the physical and mental damage that abuse of these substances causes. The government may prescribe morality, but the people arent obliged to ingest it. Thomas Jefferson suggested that the First Amendment provides, a wall of separation between church and state. The wall is a metaphor created by Jefferson in his letter to the Danbury Baptists, which went on to say, Religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions. The wall of separation was a convenient device used by liberals to help end school prayer in 1962. Today, liberals ignore the wall of separation and have empowered themselves to change cultural norms and reimagine morality. Politicians often change peoples opinions, but Democrats use the machinations of government bureaucracy to force their opinions on the people. This is the illegitimate use of government power that Jefferson warned against. Ms. Reid likely doesnt understand why anyone, evangelical or otherwise, would vote for Trump. He has been hounded, harassed, and harangued by Democrats since he decided to run for president in 2016. Democrats may fund a Department of Seances so they can follow Trump into the afterlife. Anyone whom the Democrats work so hard to beat must be doing something right. These trials and tribulations have arguably made Trump a stronger candidate. Trump is a known quantity to evangelicals. They know that Trump selected three conservative Supreme Court justices, worked to secure the border, and presided over a strong economy during his term as president. They know that Trump isnt perfect, but they also know he wont use the government as a tool to shove the Democrats reimagined morality down peoples throats. Joe Biden will. Joe Biden is no saint. There is ample evidence that he is a corrupt politician who has accepted huge sums of money to influence government policies and actions. Jim Biden told a business partner that his brother Joe was safe so long as he could plausibly deny taking bribes. One would have to be naive or a Democrat to suspend belief in the evidence of corruption compiled by the House Oversight Committee. The theme song of the Democrat party should be Cole Porters Broadway showstopper Anything Goes. Democrats work overtime to force their anything goes philosophy on the American people. Despite Ms. Reids admonitions, voting for Trump is an easy decision for evangelical Christians. One would be astounded if any religious person, regardless of race or creed, voted for Joe Biden. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. 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.. Founded by Puritan settlers in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1636, Harvard University is the oldest and most prestigious university in the United States and one of the best known in the world. Today, Harvards future hangs in the balance. How did Harvard arrive at this junction? Can it be reformed? Harvard College was founded to educate Puritan clergy in Holy Scripture from the original Hebrew and Greek and in the Latin writings of the Church Fathers, the Scholastic philosophers, and the Reformers. In 1639, Harvard was named after John Harvard, who bequeathed his library of more than 400 books and a large sum of money for the building fund. Henry Dunster, a young graduate of Cambridge University, became the first president of Harvard in 1640. He instituted a three-year classical academic course for the Bachelors degree based on the English university model of Oxford and Cambridge, but consistent with the Puritan philosophy of the first colonists. Fearing that without a religious education their children would become barbarians, the colonists deemed educating clergy most urgent. Although the broad purpose of Harvard was the advancement of knowledge, students were reminded that acquiring knowledge for its own sake without Christ as the foundation was futile. By the 1690s, Harvard had already drifted leftward with liberal, anti-Calvinist influences infiltrating the governing body. Because Harvard had become so liberal, by 1701, Yale University was founded. In 1707, John Leverett became Harvards first liberal layman president, ending the pattern of hiring orthodox Puritan clergy. During the first 50 years of our nation, there were important intellectual and philosophical changes with far-ranging consequences. By 1800, the liberalism established by Leverett set Harvard on a secular course with Unitarianism, which rejects the Trinity, the divinity of Christ, and the tenets of Calvinism. With the 1805 takeover of Harvard by Unitarians, Harvard became the citadel of religious and moral liberalism and anti-Calvinism, with compulsory morning chapel being jettisoned in the 1880s. Although Harvard Divinity School claims to be non-sectarian, it is overwhelmingly Unitarian Universalist in orientation and closer to Buddhism, deism, and the New Age movement than to Christianity. The presence of Muslim and humanist chaplains further confirms that Harvard has strayed far from its founding principles. There was a vast difference between the biblical views of Calvinists and liberals. Calvinists hold a God-centered worldview and believed man to be innately sinful. Unitarians reject this God-centered worldview, believing that evil is caused by ignorance, poverty, social injustice, and other environmental and social factors. They believe that man can be perfected through education, which will eliminate ignorance, which will eliminate poverty, which will eliminate social injustice, which will eliminate crime. It was Unitarians, along with socialists, who were a major force in the public education movement so they could control what children learn. It is Unitarian liberalism, at the core of American political liberalism, that holds that government can solve all of societys problems. Because of its liberal philosophy, Harvard has had a longstanding practice of affirmative action. Under the leadership of racist, left-wing ideologue Claudine Gay as professor, dean, and president, a DIE program was developed that has influenced every faucet of university life. Her racist ideology informed her scholarship, administrative policies, and rise in the university. Even after the Supreme Court found Harvards racially discriminatory admissions program directed toward whites and Asians unconstitutional, Gay defended the universitys policies. Gay has drawn the ire of not only the public, but wealthy donors for her failure to stop the rampant antisemitism on campus following the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel and for her flagrant plagiarism in her academic work, exposing her as an academic fraud. Billionaire Jewish investor and Harvard alumnus Bill Ackman demanded her termination, claiming that she has done more damage to the reputation of the institution than any other individual in its nearly 500-year history and cost the university more than one billion dollars in donations. Ultimately resigning, Gay admitted no wrongdoing but blamed personal attacks and threats fueled by racial animus. Although the right views Gays resignation as a victory, the fact is that Harvard is not going to change, nor will its DIE program be abolished. Like most all academia, the university has been captured and hollowed out by leftist ideologues who want to destroy Western civilization and replace it with their own totalitarian utopia. Instead of firing Gay, the board chose to retain her as a professor, despite her plagiarism, with a salary of approximately $900,000. A letter by nearly 700 faculty members to the board urged not only that Gay not be terminated, but that public opinion be ignored. In his message to the Harvard community, interim president Alan Garber signaled that the spirit of DIE will continue: Rededicating ourselves to free inquiry and expression, in a climate of inclusion and a spirit of mutual respect, has never mattered more. A January 18 email to the public from Sherri Charleston, chief diversity and inclusion officer, also signaled that nothing will change: It is no easy task to write this to you after all that has transpired across our world, in our nation, and here, within the Harvard community over the past weeks and months and yet I am writing buttressed by hope. To be clear, hope does not require the absence of grief or despair. Hope, for me, is simply a refusal to concede defeat. Harvard University, and others like it, cannot be reformed. They are akin to a house with a rotten foundation. The public must accept that these institutions are our enemies who intend to destroy us and our way of life. They must be abolished and new universities established with the singular purpose of academic learning as were the original universities. Woke institutions cannot survive if their funding is cut. Already big donors are yanking their money. Increasing the rate at which large university endowments are taxed is another arrow in our quiver. Ohio senator J.D. Vance has proposed a bill to raise the tax rate of endowments over $10 billion from 1.4 percent to 35 percent. With reduced funding, there will be fewer slush funds for woke programs such as DIE. Woke institutions cannot survive if students find better options elsewhere. Elite schools will lose their veneer of prestige and experience degree deflation as the public rejects these overpriced indoctrination centers that lack academic rigor. Already a counterrevolution is underway. Image: Widener Library, Harvard University. Credit: Joseph Williams via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0. Before I present five main matters impacting the current stage of the Hamas War, I would like to make clear I am a Zionist and pro-Israel. I hope any reader of what I am about to write will conclude that I am trying my best to be constructive and objective. I believe there are these issues, which conflict with one another: a) Netanyahus comments and objectives. b) The impact of Israels response to the unprovoked and brutal Oct. 7 Hamas invasion of Israel, and Bibis comments, actions, and specific goals, which affect Egypts armistice agreement with Israel and the Philadelphi Corridor. c) The current fighting in Khan Yunis, with Palestinians caught in the middle. d) The forthcoming European meeting of Americas CIA director, the head of Qatar, and Egypts intelligence official, and Hamass demands regarding hostages. e) The aftermath of the war as pertains to who controls Gaza. Netanyahu has been clear: Hamass leaderships ability to orchestrate another Oct. 7, must be eliminated. So must members of their terrorist military as an effective force. It is this issue, in combination with demands that Palestinian refugees be given access into Egypt through the Philadelphi Corridor, that creates sensitive problems for Egypt. Why? First, it allegedly violates specificity called for in the armistice agreement. Second, even though Egypt may secretly take comfort in Israels destruction of Hamas, Egyptians must not be seen embracing actions that cause angst among and increase tensions with the Muslim Brotherhood. There are Israelis who believe that Netanyahus demands regarding Egypts opening of the Philadelphi Corridor do violate the specific terms of the armistice and thus cause unnecessary tension between Egypt and Israel. Furthermore, Netanyahu is particularly offended by African demands that Israel be tried before the World Court for committing atrocities, though he recognizes that continued fighting in a concentrated area exposes Palestinian refugees. However, he argues, Israel did not want or start this war and has every moral right to defend itself. And the IDF is the most moral army in the world. The upcoming closed meeting in France is seen by those, with hopeful views, as an effort by Biden to resolve the release of the hostages. Obviously, there are those who are less positive because they do not trust Qatar and believe that Hamas will only keep increasing its impossible demands. Finally, Netanyahu, in a recent address to his people, held up a copy of Mein Kamp, with other hate documents taken from Gazan and West Bank Palestinian homes, to demonstrate why Israel must protect itself against any future attack by Hamas and other such terrorist organizations. Israel cannot depend upon others. Thus, he was adamant: Gaza cannot be returned to being overseen by remnants of surviving Hamas elements, those capable of destroying Israel, etc. The various issues of each party are legitimate, save, perhaps, those of Hamas. Obviously, the overlapping and crisscrossing produce dynamic obstacle pathways towards a peaceful resolution. How this Gordian knot is resolved is anyones guess. Image via Pexels. Could the potential constitutional crisis brewing in Texas spark a second civil war? It should be no surprise Texas could be the flashpoint. Dont Mess With Texas means far more to Texans than a casual taunt. I know; Im a former Texan. Were one to uncritically accept media reporting, one would believe evil Texans, led by the ultimately evil Governor Gregg Abbott, have sealed off the southern border with razor wire, causing innumerable undocumented migrants to drown as the outraged Border Patrol stands by, weeping, unable to rescue them. Those evil Texans are defying the Supreme Court! Accordingly, the noble Joe Biden must federalize the Texas National Guard to force open the border to guarantee the safety of the undocumented and America. It's the diverse, equitable and inclusive thing to do! Graphic: X screenshot Accepting the reporting of the Democrat/socialist/communist (D/s/c) Party propaganda arm would mean getting it all wrong. It would also potentially mean supporting a second civil war pushed by the Mummified Meat Puppet Administration (MMPA) in the defense of our democracy, a tyranny of the majority. From time to time, novels turn out to be, if not exactly prophetic, at least illuminating in explaining current affairs, perhaps even the future. Kurt Schlichters Kelly Turnbull series of novels, eight thus far, have become prescient in illustrating the reality of an America riven by civil war. All Schlichter had to do was take the contemporary DEI movement to its logicalactually, illogical--extremes. In 2016 Stephen Coonts published Libertys Last Stand, a novel in which a leftist president declares martial law, canceling elections and sparking a second civil war. Guess which state first fights back? Texas, of course, and Americans inspired and led by Texas eventually preserve our constitutional republic. Graphic: scan of book jacket Ultimately, what happens in Texas could determine Americas future. All thats truly necessary to avoid civil war is for all Americans to embrace and honor the Constitution and the rule of lawnot menit establishes. Thats why Americans increasingly believe civil war is inevitable, 50% or more in various surveys. D/s/cs want to destroy, or ignore, the Constitution. Normal Americans honor it, and recognize its necessity in holding together a truly diverse and tolerant nation. Whats really happening in Texas? Are Texans heartlessly drowning the undocumented? Have they closed off the entire border? Are Texans ignoring the Supreme Court and breaking the law? Will Joe Bidens handlers federalize the National Guard, and if so, will the Guard obey illegal orders? Who really has the law on their side and what does the Constitution say about it? Is the Border Patrol really at odds with Texas? Will Bidens handlers send federal law enforcement and active-duty military forces to Texas to open the border by force? Would those federal forces really kill fellow Americans to force open our southern border? Would Texans fight back? Would other states join with Texas in opposing the Federal Government? Who is really on the side of the Constitution and the rule of law? Take this link to an article that answers those questions. No sane American wants a second civil war. Fully understanding the issues will help to prevent one. Recognizing Dont Mess With Texas is more than a slogan will also help. Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor. Here in San Diego, we get very little rain. But when we do get it, it's a torrent. Even it isn't a torrent by, say, Florida standards, it's a torrent to us, enough to create disruptions. Here's a pretty intolerable one: Urgent Reality Check. The undeniable link between our homelessness crisis & floods in San Diego hits hard. Tents, sleeping bags, trash, shopping carts in the canals clogged the drains. The call is crystal clear: MORE shelter beds NOW & strict canal maintenance enforcement. pic.twitter.com/FKuMEjXBFR Amy Reichert (@amyforsandiego) January 27, 2024 So they've been tolerating homeless tent encampments for years, despite laws against illegal camping, and instead of ensure that those messes made are cleaned up, city officials let them clog the storm drains, which creates flooding conditions for tax-paying residents who paid for the drains, and whose lives don't revolve around obtaining illegal drugs. That's what the bum encampments are about. And as far as the City goes, apparently nobody's in charge, nobody regulates that big chunks of litter and garbage from these homeless encampments might affect the flood control in place to save homes. Amy Reichert, a local pol associated with the Republicans who wasn't elected Supervisor when she ran in the last election (I wish she was) says she's seen this firsthand, and the local press has been reporting it since 2017: Last year, I went into the flood canals with a search team to find a missing teenager. Everything I have tweeted is a firsthand account. Also the local media documented the encampments blocking storm drains as far back as 2017. Amy Reichert (@amyforsandiego) January 27, 2024 The creepy thing is that residents out in the back boonies of the county (the ones who vote red) are suffering mightily from this kind of neglect. Look at this failure by blue city officials to listen to any of their concerns: Flood impacted resident received embarrassingly bad email response from District 4 San Diego County Supervisors office. Despite concerns about a blocked, bacteria-filled storm canal, the county's reply was about providing access to dumpsters. People need more than dumpsters! pic.twitter.com/zuchG2BHLV Amy Reichert (@amyforsandiego) January 26, 2024 Residents in District 4 feel like they are being ignored by the County after the flooding. The new Supervisor says she has plenty of dumpsters. pic.twitter.com/ogtgMw0wWX Amy Reichert (@amyforsandiego) January 26, 2024 Apparently, they want the residents to clean out the storm drains, even though some inspector would be right there with the handcuffs or a citation to write if they dared do it. They won't even get Joe Biden to pay for it, seeking declaration of a federal disaster area, even though clearly it is a disaster area. Residents in District 4 feel like they are being ignored by the County after the flooding. The new Supervisor says she has plenty of dumpsters. pic.twitter.com/ogtgMw0wWX Amy Reichert (@amyforsandiego) January 26, 2024 Might draw attention to those flotsam-filled storm drains .... What they won't do is clean out the tent cities, which is where the problem is coming from. Despite a billion-dollar budget shortfall, the City has lots of money for migrants rolling in from foreign countries: Just remember. The County of San Diego gave $6 million to migrants (debit cards, airfare, shelter) with a 14% of being granted asylum. Now telling people who are San Diego residents who lost their homes to floods to basically go pound sand Amy Reichert (@amyforsandiego) January 26, 2024 What they don't have is money for her: I feel betrayed by my government. I work. I pay taxes. I never ask for anything. ~Patricia Sanchez, flood victim & District 4 resident unincorporated Spring Valley pic.twitter.com/O7eYvek1uu Amy Reichert (@amyforsandiego) January 26, 2024 They tolerate this crap going on, too, insult to injury: Beware of scammers & price gougers after the San Diego flooding. A blue car stranded in flooded chaos - a symbol of the wreckage of our failed infrastructure in San Diego. Heartless tow truck driver swoops in, tows it just ONE block, and demands $200 from the distressed pic.twitter.com/JwGJ5CitCA Amy Reichert (@amyforsandiego) January 25, 2024 It's just incredible what is going on as residents find themselves on the bad end of a rain disaster and City officials are worse than useless -- they actually aid and abet the conditions that create mayhem. Their priority is the convenience of bums rather than the well-being of law-abiding taxpayers who own homes. One hopes that San Diego's residents will change their voting habits, but the blue zones in the County call the shots, not the struggling rural desert and mountain areas in the east, so the prospect is remote. One can only cross one's fingers then that exposure to the issue will finally shame them into cleaning up the homeless situation or that residents find a way to sue them. All by herself, Amy Reichert is doing a hell of a job (that the press should be doing) getting that information out there. Image: Twitter screen shot New York Citys American Museum of Natural History, founded in 1869, was one of the worlds premier science institutions. Now, thanks to the leftism that it has supported, it has literally been forced to erase Native American history for the foreseeable future. The Schadenfreude is delicious. Once, the museum taught visitors about the lives of Eastern Woodlands and Plains Indians. According to the museums soon-to-be-erased web page about the Eastern Woodlands Indians, The Hall of Eastern Woodlands focuses on the traditional cultures of the Native American peoples, including the Iroquois, Mohegans, Ojibwas, and Crees, living in the Eastern Woodlands of North America through the early 20th century. This hall features a variety of dwelling styles, including an Ojibwa domed wigwam, an Iroquois longhouse, and a Creek council house, along with typical lodgings of the Natchez, Seminole, and Fox peoples. Information about farming techniques, food preparation, clothing styles, and ceremonial practices presents a picture of daily life, and examples of pottery, baskets, tools, metal jewelry, musical instruments, and textiles showcase a wide range of craftsmanship. One highlight is a model of a Menominee birchbark canoe, which was made entirely of forest products and was light enough to be carried from stream to stream. The exhibit details how the canoe was constructed and its importance in transporting people and goods through forested areas. Meanwhile, the soon-to-be erased web page about the Plains Indians explained, The Hall of the Great Plains focuses on the life of 19th-century Hidatsa, Dakota (Sioux), Cheyenne, Arapaho, Crow, and other nations of the North American Plains. For many of these societies, bison was the primary source of food as well as materials for clothing and other items. Hunting was a central part of life, and bravery and skill in hunting were highly valued. Nomadic tribes such as the Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Crow relied on horses and followed the migrations of the great herds of bison until settlers drove these animals to near-extinction in the 1880s. Other groups, such as the Hidatsa, hunted bison but also practiced agriculture and established permanent villages. This hall highlights military and ceremonial societies, which played an important role, as well as games, weapons, and agricultural tools. Distinctive clothing of the Cree, Cheyenne, Assiniboine, Crow, and others is also featured, in addition to different housing styles that include a Blackfoot teepee, a Wichita great house, and a Hidatsa earth lodge. Clearly, both these exhibits were comprehensive, respectful, and even admiring looks at Native Americans. Now, though, thanks in significant part to help from Elizabeth Warren, the famous fake Indian, those halls are closing. The consequence is a new Biden Interior Department rule putting an end to such exhibits. The Interior Department has reinterpreted the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act to require that before anything that Native Americans consider to be sacred, funerary, orand heres the broad oneobjects of cultural patrimony can show up in a museum, lineal descendants or affiliated tribes must give their permission. Thanks to the updated rules, the Museum of Natural History is shutting down its Native American exhibits, the ones that annually exposed tens of thousands of people to Native American life in America. The museum will be re-opening these exhibits, and Im sure you can imagine just how politically correct the renewed exhibitions will be. After all, this is the same museum that removed the Theodore Roosevelt statue that sat at its entrance for 80 years, despite his status as one of the museums founders and his role in preserving much of Americas natural (and Native American) history. The Museum of Natural History, of course, is not the only leftist bastion to shut the public out of learning about Native American history. The Field Museum in Chicago is engaged in the same process of erasure. Im sure other exhibits across America are being shut down. [UPDATE: Susan Daniels informed me that Cleveland's Museum of Art has also shuttered its exhibit.] One thing I can guarantee is that the new exhibits at these museums, no matter what they gain in accuracy over old ideas and prejudices, will remain silent about the Native Americans affinity for stone-aged practices such as non-stop intertribal warfare, staggeringly cruel torture (see this book, too), mass slaughter (of both humans and animals), and child kidnapping to replace the tribe members lost to the endless violence. As to those matters, leftists cant handle the truth. Image: Battle Between Sioux and Sac and Fox by George Catlin. Public domain. Joe Biden has been in a courthouse free-for-all against the State of Texas, which seeks to protect its border from foreign invaders against Biden's wishes, creating a legal battlefield to shut the state's effort down. Thus far, the Supreme Court -- John Roberts and the gals on the bench -- has ruled for Joe. According to Newsweek: The Biden administration secured a significant win over Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Monday after the Supreme Court voted to allow the removal of razor wire along the U.S.-Mexico border. The Court voted 5-4 in approval of the White House's request to vacate an injunction from the Fifth Circuit in October, which blocked President Joe Biden's administration from instructing federal agents to cut down wire installed in Texas to deter illegal migration. So with that supposed high court victory in hand, I've been waiting for Biden to send in the Border Patrol to start cutting down all the razor wire the Texas National Guard has put up at Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's orders and ... nothing seems to be happening. I'm probably not the only one. Here is what is going around on Twitter: Climate change is a hoax. Nobody's buying what you're selling. We are more concerned about the illegals pouring through our border and you causing ww3. pic.twitter.com/nMLQLGXMhf Sassafrass84 (@Sassafrass_84) January 28, 2024 That may be explained by this story that ran in the Daily Mail: U.S. Border Patrol say there are 'no plans' to dismantle the razor wire installed by the state of Texas along the southern border despite an ongoing legal battle between the Lone Star State and the Biden administration. Texas is currently entangled in a multifaceted legal clash with the federal government concerning the security of the Texas-Mexico border. The legal challenges include the federal government's objection to Texas' recent seizure of Shelby Park near Eagle Pass, ongoing lawsuits regarding the removal of razor wire erected by Texas, and the placement of buoys in the Rio Grande that deliberately block migrants swimming across. Texas contends that it is acting in 'self-defense' against what it characterizes as a migrant 'invasion.' Really? I thought Joe Biden wanted to assert his federal authority by stepping in to show Texas who was boss by cutting the razor wire, and then either federalizing the Texas National Guard or else start arresting them. We could go full third-world on this, with one domestic army fighting another. And photos of the Border Patrol cutting the razor wire to let another million or so illegals in would make such great campaign photos (for President Trump). What was holding Joe back? According to the Daily Wire, it might just be the Border Patrol itself, which has declared its support for Texas, joining 25 states which have also declared support for Texas's assertion of its right to protect its border from foreigners breaking in. The official union of U.S. Customs and Border Protection released a statement on Thursday backing the Texas National Guards attempts to secure the southern border and slamming the Biden administration for its catastrophic border policies. The National Border Patrol Council (NBPC), which has more than 18,000 members, said that the rank-and-file Border Patrol agents appreciate and respect the measures Texas has taken to repel the record flow of illegal immigrants into the U.S. under Biden. TX NG and rank-and-file BP agents work together and respect each others jobs. Period, the NBPC said. If TX NG members have LAWFUL orders, then they have to carry out those orders. Earlier this week, Texas Governor Greg Abbott doubled down on using razor wire to repel migrants from illegally crossing the border after the Supreme Court ruled that Border Patrol agents have the authority to cut through the wire to allow illegal immigrants into the country. On Friday, The Daily Wire found that Texas authorities have not only maintained existing razor wire fortifications but have added razor wire to border barriers, all while continuing to bar Border Patrol from establishing a presence at Shelby Park in Eagle Pass. So Texas is moving forward, carrying on what it has been carrying on before Joe took them to court, and amassing allies, such as the 25 states who have pledged support for Texas's efforts. Biden meanwhile, is acting as he has his hands tied, not wanting to make a move so long as the Fox News cameras are there to record it, and the migrants are ready to surge on in. He wants power, but he has no power over Texas because his own Border Patrol is openly denouncing him and Texas is going about its business, Court or no Court. Where he does have power, such as in shutting the border entirely, a full presidential power he can enact at his discretion, he certainly isn't going to use, being in favor of open borders and the special interests that benefit from open borders. That makes him look weak. Let's see him get in there and send troops to take down the razor wires before the cameras. We know he won't do it, because his poll numbers are tanking on migrant issues and sure enough, it's the top issue for voters, according to polls. So there he stands, with his hands tied, frozen, unable to move, wanting to move but not moving. It's like he didn't plan on actually winning in Court, or expected Texas to run away. No wonder our enemies watch this fool in action and make their decisions accordingly. They'll be sending more "asylum seekers" over -- to one of the non-Texas borders soon. Image: Meme, Twitter screen shot How bad has it gotten for the pro-Ukraine crowd, which is watching with entitled fury as Congress negotiates over yet another aid package in its no-win war? Well, check out this scolding op-ed by The Atlantic's Anne Applebaum, titled "Is Congress Really Going to Abandon Ukraine Now?" She's one the loudest advocates for endless U.S. aid to Ukraine. Here's an amazingly arrogant passage: The looming end of American aid to Ukraine is not a policy decision. For two years, the Biden administration successfully led an international coalition to provide not soldiers but rather military aid to Ukraine. Officials convened regular meetings, consulted with allies, pulled in military support from around the world. Majorities in the U.S. continue to support Ukraine. Majorities in both houses of Congress do too. The Senate is said to have its legislation almost ready to go. But now, for reasons that outsiders find impossible to understand, a minority of Republican members of Congress, in a fit of political pique, are preparing to cut it all off. They might succeed. Many different, bad choices led to this moment. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthys decision last summer to cut Ukraine out of a larger budget bill was the first. The strange idea to link Ukraine aid to controversial changes to U.S. immigration law and border policy was the second. The ballots cast by voters in Iowa and New Hampshire then put Donald Trump on a seemingly unstoppable path to the Republican presidential nomination; Trumps telephone calls to Republican senators, telling them to kill the Ukraine/border legislation, suddenly mattered. His motives are blatantly selfish: He wants the U.S.-Mexico border to remain chaotic so that he can use the issue in his campaign. He doesnt want Biden to benefit from any perceived solution or progress. And he doesnt care if Ukraine runs out of ammunition as a result. So as she puts it, all was going swimmingly in Ukraine's war of self-defense against invading Russia, Joe Biden was displaying able leadership, and all it took was "a minority" of Republican members in Congress, motivated by nothing more than "political pique" to throw a spanner in the works and cut the warbucks to Ukraine off. She ignore the detail about Joe Bidens' weakness, which invited the aggression in the first place. Most voters remember that back when President Trump was in the White House, Russia's leader, Vladimir Putin, was too scared to try to pull an invasion of Ukraine off, viewing Trump as crazy and capable of anything. Not wanting to f--- around and find out, Putin stayed peaceable. But never mind that. She's furious that aid is now under question at all, first suggesting it was a tiny outlier minority causing problems in war-paradise, but as she carries on, it's clear she doesn't understand the political dynamic of Congress's bid to hold Ukraine aid up because the U.S. border needs attention. Because she doesn't get it, and has no idea what's happening here, she lashes out, with the bulk of her contempt and venom reserved for the American people. So here are a few thing she missed: Did she bring up that the U.S. has already spent tens of billions on Ukraine, and has nothing to show for it? Maybe it's not a good idea to spend money on something that isn't working. The U.S. is coming off the endless permawars of Afghanistan and Iraq and after losing thousands of men and women in uniform, with precious little to show for it. And in Afghanistan, the pullout was a disgrace. Besides the loss of blood and treasure, the wars there were loaded with swamp profiteering and even corruption. The Washington swamp benefited mightily from its consultant contracts buried within those war budgets, which brought us zero victories. Might the U.S. public be just a little averse to shoveling money at the self-perpetuating swamp that thrives on warfare? We can see that dynamic emerging in Ukraine and we don't want another Afghanistan-style ending. The other problem is the non-transparency of funding. When Sen. Rand Paul sought an auditor to prevent gargantuan wastes of public treasure on these endless wars, his request was summarily dismissed by Mitch McConnell and the rest of the swamp war machine in Congress. Might that have raised a few eyebrows among voters? Seems that if every dollar is being spent on bullets for Ukraine, maybe it would be a no-brainer to allow an auditor. But we hear such bad stuff about this war -- U.S. arms that end up in Africa. Ukrainian young men refusing to sign up for the army, given that it's apparently a death sentence, what with the numbers of casualties among the frontline troops. The Ukrainian army is largely dead and too many Ukrainian young men are emigrating abroad instead. If they don't want to fight for their country, why should we finance this venture? Would it not be better to negotiate some kind of peace with Russia, maybe hold a referendum, given that a sizable portion of eastern Ukraine would rather be part of Russia anyway? And what is this about the democracy deficits seen in Ukraine -- the arrests of reporters, including American ones, and the like? If they're throwing Americans in jail for reporting the news, maybe it's time to cut the aid. And explain those reported vast fortunes and corruption among Ukraine's elites. Applebaum didn't address any of these factors which have sapped into public support for Ukraine's war against Russia. She presented a cartoon image of Ukraine's army, valid about three years ago, as bravely fighting for their homeland which doesn't seem to entirely be the case. Most of us have residual sympathy for Ukraine and its ordeal with Russia. Is it our problem? Not exactly, given that Ukraine is not a NATO member, which she also seems to miss. The rationale for U.S. and European aid to Ukraine was Ukraine's decision to give up its nuclear weapons in exchange for security guarantees from Russia and the U.S. That guarantee seems to have made Ukraine a little casual about the threat they faced as far as their own defenses went and when Russia invaded, and they weren't exactly militarily prepared. Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, right up until the invasion itself, dismissed that it would happen even as the CIA warned it was happening. The other problem was significant corruption even before the war, corruption so bad Germany insisted they couldn't be a NATO member, so they weren't. So now we are now involved in financing this Ukraine war and Congress is debating an aid package to Ukraine, which is already our number one recipient of foreign aid. But it's Applebaum's contempt for the border issue that really makes her look arrogant and foolish. She seems to think it's a sideshow solely of political importance to President Trump. The border issue, for her information, is not about President Trump, it's about millions of people crossing into the U.S. illegally as a result of Joe Biden's "invitation" to them to enter, which the presidents of Mexico and Guatemala have both argued. It's tanked Joe Biden's poll numbers to below 40% approval and has risen to the number one issue for the American public, and not just among the border town voters flooded with hordes of illegally present foreigners, but in the blue inner cities seeing cutbacks and their kids thrown out of their own parks and schools. It's the top issue across the country. If Ukraine aid is that important to the Biden side of the negotiating table, and the border is a trivial sideshow, premised only on punishing Joe Biden and making him look bad, it would make sense for the Bidenites to throw to Republicans whatever scraps they demand regarding the open border and the crisis it has brought in order to get that aid to Ukraine immediately. But of course, it's not that important to Biden. He's not willing to shut the open border down to get the Ukraine aid through. He likes millions of potential voters crossing in to vote Democrat and he gets angry when Fox News cameras pan the thousands of illegal crossers flowing in. The open border and the ten million-plus illegal aliens who have flooded into the U.S. began on Joe Biden's watch, with one of his first decisions as president to abrogate the treaties signed by President Trump to keep illegal crossings to a minimum. That's Joe Biden's real priority, keeping that border open and bringing in millions and millions of unvetted indigent foreigners into the U.S. Ukraine aid is secondary, which is why Biden up until now has refused to budge on any Republican bargaining demands about the border. To Republicans, the demands make sense because sending billions to guard Ukraine's borders while our own borders are left unguarded is illogical to both them and their voters, as well as many Democrats at this point. If Joe really cared about Ukraine, he'd give Congress whatever it wanted on the border and dusted his hands off. He certainly employed this tactic on Iran and Venezuela, giving these hellholes whatever they wanted in exchange for the deals he sought. They were very bad deals indeed, but Joe had wanted those deals and didn't care what he had to give away -- bad criminals let out of prison, pallets of cash in the billions, dropped sanctions, and more. The U.S. border, though, is different. Biden prizes his open border and is willing to hold up Ukraine aid to keep it the way it is. His only concern is Fox News cameras delivering bad publicity. Applebaum shows even more obtuseness, or more likely, a penchant for lapping up Democrat talking points, in claiming that Biden wants to fix the border while Trump and his allies want him to fail. That's ridiculous, because Trump isn't part of this -- this public anger about the open border spans party lines, race, and the city-country divide. That's not Trump, that's what lefties call "lived experience." Biden doesn't have a solution to the border crisis, not one that will work, anyway. All he wants is to obtain more cash to speed up "processing" of illegal migrants into the country, as if that will stop the flow. Any sane observer of border matters knows very well that it will accomplish the opposite, drawing millions more migrants into the U.S., happy with the swift and speedy customer service. But all of that goes unaddressed, and frankly, un-understood, by Applebaum, who can't see beyond the Ukraine aid trough. What's under that trough is gamy stuff indeed and it won't buy Ukraine victory. Come up with a victory plan or a negotiating plan and address Americans' concerns about its own border, and that public attitude will change. Insulting the U.S. public only reminds the public why it opposes Ukraine aid. Image: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland, via Flickr // CC BY-ND 2.0 DEED The headline is that a jury awarded E. Jean Carroll $83.3 million in her defamation claim against Donald Trump. Whats behind the headline is infinitely more important, for it shows how Americas leftist-run judicial system works. I should explain that I come with a strong bias to this matter. I worked as a litigator for almost thirty years in the San Francisco Bay Area. That experience left me with an abiding hatred for leftist judges. They routinely showed themselves to be disinterested in law and facts. Instead, they used their powerful positions to dispense justiceonly their idea of justice was whatever comported with leftist ideology. That meant that landlords lost, banks lost, insurance companies lost, and anyone else whom the judges didnt like lostand they lost for dishonest reasons. I never minded losing a case I knew was weak; I resented losing a good case, and I became conservative for that reason. Image: E. Jean Carroll. YouTube screen grab. All of which gets me the judicial system in the case of Trump and E. Jean Carroll. Here are some pertinent facts: In 2012, NBCs Law & Order: Special Victims Unit had a scene in which a character talked about role-playing a rape fantasy in Bergdorf Goodman: Role-play took place in the dressing room of Bergdorfs. While she was trying on lingerie I would burst in, the character says. In 2019, for the first time ever, Carroll said publicly that Trump had sexually assaulted her in 1994 in a dressing room in Bergdorf Goodman, an assault that lasted three minutes. Also in 2019, Carroll explained on CNN that most people think of rape as being sexy. I dont know those most people. Do you? When Trump heard Carrolls claims, he denied them, which is what every man does when accused of rape, especially if hes innocent. He also claimed that (a) he didnt know Carroll and (b) that he would never have gone near her as she was a whack job and wasnt his type. Carroll countered the claim that Trump didnt know her by digging up a picture of her standing with Trump and Ivana at a party in 1987 as proof that they did know each other. Under the standard of having talked briefly at a party, I know or have known George H. W. Bush, Brit Hume, Peggy Fleming, California governors Jerry Brown and Pete Wilson, violinists Pinchas Zukerman and Itzhak Perlman, and Ayaan Hirsi Ali, all of whom are just some of the many famous people Ive briefly talked to at parties. I can assure you, though, that none of them know me. In 2019, because the statute of limitations for rapea serious crimehad long since expired, Carroll sued Trump for defamation, claiming that his repudiation of the rape allegation harmed her professionally and hurt her feelings. Given that she went into the stratosphere on the left after she attacked Trump, Ive struggled to understand her claim of professional harm, but whatever. Of course, the defamation claim worked only if Carroll could prove that she was stating the truth when she accused Trump of rape. But as noted above, Carroll never pressed that claim in a timely criminal proceeding, when there might be physical evidence, and memories would be freshso fresh that Carroll would have remembered the year in which this traumatizing (or sexy) event happened. Instead, Carroll admitted that the clothes she claimed to have worn when assaulted werent manufactured until a later date. Therefore, she adjusted her allegations to say Trumps assault occurred in 1995 or 1996. In 2022, New York State upped the ante against Trump by passing its Adult Survivors Act, a law intended solely to create a window of time in which Carroll could file a civil sexual assault suit against Trump. Carroll promptly filed suit against Trump and reiterated her defamation claim. Incidentally, Reid Hoffman, a major Democrat party and Nikki Haley donor, helped fund her litigation. In May 2023, based upon allegations that were almost 20 years old and came with no corroborating evidenceand, of course, were not subject to the stringent beyond a reasonable doubt burden of proof for a criminal casethe first trial against Trump began. The judge refused to admit the infamous Access Hollywood tape into evidence, explaining that it proved that Trump had admitted to assaulting women. In fact, the tape clearly shows that Trump simply said that when youre rich and powerful, a certain class of woman will let you get away with anything. The judge also refused to admit into evidence Carrolls comment about people finding rape sexy. The jury concluded that Trump committed sexual abuse, battery, and defamation and awarded Carroll $5 million in damages. Trump again asserted his innocence. Carroll promptly sought more damages because of Trumps post-verdict denials of wrongdoing. The judge in this second trial precluded any evidence about Trumps alleged wrongdoings; instead, he explicitly and graphically told the jury that the prior jury trial proved indisputably that Trump was guilty of sexual assault. On Friday, the jury awarded Carroll $83.3 million against Trump in damages for defamation and emotional distress. Carrolls attorney said that part of the verdict came about because the jury was offended that Trump didnt respect the judge. That is not a sound legal basis for a jury award and, standing alone, demands reversal. Ive been careful just to state the facts here. You can draw your own conclusions. Having said that, and continuing in journalistic mode, meaning that I neither confirm nor dispute the statements below but report them solely as news, here is Trumps summation of the case against him, which he published before the verdict: After the verdict, Trump had this to say: I have no comment about Carrolls veracity. I can only say that the New York system, from the legislature down to the judge on the case, had a very specific outcome in mind: Politically, it would benefit Democrats to have a guilty verdict against Trump. This is not how the justice system is supposed to work (and that is true whether the verdict was righteous or not). Instead, what played out in New York was a combination of government and judicial tyranny that is devastating to a free country. President Trump has been robbed of his freedom of speech. None of this has happened by accident. There has always been a political purpose behind the laws and the indictments and the extortion. In the age of King John of England, the law was used to oppress. The judicial system existed then and now to keep the people in line. One of the great mythic stories from Middle Ages is that of Robin Hood, who was an outlaw on the run in Sherwood Forest with his merry men. Those men are now Rudy Giuliani and the rest of the Trump team who have been indicted. Lets follow the trail back to its origins, like a trail left by a dog that has a bladder problem. Governor Hochul of New York signs into law the Adult Survivors Act, a law that allows survivors of sexual assault to sue their abusers regardless of when the abuse occurred. At face value, it sounds like a good and righteous law. One of the first to file was E. Jean Carroll. She had no evidence except what she said and what she told a few friends, which was eerily similar to an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. She also had a photograph of her and Trump in a crowd together. President Trump claims to this day he never met her. (Do you remember everyone who was in a crowd when you were in the picture?) Nevertheless, the evidence, which was virtually nonexistent, was irrelevant. President Trump could never get a fair trial in NYC. He was found liable for sexual abuse and ordered to pay $5 million. Of course, President Trump fumed about this. Wouldnt you fume about a law that was specifically designed as a political attack against you and allowed no possibility of defending yourself and required no evidence? Now another NYC jury has found Trump guilty of defamation and ordered him to pay $83.3 million. They intended to send a message, but the message they sent has the exact opposite meaning of what they intended. The whole process has proven beyond all reasonable doubt that the justice system now exists to oppress Trump, oppress his family, oppress his closest associates, and oppress his supporters. The message sent has proven beyond all reasonable doubt that the justice system is vastly more powerful than the vote. You and I and our power to be heard through the vote is now powerless against the oppressor justice system and another omnipotent institution: the MVM (Marthas Vineyard Media). Virtually all of the information we get is from MVM elites, who hate Trump because he dared to speak for the people. The message being sent here is clear: anyone who dares to defy the permanent elites will be fleeced, extorted, charged, and indicted. The American people are expected to be subservient to MVM oppressor justice, and we are to go through life with our tails between our legs because our say has no influence, even though the press says the exact opposite. Fake news. Only President Trump has had the guts to stand against powerful elites and the MVM, and now they are trying to stick it to him by any means necessary. When they stick it to Trump, they stick it to you...and they know it, and they revel in it. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. The military can't get enough recruits. What is the Navy's solution? Just lower the standards. Here's the latest news: No diploma? No problem! Navy again lowers requirements as it struggles to meet recruitment goals The U.S. Navy is starting to enlist individuals who didn't graduate from high school or get a GED, marking the second time in about a year that the service has opened the door to lower-performing recruits as it struggles to meet enlistment goals. The decision follows a move in December 2022 to bring in a larger number of recruits who score very low on the Armed Services Qualification Test. Both are fairly rare steps that the other military services largely avoid or limit, even though they are all finding it increasingly difficult to attract the dwindling number of young people who can meet the militarys physical, mental and moral standards. Under the new plan, Navy recruits without an education credential will be able to join as long as they score 50 or above on the qualification test, which is out of 99. The last time the service took individuals without education credentials was in 2000. We get thousands of people into our recruiting stations every year that want to join the Navy but do not have an education credential. And we just turn them away, What could go wrong? Heck, they have a Secretary of Defense who didn't seem to know that he should inform his boss when he was going to be out for awhile. Maybe they should focus on defending the country instead of on DEI. Maybe they should worry about competence instead of which pronoun they use. Maybe they shouldn't have fired young healthy people who exercised their freedom of choice to not take an experimental vaccine. Maybe they should focus on defending our country against enemies instead of against the scam of climate change caused by our use of natural resources. Our enemies will love fighting wars with their gas-powered vehicles when we are concentrating on charging inefficient electric vehicles. Maybe they shouldn't treat anyone who supports President Trump as an extremist or a terrorist. It does not look like the Congress will pass a border bill. So its time to put pressure on President Biden to use his pen. Elon Musk put it this way: No laws need to be passed, Musk wrote. All that is needed is an executive order to require proof before granting an asylum hearing. That is how it used to be. Musk, the owner of Tesla, SpaceX and X, previously argued that gaining asylum status after illegally crossing the southern border is as easy as a Google search. He also agreed with Silicon Valley entrepreneur and investor David Sacks who wrote last night that the border is broken because this administration refuses to enforce the laws we already have. Musk responded by writing, exactly. Use your pen, Mr. President. In the past, such as the Obama years, we objected to a president using his pen to legalize people (DACA) or using administrative agencies (EPA) to get around Congress. In this case, we agree that the president can use his pen maybe the same pen he used to scratch out the Trump orders. So why is President Biden refusing to use his pen now? The answer is pure politics. He would have to admit that he reversed a Trump order that was working for the country. In other words, Remain in Mexico stopped the tsunami of people coming to the border and showed that we could work jointly with our southern neighbor. Its probably a good idea for the U.S. Congress to revisit immigration laws, and especially the asylum rules. However, President Biden can fix the problem quickly with pen in hand. PS: Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos. Image: Elon Musk. Credit: JD Lasica via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 (cropped). If the Democrats and their Deep State operatives had just stolen the 2020 election and then continued running the country in an undisruptive, business-as-usual fashion, people would not have suspectedor perhaps not even minded terribly muchthat the 2020 election was snatched from the will of We the People. But when the administration hunts down dissenters in broad daylight and arrests trespassers simply for walking on the lawn outside the Capitol on January 6, 2021, its as if the leftists are blatantly admitting with each arrest (and promising hundreds more to come), Yes, we stole the election and theres nothing you can do about it. So, it appears we have sunk to a new low here in America, and theres more than just a bit of hopelessness in the air. The overtaking of our constitutional republic by folks pretending to save democracy has gotten quite a few pastors to devote a Sunday sermon or two to preach about End Times. For those unfamiliar with this concept, the final book of the Bible called Revelation (along with some other parts of both the New and Old Testaments, e.g., the Book of Daniel) describes the takedown of the world by evil forces. Its a gloomy picture, no doubt, but the upside is that it forecasted that Armageddon ultimately ushers in the return of Jesus Christ, so the good guys end up winning. Since St. John the Apostle penned Revelation almost 2,000 years ago, there have been many times when the alert has been sounded that the End Times is now upon usmost recently during the reign of Hitler and his Third Reich. The devastation brought upon the world by war and brutality, especially to the Jewish people, made it clear in the eyes of many back in the 1930s and 1940s that this world was coming to an end. Of course, as we see in hindsight, life on this planet did not end. A good Christian friend of mine, Stuart, told me he hates all this focus on the End Times by otherwise good and wise pastors. Stuart can enumerate the many times in the past that Christians had a sky-is-falling mentality, but (fortunately) it came to naught. My friend posited what he felt was the obvious comparison to the story of the boy who cried wolf. However, Stuart missed the real point of the wolf story. Yes, the boy cried Wolf! several times, and the wolf never appeared. But, one day, the wolf actually did show up, and, by then, no one believed his cry. What if this time Armageddon really is on the horizon? What then? Jonathan Cahn of the Beth Israel Worship Center in Wayne, New Jersey, has preached on the possibility of the end times being upon us and has two books that specifically focus on this subject: The Return of the Gods and The Josiah Manifesto: The Ancient Mystery and Guide for the End Times. Cahn makes a compelling case that, this time, the wolf has indeed arrived. Another pastor, Jack Hibbs of Calvary Chapel in Chino Hills, California, is also on board with the very real possibility that we are imminently living in the end times. So, is this time around a given that the world as we know it will soon be coming to a screeching halt? I have heard pastors say that, whether the world ends tomorrow or ten thousand years from now, we should live prepared. No matter what, our personal end-of-days will come soon enough and we should always be ready for that inevitability. And while we as Christians await the final end, whether personally or collectively, we should live as if we were born for such a time as thiswhich we were. God has something specific in mind for each and every one of us, and we should, as Morgan Freemans character says in the film The Shawshank Redemption, get busy living or get busy dying. If we as American citizens, and not just as Christians, take a stand against the tyranny that has been foisted upon us by the rabid Left, we can possibly avert the end of America and, by extension, the end of independent nations that are being forcibly nudged into compliance with a one-world government system. Now is the time to get busy in every way, shape, and form. The Left may be far out in front of us, but we need to remember that the battle belongs to the Lord, and no matter how things play out, end of days or a new day dawning, we will be on the side of the Winners. (If youre interested, I discussed this and more in a recent appearance on The Eric Metaxas Show.) Albin Sadar is the author of Obvious: Seeing the Evil Thats in Plain Sight and Doing Something About It, as well as the childrens book collection Hamster Holmes: Box of Mysteries. Image: The Rider on the Pale Horse (Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse) by George Frederic Watts. Public domain. There is no greater tyranny than that which is perpetrated under the shield of the law and in the name of justice. --Montesquieu Those of us old enough to remember the infamous trial of O.J. Simpson will certainly remember the daily presence in the court of Jo-Ellen Demetrius, the jury consultant who determined which people among the jury pool would be likely to decide in Simpsons favor. Few of us had heard of jury consultants then, but theyve certainly been around since the Simpson trial. A jury consultants job is to research, as closely as possible, each prospective juror by any means necessary so that the defense can select the persons who may be most disposed to find their client not guilty. Of course, prosecutors hire jury consultants as well to determine who among the pool will be likely to find the person on trial guilty. On its face, this seems to be an obviously unethical practice; depending on who got the most jurors of their choosing is likely to win. How can this be legal, one might ask. It probably should not be, but one thing is clear: Juries are rarely a jury of ones peers anymore. They are carefully and deceptively chosen. We can be certain that jury consultants were hired to select the people who would sit in judgment of President Trump for each of the numerous trials to which he has been so unfairly subjected. Exactly what would the ideologically biased prosecutors in each of the absurd lawfare trials of President Trump be looking for? That is an easy question. They would be looking for Trump-haters, people who watch MSNBC and The View, for example; people easily led and relatively ignorant of American history and current events beyond leftist talking points. They would know nothing about the fact that Trump led the U.S. to energy independence that made our gas prices low, and brought in huge profits to workers' 401(k)s because we had enough oil and gas to sell to other nations. They would not know that Trump brought peace to the Middle East. They would most likely buy into the climate change hoax. They would be persons who leaped to be vaccinated with the wholly experimental mRNA jab that has caused thousands of deaths (perhaps more), especially of young people. They would be people who wanted to jail the vaccine-hesitant. In short, they would be people who are easily manipulated by the media and, easier still, by clever and deceitful lawyers intent on destroying Trump. They would be sheep. Jury consultants are sneaky. They will hire people to follow jurors to see if they have bumper stickers on their cars. They research each of the prospective jurors to determine their marital status, their kids, their jobs, what magazines they may subscribe to, and whether they have financial problems or a criminal record. They will discover their voting record. There is nothing they cannot learn about each potential juror. They are self-proclaimed experts in body language and will know who wants to be on a high-profile jury. It is a nasty business, but somehow it is legal. So again, there is no jury of ones peers in the American justice system today. We can all be sure that the jurors selected to sit in judgment of Trump were carefully chosen for all the wrong reasons. Each of the prosecutors in these lawsuits against Trump will have likely sought out the angriest, unhappiest, most ideologically rigid people. They may be educated but would be, like most academics are, on the far left and certain of their own superiority. They would not be critical thinkers; academics are no longer critical thinkers. Prosecutors would look for people who already believe the defendant is guilty or who they believe they can manipulate. They would excuse potential jurors who seem to actually think for themselves, people who might pick up on the bias of the judge or who have been revealed to be even remotely conservative. The judges in each of the lawsuits against Trump are outrageously biased against him and have no problem denying his basic Constitutional rights. That would and should enrage jurors who are able to think for themselves but, so far, each jury has fallen hook, line, and sinker for the prosecutors and presiding judges patently obvious bias. Have these judges decisions been bought and paid for? Quite possible. The behavior of each of them, as well as the prosecutors, has been horrific. Each of them has denied justice in the most flagrant ways. Judge Lewis Kaplan has presided over the absurd case brought by E. Jean Carroll, an apparently disturbed woman who has accused Trump of rape in a dressing room at Bergdorf Goodman in the 1990s. Her story appeared clearly fabricated, given its curious resemblance to a plotline viewed on an episode of Law & Order SVU and was funded by big leftist donor Reid Hoffman. The case is also an apparent re-enactment of the fabricated case against Judge Brett Kavanaugh and his accuser, Christine Blasey Ford. Carroll and Ford were/are both tools of big Democrat donors who use their wealth to wield the power they can buy. In the Carroll case, the judge, Lewis Kaplan, refused to allow the jury to hear any of Trumps defense! How is this possible in what was once a Constitutional legal system? Our system of justice has been weaponized against any and all conservatives. Lawfare is how the left takes out its opposition. The same goes for Judge Tanya Chutkan in D.C. Judge Scott McAfee in Georgia is also bad, while Judge Arthur Engoron in New York looks like a certified lunatic, again denying Trump basic legal rights. The judicial bench in this country is appalling, and the Trump haters know exactly who to recruit - radical activist judges who ignore the Constitution for political purposes. And they are getting away with it. These ignorant-of-reality jurors come up with absurdly ridiculous financial damages: $148 million for former New York mayor and Trump lawyer Rudy Guiliani! $83 million for a woman who cannot even remember when she was allegedly assaulted. This decision may well be the greatest miscarriage of justice in U.S. history. Such judgments excite the mainstream media who love nothing more than being able to report bad news for President Trump. Bottom line? The DAs like Letitia James in New York, Fani Willis in Georgia, Jack Smith, (the most corrupt of the bunch), et al. are thugs driven by hatred for Trump and his supporters and who have each sold their souls to take him down. They have no allegiance to the law or the Constitution. As for the jury consultants who weed out people capable of considering the facts presented, or not presented, fairly, a pox on all their houses. They have helped pervert our once-revered justice system. Its a Stalinist joke now, and most Americans know it. No oppression is so heavy or lasting as that which is inflicted by the perversion and exorbitance of legal authority. -Joseph Addison Image: Pexels / Pexels License Zack Beauchamp in Vox: On Monday, tens of millions across India celebrated the opening of the Ram Mandir a huge new temple to Ram, one of Hinduisms holiest figures, built in the city of Ayodhya where many Hindus believe he was born. The celebration in Ayodhya, presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, attracted some of Indias richest and most famous citizens. But in the pomp and circumstance, few dwelled explicitly on the grim origins of Ram Mandir: It was built on the site of an ancient mosque torn down by a Hindu mob in 1992. Many of the rioters belonged to the RSS, a militant Hindu supremacist group to which Modi has belonged since he was 8 years old. Since ascending to power in 2014, Modi has worked tirelessly to replace Indias secular democracy with a Hindu sectarian state. The construction of a temple in Ayodhya is the exclamation point on an agenda that has also included revoking the autonomy long provided to the Muslim-majority state of Jammu and Kashmir, creating new citizenship and immigration rules biased against Muslims, and rewritten textbooks to whitewash Hindu violence against Muslims from Indian history. Modi has also waged war on the basic institutions of Indian democracy. He and his allies have consolidated control over much of the media, suppressed critical speech on social media, imprisoned protesters, suborned independent government agencies, and even prosecuted Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi on dubious charges. More here. Sinn Fein has called on the DUP to step off the endless merry-go-round of its Stormont boycott and return to powersharing in Northern Ireland. The comments from senior Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty came ahead of a crunch meeting of the DUPs 130-strong party executive on Monday evening to discuss a potential deal with the Government that could see devolution resurrected in Belfast. The DUP has maintained an almost two-year boycott of the Stormont institutions in protest at the Brexit-linked economic barriers on trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson will address members of his party executive on Monday night (Liam McBurney/PA) The DUP has been involved in protracted talks with the Government aimed at securing concessions on the arrangements that would address its concerns around trade and sovereignty. It appears the DUP is approaching the moment to make a final call on the Governments proposed measures. An invite to the short notice executive meeting was issued on Friday. It said the gathering would see party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson provide a detailed update on the current political situation. If Sir Jeffrey presses for an acceptance of the Governments proposals and a Stormont return, he is expected to face stiff opposition from some unionists, both inside and outside his party, who believe the boycott should only end once all the economic barriers created by Brexits Northern Ireland Protocol, and the subsequent Windsor Framework, are removed. Mr Doherty said the time had come for the DUP to make a decision. Weve been here so many times, theres been so many false dawns when it comes to the DUP, and the DUP really need to end this blockade of this Assembly and accept the fact that people in the Assembly election (in May 2022) voted for change and the dynamics are changing and have changed in the north, he told RTE. We have to get off this endless merry-go-round in relation to will they, wont they?. He added: They should absolutely jump but the British government needs to stop facilitating them, theyve told us that the negotiations are over. And they (the DUP) need to get back into the Assembly. Theres nothing more to talk about. This is really about the elections that happened and the fact that Michelle ONeill is First Minister designate and the DUP need to accept the outcome of a democratic election and get down to business with us and the rest of us in the Assembly and start delivering for the people in the north and beyond. TUV leader Jim Allister said opponents of the Northern Ireland Protocol needed to come together and stand firm (Liam McBurney/PA) On Friday, senior DUP MLA and former party leader Edwin Poots criticised some other unionists who have accused his party 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 told BBC Radio Ulster. On Saturday evening, leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice party Jim Allister, one of those calling for the DUP to maintain its blockade, urged opponents of the post-Brexit trading arrangements to stand firm. Unionism is facing a defining moment, he said. A moment of decision that will set Northern Irelands course for years to come. Either NI will embark on transition out of the UK by unionists implementing the template designed for that purpose, the Protocol, or unionism will hold the line and refuse to put its hand to its own destruction. This is a decision so momentous as to rise above questions of party loyalty. He added: If the worst happens and the DUP gives up the fight, then all who see the issues need to stand together. The Irish justice minister has voiced support for Ireland joining South Africas genocide challenge against Israel in the UNs top court. Helen McEntee said she was personally in favour of joining the case but acknowledged the Government first needed to take time to study all aspects of the case following the interim ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The ICJ ordered Israel to prevent genocidal acts in Gaza but stopped short of ordering a ceasefire. It could be years before the case reaches final judgment. Following the interim ruling, Irelands deputy premier Micheal Martin said the Government would strongly consider an intervention in South Africas case as it proceeds, but not before it carried out a detailed analysis. Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said Ireland will strongly consider supporting the South African case (Niall Carson/PA) Ms McEntee expressed her view on joining the case on Sunday. Personally I would like us to, she told RTE Radio Ones This Week programme. I am very much aware that we need to do so on a correct legal basis. I mean, what you are doing essentially is accusing another country of genocide. You need to know the facts, you need to understand what it is that youre fighting this case on. And, so, I welcome that ruling that happened this week. Personally, I would have liked to have seen it gone further in terms of the ceasefire. It didnt and I fully respect the ruling that was made. But we have to study this now. We cant just jump in without understanding the facts. But government has given a clear commitment that we will do that. Ms McEntee highlighted that Ireland is already involved in a legal case focused on illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank. In fact, our attorney general will present at that case next week, she added. I would repeat what the Taoiseach (Leo Varadkar) said this week a court ruling does not stop a war. A war, you know, is concluded where there is a military victory or where you have diplomacy. She said the Irish Government would use every opportunity it could to press for a ceasefire, to ensure humanitarian aid reaches millions of people in a catastrophic situation in Gaza and all hostages are released unconditionally. On Saturday, Mr Martin made clear Ireland has no plans to suspend funding for the UNs relief agency in Gaza amid Israeli claims some employees participated in the Hamas attacks of October 7. Sinn Feins finance spokesman Pearse Doherty defended the decision to proceed with its engagements in Washington for St Patricks Day (Brian Lawless/PA) The Tanaiste said he backed the decision by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to take action against those staff suspected of involvement in what he described as the heinous attacks by Hamas. However, he said Ireland did not intend to follow the likes of the US and UK in suspending funding to the agency. UNRWA is playing a central role in providing aid for Gazans amid the ongoing Israeli offensive in the enclave. The agencys chief Philippe Lazzarini said it had terminated contracts with several employees and ordered an investigation after Israel provided information alleging they played a role in the Hamas assault. The US state department has said the allegations relate to 12 employees. As well as the UK and US, countries like Australia, Italy and Canada have also temporarily paused funding for UNRWA. On Sunday, Mr Martin said the countries which had suspended funding for the agency had acted far too prematurely. He also warned of catastrophic consequences if UNRWAs work in Gaza was unable to continue. In another development related to the conflict, Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty has defended his partys decision to proceed with its St Patricks Day engagements in Washington. The party had been under pressure from some pro-Palestinian activists in Ireland to boycott the annual events in protest at the USs ongoing backing for Israel amid the conflict in Gaza. On Sunday, Mr Doherty insisted Sinn Fein would use the visit to voice its concerns to the US administration. We will never shirk from that responsibility, he told RTE. When we have been in the United States, whether it was during the war in Iraq, whether it was in relation to other foreign policy differences that we would have and many of them that we have with America we always will raise the issues of those who we feel are being persecuted across the world and well do that again this year, and I would call on the Irish government to do the same. The King is spending a second night in hospital after undergoing a procedure for an enlarged prostate. The Queen visited her husband at the London Clinic in central London on Saturday the same hospital where the Princess of Wales is being cared for following abdominal surgery. Camilla, wearing a white blouse and black jumper, arrived in a black Audi car at noon on Saturday and left about three hours later. The Queens visit on Saturday was her second to the private hospital since she arrived with Charles on Friday morning ahead of the procedure. She told people inside the London Clinic on Friday that the King was doing well after the procedure. Charles took time to visit his daughter-in-law, Kate, who is on the 12th day of her hospital stay after undergoing a successful major operation last week. Camilla visited the King for about an hour and a half (Lucy North/PA) A Buckingham Palace spokesman previously said the King was admitted to a London hospital for scheduled treatment. The spokesman added: 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 Charles will spend in hospital, but reports suggest he could remain there over the weekend. The King arrived back in London from Norfolk on Thursday afternoon, ready for the procedure after squeezing in a couple of behind-the-scenes official duties. The Princess of Wales underwent surgery at the same hospital (Aaron Chown/PA) Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wished Charles the very best for his treatment and a speedy recovery afterwards, a Downing Street spokeswoman said. The monarch was diagnosed with the benign condition on January 17 while staying at Birkhall, Aberdeenshire, after going for a check-up because he was experiencing symptoms. The King is understood to have wanted to share the news to encourage other men to get themselves checked. Charles, who only acceded to throne 16 months ago, cancelled engagements and was urged to rest by his doctors ahead of the corrective procedure. The exact nature of the 75-year-olds treatment is not known. 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 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. 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. Neighbours actress Kym Valentine has thanked her co-star Troy Beckwith for all the memories as she announced he had died. Beckwith played Michael Martin in the long-running Australian soap opera during the 1990s. Valentine, who portrayed Libby Kennedy opposite Beckwith, wrote in a Facebook post: It pains me so much to have to say this. Our dear old friend Troy Beckwith has passed away. Another member of our TV family gone way too soon. There will be no funeral as per Troys request. Thanks for all the memories my cheeky mate and all my love to your friends and family. She also shared a photo of her and Beckwith from their younger days laughing together while dressed up for an event. Beckwith started on Neighbours playing the guest character of Darren Wood and later moved to portraying Michael Martin from 1992 to 1998. The characters villainous behaviour led some fans to dub him Sicko Micko. Australian actor Brett Blewitt, who starred as Brett Stark on the soap, also described Beckwith as such a lovely person in a tribute. He added: Deeply thoughtful and empathetic. Cheeky and playful once out of his shell. Way too soon. Love you mate xx Beckwith also starred in the sci-fi comedy The Miraculous Mellops and the sitcom Pugwall. A play which dramatises the final days of negotiations which led to the Good Friday Agreement is to get its US premiere later this year. Agreement, by playwright Owen McCafferty, will be staged at the Irish Arts Centre (IAC) in New York from April 11 to May 12. Ahead of its US run, the play will return to the Lyric Theatre in Belfast from March 9 to 30. The play focuses on the final days of the negotiations which led to the historic 1998 peace deal which largely ended decades of violence in Northern Ireland. It is the second time the Lyric Theatre has collaborated with the IAC following the US premiere of the punk-rock musical Good Vibrations, telling the story of Belfast punk legend Terri Hooley, last year. Agreement was previously staged at the Lyric as part of events in Northern Ireland to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in 2023. The award-winning play will be directed by Charlotte Westenra, with set and costume design by Conor Murphy. The cast includes Andrea Irvine as former Northern Ireland secretary Mo Mowlam, Chris Corrigan as Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, Dan Gordon as SDLP leader John Hume, Martin Huston as prime minister Tony Blair, Richard Croxford as George Mitchell, the US senator who chaired the negotiations, Ronan Leahy as taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Ruairi Conaghan as Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble. The US premiere will take place in a flexible, state-of-the-art theatre in the IACs new home in New York. Aidan Connolly, executive director of IAC (left) with Jimmy Fay, executive producer at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast (Lyric Theatre/PA) Jimmy Fay, executive producer at the Lyric Theatre, said: The successful run of Good Vibrations, and shortly a run of Agreement, are not only a fantastic opportunity to showcase the immense creative talent from this place, but also a unique opportunity to tell important and significant cultural and historical stories. We look forward to the return of Agreement to our main stage following its sold-out run. Over the past 25 years the Lyric has had its own part to play in the story and journey of the Good Friday Agreement, and it is fitting that this powerful production is returning to Belfast and travelling to international audiences. We are very grateful to all our funders and our title sponsor FinTrU for their support in helping us get there. Aidan Connolly, executive director of IAC, said: Were thrilled to welcome the Lyric Theatre back to New York with Owen McCaffertys extraordinary Agreement, building on the wonderful IAC-Lyric partnership inaugurated with last seasons hit musical Good Vibrations. Thanks to generous support from Culture Ireland and our many funders and stakeholders, this will be yet another opportunity for New York audiences to enjoy the great art and artists of Northern Ireland, and appreciate the enduring legacy of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement. Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf said the country has not paused or withdrawn funding for the UNs relief agency in Gaza despite reports. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) sacked several employees last week over suspicions they may have taken part in the October 7 attack on southern Israel, leading to several countries including the UK cutting funding. Scotland has already paid out 750,000 to the agency last year to aid its efforts in the region. On Sunday, reports emerged that Scotland had halted funding, mirroring the decision taken by the UK Government. Mr Yousaf said on X formerly Twitter that the cash was the limit Scotland could provide given its current financial situation. To be clear, @scotgov has not paused or withdrawn aid to @UNRWA, Mr Yousaf wrote. We have previously provided as much as we can within our financial constraints. We will always seek to do more where we can & urge others to continue to provide aid to the people of Gaza. A statement provided to the media at the weekend from the Scottish Government said it had requested updates on the UNRWA investigation and there were no plans for further funding. In a statement on Saturday, the head of UNRWA Philippe Lazzarini said: It is shocking to see a suspension of funds to the agency in reaction to allegations against a small group of staff, especially given the immediate action that UNRWA took by terminating their contracts and asking for a transparent independent investigation. The United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), the highest investigative authority in the UN system, has already been seized of this very serious matter. SNP urges Cameron to be on right side of history after ICJs Israel ruling The Foreign Secretary should ensure the UK is on the right side of history following the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on the Israel-Gaza conflict. The UN court stopped short of ordering a ceasefire in Gaza in a ruling published on Friday following an action brought by South Africa, but demanded Israel try to contain death and damage. With shadow foreign secretary David Lammy calling on the Israeli government to comply in full with the ruling, the SNP has now pushed for the UK Government to apply pressure to the Netanyahu regime. In a letter to Lord Cameron, Brendan OHara, the SNPs foreign affairs spokesman said one could argue that it neednt take a ruling by a court to persuade a democratic, or morally sound, nation to take action to prevent genocide, adding: I hope that the Secretary of State will not need this letter to serve as a reminder of the legal obligations which now fall on the UK Government, legal obligations which should have been moral obligations three months ago. Mr OHara went on to urge the UK Government to avoid giving Israel a blank cheque, adding that we are past turning a blind eye. He said: I urge the UK Government to commit to standing with South Africa, on the right side of history. The SNPs foreign affairs spokesman wrote to Lord Cameron (Chris McAndrew/UK Parliament/PA) Todays ruling will not end this war, but I am asking the UK Government to do what is right and adhere to the provisional measures. The UK Government must act swiftly and firmly to persuade its friend, Israel, to abide by the order and prevent acts of genocide against the Palestinian people. Mr OHara also called for the UK Government to urge Israel to lift the blockade of Gaza. Responding to the ruling, a spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: We respect the role and independence of the ICJ. However we have stated that we have considerable concerns about this case, which is not helpful in the goal of achieving a sustainable ceasefire. Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas in line with IHL, as we have said from the outset. Our view is that Israels actions in Gaza cannot be described as a genocide, which is why we thought South Africas decision to bring the case was wrong and provocative. We welcome the courts call for the immediate release of hostages and the need to get more aid into Gaza. We are clear that an immediate pause is necessary to get aid in and hostages out, and then we want to build towards a sustainable, permanent ceasefire, without a return to the fighting. Police have arrested two people after protesters threw soup at the Mona Lisa painting in The Louvre Museum. On Sunday, protesters from French organisation Riposte Alimentaire sprayed the 16th-century painting by Leonardo Da Vinci with pumpkin soup. The Paris museum confirmed no damage was done to the world-famous painting, which has been behind protective armoured glass since 2005. Following the incident, Paris police said they had arrested two people, according to the AP news agency. ALERTE Des militantes pour le climat jettent de la soupe sur le tableau de La Joconde au musee du Louvre. @CLPRESSFR pic.twitter.com/Aa7gavRRc4 CLPRESS / Agence de presse (@CLPRESSFR) January 28, 2024 In a video shared by French news agency CL Press, a woman can be seen throwing liquid from a tin at the artwork. She then crosses a boundary between the painting and public alongside another women, with both of them wearing T-shirts that said Riposte Alimentaire, which translates as food response, written on the front. Whats the most important thing? Art, or right to healthy and sustainable food? the protesters shout, AP reported. Our farming system is sick. Our farmers are dying at work, they added. Riposte Alimentaire describe themselves as a collective which seeks to highlight the need to protect sustainable food. Museum staff are later seen rushing in to prop black protective panels around the artwork. Leonardo Da Vincis world-famous Mona Lisa (Chris Radburn/PA) A statement from the Louvre Museum said that the Salle des Etats, where the Mona Lisa is displayed, was evacuated after the demonstration. It added that the room was suspended for an hour while cleaning was carried out before it was reopened to visitors around midday. The statement added: The museum will lodge a complaint. France has faced major protests in the last few days by farmers in a bid to pressure the government to give in to their demands that growing food be made easier and more lucrative. The movement has spread across the country with protesters using their tractors to shut down long stretches of road and slow traffic on some major routes. Farmers drive their tractors on a motorway near Saint-Arnoult, south of Paris on their way to a blockade (Christophe Ena/AP) The farmers are seeking better pay for their produce, less red tape, and protection against cheap imports, AP has reported. In 2022, a man disguised as an elderly woman in a wheelchair threw cake at the famous painting. The perpetrator, wearing a wig and lipstick, called on people to think of the Earth as they were led from the scene. The artwork had the glass installed in the 1950s to protect it after an acid attack. It was upgraded to armoured glass in 2005. One passenger and five flight attendants were injured when an American Airlines flight made a hard landing at Kahului Airport in Hawaii on Saturday. American Airlines flight 271 with service from Los Angeles (LAX) to Maui (OGG) experienced an issue upon landing in OGG, American Airlines told CNN in a statement. The aircraft taxied to the gate under its own power and customers deplaned normally. The six people injured were transported to a hospital and later released. There were 167 customers and seven crew members on board the aircraft. The plane was taken out of service for inspection by our maintenance team, according to American Airlines. The safety of our customers and team members is our top priority, the company added. Hawaiis transportation department also confirmed to CNN the airline made a hard landing at the airport Saturday afternoon. The Federal Aviation Administration announced it will investigate the hard landing, according to a statement on their website. American Airlines Flight 271, an Airbus A320, made a hard landing on Runway 20 at Kahului Airport in Hawaii at approximately 2 p.m. local time. Contact the airline for passenger information. The FAA will investigate, the statement reads. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Washington CIA Director Bill Burns was expected to meet Sunday in Paris with the director of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency, David Barnea, and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani to discuss the latest emerging proposal to free the remaining hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, according to two sources familiar with the upcoming talks. The more than 100 remaining hostages include six Israeli-Americans. There is no deal yet. The latest complex proposal must be reviewed by the intelligence chiefs and then be signed off on by political leadership. Brett McGurk, President Biden's national security coordinator for the Middle East, was in Cairo and Doha, Qatar, last week, along with other stops, working on those efforts. The proposal being discussed would pause fighting for about a month while the remaining women, older individuals past military age, and wounded hostages would be released by Hamas. In a White House briefing Friday, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said McGurk had a "good set of discussions with counterparts in the region." "We're hopeful about progress, but I do not expect we should not expect any imminent developments," Kirby said. "And I certainly won't get into negotiating here from the podium or speculating about possible outcomes." An extended pause in military operations by Israeli Defense Forces would be discussed as a possible phase-two deal in exchange for the release of the remaining men, including soldiers. The details of other aspects of a possible deal, including additional humanitarian aid for Gazans and potential Palestinian prisoner releases, would also be discussed. The White House has not commented on details of the proposal, but did release phone call readouts Friday of Mr. Biden's conversations with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Qatari leader, Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani. The White House described the conversation with the emir as affirming that "a hostage deal is central to establishing a prolonged humanitarian pause in the fighting and ensure additional life-saving humanitarian assistance reaches civilians in need throughout Gaza." On Monday, the Qatari prime minister will be in Washington for further conversations related to the hostages in Gaza, the future of the Palestinian people and other regional crises, including the very tense situation between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants on Israel's northern border with Lebanon. Qatar is a key diplomatic partner for the U.S., not only because it hosts U.S. Central Command forces, but also because it acts as a diplomatic intermediary, able to hand messages to Iran, the Taliban, Hamas and other entities with which the U.S. does not have regular direct contact. That Qatari contact has drawn criticism of late from some congressional Republicans. In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains under political pressure on multiple fronts, including from the families of the hostages. His publicly stated strategy has been to put military pressure on Hamas to force a hostage release, but dispatching his intelligence chief for talks indicates an openness to diplomacy. Tensions between Israel and Qatar were recently heightened after leaked audio surfaced of Netanyahu talking down Doha's efforts while in conversation with Israeli hostage families. The CIA does not comment on the director's travel. Burns also held hostage talks with the Mossad chief and the Qatari prime minister in Poland last month. More than 1,200 people, most of them civilians, were killed by Hamas militants during their Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry says more than 26,000 people have been killed in Gaza by Israel's retaliatory ground incursion and airstrikes. The Gaza Health Ministry does not differentiate between the deaths of civilians and fighters. The IDF claims it killed about 9,000 Hamas fighters, and that it has tried to limit civilian deaths. During a week-long pause in fighting that ended Dec. 1, Hamas released more than 100 hostages, including many women and children, while in exchange Israel freed about 240 Palestinian prisoners. Mysterious deaths of three Kansas City Chiefs fans who froze to death outside friend's home Save the Children CEO says aid getting into Gaza is "woefully inadequate" On the ground in Gaza as the war between Israel and Hamas rages on Anil Ananthaswamy in Quanta: A theory developed by Sanjeev Arora of Princeton University and Anirudh Goyal, a research scientist at Google DeepMind, suggests that the largest of todays LLMs are not stochastic parrots. The authors argue that as these models get bigger and are trained on more data, they improve on individual language-related abilities and also develop new ones by combining skills in a manner that hints at understanding combinations that were unlikely to exist in the training data. This theoretical approach, which provides a mathematically provable argument for how and why an LLM can develop so many abilities, has convinced experts like Hinton, and others. And when Arora and his team tested some of its predictions, they found that these models behaved almost exactly as expected. From all accounts, theyve made a strong case that the largest LLMs are not just parroting what theyve seen before. More here. Editor's Note: This page is a summary of news on the Israel-Hamas war for Sunday, Jan. 28. For the latest news on the conflict in the Middle East, view our live updates file on the war for Monday, Jan. 29. Three U.S. service members were killed and dozens wounded Sunday in a drone attack by "Iran-backed militants" at a U.S. base along the Jordanian-Syrian border as the war in Gaza continued to show signs of spreading across the region. They are the first U.S. troops killed by enemy fire in the Middle East since Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, igniting the war that has led to more than 26,000 Palestinian deaths in Gaza. Identities of the service members will be withheld until 24 hours after their families have been notified, U.S. Central Command said. President Joe Biden issued a statement saying an investigation was underway but that "we know it was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups" operating in Syria and Iraq. The three were "patriots in the highest sense" and the nation is grieving, he said. "We will carry on their commitment to fight terrorism," Biden said. "Have no doubt we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner (of) our choosing." Biden, who was campaigning in Columbia, South Carolina, later told an audience at Brookland Baptist Church, "We lost three brave souls in an attack on one of our bases. After leading a moment of silence, he said, And we shall respond. The number of injured troops, which Central Command initially said was 25, later increased to at least 34, the Associated Press reported, citing an official who requested anonymity. Three officials told AP the drone struck near the troops sleeping quarters, a key factor in the high casualty count. Eight of the wounded were evacuated from Jordan for a higher level of care, U.S. Central Command said in a statement Sunday night. They are in stable condition. The number of wounded is expected to fluctuate as troops seek treatment. The attack occurred at a logistics support base in Jordan near the border with Syria. About 350 Army and Air Force personnel are based there to support the fight against ISIS militants. Developments: The genocide case against Israel in the International Court of Justice is a form of blood libel, Israel President Isaac Herzog said Sunday. On Friday the court ordered Israel to take measures to limit death and destruction in Gaza. "The righteousness of our way is not and will not be shaken," Herzog said. During a Return to Gaza Conference in West Jerusalem on Sunday, Israel National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said the country should encourage voluntary emigration of Palestinians as part of its response to the Oct. 7 attack, according to the Times of Israel. The Israeli offensive has displaced more than 80% of Gazas inhabitants. The U.S. is proposing establishing a contact group of Middle East allies that would be involved in the postwar reconstruction and management of Gaza, among them Saudi Arabia and Egypt, the Times of Israel reported. The death count is up to 20 from an Israeli airstrike on a multi-level house in the Al-Nusseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, according to health officials. As much as 80% of Hamass tunnels under Gaza remains intact despite almost three months of Israeli military efforts to destroy them, U.S. and Israeli officials told the Wall Street Journal. Palestinian Hamada Abu Salima, 59, lives in a tent by the ruins of his house that was destroyed by Israeli raids, which also killed 10 members of his family, on Jan. 28, 2024, in Rafah. Increased attacks and sophistication jeopardize US personnel Despite the layers of defenses in place to protect U.S. bases in the Middle East, officials had concerns about the possibility a lucky shot the so-called "golden BB'' may get through. That's what happened overnight Sunday on the Jordan-Syria border, where three U.S. service members were killed and at least 25 injured in a drone attack American officials are blaming on Iran-backed militants. The likelihood assaults may elude defenses has increased with their numbers and enhanced sophistication, leaving U.S. troops at greater risk. Since Oct. 17, 10 days after the Hamas-Israel war began, Iran-backed militias have launched more than 150 attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria, the Pentagon said. Javed Ali, a former senior U.S. counterterrorism and intelligence official, said to expect a substantial response and quick escalation because this most recent attack marks the crossing of a significant threshold in the already high level of violence against U.S. military personnel in the region. Tom Vanden Brook and Josh Meyer GOP senators blame troop deaths on Biden policies Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott of South Carolina and Tom Cotton of Arkansas quickly blamed Biden for the tragedy and called for a military strike on Iran. Graham, who met with Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz in Tel Aviv on Sunday, lamented on social media that when "the Biden Administration says dont, the Iranians do. The Biden Administrations rhetoric is falling on deaf ears in Iran." Graham said Austins efforts to deter aggression against U.S. forces in the Middle East have "failed miserably" and said he had lost confidence in Biden's national security team's ability to deter Iran. Scott said: Enough is enough. The Biden administrations appeasement of Iran must end. Its time for clear and decisive action, and Iran must be held accountable for the malign activities of its proxies. In a statement, Cotton called for "devastating military retaliation" in Iran and against Iran-backed militants across the Middle East. "Anything less will confirm Joe Biden as a coward unworthy of being commander-in-chief," he said It's not enforceable: It doesn't say if Israel is committing genocide. What's ICJ's Gaza ruling for? Deal to free hostages could be near Talks intensified Sunday on a potential agreement under which Israel would pause military operations against Hamas for two months in exchange for the release of more than 100 remaining hostages, according to multiple media reports. The proposal includes the release of the remaining women, elderly and injured hostages in the first 30 days, and for Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza, the Associated Press reported, citing three U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive negotiations. The New York Times reported that negotiators have developed a written draft agreement merging proposals offered by Israel and Hamas. CIA Director Bill Burns was in France for meetings with David Barnea, the head of Israels Mossad intelligence agency, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and Egyptian officials. Negotiators are "cautiously optimistic" that a final accord is within reach, the Times said. Israeli officials told Channel 12 that a key stumbling block remains a Hamas demand that Israel end the war while leaving Hamas in control of Gaza. A Hamas official with knowledge of the talks told NBC News the group was flexible on details as long as the goal was a final, comprehensive, lasting cease-fire. The Israeli government is under internal pressure to get the hostages released and end the war. A survey released last week indicated a majority of Israelis support a U.S.-backed peace plan calling for the release of all hostages and the eventual establishment of a demilitarized Palestinian state. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue fighting until Hamas is crushed and has pledged that Israel will oversee security in Gaza after the war. White House denies claim it will slow weapons sales to Israel The Biden administration is considering a slowdown in weapons sales to Israel as leverage to compel Netanyahu's government to scale back its military assault in the Gaza Strip, three current U.S. officials and one former U.S. official told NBC News. The weapons reportedly being considered as leverage include artillery rounds and joint direct attack munitions (JDAMs), which are guidance kits that convert so-called dumb bombs into precision-guided munitions, the officials said. But they also said there was little interest in slowing delivery of air defense and other systems that can defend Israeli civilians and infrastructure from attack. The White House issued a statement saying there was no change in policy. UN workers linked to Hamas-led attack on Israel that ignited war Israel called for the resignation of the U.N. agency chief for Palestinian refugees after 12 agency staffers were accused of participating in the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7. The U.S., Canada, Finland, Australia, Italy, Estonia, France and the U.K. paused funding of the UNRWA program led by Philippe Lazzarini. Japan also suspended its funding to the program for the time being" in response to the allegations, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement Sunday. More than 2 million of the territorys 2.3 million people depend on the agencys programs for sheer survival, including food and shelter, Lazzarini said in urging leaders to resume funding. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said nine of the staffers have been fired, one is dead and two others had not been identified. The UNRWA has 13,000 teachers, health care workers and aid staff in Gaza, almost all of them Palestinians, he said. The abhorrent alleged acts of these staff members must have consequences, Guterres said in a statement. But the tens of thousands of men and women who work for UNRWA, many in some of the most dangerous situations for humanitarian workers, should not be penalized. The dire needs of the desperate populations they serve must be met." The Hamas-led attack on Gaza killed about 1,200 people in Israel, the Israeli government says. Officials in Gaza say the resulting war has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, wounded tens of thousand more and driven the vast majority of the population of over 2 million from their war-battered homes and communities. Contributing: Swapna Venugopal and Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY; The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Israel Hamas war live updates: 3 American troops killed, 34 injured A hiker was found unresponsive at Zion National Park on Friday and later pronounced dead, according to the National Park Service. The 63-year-old man from San Diego was found on the West Rim Trail near Scout Lookout after park rangers received a report of an unresponsive hiker in the afternoon. Rangers hiked to the man with medical equipment, including an automated external defibrillator (AED) and a heart monitor. Visitors with emergency medical training were performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the man when the rangers arrived. After nearly an hour and a half administering CPR, treatment with the AED, and checking their condition with the heart monitor, the park consulted with a doctor (medical control) and the patient was pronounced dead, the NPS said in a news release. The hiker, who was not identified by authorities, appears to have experienced a heart attack, according to the NPS. His cause of death is under investigation by the Washington County Sheriffs Office, the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner and the NPS. All of us at Zion extend our deepest condolences to this hikers family, said Jeff Bradybaugh, superintendent for Zion National Park. We also want to express thanks to the bystanders who assisted by performing CPR. The effort involved over 20 search and rescue team members, emergency medical technicians, paramedics and the parks ambulance. The West Rim Trail was reopened after it closed for rescue operations. BALTIMORE -- Over three dozen vehicles were involved in a chain-reaction crash on the westbound part of the Bay Bridge on Saturday, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority. There were 23 vehicles involved in the initial crash. Additionally, another 20 vehicles were involved in a series of secondary crashes, transportation officials said on Saturday afternoon. MDTA officials have been investigating the crash, which caused multiple injuries and shut down US-50 Bay Bridge on Saturday morning. MDTA Police first received calls on the incident around 8 a.m., according to an MDTA press statement. The multi-vehicle collision sent two people to local hospitals with serious injuries and 11 other people went to local hospitals, too. None of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening, transportation officials said. While first responders worked to clear the bridge of impediments, drivers were stuck waiting for the opportunity to move on with their lives. "We are not moving," Michael Faidley told WJZ as he sat in his vehicle. "No one is moving." Traffic at a standstill put a pause on many plans. "We are going to a softball tournament in Salisbury," Jason Zitofsky said. "There are two other games we are hoping to make though. Most of our team is stuck on this side of the bridge right now." Kimberly Little said she was left waiting in traffic for hours after returning from a trip. "I left Chicago around 6:30 a.m. I landed in Baltimore about 9:30 a.m.," Little said. Her ride was stuck on the other side of the bridge. Her only option was to take an Uber. "It started out at $50. I don't know. We will see," Little said of the fare. The westbound portion of the US-50 Bay Bridge reopened by 1:50 p.m. Traffic alternated directions on the eastbound portion of the bridge while it was partially closed. The bridge, famed for its scenic beauty, connects the ocean regions on Maryland's Eastern Shore and the cities of Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Annapolis. Anyone who witnessed the crash is to contact the Maryland Transportation Authority. Brittany Watts on being arrested after miscarriage: "I never said...I didn't want my baby." Mysterious deaths of three Kansas City Chiefs fans who froze to death outside friend's home Author Stefanie Wilder Taylor discusses sobering up in new book "Drunk-ish" By Kanishka Singh and Steve Holland WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The first joint meeting of a U.S.-China working group on fentanyl precursor chemicals will be held on Tuesday in Beijing, a senior U.S. official said on Sunday. "This is a key part of the implementation of our bilateral cooperation on this effort," the U.S. official told reporters. Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Homeland Security Advisor Jen Daskal will lead the U.S. interagency delegation, which will include officials from the Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, State and Treasury, according to a statement from a National Security Council spokesperson. Fentanyl is a leading cause of drug overdoses in the United States. The U.S. has said that China is the primary source of the precursor chemicals synthesized into fentanyl by drug cartels in Mexico. China denies this. The official added that the United States has information that China started action against Chinese precursor chemical companies around the time of the summit of U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping last November. The United States will pursue law enforcement actions and impose controls on the precursors and the meeting is a pivotal moment for the issue, the official said. Top Chinese and U.S. officials held candid talks in Bangkok aimed at lowering tensions between the United States and China, ahead of an expected call between Biden and Xi to be held this spring. Ties between the two countries have been tense in recent years over a range of issues including the origins of COVID-19, trade tariffs, Taiwan and human rights. Biden and Xi discussed efforts to reduce the flow of fentanyl at a summit in California last year. The U.S. has already made fewer seizures of illicit chemicals used to make fentanyl at U.S. airports after China moved to shut down companies that make them. China has started some conversations with Mexico about the issue, the U.S. official said on Sunday. "It is really important that this is a multilateral issue," the official said. Earlier this month, interactions between China and the U.S. have included a meeting in Washington between senior Chinese official Liu Jianchao and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In addition, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo held a phone call with China's commerce minister, Wang Wentao, and military talks resumed after a long freeze. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh, Pete Schroeder and Steve Holland in WashingtonEditing by Hugh Lawson, Matthew Lewis and Diane Craft) By Ali Kucukgocmen and Huseyin Hayatsever ISTANBUL (Reuters) -Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria signed an agreement on Thursday on a joint plan to clear mines floating in the Black Sea as a result of the war in Ukraine, following months of talks between the NATO allies. Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler, his Romanian counterpart Angel Tilvar and Bulgaria's Deputy Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov signed a memorandum of understanding in Istanbul to form a trilateral initiative to clear the explosives. "With the start of the war, a threat of floating mines in the Black Sea has arisen. To combat it ... we agreed to form a Black Sea mine counter-measures task group," Guler said at the signing ceremony. Sea mines have posed a threat to Ukraine's export routes via the Black Sea since Russia's invasion in February 2022 and several commercial ships have been hit, including a bulk carrier heading to the River Danube port to load grain in December. Three minehunting ships from each country and one command control ship, will be assigned to the initiative, a Turkish defence ministry official said. Naval commanders of the three countries will form a committee to run the operation, Guler said, adding that it might include other Black Sea states after the war in Ukraine ends. Guler said Turkey viewed potential contributions to this initiative by non-Black Sea NATO allies as "valuable" but that it will only be open to ships of the "three littoral allied countries." Turkey said last week it would not allow two minehunter ships donated to Ukraine by Britain to transit its waters en route to the Black Sea since it would violate the 1936 Montreux Convention, an international pact concerning wartime passage of the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits. "As Turkey, we have implemented the Montreux Convention carefully, responsibly and impartially, which ensures the balance in the Black Sea," Guler said. NATO spokesperson Dylan White welcomed the deal in a post on social media platform X, saying that it was "an important contribution toward greater freedom of navigation and food security in the region and beyond." Defence ministers from the three Black Sea countries held talks on the mine clearing plan at a NATO meeting in Brussels in October last year and in Ankara in November as they worked to finalise the initiative. Ankara, which maintains good ties with both Kyiv and Moscow, is also working with the United Nations, Ukraine, and Russia to revive the Black Sea grain initiative which Moscow quit last year, though there have been no public signs of progress on those talks. (Reporting by Ali Kucukgocmen and Huseyin Hayatsever; Editing by Daren Butler, Sharon Singleton and David Evans) Nine countries have paused future funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East amid an investigation into allegations some workers participated in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. The agency, known as the UNRWA, is entrusted with moving much-needed humanitarian aid into Gaza, which has been under intense bombardment by the Israel Defense Forces in its mission to annihilate Hamas militants after the October strike. The countries pausing funding include the United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, Canada, Finland and the Netherlands. Japan announced on Sunday that it decided to suspend additional funding to UNRWA for the time being. France did not announce that it will suspend funding to the UNRWA, but its Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs said the nation has not planned a new payment in the first half of 2024 and will decide when the time comes what action to take in conjunction with the United Nations and the main donors. The UNRWA said Friday that Israeli authorities provided information that several of its employees were involved in the attacks. The allegations were made against 12 employees, according to the U.S. State Department. Of the 12, nine were terminated, one is confirmed dead and the identity of two is being clarified, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement Sunday. The U.N. Office of Internal Oversight Services will conduct an investigation into the allegation, Guterres and the agency have said. Any UN employee involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution, Guterres said in the statement. More details about the workers, including how they are accused of participating in the Oct. 7 attacks, was not available. Israels foreign minister, Israel Katz, has accused the UNRWA of serving as the civilian arm of Hamas in Gaza, a charge the humanitarian aid agency has vehemently denied. Israel has long accused the UNRWA of colluding with Hamas, the militant group that governs Gaza and launched the attacks on Oct. 7. Palestinian women walk in front of the headquarters of the (Yousef Masoud / SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) On Saturday, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said the funding pause from countries that account for much of its budget will serve to exacerbate the regions humanitarian crisis, fueled by the cutting off of fuel and supplies. It is shocking to see a suspension of funds to the Agency in reaction to allegations against a small group of staff, especially given the immediate action that UNRWA took by terminating their contracts and asking for a transparent independent investigation, he said in a statement. He urged the countries to reconsider. UNRWA is the primary humanitarian agency in Gaza, with over 2 million people depending on it for their sheer survival, Lazzarini said. The agency said it has a staff of about 13,000 in Gaza, about 3,000 of whom are continuing to work in the enclave. UNRWA shares the list of all its staff with host countries every year, including Israel, Lazzarini said in the statement. The Agency never received any concerns on specific staff members. Nearly 90% of the humanitarian agencys budget is funded by U.N. member nations, with the United States, Germany, the European Union, Sweden and Norway listed by the UNRWA as its top five contributors. The eight nations account for more than $600 million of the UNRWAs annual funding, or more than half of its estimated annual budget of $1.1 billion. The nations have said they are awaiting the outcome of the investigation. We must make sure that not a single euro of Finlands money goes to Hamas or other terrorists, Finlands minister for foreign trade and development, Ville Tavio, said in a statement Saturday. In announcing Germanys funding pause, its foreign ministry said it would maintain humanitarian support through funding to the International Committee of the Red Cross and UNICEF. Netherlands Minister for Foreign Trade Geoffrey van Leeuwen said his country would continue to provide civilians in Gaza with aid through other means. Hamas in a statement condemned the termination of the employees contracts based on information derived from the Zionist enemy. The health ministry in Gaza said the enclaves death toll since Oct. 7 is over 26,000. Nearly 85% of its population of 2.3 million has been displaced by the war. Palestine Liberation Organization Secretary General Hussein al-Sheikh said in a post on social media that the funding pause is coming at a particularly bad time as Israel engaged in continuing aggression against the Palestinian people. He also urged the nations pausing funding to reverse course. By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A U.S. Muslim group criticized former House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Sunday after she suggested, without offering evidence, that some protesters demanding a ceasefire in Gaza could be linked to Russia and urged the FBI to investigate. Her comments were dismissed as "unsubstantiated smears" by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), who said such remarks amounted to dehumanization of the Palestinian people. Pelosi made the remarks in a CNN interview after she was asked whether opposition to President Joe Biden's policy in the war in Gaza could hurt the Democrat in November's presidential election. "For them to call for a ceasefire is Mr. Putin's message, Mr. Putin's message. Make no mistake, this is directly connected to what he (Russian President Vladimir Putin) would like to see," Pelosi told CNN. "I think some of these protesters are spontaneous, and organic, and sincere. Some I think are connected to Russia," she said. "Some financing should be investigated and I want to ask the FBI to investigate that." Pelosi's comments marked the first time a prominent U.S. lawmaker has accused Russia's leader of backing U.S. protesters calling for a ceasefire. The Russian embassy in Washington was not immediately available to comment. Protests demanding a ceasefire in Gaza have recently occurred across the U.S., including near airports and bridges in New York City and Los Angeles, vigils outside the White House and marches in Washington. Demonstrators have also interrupted Biden speeches and events. The protests have been organized by a range of human rights, Jewish and anti-war activist groups. "It is unconscionable that an individual with such influence in this nation would spread unsubstantiated smears targeting those who seek an end to the slaughter of civilians in Gaza and a just resolution to that conflict," said Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesperson for CAIR. Pelosi's comments "echo a time in our nation when opponents of the Vietnam War were accused of being communist sympathizers and subjected to FBI harassment," CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad added. When asked about the protests against Biden's policy in Gaza, Democratic U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told NBC News on Sunday that opposition by many to the war was based on "the indiscriminate loss of life" in the region. The U.N. has demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, but Washington has vetoed resolutions for such calls in the United Nations Security Council, saying it would let Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which governs Gaza, regroup and rebuild. Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's subsequent assault on Gaza has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, over 1% of the 2.3 million population there, according to Gaza's health ministry. Many are feared buried in rubble. Israeli bombardments have flattened much of the densely populated enclave, leaving most Gazans homeless, sparking food shortages that threaten famine and incapacitating most hospitals. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in WashingtonEditing by Heather Timmons, Matthew Lewis and Lisa Shumaker) Some consider the start of the new year to be when the clock strikes midnight on Dec. 31. While this is true for those who follow the Gregorian calendar, many others celebrate the new year on a different day. Across the globe, around 2 billion people celebrate the Lunar New Year, an international holiday observed throughout many Asian countries, but not all. The U.S. has its own unique celebrations. Each year, the date of Lunar New Year changes. But no matter the date, each culture that celebrates has its own historically rich customs, traditions and beliefs. When is Lunar New Year? This year, Lunar New Year falls on Saturday, Feb. 10. Lunar New Year's date changes every year since it follows a lunar calendar, according to Gang Liu, a professor of Chinese studies at Carnegie Mellon University. Many Western countries including the U.S. use the Gregorian calendar, which is based on a system of 365 days (plus a leap day every four years). Lunar New Year is based the moon's 12 phases. Each phase cycle spans approximately 29 days with the full calendar being about 354 days long. On the Gregorian calendar, Lunar New Year generally falls during the last ten days of January or the first ten days of February, says Chen Yang, a professor of Chinese culture and philosophy at George Washington University. Who celebrates Lunar New Year? Lunar New Year is celebrated in many Asian cultures, Xiaoquan Raphael Zhang, the director of the Chinese program at American University, previously told USA TODAY. Among these cultures are Chinese, South Korean, Vietnamese, Singaporean, Malaysian, Filipino and Indonesian. Each culture has its own name for the New Year. For instance, Lunar New Year in China is called the Spring Festival, or chunjie. South Korea refers to the Lunar New Year as Seollal. In Vietnam, Lunar New Year is called Tet, which is short for Tet Nguyen an. How long is Lunar New Year? While the Western New Year lasts just one day, Lunar New Year goes beyond that. In China, Lunar New Year spans from the first new moon to the next full moon, or the fifth day of the lunar month, Zhang previously told USA TODAY. This begins with the Spring Festival and ends with the Lantern Festival, says Liu. In 2024, Lunar New Year starts Saturday, Feb. 10 and ends Saturday, Feb. 24. The number of days of celebration varies depending on the country. In South Korea, Seollal usually lasts for three days. In Vietnam, Tet Nguyen an is a week long. What does Lunar New Year signify? Similar to the Western New Year, Lunar New Year symbolizes letting go of the past and ringing in the present. Celebrations are focused on removing the bad and the old and welcoming the new and the good, says Yang. The Lunar New Year also is an important time for spending time with family to show one's love and gratitude, says Yang. People will pay their respects to their ancestors and older family members. Its significance is similar to Thanksgiving or Christmas among Western cultures, says Liu. "It's a reunion time; it's a celebration time." An integral part of Lunar New Year is that families will come together to practice cultural customs and to prepare and eat feasts. These customs, however, can vary depending on one's community, says Liu. People will clean their homes leading up to the Lunar New Year, says Yang. They also might decorate them with red, which is seen as a color of good fortune in Chinese culture. On Lunar New Year Eve, families come together to share a large meal, says Yang. Many will prepare fish as a sign of good luck and abundance in the new year. But the fish is not meant to be finished. "In Chinese, surplus has the same pronunciation as fish," explains Yang. In many cultures, younger people will receive red envelopes with money on Lunar New Year. "You will usually receive red envelopes from your seniors," says Liu. Children may also get new clothes in celebration of the new year. Fireworks are another way many people ring in the Lunar New Year. What does the Year of the Dragon represent? It's time to say goodbye to the year of the rabbit and say hello to the year of the dragon. In the Chinese Zodiac, there are 12 animals. Each has its own attributes and characteristics. These 12 animals coincide with the lunar calendar in a 12-year cycle. The order of the Chinese Zodiac is: Rat Ox Tiger Rabbit (in Vietnam, the rabbit is replaced by the cat) Dragon Snake Horse Goat Monkey Rooster Dog Pig 2023 was represented by the rabbit (or cat in Vietnam). Those born under the Zodiac are often seen as caring, attentive to details and likely to follow rules. 2024 will be the year of the dragon. "A dragon in China, as a culture, it's a spirit, it's a symbol," says Yang. "The dragon is a well-known mascot." Throughout Chinese history, the dragon has represented good luck, justice, prosperity and strength, he explains. People born in the year of the dragon are seen as charismatic, intelligent, confident, powerful, naturally lucky and gifted, says Yang. Just Curious for more? We've got you covered USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From "When is the first day of spring?" to "What is the biggest star?" to "How hot is the Sun?", we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our Just Curious section to see what else we can answer. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What does the Year of the Dragon represent? A guide to Lunar New Year These conflicts will now adversely affect its trade and profits as commercial shipping faces attacks and expensive detours. With the exception of mentally unbalanced dictators (who are invariably psychopaths), military maniacs or political/religious fanatics, no sensible King, President or Prime Minister would choose to go to war or set a fire and create fratricide in his or her own country or in its vicinity. Nevertheless, history shows that over the past 400 years, while the Europeans (or Americans) began the maximum number of intra or inter-continental violence and bloodshed, far beyond its own geography, the nations of the East had neither the means, nor muscle, to launch wars beyond their own region or escalate that to trans-continental human butchery. True to this, the twenty-first century began with a classic war waged by a Western coalition of 40-plus developed nations (International Security Assistance Force), far from their own territory, in distant Asias Iraq and Afghanistan, smashing humans like animals for 20 long years, yet ending with the ludicrous fiasco of an ignominious retreat from Kabul without victory in August 2021. The Wests intra-Europe conflict again erupted (somewhat unexpectedly) in February 2022 with Russia and Ukraine engaged in a savage battle over land, on European soil itself. As the 23-month Second Crimea War rages unabated between Moscow and Kyiv, no one in Europe is prepared to face Second World War-type conflicts of close physical combat and millions of dead bodies. Another deadlier war front, fraught with far-reaching ramifications, however, has opened in the East Mediterranean Sea over three months ago, in early October 2023, between the overbearing but militarily powerful Jewish state and a non-state actor, the Hamas terrorist group which had grabbed administrative control of Gaza Strip of Palestinian territory, thereby shifting the stage of bloodbath away from the West and closer to the East. Just over a month later again, the conflict has spread farther East in November 2023, with the United States and its allies in direct line of fire, with the Houthis and other ragtag non-state terrorist actors using basic weapons of unusual effectiveness in the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean and its vicinity. The US Navy, Britains Royal Navy and others, including the Indian Navy, are engaged in warding off attacks on commercial shipping on key trade routes with missiles and drones, presenting a new, deadly challenge not only to the West but to India as well. How can this be tackled? To understand the shifting of the raging wars from Europe to the Levant, the Horn of Africa and the Persian Gulf, and the sea routes to South Asia, lets recapitulate few salient features of the unfolding scenario East of Suez. First, examine the psyche of the terrorists. Just as the West, before and after the Second World War, wanted to wage conflicts far from its soil; the 400-year-long Western imperialisms suppression, oppression, loot and killings have made a wide section of Easterners follow the same strategy-- to take their battles to the soil of the West. Remember the attacks on America on September 11, 2001, and the flurry of headline-hitting terror strikes in major Western capitals, including London 2005? Today, all these non-state terror actors (Houthis, Hamas, Hezbollah, etc) are resorting to violent killings to re-ignite the fire to harm global routes to finance, fuel, food and factory products. The moot point is this: how are the Houthis operating overnight with such ferocity? The answer lies in long-term planning and preparation. Just as nation-states prepare for conflicts through their established war institutions, so did the Houthis start with the help of allies like Iran, who face a common enemy. The enemy, undeniably, is the West. Contextually, lets put the clock back 17 years to January/February 2007. Janes Navy International had reported that China has become an anti-ship missile powerhouse. Beijing soon shared its technology with Iran, with the United States being their common adversary. In due course, with the US-led Wests propensity for sanctions against many powers, the proliferation of anti-ship missiles was an inevitable fallout. Things obviously went from bad to worse as the means to settle scores by the poorer East with the mighty West were now at hand. While the West may not be unhappy as the zone of conflict shifts towards the Easts soil and waters, but these conflicts will now adversely affect its trade and profits as commercial shipping faces attacks and expensive detours. Thus, the gradual transfer of the Wests wars, from the Black Sea to the Arabian Sea through the Mediterranean, is a global bad omen. What began as normal war between two European nation-states has transformed into a conflict of non-state terrorists versus a muscular Levant nation-state which now heads towards the creation of another powerful coalition of Western nations, taking on the invisible and desperate, kamikaze-inspired poor adversary on a mission in the ocean to destroy the West. The key challenge for the Wests formidable navies in Eastern waters is the protection and survival of their warships and merchant vessels from the unconventional and asymmetric attacks by minnows. Today, its not ship-versus-ship or submarine-versus-aircraft-carrier or ship-borne ballistic missiles attacking landlocked Afghanistan or maritime reconnaissance aircraft on anti-submarine warfare missions. The stage was set over 56 years ago in the Levant itself when the Israeli destroyer Eilat was sunk on October 21, 1967 by Egyptian missile-craft, thereby showing what small vessels armed with missiles and determined men can do to radically shift the naval balance. Later, in April-June 1982, the Falklands war again upset the Royal Navy ops plan when two modern destroyers were sunk by Argentinas French-made Exocet sea-skimming anti-ship missiles. The world of warfare has moved on since. And, along with conventional wars, there are other types of warriors and belligerents. It may not be enough to be big to be effective. Russia is believed to have a powerful military, but this has not been effective enough to prevail decisively over the much smaller Ukraine. The 23-month-long war has been more pain than gain for both nations. In the Middle East, Israels powerful army has killed over 26,000 Palestinians in the Gaza ground war, while Hamas fighters killed over 1,300 Israelis and took hundreds hostage; yet neither side can see an end to the conflict anytime soon. Could the wars launched in Europe and the Middle East spread farther in Asia? That only time can tell, but the West is quite desperate to avert any more Armageddon on its soil for fear of extinction. A good general knows when to retreat. And this is not really a retreat, but a withdrawal for tactical advantage in the electoral battlefield The BJP felt that there was no one in the ranks of the Opposition who could take on Vajpayee. Sonia Gandhi was dubbed as a reader and not a leader. PTI Only time will tell if this years Lok Sabha polls will be a David vs Goliath tussle or simply a one-sided affair giving a third term for Narendra Modi as Prime Minister. Mr Modi, with the tag of Hindu Hriday Samrat after the Ram Mandir inauguration in Ayodhya on January 22, may be raring to shake off the Opposition challenge but could meet stiff resistance if, and its a big IF, the INDIA bloc strategy, especially that of the Congress, succeeds. Indias politics will see a strange phenomenon this time: the countrys second-largest party contesting only half the seats that the ruling party plans to do. The wonder is that a lean Congress is happy about it. And so are its allies in the I.N.D.I.A. bloc. Like superstar Shah Rukh Khan in Zero, the beleaguered Congress is like a pygmy in the polls amid reports that the Grand Old Party plans to focus on some 255 of the total 543 seats in the Lower House of Parliament. If that happens, it would be the lowest number of seats being contested by the oldest political party in the country since Independence. In the last 2019 polls, the Congress had contested 421 seats and won just 52, a strike rate of barely eight per cent. Its lowest tally was just 44 in 2014, which had seen the emergence of Narendra Modi on the national scene. Political pundits say that at the end of the pulls and pressures over seat- sharing with 27 other constituents of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, the Congress may end up contesting around 300 seats, which would also be its lowest. The bold move initiated by Congress president Malllikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi could prove a boon to take on a resurgent BJP seeking to whip up a Ram lahar. The out of the box thinking behind it is to raise the Congress strike rate on its turf, taking on BJP unitedly. Strategy 255 could be a blessing in disguise for the Congress, which has been suffering a funds crunch, being out of power for a decade. In such a situation, the best option is not to spread far and wide and spend your resources on limited seats and regions for a better play. A good general knows when to retreat. And this is not really a retreat, but a withdrawal for tactical advantage in the electoral battlefield. It is also aimed at spurring the Index of Opposition Unity so that the nonCongress parties in the INDIA bloc could put up a fierce fight against the ModiShah duo in their areas of influence. The carrot of prime ministership is being dangled by remaining ambivalent on the matter. The message from the Strategy 255 is that the Congress has no plans to play big brother amidst a desperate and difficult situation, and its main aim is to see the back of Narendra Modi. For the BJP, which boasts of being the worlds largest political party and has declared its intention of winning 400- plus seats in the Lok Sabha, the Congress move may emerge as a googly. In the campaign, the BJPs buzzword appears to be bigger is better, while the Congress vouches for small is beautiful. Interestingly, the Congress won over 400 Lok Sabha seats in the 1984 polls, riding a sympathy wave after the assassination of Indira Gandhi. In 2004, the BJP under the late Atal Bihari Vajpayee was in equally high spirits and talked of the feel-good factor and India Shining. In its overconfidence and complacency, the ruling party ignored the desertions of some halfdozen allies and the proactive role played by Sonia Gandhi in uniting the Opposition. The BJP felt that there was no one in the ranks of the Opposition who could take on Vajpayee. Sonia Gandhi was dubbed as a reader and not a leader. At present, there is no doubt that Narendra Modi is head and shoulders above any Opposition leader and his hold over the BJP has grown since the partys victory in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. But tomorrow could be another day. There is more than a bit of disquiet in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan after the new governments were formed, sidelining several seniors like former CMs Shivraj Singh Chouhan of MP and Vasundhara Raje of Rajasthan. The BJP faces a huge challenge in the South, which has some 130 seats. This is especially so after losing power in its only southern bastion of Karnataka last year. The Congress strategy is clear. It knows that 272 is too steep a target to aim at. It equally understands that to humble the BJP, it needs just 100-plus seats. The more the Congress tally goes above 100, it will tear apart the BJPs plans for a sweeping majority. It feels the small is beautiful strategy could destabilise the BJP, which considers itself invincible. The Achilles heel for the Congress is its organisational strength. It has failed to make the organisation shipshape despite being in the political wilderness since 2014, its biggest dry spell since Independence. Rahul Gandhis stature has grown after the Bharat Jodo Yatra and the response so far to his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra makes him the principal challenger. At such a time, the BJP will be working overtime to drive a wedge in the INDIA bloc to lower the Oppositions morale. The Oppositions failure to finalise seatsharing so far leaves an eerie feeling. But if a lean and mean Congress and its allies succeed in putting up a united show, along with a strong narrative, the BJP will have a real fight on its hands. The writer is a journalist based in New Delhi The Catholic community of St Mary's in the Sariyer district was targeted. Two men with masked faces opened fire on the faithful, killing one person. In December, the Turkish authorities had arrested an Isis cell that planned attacks against churches and synagogues. Istanbul (AsiaNews) - One person was killed this morning during an attack on the parish of Saint Mary, run by Franciscan friars, in Istanbul, while the celebration of the Eucharist was in progress. The attack against the church - located in the Sariyer district, overlooking the Bosphorus - took place at around 11.40 am. A man named Tuncer Cihan, who was attending the service, was killed. Speaking to the Associated Press agency, the victim's nephew pointed out that the target of the attackers was the church and not his uncle. "He was a mentally disabled man who had no ties to politics or criminal organisations. He was invited to the celebration and was a victim of fate," said Cagin Cihan. Security footage showed a pair of men wearing black balaclavas entering the church at the time of the attack. According to Turkish security forces, about 40 people were present at the Mass. Some sources speak of injured people, but their condition is unclear at the moment. According to the Turkish daily Hurriyet, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his condolences in a phone call to the pastor of the St. Mary's Church. He assured that 'all necessary measures are being taken to catch the perpetrators as soon as possible'. Istanbul governor Davut Gul stated that 'the motive for the attack was not immediately clarified'. In December, Turkish security forces arrested 32 suspects for alleged links to the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). At the time, investigators alleged that they were planning attacks against churches and synagogues and against the Iraqi embassy. The bloodiest precedent for an Isis-sanctioned attack in Istanbul was the attack carried out on New Year's Eve 2017 against a nightclub in the Besiktas district, where hundreds of people were celebrating the New Year. As many as 39 people were killed and 69 others injured. Today's news: China tries to push Iran to curb Houthi attacks in the Red Sea; Under threat of going underwater within the next 25 years, elections are held in Tuvalu;Taiwan initiates compulsory conscription extended to one year in response to the Chinese threat; The earth continues to shake on the border between Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and China; The precision landing of its space lander on the Moon boosts the ambitions of Japan's space programme. MYANMAR - BANGLADESH According to the United Nations, at least 569 Rohingya have died while fleeing by boat from Bangladesh and Myanmar in 2023. It is the highest number in 10 years. Thousands of Rohingya undertake dangerous sea journeys every year trying to reach Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that nearly 4,500 Rohingya, mostly women and children, made boat trips in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal in 2023. IRAN - CHINA Beijing is trying to leverage Tehran to slow down attacks on ships in the Red Sea by the Houthis, supported militarily by Iran, to avoid damaging the Middle Eastern country's trade relations with China. Discussions on the attacks and trade between China and Iran took place at several recent meetings in Beijing and Tehran, Iranian sources said. TUVALU Polls opened today in the tiny nation of Tuvalu: an election closely watched by China, Taiwan, the United States and its ally Australia, with the archipelago in the middle of the Pacific at the center of a struggle for influence in the region . Tuvalu, with a population of about 11,200 spread across nine islands, has launched an international campaign calling for more action to help nations just above sea level tackle climate change. According to estimates, the capital Funafuti risks being flooded by tides by 2050. TURKMENISTAN - JAPAN Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov paid an official visit to Japan to discuss the organization of the first Central Asia-Japan summit according to the 5+1 format with the General Secretary of the Tokyo Government Yoshimasha Hayashi, taking also agreements for the opening of Japanese factories in Turkmenistan. TAIWAN The first batch of new recruits began their year-long mandatory military service in Taiwan on Thursday. It is the first of this duration, after the conscription period was extended from four months previously due to government concerns about China's growing military threat. LAOS Six Lao villagers were arrested during a sit-in against the government's "land grab" for bribes from a private company, according to protesters. The village of , who allegedly bribed government officials to carry out the expropriation. KAZAKHSTAN - KYRGYZSTAN - CHINA Seismologists continue to record the tremors of the earthquake on the border between China, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, whose epicenter is located 5 kilometers deep, 250 kilometers from the main Kazakh city of Almaty, detecting over 20 tremors of over 4 degrees after the main one of December 23, which continue to sow panic, but without serious damage. JAPAN The Japanese lunar lander Slim landed unusually precisely: within 100 m of its target. This was reported by the Japanese space agency. In recent days the country became the fifth to send a spacecraft to the Moon. Japan hopes the demonstration of what it called "a localized Moon landing" will revitalize a space program seeking to overcome setbacks in recent years by increasing collaboration with its US ally to counter China in space. Most people know and use the teardrop camper as nothing more than the perfect way to take wild and intimate trips with your significant other or a couple's camper if you will. Well, Bend Teardrop has a little something else in its lineup: an elongated unit designed to handle families of up to five. Photo: Bend Teardrop Photo: Bend Teardrop Photo: Bend Teardrop Folks, upon seeing Bend's Double Family teardrop camper for the first time, I couldn't help but look twice; maybe I was still buzzing from the night before. However, no, all is well in the world, and your vision isn't getting worse; what we see is intentional.The Double Family (DF) is built the way it is precisely so that it can do what its name implies: accommodate families of outdoor adventurers. But there's a bit more to it than that , so let's explore what Bend offers us for a starting price of just $15K (13,800 at current exchange rates).Now, to understand how we got here, let's take a quick look at the minds and hands behind the machine. If the name Bend doesn't sound familiar, it might be because you've had no business up in Bend, Oregon, the town from which this brand gets its name.However, this crew has been active in the camper industry since 2015, and the fact that they're still alive in an industry dominated by timeless brands, the likes of Airstream and Winnebago, among others, is a testament to what this crew can do. By the looks of things, they did all this by granting folks like you and me capable machines at prices that won't make you question your lifestyle decisions.Overall, four different models exist in their lineup, but it's the DF that I found most fitting to bring up on a Saturday when you're probably sitting around the house with the kids running around. Then again, this year's season is just around the corner, so let's see what's on the table.As we can all see, the main difference between the DF and any other teardrop we may have seen is the elongated body. This design has been chosen as a way to expand interior space, allowing for more berths without breaking the bounds of what a teardrop is and does; it's meant to be aerodynamic, light, and equipped to handle a couple or so days out in the middle of nowhere With a "surplus" of interior space at their disposal, Bedn then throws in a California King mattress, and that's just for those sleeping in the main bay. A second sleeping bunk is also spotted at the rear of the interior, perfect for up to three children or one adult. Under the bunk, storage bays are spotted and LED lighting lines the edges of the space.Regarding sleeping arrangements, my only question that remains is whether or not this puppy can support a rooftop tent. After all, a rack system is in place, and several images showcase the roofs of these units loaded with awnings and whatever else folks may need. If it can handle a tent, too, then this may just be the most affordable, family-friendly teardrop on the market, if it isn't already.Back outside, the rest of the DF is just like all other teardrops, with the iconic rear-galley look. Overall, tones of wood are used to craft this unit, and this is true for the galley, too, with plenty of space for utensils, food, water, a cooktop, you name it. All of that is accessible in classic teardrop style with the help of air springs. Be sure to check out the large pass-through storage found running underneath the galley and the nose-cone box, too.Now let's take all that we've just covered, throw in a few essential extras like portable solar panels, inverter, and backup power, and load up the DF with food, water, and even some toys like fishing rods and inflatable kayaks, grab the gang, and off you go A few hours or so later, you arrive at your destination - the steel chassis and leaf-spring suspension held up just fine - stretch your legs, and then it's onto setting up your campsite. The kids are given the task of gathering bits of firewood from the world around while you and your significant other unfurl the awning(s), set up an outdoor dining set, and even dig a hole for what will become the center of tonight's. I'm talking about a fire pit. Actually, you can wait for the kids to return so that you can teach them all about building and maintaining a safe fire.With everything ready to go, you head to the rear of the unit, grab a sandwich or two, maybe even prepare a salad, and wait for the kids to come back. It's a nice vibe today, with a pink and baby blue sunset, a cold beer in one hand, and a sandwich in the other. A lettuce-filled grin creeps across your face as you look at your partner while your laughter guides the kids back to base. A neat way to spend summer, spring, fall, and apparently, even winter: Bend insulates their units to "stay toasty in the winter and cool in the summer."Before we started this adventure into a life lived out of Double Family , I might have been of the opinion that an extended-family teardrop camper isn't possible, but Bend proved me wrong, and that's something to consider if you're looking for a new unit. ICE PHEV EV AWD For example, while it makes two crossover SUVs and an all-electric model that's twinned with the-powered Panamera saloon, it also doesn't want to alienate the faithful 911 fans . So, they are making all design changes more subtle than anyone likes them, and they are also running away from hybrid,, orpower as if a monster lurks inside the charging outlet.As such, nobody is surprised when they say that 911s will be ICE-powered for as long as they can keep them burning dead dinosaurs. On the other hand, they already have sustainable powertrains in models like the Panamera or Taycan, so it wouldn't be that hard to adapt them for the iconic 911 series. Of course, the discussion is muted when the company blames its reluctance to plug in the 911 because of performance-affecting weight concerns.On the other hand, the facelift for the 992 series is coming as our spy photographer partners keep uncovering prototypes all around the world. Maybe the next generation will feature a complete paradigm switch; who knows? In fact, if that is not going to happen in the real world, the imaginative realm of digital car content creators is always ready and willing to take over the OEM's duties.Just recently, we stumbled upon Luca Serafini, a virtual automotive designer based in Modena, Italy (aka lsdesignsrl on social media), who has imagined the EV future for the next-gen 911 in a cleverly minimalist way. His unofficial design project honors the timeless style of the most well-known Porsche but also adapts it for the era when sustainability meets tradition and innovation in a single, comprehensive package.While the hypothetical next-generation Porsche 911 EV keeps the well-known proportions, it's also a product of the next iteration of designs, as per the LED front and rear light treatment. In fact, if we dare to throw in a supposition, maybe this unofficial concept also comes with pop-up headlights. Anyway, the philosophy behind the entire project is simple minimalist design blends nicely with classic proportions, and under the rear hood, there's either one or a couple of electric motors to provide RWD oroomph.By the way, if Porsche were to bring the zero-emissions powertrains over from the upcoming Mavan EV , for example, along with the modular Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture developed jointly with Audi, it would also churn out around 600 horsepower more than enough to satisfy purists, don't you think? So, do you want the next Porsche 911 to be electric or remain an ICE-powered affair? Having a proper trailer can be a game-changer when going off-road and off-grid. However, you have to find that ideal balance between the rig's dimensions (which will impact how deep off-road you can go) and its features naturally, the more compact it is, the fewer features it'll have. Today, I'm presenting the Epik Scout lightweight trailer, an incredibly versatile rig with many creatively integrated features. GVWR Photo: YouTube Screenshot / New Jersey Outdoor Adventures Photo: YouTube Screenshot / New Jersey Outdoor Adventures Photo: YouTube Screenshot / New Jersey Outdoor Adventures Photo: YouTube Screenshot / New Jersey Outdoor Adventures Epik RV is a Uniontown, Ohio-based manufacturer of adventure RVs . It has a single product available, which we're discussing today. The first things I want to talk about are its construction and dimensions.First off, this trailer has an aluminum and composite body. Compared to wood, aluminum is not susceptible to rot and decay, requires less maintenance, and is more resilient against impacts, scratches, and weather-related deterioration.The frame is made of steel and is wrapped in Rhino Lining for extra protection. Moreover, the rig boasts a bonded structure, meaning it doesn't rely on screws to keep its integrity. The exterior walls are fabricated using a structural foam composite core with a fiberglass exterior, while the walls inside feature Azdel composite paneling.Regarding dimensions, the Epik Scout has a length of 17 feet (almost 5.2 meters), a width of 76 inches (244 centimeters), and a base height of 85 inches (216 centimeters). Furthermore, it tips the scales at 2,300 lb. (1,043 kg), while itsis 4,000 lb. (1,814 kg). That means that it can be towed by most midsized SUVs or pickup trucks.Epik RV describes the Scout as "designed for off-road, off-grid use," and the trailer comes with many features to back up this claim. Regarding off-roading , the Scout boasts an ARK articulating hitch, a Timbren 5200 independent off-road suspension, electric trailer brakes, aluminum fenders, and 33-inch all-terrain tires offering 19 inches (48 centimeters) of ground clearance. I'll talk more about its off-grid capabilities once we check out the interior.At the front, there's a box storing a propane canister. On the left side of the trailer, you'll discover two exterior compartments one holds a 75-liter (20-gallon) Dometic dual-zone fridge/freezer (which is offered as an option), while the other houses a pull-out kitchen. It features a removable stainless steel sink, a decent amount of counter space, and a storage compartment, and you can also opt for a dual-burner stove as an extra.A nice feature of the Epik Scout is a large door covering its entire rear part, which can be opened to reveal several sizeable storage spots, some charging ports, and a pass-through. What's more, the inner side of the door has two integrated dimmable LED lights. Another notable detail here at the rear is a hitch which can hold about 200 to 250 lb. (91 to 113 kg).Behind the outdoor kitchen, on the other side of the trailer, Epik RV installed the electrical system. It comprises a DC-DC charger, a 100 Ah lithium battery, and an MPPT solar charge controller connected to a 100 W solar panel on the roof, although you can install panels with more capacity for an additional cost.I saved the best exterior feature for last: a slide-out that adds about 30 inches (76 centimeters) of room inside, complete with an integrated window. What's more, it's deployed by hand, so you don't have to worry about its motor breaking down.The other best feature is a soft pop-top roof, which increases the exterior height to 96 inches (216 centimeters) when deployed. It comes with a light, zipped windows, and a panel with a mattress large enough to fit two people. However, during the day, you can remove this panel and have more standing room. Other notable exterior features are an outdoor shower and an OVS 270-degree awning, both offered as upgrades.To enter, you'll have to open the rig's modular entry door, which has a built-in steel screen door and a bug net. Moreover, it's triple deadbolt locked for additional stability.The interior space is quite compact, especially when the slide-out isn't extended most of the room is occupied by the almost-queen-size bed. Extending the slide-out is extremely easy: just undo a latch and push it. You don't need a lot of strength to do it just as Marissa, an Epik RV representative, demonstrated in the presentation video.Storage isn't an issue inside the Scout. You get various options in the form of latching cabinets, cargo nets, under-bed spots, cubbies, and more. By the way, even the cabinets inside are made out of aluminum.On the right side of the interior, you'll discover a small bench that can be turned into an extra sleeping space for a kid or for a pet, as it's quite small. Behind it, there's a window that comes with a bug screen and a black-out shade. Moreover, in the pass-through I mentioned earlier, there's a swivel table that can be pulled out, perfect for eating or working on your laptop.And that's it regarding the interior. There's one last thing to talk about: the utility systems. Besides the electrical one I already mentioned, the Epik Scout is equipped with a 30-gallon (114-liter) freshwater tank. The other systems, a Dometic on-demand 6-gallon (23-liter) water heater and a Dometic propane and electric furnace, are offered as extras. Furthermore, Epik RV can prep the trailer for an EcoFlow Wave 2 A/C unit to be fitted in the pass-through if you plan on traveling in hotter environments.There are two control panels inside. One controls the lights and heating systems, while the other is a Renogy monitor that displays information about charge status, how much energy you get from the solar panel, and more.For additional safety, Epik RV installed a smoke detector, a fire extinguisher, and propane and CO2 detectors.All in all, there are so many features integrated into this tiny trailer. It's durable, well-equipped, and can be an excellent tiny home for rugged adventures into the wilderness. Pair it with an overlander, and you have an excellent setup for exploration.Regarding pricing, the base version of the Scout will set you back $36,000 (32,218). The unit you can check out in the video below is priced at around $45,000 (41,423) due to the multiple integrated options.However, if budget isn't a problem for you, you can go even further and add leveling jacks, a spare tire with a mount, a Maxxfan, a battery upgrade, a Bluetooth stereo system, a vinyl wrap, a roof rack, and more, bringing the total price to more than $50,000 (46,025). You can find out more about Epik RV, the Scout, and its available upgrades on the company's official website The convertible was the runner-up in terms of production numbers, accounting for 4,296 units. However, if you want a W30, finding one today is insanely difficult, as only 121 units got to see the daylight.The Cutlass convertible in these pictures doesn't wear the W30 package but still looks intriguing thanks to the solid shape retained throughout the last decades.The car is a barn find, though the owner doesn't share more specifics. The car has been sitting for more than 25 years, and eBay seller checr8448 says it spent all this time on a concrete floor. If true, the claim is good news from a metal perspective, as the undercarriage should be clean and solid. You should still put the car on a lift and inspect the floors, as it's the only way to determine how much work you need for a complete restoration.The engine under the hood is the mysterious part of the story. We know it's a V8 (code "36" in the VIN indicates a V8-powered Cutlass), but no further specifics are available. The owner says the mill ran when parked, but its current condition is unknown, and we don't even know if it turns over by hand.The photos reveal a solid body shape and an above-the-average interior, though it's unclear if anything is missing. The cabin needs a thorough cleaning before getting more information, so make sure you order a complete third-party inspection if you're interested in saving this Cutlass.Getting this convertible on a trailer won't be as easy as you hoped, as the brakes are currently frozen. You'll need a mechanic to free the wheels if you decide to take the car home, but you won't be able to drive it, considering the long tenure in storage.Finding a new home for this Cutlass convertible should be easy, as the owner posted the car on eBay as part of a no-reserve auction . It means a single bid is enough to give the car a second chance, and at the time of writing, three people entered the race to buy it. The top bid today is $3,600, but I expect the selling price to get close to $5,000 by the end of the auction. The digital fight will end in five days.If you want to see the Cutlass in person, you'll have to travel to Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, where it's currently waiting for the end of the auction. 28 January 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more The attitude of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) against Azerbaijan can be considered as fishing in the troubled water. The hatred against Muslims and Azerbaijan has evolved to such an extent that the MEPs do not need to hide it anymore. In an interview with the international media outlets, Marina Kaljurand, member of PACE from Estonia, chairman of the cooperation and partnership committees with South Caucasus countries, who called for European countries to impose sanctions on Azerbaijans gas deal, openly stated that no-one in PACE supported, i.e. do not want Azerbaijan. Her speeches both in the PACE and in the interview were reverberations of hatred hidden in her heart for a long. Turning a blind eye for 30 years when Armenians expelled Azerbaijanis, Kurds, and Meskhetians from their homeland, Marina somehow remembered human rights right after the full liberation of Garabagh. Exaggerating the situation in Azerbaijan, the Estonian MP lists the so-called violations in the country, but at the end, she adds that Baku is "obliged to satisfy Armenians and should allow them to return to Garabagh. First of all, maybe she suffers from amnesia, but everybody remembers that no one in Azerbaijan expelled them. They voluntarily left Azerbaijan for Armenia. Even, Azerbaijan has not asked Russia to withdraw its peacekeeper from the country, despite Baku having such a right. The road is open for all Armenians born in Garabagh if they agree to hold an Azerbaijani ID card or passport. Secondly, her attitude poses questions. Why the same person has never called European countries to impose sanctions on Armenia when Yerevan expelled over one million people including Azerbaijanis, Kurds, and Meskheti Turks from their homeland? In an interview, she kept saying that Azerbaijan should have a negotiation with Armenians and satisfy them. So, here arises another question: what do Armenians want? Of course, they want to grasp Azerbaijani territories. In other words, the Estonian MP requires Azerbaijan to give its historical land to Armenia to satisfy Armenians. Frankly speaking, it is a big riddle. On one hand, the members of PACE say that they recognize Garabagh as Azerbaijani land but at the same time, they demand that we should satisfy Armenians. How is it possible? Frank Schwabe, the MP from Germany, made a big similar buzz, as well. He evaded questions about why he had not called to impose sanctions on Armenia when Yerevan invaded Azerbaijani lands. He said that PACE does not solve the territorial problems. However, the same person requires that Armenians should return to Garabagh. So, if PACE does not engage in solving territorial issues, why does he demand from us to allow Armenians to return? Or, why has he never voiced such demands against Yerevan? Is expelling over one million people from their homeland not considered a violation of human rights? Or, do only Armenians have such kind of right? Frankly speaking, it is crystal clear that the members of PACE are not interested in human rights in Azerbaijan. The resolution of the French Senate, Borrell's speech and the resolution at the PACE against Azerbaijan - all these are related to each other. Against the background of recent diplomatic failures, France stepped aside and promoted Germany. That is why the German MP Frank Schwabe proposed the initiative. Their intention is obvious. Like many Armenians, it seems that European countries thought that with the arrival of Russian peace-keepers, Garabagh would be under Armenian occupation forever. They thought that Azerbaijan would not dare to do anything in the presence of Russia. However, Azerbaijan solved the Garabagh conflict and liberated its territories. The members of PACE cannot accept this. Let us imagine that the situation in Azerbaijan, in terms of human rights, is as bad as they claim. So, why have they kept their mouth shut, so far? Why have they remembered human rights violations in Azerbaijan just after liberating Garabagh? So that, before September 2023 Azerbaijan was good for EU officials, but after that date Azerbaijan turns to be worse for them? Such a political game will not work. Azerbaijan does not have any territories to give it to Armenia. No blackmails can cow Azerbaijan's political will and the delegation that represented the country in PACE. The Azerbaijani politicians got ahead of them, put them in a humiliating situation, by not attending the last meeting and proudly cut off relations with the Islamophobic, anti-Azerbaijani institution. As a great Azerbaijani author of Jewish origin Kurban Said told, we do not need Europe, we are East. Surely, one day, PACE will lose its biggest part. --- Qabil Ashirov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @g_Ashirov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 January 2024 16:12 (UTC+04:00) On January 27, another batch of food eggs from Azerbaijan in the amount of 36 tons (612,000 pieces) was imported through the Yarag-Kazmalyar checkpoint for sale in Russia, Azernews reports citing Rosselkhoznadzor. Upon arrival of the cargo at the temporary storage warehouse, sampling was carried out to ensure the quality and safety of food products. "As of January 27, 5.2 million edible eggs were imported to Russia from Azerbaijan," the department says. Azerbaijan began exporting edible eggs to the Russian Federation on December 19, 2023. According to Rosstat, chicken eggs in Russia in December 2023 rose in price by 61.35% compared to the same period in 2022. At the same time, from January 10 to 15, 2024, their prices decreased by 0.2% compared to the previous week, for the first time since June 2023. In recent times, the global fresh egg export market has seen a notable increase. In 2022, the total value of fresh eggs exported globally amounted to $2.6 bln, marking an 11.2% increase from the previous year. However, the dance of supply and demand has been disrupted by the avian flu epidemic, causing egg supplies to fall and prices to surge. Azerbaijan also exports edible eggs to Iraq, Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 January 2024 13:38 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more Baku will host Fidan Hajiyeva's First International Opera Festival from April 27 to May 3. The event is co-organized by the Vocal Music School of People's Artist Fidan Hajiyeva with the support of the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry and the State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, Azernews reports. The main goal of the project is to promote and develop classical music in Azerbaijan, identify and support new talents in the field of opera. "The festival will be a great musical festival for lovers of classical art. Over the course of seven days, music pieces by Azerbaijani classics and world authors will be performed in a number of concert venues by acclaimed artists from Azerbaijan and other countries. I would especially note that promimemt musicians will share the same stage with young talents. The festival will end with a spectacular gala concert," said Fidan Hajiyeva. Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az,Trend.Az, Day.Az, Milli.Az and Turkic.World. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 January 2024 10:00 (UTC+04:00) The trial of Yasin Huseynzadeh, who carried out an attack on the Azerbaijani embassy, took place today in Tehran, Azernews reports. Several diplomats from the Azerbaijani Embassy also took part in the court hearing. At the beginning, the prosecutor's representative read out the indictment. According to the indictment, the person who attacked the Azerbaijani embassy in Tehran is accused of deliberately killing one of the Azerbaijani citizens in the embassy building using firearms, injuring two embassy diplomats, illegally possessing a Kalashnikov assault rifle and a pistol, and disturbing public order After the indictment was announced, the defendant and his lawyer made a defense speech. As a result, the judge announced that the criminal proceedings had been completed, and the chairman of the court stated that the decision would be made within the time limits established by law. On January 27, 2023, a terrorist attack was carried out against the Azerbaijani embassy in Tehran. As a result of the terrorist attack, one embassy employee was killed and two were injured. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 January 2024 12:07 (UTC+04:00) Around 50,616 voters are registered and 50 polling stations have been created in Azerbaijan's Saatly. Due to the ongoing refinement of voter lists, their number may increase, Chairman of the District Election Commission Arif Aliyev told the website secki-2024.az, Azernews reports. Arif Aliyev underlined that the process of preparation for the election continues in full compliance with the law. He noted that web cameras are installed at seven polling stations. In addition, ramps for voters with disabilities have been installed at 12 polling stations. Some 639 observers have been registered in the region. OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) also got acquainted with the preparations for the election in the constituency. Moreover, training sessions were held for members of election commissions and work was carried out to inform about the electoral process. Extraordinary presidential elections will be conducted in Azerbaijan on February 7, 2024. It is the first presidential election to be held in Azerbaijan after restoring its territorial integrity and sovereignty. A total of 7 candidates have been registered to run for the presidential elections. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 January 2024 16:00 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijanis have gathered outside the United Nations' Geneva office in Switzerland to raise awareness about the pressing issue of landmine contamination in the liberated territories. The protest rally was organized by the Cultural Center of Azerbaijanis in Switzerland, Azernews reports. The rally participants called on the European and international community to put pressure on Armenia to hand over maps of minefields to Azerbaijan. The protest action also featured a "Mine Field" simulation training. Participants highlighted the dangerous consequences faced by civilians in these contaminated areas by distributing informative leaflets to residents, providing detailed information about Armenia's mining of Azerbaijani territories. The protest rally outside the UN office in Geneva serves as a reminder that the international community must unite to address the issue of landmine contamination promptly and efficiently. Note that the Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry has released a statement on the ongoing mine threat in the territories liberated from Armenian occupation in 2020. The statement was in response to recent information from the Armenian National Security Service regarding a potential delivery of additional landmine maps to Azerbaijan as part of confidence-building measures. Moreover, urgent measures have to be taken by Armenia to provide information on the fates of 4,000 missing Azerbaijanis, and the places of mass graves where Azerbaijanis have been buried over the last 30 years. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 January 2024 14:20 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijani military serviceman Gasimov Hajiali Tahir oglu, who was seriously injured while Azerbaijan was carrying out local anti-terrorist measures and fell into a coma, died in the medical institution where he was being treated in Baku. It was reported that the leadership of the Ministry of Defense expresses its condolences to the family of the martyred serviceman. To fulfill the requirements outlined in the Trilateral Statement, measures were taken in Garabagh economic region from September 19 to September 20, 2023, with the aim of preventing significant provocations, disarming and removing Armenian armed units from Azerbaijani territories, dismantling their military infrastructure, ensuring the safety of civilians returning to the liberated areas, as well as civil servants involved in reconstruction efforts, and restoring the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan. These actions were carried out as part of local anti-terrorist operations. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 January 2024 18:00 (UTC+04:00) A peaceful protest has been held in front of the Armenian embassy in The Hague, the Netherlands, by Motherland Union of European Azerbaijani Women and the Congress of Benelux Azerbaijanis (BAK). The demonstration aimed to draw attention to the issue of landmines buried by Armenia in the Azerbaijani territories, which were under Armenian occupation for almost 30 years, Azernews reports. The protest participants highlighted the urgent need to take decisive steps to eradicate mine terrorism. These explosives have caused a significant number of casualties and act as a major obstacle to post-conflict reconstruction efforts. Displaying placards with powerful slogans such as "Armenia's mines kill civilians," "Azerbaijan wants peace, Armenia wants war," and "Armenia rejects the option of peace," the participants called on Yerevan to support peace and provide mine maps. The rally participants expressed their hope that the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the highest judicial body of the UN, will acknowledge their voices and address the issue of mine terrorism. The main objective of this protest was to raise awareness among the global community about the pressing issue of mine terrorism and its potential devastating consequences for the planet's future. It also addressed the problem of Armenia polluting the territories of Azerbaijan with landmines and demanded that Armenia provide detailed minefield maps in Garabagh. Following the liberation of its lands from Armenian occupation in the Second Garabagh War 2020, Azerbaijan started carrying out operations on clearing its lands from mines, booby traps, and various weapons left behind by the Armenian troops. The use of landmines poses a significant risk to the lives of innocent people. The toll of mine victims has reached 342 since 2020. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 January 2024 20:10 (UTC+04:00) Japans Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) company plans to discharge 54.6 tons of purified wastewater from its crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant (NPP) in fiscal year 2024 (from April 1 2024 to March 31, 2025), Azernews reports citing Kyodonews. The water will be divided into seven portions, the agency said. Besides, TEPCO decided to postpone the extraction of melted nuclear cores fragments until October. In March 2011, a tsunami knocked out power and cooling facilities at the Fukushima NPP, leading to a nuclear meltdown in three reactors, the destruction of their vessels, explosions and the release of large amounts of radioactive material. To date, the plant and surrounding areas have been almost completely cleaned up. However, the water that is constantly poured into the destroyed reactors to cool down nuclear fuel fragments flows out through gaps highly contaminated with radioactive particles. There are currently over 1.34 mln tons of water at the NPP. That said, the Japanese government decided to gradually treat and then discharge this water into the sea. The process, which is expected to take 30 to 40 years, caused tensions with a number of countries, namely China, despite being approved by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The water is treated through the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) and is also diluted with seawater but still contains tritium that cannot be removed. The maximum allowable concentration of tritium is 1,500 becquerels per liter, and the measurements that the Japanese officials and IAEA experts take in the ocean confirm that the treated water meets these parameters. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 January 2024 23:00 (UTC+04:00) At the next meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, chaired by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the countrys accession to the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) was announced, Azernews reports citing Turkmenportal. As reported by the Director General of the Agency of Transport and Communications, Mammethan Chakyev, this decision was made in order to develop international cooperation, simplify maritime shipping procedures and improve trade relations of Turkmenistan with other countries. Joining the IMO convention will make it possible to bring national legislation into line with international standards, increase the efficiency of the maritime industry and ensure the safety of ship traffic in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea. Currently, the transport infrastructure and expansion of the maritime fleet of Turkmenistan are being modernized. After hearing the report, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized the need to increase the volume of cargo transportation by sea and river transport, instructing the head of the Agency to take appropriate steps in this direction. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz In 2022, Jon Lauck published The Good Country: A History of the American Midwest, 1800-1900. His book describes a wonderful range of things to love about the 19th-century Midwest: its democratic civic ethos, the enduring Midwestern commitment to antislavery that resulted from the Northwest Ordinance's original prohibition of the practice, and the wildfire-spread of co-educational colleges in the region. Lauck also adorns his book with wonderful quotations, which illustrate points such as the Midwestern love of literature that made it the talk of every table.Lauck writes,The Good Country provides chapter and verse on why Americans have cause to love the Midwest's history.The publication of a book like Lauck's should not have been news. But it was news, startling news, because the American historical profession has been taken over by a body of professors animated by an extraordinary hostility toward America and Western civilization as a whole.They don't write books like Lauck's anymore-not at Harvard, nor at the University of Wisconsin, nor at Denison College. Instead they complete projects with titles like The Children of Lincoln: White Paternalism and the Limits of Black Opportunity in Minnesota, 1860-1876 (2018) and Imagining the Heartland: White Supremacy and the American Midwest (2022). What's happening to Midwestern history is happening to all of American history. The story of our wonderful country, and the civilizational tradition from which it came, is being memory-holed by our universities' history departments.America is desperately short of every kind of professor and public intellectual who knows our Western civilizational heritage and the ideals and institutions that formed and preserved our republic. But we are particularly short of historians. A continuing flow of conservatives into law and the judiciary has preserved a remnant body of tradition-minded law professors to make the case for originalism, natural law, and precedent. Tradition-minded political theorists also survive, as do tradition-minded economists. History departments, by contrast, have become almost entirely a left-wing preserve. History professors' blatant politicization dissuades most dissenters from applying to history graduate departments, and selective blackballing by admissions committees ensures that the next generation of history professors will be at least as radical as the present one.Mitchell Langbert's articles comparing Democratic and Republican voter registration among faculty by academic discipline illustrate the point. His 2016 study found that the ratio of Democrats to Republicans was 4.5:1 in economics, 8.6:1 in law, and 33.5:1 in history. His 2018 study, with a different sample, found that the ratio of Democrats to Republicans was 5.5:1 in economics, 8.2:1 in political science, and 17.4:1 in history. Both studies suggest that tradition-minded historians are far scarcer than tradition-minded scholars in economics, law, and political theory.The disappearance of tradition-minded historians has affected the character of tradition-minded ideals. Tradition-minded economists and political theorists, shaped by their disciplinary conventions, tend to define proper policy by its adherence to abstract words and principles. Tradition-minded lawyers share far more of the disciplinary presuppositions of historians, but their studies focus relatively narrowly upon the law. Historians, who look more broadly to culture and society, to the individuality of biography, to the contingencies of events, and to the shared experiences of peoples, have receded within tradition-minded scholarship-and within the broader political movements inspired by that scholarship. Tradition-minded scholars, oddly enough, know relatively little of the history that creates tradition.Yet the disappearance of tradition-minded historians is still more damaging to America as a whole. Americans are forgetting their history because there are no tradition-minded history professors to pass on that story. The radicals who hate American history teach their hatred instead, above all to the nation's future K-12 social-studies teachers. They pass on this hate-reading of American history to our children.Americans also are forgetting the history of Western civilization-all the history our Founding Fathers knew as they created America, as well as the history that continued to inspire Lincoln and King and Reagan as they strove to preserve and expand American liberty. America needs historians of ancient Greece and Rome, of medieval Christendom, and of the intellectual explosion from the Renaissance to the Enlightenment. They need experts in British history, which provides the hinge between Europe and America, and in the Western invention of modern science and technology. They need historians of the law-Roman and canon and common-to preserve our memory of how law and liberty intertwine.We need new history departments, staffed by historians dedicated to researching and teaching this history of American and Western civilization, to provide competition to the existing radical monopoly. We need, indeed, every sort of history, of every part of the world. Any history we don't teach well is history we abandon to the radical professoriate desperate to prosecute America and Western civilization more broadly. Such new departments would be popular with the vast number of students who long to learn the real history of America, and it would surely be profitable in the long run. Yet to set up new departments necessarily will require a substantial investment, and we have scarce resources. What should be Americans' priorities?We need historians of the American republic-and that means subdisciplines that emphasize the importance of the republic, its survival, its ideals, and its actions. We need, therefore, constitutional historians, who know the constitutional and legal history of the republic and the process by which our ideals entered into and shaped the foundational institution of the republic. We need diplomatic historians, who know how our republic has interacted with its peers and how our ideals and our interests have shaped our foreign policy. We need military historians, who know the victories, defeats, strategies, and sacrifices that shaped the republic's survival and expansion. We need political historians, who know the narrative of motivations and events that shaped the conflicts and consensuses that generated our constitutional, diplomatic, and military history.We need historians of the American nation-and that means subdisciplines that emphasize the enduring common character, ideals, and delights of America. We need intellectual historians, who can trace the threads of thought that unite Americans, such as the City on a Hill invoked by John Winthrop and Ronald Reagan. We need religious historians, who can delineate Americans' faiths and explain how they have influenced American beliefs and actions. We need cultural historians, who can describe the common culture that delighted Americans and the world. We need social historians, who can describe how the mores of liberty and equality struck deep roots in American society. We need economic historians, who can describe how entrepreneurship and industry made America the wealthiest nation on earth. We need science and technology historians, who can describe how a nation of tinkerers became a nation of mass production, computers, and space travel.We also need historians to survey Western civilization: the ancient world, medieval Christendom, the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, British history, legal history, and the history of science and technology. But we need above all historians to preserve the memory of the chain of predecessors to whom America owes its ideals and institutions of liberty: Pericles' Athens and Cicero's Rome, Salutati's Florence and the Great Britain of the Glorious Revolution. America needs at least a sketch of how liberty was handed down from one generation to the next throughout the history of the West.America needs these three clusters of historians: of the American republic, of the American nation, and of Western liberty.The new Centers that have begun to appear in America's public universities, in Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and Texas, would be a natural home for such clusters of historians to compete with the radical, illiberal establishment of the history departments. Tradition-minded philanthropists might also seek to endow such clusters of historians in private colleges and universities. Whether in private or public universities, support for tradition-minded historians is even more urgent than support for tradition-minded political theorists, lawyers, and economists. All tradition-minded scholarship is endangered, but tradition-minded history is near extinction.Theodore Roosevelt wrote thatWe must have historians who know the greatness of America's past if we would have America be great again. 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? Taiwanese voters sent a clear political message to communist China late last week by electing Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to become the island nation's next president.This marks the first time that a political party in Taiwan has won a third straight presidential election, Bloomberg News reported. The DPP has vowed political independence from China and views Taiwan as its own sovereign nation.Lai told supporters after winning.His election victory came despite warnings from China that Taiwan will be reunited with it either through elections or through the Chinese Military invading the country.A spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs lashed out after the election, saying that it does not matterthe spokesperson added.The DPP secured just over 40 percent of the vote while the Kuomintang political party secured one-third of the vote and the Taiwan People's Party secured just over a quarter of the vote. Kuomintang and the Taiwan People's Party are friendlier toward China than the DPP.However, the DPP lost control of the legislature after losing 10 seats which means that no one party will have control over the legislature or over the island's government.Lai called his win aagainst authoritarian governments, like China.he said.President Joe Biden responded to Taiwan's election results with weakness, saying:Taiwanese voters sent a clear political message to communist China late last week by electing Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to become the island nation's next president.This marks the first time that a political party in Taiwan has won a third straight presidential election, Bloomberg News reported. The DPP has vowed political independence from China and views Taiwan as its own sovereign nation.Lai told supporters after winning.His election victory came despite warnings from China that Taiwan will be reunited with it either through elections or through the Chinese Military invading the country.A spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs lashed out after the election, saying that it does not matterthe spokesperson added.The DPP secured just over 40 percent of the vote while the Kuomintang political party secured one-third of the vote and the Taiwan People's Party secured just over a quarter of the vote. Kuomintang and the Taiwan People's Party are friendlier toward China than the DPP.However, the DPP lost control of the legislature after losing 10 seats which means that no one party will have control over the legislature or over the island's government.Lai called his win aagainst authoritarian governments, like China.he said.President Joe Biden responded to Taiwan's election results with weakness, saying: Elon Musk has responded to Biden's statement on the Senate border sellout bill, negotiated by RINO Senator Lankford with the Democrats. Musk offers a much simpler way to fix the border problem. Here is his whole tweet: "No laws need to be passed. All that is needed is an executive order to require proof before granting an asylum hearing. That is how it used to be." https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/01/elon-musk-responds-after-joe-biden-issues-press/ The Lankford sellout would allow one and a half million illegal aliens "asylum seekers" into the US per year. Congress should never allow that. We need to enforce existing immigration laws. Musk has it right and BIden and Lankford have it wrong. Another politician that has it very wrong is liberal Republican US Senator Thom Tillis who is still pushing for the Lankford betrayal bill and calling Trump "immoral" for opposing it. https://dailyhaymaker.com/tilli-immoral-to-kill-border-deal-to-help-trump/ Tillis was overwhelmingly censured by the state Republican convention for his many liberal positions on issues contrary to the GOP platform. Meanwhile the Oklahoma Republican Party has overwhelmingly passed a resolution to "censure and strongly condemn" Senator Lankford for his rotten border deal and also voted to "cease all support" for Lankford. https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/immigration/2822445/oklahoma-gop-denounces-censures-lankford-over-border-deal/ https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/01/oklahoma-gop-passes-resolution-condemn-censure-sen-james/ https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2024/01/28/oklahoma-republican-party-ends-all-support-sen-james-lankford-senate-deal-expand-immigration/ Both houses of the Georgia legislature are ramping up separate investigations of the corrupt rogue Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis who is behind the politically motivated prosecution of President Trump. That prosecution has been politically coordinated between Willis and her minions and the Biden White House to try to jail Biden's chief political opponent, a common tactic of Third World dictatorships. In the Georgia House, 22 articles of impeachment have been filed against Willis seeking to remove her from office. When the House approves them, the case will move to the Senate for ajudication. The same day that the articles of impeachment were introduced in the House, the Georgia Senate formally voted to grant subpoena powers to one of its committee to investigate misuse of state funds by Willis' office. The chairman of the audit committee of the Fulton County Commission has already launched an investigation into misuse of county funds by Willis and her office. The worm seems to be turning on this corrupt hack of a politicized DA, who is incidentaly the daughter of a former Black Panther terrorist. https://www.zerohedge.com/political/fani-under-immense-pressure-22-articles-impeachment-filed-malfeasance-oppression-and While it has been known for some time that hundreds of personnel of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) have publicly praised the horrible terrorist attacks of Oct. 7 by the terrorist group Hamas against unarmed Israeli civilians, the other shoe has now dropped. Multiple UNRWA employees actively participated in those terrorist attacks. A whole parade of countries is now cutting off contributions to the UNRWA, as they should. Even Biden has cut off contributions to them. It is telling that President Trump had earlier cut off US funds to this rogue agency, but Biden had restored them. Now, he has had to cut them off again. That is like the Houthis, who Trump place on the list of terrorist organizations, and Biden took off, but now has had to put them on again. https://www.breitbart.com/middle-east/2024/01/27/more-donor-countries-drop-unrwa-after-staff-involved-in-hamas-october-7-attack/ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13019175/un-aid-agency-terror-attack-britain-pause-funding-repercussions-gaza.html In spite of their involvement in horrendous terrorist activities, UN Secretary General Guterres, a former Socialist politician from Portugal, is still insisting that countries restore their funding for UNRWA. This is the same Guterres who previously made excuses for the Hamas terrorist attacks. Maybe it is time to just cut off all funding to the UN. Meanwhile, Gaza civilians are demonstrating for the overthrow of the Hamas dictatorship there: https://redstate.com/jeffc/2024/01/28/fed-up-palestinian-civilians-in-gaza-call-for-the-overthrow-of-hamas-n2169346 .Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and Jamie Bryson during a rally in opposition to the Northern Ireland Protocol at Lurgan, County Armagh in 2022. Loyalist activist Jamie Bryson has said he would be tempted to stand in an upcoming election against the DUP if the party returns to Stormont to implement the NI Protocol. The DUP has been blocking a functioning assembly and executive since February 2022 in protest against post-Brexit trade checks between the region and Great Britain. The democratic unionists are facing mounting pressure to say if they will back a new deal to end the impasse. The DUPs party executive is to meet on Monday evening for an update from leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson on negotiations with the UK Government. It comes after an email was circulated on social media on Friday night, with sources confirming to the Belfast Telegraph the correspondence is legitimate. Mr Bryson, who previously shared the stage with Sir Jeffrey and TUV leader Jim Allister at anti-Protocol rallies, has warned a return to Stormont would lead to unionism splitting very badly. Speaking to The Telegraph, he said: There will be a significant number of unionists, myself included, that will continue to fight every single day, and will make life as difficult as possible for Jeffrey Donaldson. I would most certainly be tempted to stand in a constituency against a high-profile protocol implementer. At the annual dinner of Newry & Armagh TUV on Saturday evening, Jim Allister reached out to all who continue to stand firm against the Protocol. He urged unionists to have strength and structure in the common cause of necessary opposition to the Protocol and any unionist implementation of it through Stormont. In the course of his remarks Jim Allister said: Unionism is facing a defining moment. A moment of decision that will set Northern Irelands course for years to come. Either NI will embark on transition out of the UK by unionists implementing the template designed for that purpose, the Protocol, or unionism will hold the line and refuse to put its hand to its own destruction. This is a decision so momentous as to rise above questions of party loyalty. Unionists of different party affiliations and none have until now stood resolute and firm, be they those in the DUP who see the issues clearly and have been doing the right thing, or grassroots loyalists who have rallied to the cause - many doing more than established politicians - or, we in TUV who have sought to steer a firm line throughout calamitous Protocol times. He added: What has united us is our realisation and conviction that an Irish Sea border, whatever you call its partitioning parts - established because under EU law GB is deemed a foreign country and NI as EU territory - along with the resulting suspension of Art 6 of the Act(s) of Union, because EU law now governs our goods economy and trade, are all Union dismantling and incompatible with our cherished position as a full part of the UK. Thus, unitedly, we see the folly of returning to a Stormont where by law unionist ministers would have to implement the Protocol and its all-Ireland design. "At that point unionist ministers would become Protocol implementers, because it is clear none of the legal parameters or reach of the Protocol have changed within recent negotiations. If the worst happens and the DUP gives up the fight, then all who see the issues need to stand together. I know how difficult and uncomfortable it is to withstand what you know is wrong within a party to which you have had long-term loyalty. It isnt easy. But when its right, it must be done! I dont know the shape or confines of what will evolve to accommodate all determined to continue to stand, but I know none should feel they will be without a political home to make that stand. The DUP has been contacted for comment. Kevin Conway was shot multiple times in his home in the Greenan area of west Belfast earlier this month (PSNI/PA) Police have charged a 27-year-old man with the murder of Kevin Conway, 26, who was shot and killed near his home in west Belfast. Detectives from the PSNI said the man is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates Court on Monday, January 29. A 53-year-old man, who was also arrested after the January 9 murder, remains in police custody. Police have described the shooting as a horrific, calculated and ruthless murder. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content The victim had been on bail awaiting trial for the murder of Shane Whitla in Co Armagh last year, when he was targeted in the Greenan area in early January. Three men have been arrested in relation to the murder after a 37-year-old was released on bail earlier this month. Detective Inspector Gina Quinn said Mr Conway was a father, son and brother who was murdered in his own home. My thoughts are with Kevins family and loved ones, who are today left trying to come to terms with their loss. And I know the wider community remains in shock, she said shortly after his death. This was a horrific, calculated and ruthless murder, carried out in a busy residential area. Such cold-blooded brutality has absolutely no place in our society. Heavy winds and rain hit the coastline at Whitehead as Met Office issues a yellow wind warning. Image: Stephen Henderson Heavy winds and rain hit the coastline at Whitehead as Met Office issues a yellow wind warning. Image: Stephen Henderson Strong winds are expected to batter Northern Ireland again on Sunday. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning about possible disruption. Gusts of up to 70mph could hit some parts. It said strong and gusty winds are likely to lead to some disruption to travel and infrastructure. The alert is in place from 10am to 8pm on Sunday. It applies to counties Antrim, Down, Londonderry and Tyrone. The Met Office said: Strong and gusty southerly winds will develop across parts of Northern Ireland before extending into Scotland through Sunday morning. Some difficult travel conditions are expected, for instance for some roads such as the A1 in Scotland, and the A2 in Northern Ireland. As well as strong crosswinds for some routes, there is also a risk of a few trees being blown over. Gusts of wind are likely to reach 50-60 mph, locally 70mph to the north of high ground. Winds will ease across Northern Ireland by dusk, and across the rest of the warning area by about 8pm. Northern Ireland has been battered by two named storms in recent days. Storm Jocelyn brought strong winds and rain to Northern Ireland and much of Britain on Tuesday night. The storm hampered recovery efforts from Storm Isha, which struck last Sunday night. A second man has been charged with the murder of Kevin Conway, police said tonight. Mr Conway (26) was shot multiple times in his home in the Rossnareen area of west Belfast on January 9. The 53-year-old accused is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates Court on Monday. At the weekend, a 27-year-old man was charged with Mr Conways murder. He will also appear in court in Belfast on Monday. A third man remains on bail pending further police enquiries. At the time of his death, Mr Conway was on bail after being charged with the murder of Shane Whitla in Lurgan in January 2023. Police have previously described Mr Conways killing as a "horrific, calculated and ruthless murder". Speaking earlier this month, Detective Inspector Gina Quinn said Mr Conway was a father, son and brother who was murdered in his own home. "My thoughts are with Kevin's family and loved ones, who are today left trying to come to terms with their loss. And I know the wider community remains in shock," she said previously. "This was a horrific, calculated and ruthless murder, carried out in a busy residential area. Such cold-blooded brutality has absolutely no place in our society." An anti-protocol rally takes place on the Shankill Road in Belfast on June 10, 2021 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) A paper co-authored by Baroness Kate Hoey, Ben Habib, Jim Allister KC MLA and Jamie Bryson titled No deal is better than a bad deal will be published ahead of a crunch meeting of the DUP to decide on a return to Stormont. The DUP has been blocking a functioning assembly and executive since February 2022 in protest against post-Brexit trade checks between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. The democratic unionists are facing mounting pressure to say if they will back a new deal to end the impasse. The DUPs party executive is to meet on Monday evening for an update from leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson on negotiations with the UK Government. It comes after an email was circulated on social media on Friday night, with sources confirming to the Belfast Telegraph the correspondence is legitimate. Now, commenting on what they described as a significant report, Ms Hoey, Mr Habib, Mr Allister and Mr Bryson said: As those who shared so many platforms with Sir Jeffrey Donaldson repudiating the Protocol in all its parts, we would be immensely disappointed if the DUP climbs down in favour of implementing the very Union-dismantling Protocol we all opposed. To accept the anti-unionist Protocol would be to endorse the recasting of the Union whereby Art 6 is ditched and NI is to be partly governed, condominium style, by foreign laws identical to those prevailing in the Republic of Ireland as part of the template to create the stepping stone of an economic all-Ireland. The perversion and constitutional obscenity of a partitioning border in the Irish Sea would be given permanency through its acceptance by the DUP, if they return to Stormont now. We encourage unionism to stand firm and refuse to be either bought or bullied. They added: In this rapidly evolving situation, and we will continue to work together, and with others across the entire unionist and loyalist community, to seek positive solutions which delivers on the objective of removing the Irish Sea border, and to continue the campaign demonstrating our unalterable opposition to the Protocol, and any implementation of it. If, as should be the case, there remains no Stormont institutions until the Acts of Union are restored in full and the Protocol is removed, then we will further be continuing to work to ensure the governance arrangements for NI is constitutionally compatible and does not include any involvement from the Irish Republic. DUP must not return to Stormont until all seven tests are fully met, warns Orange lodge Orange lodge issues warning to Donaldson as party gets ready to meet to discuss deal DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson Suzanne Breen Sun 28 Jan 2024 at 22:59 An Orange lodge, which includes two former DUP politicians as members, has told Sir Jeffrey Donaldson he must not lead the party back to Stormont until all its seven tests are fully met. A forensic investigator speaks to garda officers at the scene at Brownes Steakhouse restaurant (Niall Carson/PA) Two males have been arrested in connection with the murder of a suspected gunman in a Christmas Eve shooting at a Dublin restaurant. Tristan Sherry died at the scene of the incident at Brownes Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on December 24. Gunmen entered the restaurant and fired a number of shots, injuring Jason Hennessy Snr. He was treated in hospital but died on January 4. Sherry, one of the suspected gunmen, was fatally assaulted after the shooting. Two murder investigations are under way after the incident. The two males arrested in relation to Mr Sherrys murder were detained at Garda stations in west Dublin under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. They are the eighth and ninth arrests made as part of the investigation. The King during a Celebration of Craft reception at Highgrove (Adrian Dennis/PA) The King is spending a second night in hospital after undergoing a procedure for an enlarged prostate. The Queen visited her husband at the London Clinic in central London on Saturday the same hospital where the Princess of Wales is being cared for following abdominal surgery. Camilla, wearing a white blouse and black jumper, arrived in a black Audi car at noon on Saturday and left about three hours later. The Queens visit on Saturday was her second to the private hospital since she arrived with Charles on Friday morning ahead of the procedure. She told people inside the London Clinic on Friday that the King was doing well after the procedure. Charles took time to visit his daughter-in-law, Kate, who is on the 12th day of her hospital stay after undergoing a successful major operation last week. Camilla visited the King for about an hour and a half (Lucy North/PA) A Buckingham Palace spokesman previously said the King was admitted to a London hospital for scheduled treatment. The spokesman added: 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 Charles will spend in hospital, but reports suggest he could remain there over the weekend. The King arrived back in London from Norfolk on Thursday afternoon, ready for the procedure after squeezing in a couple of behind-the-scenes official duties. The Princess of Wales underwent surgery at the same hospital (Aaron Chown/PA) Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wished Charles the very best for his treatment and a speedy recovery afterwards, a Downing Street spokeswoman said. The monarch was diagnosed with the benign condition on January 17 while staying at Birkhall, Aberdeenshire, after going for a check-up because he was experiencing symptoms. The King is understood to have wanted to share the news to encourage other men to get themselves checked. Charles, who only acceded to throne 16 months ago, cancelled engagements and was urged to rest by his doctors ahead of the corrective procedure. The exact nature of the 75-year-olds treatment is not known. 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 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. 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. The Foreign Secretary should ensure the UK is on the right side of history following the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on the Israel-Gaza conflict. The UN court stopped short of ordering a ceasefire in Gaza in a ruling published on Friday following an action brought by South Africa, but demanded Israel try to contain death and damage. With shadow foreign secretary David Lammy calling on the Israeli government to comply in full with the ruling, the SNP has now pushed for the UK Government to apply pressure to the Netanyahu regime. In a letter to Lord Cameron, Brendan OHara, the SNPs foreign affairs spokesman said one could argue that it neednt take a ruling by a court to persuade a democratic, or morally sound, nation to take action to prevent genocide, adding: I hope that the Secretary of State will not need this letter to serve as a reminder of the legal obligations which now fall on the UK Government, legal obligations which should have been moral obligations three months ago. Mr OHara went on to urge the UK Government to avoid giving Israel a blank cheque, adding that we are past turning a blind eye. He said: I urge the UK Government to commit to standing with South Africa, on the right side of history. The SNPs foreign affairs spokesman wrote to Lord Cameron (Chris McAndrew/UK Parliament/PA) Todays ruling will not end this war, but I am asking the UK Government to do what is right and adhere to the provisional measures. The UK Government must act swiftly and firmly to persuade its friend, Israel, to abide by the order and prevent acts of genocide against the Palestinian people. Mr OHara also called for the UK Government to urge Israel to lift the blockade of Gaza. Responding to the ruling, a spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: We respect the role and independence of the ICJ. However we have stated that we have considerable concerns about this case, which is not helpful in the goal of achieving a sustainable ceasefire. Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas in line with IHL, as we have said from the outset. Our view is that Israels actions in Gaza cannot be described as a genocide, which is why we thought South Africas decision to bring the case was wrong and provocative. We welcome the courts call for the immediate release of hostages and the need to get more aid into Gaza. We are clear that an immediate pause is necessary to get aid in and hostages out, and then we want to build towards a sustainable, permanent ceasefire, without a return to the fighting. The Mona Lisa in The Louvre in Paris (Martin Keene/PA) Police have arrested two people after protesters threw soup at the Mona Lisa painting in The Louvre Museum. On Sunday, protesters from French organisation Riposte Alimentaire sprayed the 16th-century painting by Leonardo Da Vinci with pumpkin soup. The Paris museum confirmed no damage was done to the world-famous painting, which has been behind protective armoured glass since 2005. Following the incident, Paris police said they had arrested two people, according to the AP news agency. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content In a video shared by French news agency CL Press, a woman can be seen throwing liquid from a tin at the artwork. She then crosses a boundary between the painting and public alongside another women, with both of them wearing T-shirts that said Riposte Alimentaire, which translates as food response, written on the front. Whats the most important thing? Art, or right to healthy and sustainable food? the protesters shout, AP reported. Our farming system is sick. Our farmers are dying at work, they added. Riposte Alimentaire describe themselves as a collective which seeks to highlight the need to protect sustainable food. Museum staff are later seen rushing in to prop black protective panels around the artwork. Leonardo Da Vincis world-famous Mona Lisa (Chris Radburn/PA) A statement from the Louvre Museum said that the Salle des Etats, where the Mona Lisa is displayed, was evacuated after the demonstration. It added that the room was suspended for an hour while cleaning was carried out before it was reopened to visitors around midday. The statement added: The museum will lodge a complaint. France has faced major protests in the last few days by farmers in a bid to pressure the government to give in to their demands that growing food be made easier and more lucrative. The movement has spread across the country with protesters using their tractors to shut down long stretches of road and slow traffic on some major routes. Farmers drive their tractors on a motorway near Saint-Arnoult, south of Paris on their way to a blockade (Christophe Ena/AP) The farmers are seeking better pay for their produce, less red tape, and protection against cheap imports, AP has reported. In 2022, a man disguised as an elderly woman in a wheelchair threw cake at the famous painting. The perpetrator, wearing a wig and lipstick, called on people to think of the Earth as they were led from the scene. The artwork had the glass installed in the 1950s to protect it after an acid attack. It was upgraded to armoured glass in 2005. An appeals court in Bangladesh has granted bail to Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who had earlier been sentenced to six months in prison for violating the countrys labour laws (Mahmud Hossain Opu/AP) An appeals court in Bangladesh has granted bail to Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who had earlier been sentenced to six months in prison for violating the countrys labour laws. The court in Dhaka also agreed to hear an appeal against his sentence. Yunus, who pioneered the use of microcredit to help impoverished people, especially women, filed the appeal seeking bail on Sunday morning before it was granted. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in 2006. The 83-year-old economist and three other officials from telecommunications company Grameen Telecom were sentenced to six months in prison on January 1, but they were immediately granted 30 days of bail to appeal against the verdict and sentence. Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus leaves court in Dhaka after being granted bail (Mahmud Hossain Opu/AP) Sundays court decision said the bail will remain effective until a final decision is made on the appeal over the sentencing. Defence lawyer Abdullah Al Mamun said the first hearing on the appeal will be held on March 3. Yunus founded Grameen Telecom as a non-profit organisation. His supporters have said the case is politically motivated, a charge the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was elected for a fourth consecutive term earlier this month, has denied. In the original verdict, the judge said Yunuss company violated Bangladeshi labour laws. At least 67 Grameen Telecom workers were supposed to be made permanent employees but were not, and a welfare fund to support the staff in cases of emergency or special needs was never formed. The judge also said that according to company policy 5% of Grameens dividends were supposed to have been distributed to staff but were not. The judge found Yunus, the chairman of the company, and the three other company directors guilty, and fined them each 30,000 takas (213) while also sentencing each to prison. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mohammed Yunus pioneered the use of microcredit to help impoverished people (Gurinder Osan/AP) Yunus said after the original verdict that he was innocent. We are being punished for a crime we did not commit. It was my fate, the nations fate. We have accepted this verdict, but will appeal this verdict and continue fighting against this sentence, he told reporters after the verdict was announced on January 1. Grameen Telecom owns 34.2% of the countrys largest mobile phone company, Grameenphone, a subsidiary of Norways telecoms giant Telenor. Yunus is known to have close connections with political elites in the West, especially in the United States, Europe and elsewhere. He faces a number of other charges involving alleged corruption and embezzlement. His supporters say he has been targeted because of his frosty relations with Mr Hasina. Frances interior ministry on Sunday ordered a large deployment of security forces around Paris, as angry farmers threatened to head toward the capital. The move came hours after climate activists hurled soup at the glass protecting the Mona Lisa painting at the Louvre Museum. French farmers are putting pressure on the government to respond to their demands for better remuneration for their produce, less red tape and protection against cheap imports. French interior minister Gerald Darmanin held a security meeting on Sunday before potential road blockades around Paris, his office said in a statement. Slurry, manure and tyres dumped by farmers at the state administration building in Agen (Fred Scheiber/AP) Mr Darmanin ordered security forces to prevent any blockade of Rungis International Market and Paris airports, and ban any convoy of farmers from entering the city, the statement said. Farmers of the Rural Co-ordination union in the Lot-et-Garonne region, where the protests originated, plan to use their tractors to head Monday toward the Rungis International Market, which supplies the capital and surrounding region with much of its fresh food. Frances two biggest farmers unions said in a statement that their members based in areas around the Paris region would seek to block all major roads to the capital, to put the city under siege, starting from Monday afternoon. Earlier Sunday, two climate activists hurled soup at the glass protecting the Mona Lisa and shouted slogans advocating for a sustainable food system. In a video posted on social media, two women could be seen passing under a security barrier to get closer to the painting and throwing soup at the glass protecting Leonardo da Vincis masterpiece. French farmers are barricading some of the countrys major roads (Fred Scheiber/AP) Whats the most important thing? they shouted. Art, or right to a healthy and sustainable food? Our farming system is sick. Our farmers are dying at work, they added. Paris police said that two people were arrested. Meanwhile, angry French farmers have been using their tractors for days to set up road blockades and slow traffic across France. They also dumped agricultural waste at the gates of government offices. On Friday, the government announced a series of measures that farmers said do not fully address their demands. Those include drastically simplifying certain technical procedures and the progressive end of diesel fuel taxes for farm vehicles. Frances new prime minister, Gabriel Attal, visited a farm on Sunday in the central region of Indre-et-Loire. He acknowledged that farmers are in a difficult position because on the one side we say we need quality and on the other side we want ever-lower prices. Whats at stake is finding solutions in the short, middle and long term, he said, because we need our farmers. Mr Attal also said his government is considering additional measures against what he called unfair competition from other countries that have different production rules and are importing food to France. He promised other decisions would be made in the coming weeks to address farmers concerns. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on countries to resume funding the main agency providing aid in the Gaza Strip after a dozen of its employees were accused of taking part in the Hamas attack on Israel that ignited the war last October (Fatima Shbair/AP) The secretary-general of the United Nations has called on countries to resume funding the main agency providing aid in the Gaza Strip after a dozen of its employees were accused of taking part in the Hamas attack on Israel that ignited the war four months ago. The dispute engulfing the UN agency for Palestinian refugees came as US officials said negotiators are closing in on a ceasefire agreement. The emerging deal would bring a two-month halt to the deadliest-ever Israeli-Palestinian violence, which has stoked instability across the Middle East. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the agency, known as UNRWA, will be forced to scale back aid to more than two million Palestinians in Gaza as soon as February. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that UNRWA will be forced to scale back aid to more than two million Palestinians in Gaza as soon as February (Themba Hadebe/AP) The coastal enclave is in the grip of a severe humanitarian crisis, with a quarter of the population facing starvation as fighting and Israeli restrictions hinder the delivery of humanitarian aid to the besieged territory. The abhorrent alleged acts of these staff members must have consequences, Mr Guterres said in a statement. But the tens of thousands of men and women who work for UNRWA, many in some of the most dangerous situations for humanitarian workers, should not be penalised. The dire needs of the desperate populations they serve must be met. He added that of the 12 employees accused of taking part in the attack, nine were immediately sacked, one was confirmed dead and two others are still being identified. He said they will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution. UNRWA provides basic services, from medical care to education, for Palestinian families who fled or were driven out of what is now Israel during the 1948 war surrounding the countrys creation. They now live in built-up refugee camps in Gaza, the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. The refugees and their descendants number about six million, and in Gaza they are the majority of the population. Palestinians try to extinguish a fire at a UNRWA vocational training centre building in Khan Younis which displaced people have been using as a shelter (Ramez Habboub/AP) UNRWA, which has some 13,000 staff members in Gaza, expanded its operations during the war and runs shelters that house hundreds of thousands of newly displaced people. More than two million of the territorys 2.3 million people depend on the agencys programmes for sheer survival, including food and shelter, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said. It is a lifeline that could collapse any time now, he said after the funding was suspended. The United States, which is the agencys largest donor, immediately cut funding over the weekend, followed by eight other countries, including Britain, Germany and Italy. Together, the nine countries provided nearly 60% of UNRWAs budget in 2022. The Israel-Hamas war has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, destroyed vast swathes of Gaza and displaced nearly 85% of the territorys people. Hamass October 7 attack on southern Israel which sparked the war killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and militants took about 250 hostages to Gaza. Visitors look at photos of Israeli people who were killed during Hamass attack on October 7 and those who have died during the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip, displayed on a giant screen at the National Library in Jerusalem (Leo Correa/AP) Meanwhile, two senior Biden administration officials said US negotiators are making progress on a potential agreement under which Israel would suspend military operations against Hamas for two months in exchange for the release of more than 100 remaining hostages. The officials said terms of the yet-to-be sealed deal would play out over two phases, with the remaining women, elderly and wounded hostages to be released by Hamas in a first 30-day phase. The emerging deal also calls for Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza. More than 100 hostages, mainly women and children, were released in November in exchange for a weeklong ceasefire and the release of 240 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. CIA director Bill Burns is expected to discuss the contours of the emerging agreement when he David Barnea, the head of Israels Mossad intelligence agency, in France on Sunday, along with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel. Despite the apparent progress, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated in a televised news conference late on Saturday that the war will continue until complete victory over Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, pictured in the Gaza Strip in December, has said Israel will continue with the offensive until a final victory achieves all of its goals (Avi Ohayon/GPO/Handout/AP) Mr Netanyahu also lashed out at the mass protests held by families of the hostages and their supporters calling for another ceasefire and exchange deal. He said the demonstrations strengthen the demands of Hamas. Mr Netanyahus popularity has plummeted since October 7 and he has faced mounting protests demanding new elections, with many Israelis blaming him for the unprecedented security failures that day as well as the plight of the hostages. Tens of thousands of Israelis join weekly Saturday night protests in Tel Aviv, and recently dozens of relatives of the hostages have started protesting outside the prime ministers private residence in Caesarea. Would Mary Lou McDonald dare to please the Sinn Fein faithful by snubbing Joe Biden over Gaza? The partys staunch support for Palestine is causing republicans conflict over whether she should meet Israels key backer on St Patricks Day at the White House Mary Lou McDonald is preparing to meet Joe Biden around St Patrick's Day Sam McBride Sun 28 Jan 2024 at 11:15 Sinn Fein is facing an awkward decision that will demonstrate how much its prepared to annoy its base in pursuit of greater power. How Mary Lou McDonald handles the next seven weeks will reveal how far she is prepared to bend to win the next election. Belfast just wouldnt be the same with lunch off the menu With restaurants closing or cutting back hours, its a dark time for the hospitality sector The Mourne Seafood Bar Chrissie Russell Sun 28 Jan 2024 at 10:40 Say city centre to me and my mind instantly goes to some of the thriving hearts of places Ive been fortunate enough to visit: the noise and excitement of Barcelonas busy La Rambla, the hustle and bustle of Wenceslas Square in Prague and the busy cafes spilling out onto picturesque squares in Venice, Tallinn and Krakow. From Uncle Andy to Yer da sells Avon, Holywood artists line in fun gifts sending up the best of NI Motorist told partner they were going on a magical mystery tour before deliberate smash A motorist who allegedly threatened to kill his girlfriend by crashing his car on a magical mystery tour along a country road has said he will fight to clear his name. Philip Morrison is accused of refusing to let the woman out of the vehicle before it left Old Church Lane, near Aghalee, earlier this month. The 33-year-old is charged with false imprisonment, making threats to kill, careless and dangerous driving, attempted grievous bodily harm with intent and failing to stop or remain at the scene of an accident. He was granted bail at the High Court but told to have no contact with the alleged victim. When approached by Sunday Life at his home on Glen View in Craigavon, a defiant Morrison insisted a distraction caused him to leave the road and said he would contest the charges. He added: I made a no-comment interview and Im going to fight it (the case). I accidentally crashed the car while I was distracted. Thats basically what happened. Ive crashed my car and ended up with 11 charges. Im still trying to track my car down Ive no idea where it is at the moment. I was drinking after I crashed the car and thats why I blew however many points when they arrested me. Theres video evidence. I wasnt drunk when I crashed. Earlier this month, the High Court was told Morrison drove the alleged victim to her home in Belfast on January 12 before speeding off as she tried to exit his Peugeot 207. She said that he refused to stop or allow her out, telling her they were going on a magical mystery tour, a Crown lawyer told the hearing. It was alleged the couple argued as the car travelled along the M1 towards Moira before coming off the motorway and heading onto Old Church Lane, near Aghalee. The injured party stated she saw a bend in the road ahead, but (Morrison) kept driving at speed and made no attempt to brake or turn, a prosecutor said. She said he did this deliberately as he had made a previous threat to her. Morrison left the area after the car crashed, the court heard, but was located a short time later, with no injuries reported. According to the alleged victim, he previously threatened to kill her, himself and a pet dog by driving the car they were in into a central reservation. The injured party believes the incident on January 12 was him following through on this threat by crashing the car on purpose, counsel told the court. Defence barrister Gavyn Cairns said his client denied any intent. They were arguing, he was distracted and thats what caused this accident, Mr Cairns said. Granting bail, Mr Justice Fowler banned Morrison from entering the Greater Belfast area. He further ordered: He will not be allowed to drive a motor vehicle until the conclusion of these proceedings. The case continues. Warning: Distressing images and content These are the sickening pictures which led to a Co Antrim man being jailed for what a judge described as a truly harrowing case of animal cruelty. After Conor Ward abandoned the five dogs and left them with neither food nor water nor bedding, they turned on one of the dogs and effectively ripped its throat out before beginning to eat the carcass. At Ballymena Magistrates Court on Wednesday, District Judge Nigel Broderick imposed a six-month prison sentence on 32-year-old Ward, who was freed on bail pending appeal. I cannot imagine a more serious and harrowing case of animal cruelty, said the judge. Ward, from Cranny Avenue in Carnlough, was also banned from keeping, owning or transporting any animals for 20 years. One of the dogs Last December the 32-year-old admitted five of the seven charges against him committed back in 2020 at an address in Glenarm, including three counts of causing dogs to suffer unnecessarily and two charges of failing to meet the reasonable needs of the dogs four Staffordshire bull terriers and an English bull terrier. The court heard how a neighbour had reported dogs fighting and that there was the dead body of a dog in the concrete backyard of the house in Glenarm. One of the abandoned dogs Council investigators had obtained a warrant and when they entered the vacant property, they found four underweight dogs along with the partially eaten body of one of the Staffies. An autopsy revealed the dog had died as a result of significant trauma to the upper respiratory tract while the four living dogs all had puncture wounds and bite marks of varying ages but some were still fresh and bleeding. On Wednesday the judge said it was no surprise that having been left with neither food nor water, the dogs began fighting to such an extent that one was killed and the other four no doubt starving of food, resorted to eating it. One female Staffy was found hiding in the back of a kennel and took some coaxing and reassurance to entice her out. The court was told that in the space of just a few days, two of the starved dogs have each gained just over two kilos and all four dogs have been successfully rehomed. One of the abandoned dogs Commenting on the case, a spokesperson for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council said: Council gives a high priority to the welfare of domestic pets and horses and operates a rigorous enforcement policy to ensure full compliance of regulatory requirements. Complaints are investigated thoroughly and where necessary formal action is taken, which may include the service of improvement notices, or in extreme cases, seizure of animals. The council may also prosecute for offences such as in this case which I hope serves as a warning to anyone who does not take appropriate care of animals. Belfast man admits breaking into houses, theft and assaulting cops This is the Belfast man caught following a burglary spree on the north coast after being shopped by his sister. Paul Patterson pleaded guilty to the last two charges on the indictment at Antrim Crown Court on Friday. The 32-year-old, from Runymede Parade in south Belfast but now with an address c/o Maghaberry Prison, admitted burglary and having criminal property, as well as receiving stolen goods, theft, assaulting a police officer and possessing class A and C drugs. All the offences were committed over three days in October 2022. Following the admissions, the prosecution asked for a further charge of burglary to be left on the books. While the facts of the case were not opened on Friday, previous hearings were told residents in and around Portrush had contacted police to report that their vehicles had been broken into and various items had been taken, including cash, personal documents and dashcams. Four people reported their homes had been burgled, including one where a 500 handbag was stolen. In another incident, people staying at an Airbnb discovered a laptop and documents had been stolen. Footage from doorbell cameras identified Patterson as the culprit, but the court also heard his sister had called the police to say her brother had been breaking into cars and houses. She said he had been staying at their mothers home in Portrush and was lying on the floor, off his face. When PSNI officers arrived at the property, they arrested Patterson and seized 79 items stolen during the crime spree. A judge told the court that because of the number of victims, numerous victim impact statements may be lodged ahead of sentencing. A pre-sentence probation report was ordered and Patterson was remanded back into custody. The case is due back in court on March 20. Exclusive | UVF coke king back in jail as Ian Ogle murder trial looms Two brothers mistakenly freed after legal gaffe return to prison to finish off their sentences Glenn Rainey (face covered) spots our photographer outside jail Ciaran Barnes Sun 28 Jan 2024 at 08:30 Drug baron Glenn Rainey was thrown back behind bars less than 72 hours before he was due to go on trial for the horrific East Belfast UVF murder of Ian Ogle. BillOReilly.com is not available in this country. We apologize for any inconvenience. ?? Iniciamos el 2024 con la emocion y expectativa por las actividades del ano #APECPeru2024 tras asumir, por 3. vez, la presidencia pro tempore de @APEC. Calentemos motores repasando momentos del ISOM que se llevo a cabo en Lima, una de las ciudades sede.https://t.co/8sEJy0WFcH State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. 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Advertisement The group works to "support communities and civil society to stay grounded, caring and resilient in the face of far-right hate, bigotry and extremism". A recent fire at Ross Hill House in Rosscahill, Co Galway, ruined a building that was earmarked for international protection applicants, and this type of incident has been far from isolated in the last few months. Fianna Fail opened disciplinary proceedings against two local councillors who made controversial comments about immigration in the wake of the arson attack. Advertisement Other local representatives have been speaking out against immigration and Government policy in areas such as Roscrea, Co Tipperary, where there were protests over plans to house asylum seekers in a former hotel. Advertisement Niamh McDonald, coordinator of the Hope and Courage Collective, told BreakingNews.ie that there is a danger in local representatives, many of whom are just looking to support their constituents, being influenced by a small but organised group of far-right agitators. "The far-right don't come in with solutions, they come in with division and hatred, and that's a road we don't want to go down, because nobody in our communities will see any improvements if that's where they keep looking. "The messaging has gone to the mainstream. Messages from the far-right, like Ireland is full etc. It's not about the hotel as such, it's broadened out into the normalisation of far-right messaging. We can also see it has been facilitated by local elected representatives on the ground supporting the messaging of the far-right. "Local elected representatives on the ground have a responsibility as community leaders not to delve into the hatred, extremism, lies and disinformation of the far-right. Advertisement "It goes back to the far-right playbook. A key tactic of the far-right is to pull mainstream politics towards them if they can't get elected, to distract people from the real issues: resources, and what they need in their communities, towards othering people who are coming into our communities and need support and help." Overton Window Advertisement She said we can see worrying signs of the Overton Window shifting to the far-right. In political science, the Overton Window is an approach to identifying the ideas that define the spectrum of acceptability of governmental policies. It says politicians can act only within the acceptable range. Shifting the Overton Window involves proponents of policies outside the window persuading the public to expand the window. Far-right parties in Ireland have had no success to date, and that is likely to continue, but Ms McDonald explained that the far-right is looking to influence local representatives and opposition TDs to move this window, with immigration the issue they have seized upon. Advertisement An example of this is how legitimate protests about a lack of facilities in local areas have shifted to protests over male asylum seekers being accommodated. In a number of these situations, the Government has looked to defuse tensions by switching accommodation centres to women and children only. However, Ms McDonald warned this "othering" of refugees is dangerous, and playing into the far-right agenda. "We've seen it internationally, when you try to acquiesce, or kind of subdue the far-right, the more you follow them... the further they go. Advertisement "It really needs progressive political leadership and bravery to stand up and say no. Advertisement "In other countries we've seen, when people focus on what the far-right are saying instead of the problems people are facing, the problems don't get solved but the politics and Overton Window keep shifting further to the right. "We're seeing radical parties getting into power in countries around the world. It's a very dangerous tactic and I think the Irish Government should learn the lesson from governments across the world and say no, and stick to progressive policies and speak to what is happening on the ground." Local and European elections She said the far-right will continue to ramp up attempts to fan fears and infiltrate protests in small areas, particularly with the local and European elections set to take place in June 2024. Ms McDonald said the Hope and Courage Collective has also recorded a change in tactics at protests over the past year. "The numbers turning up to the protests... if we compare 2023 to 2024, the numbers are lower, but the tactics are different. They're using more militant tactics like blocking off the entrances to buildings, to create that friction and the 'us against them' narrative in a really violent type of way. "We are calling on all political parties not to fall for their tactics. Advertisement "A lot of members of the community when they see their local representatives up there will be afraid to put their heads above the parapet and say 'this is not us or what we stand for, we want to welcome people'. "There's no space for people to do that at the moment. We've seen intimidation and threats of violence towards people who are standing up, and it's up to local representatives to represent all people in their communities, but also to abide by the standards, laws and legislation of this country. "It's a small minority jumping up and down and creating 'others', and creating issues and areas of conflict. All eyes are going to the areas of conflict instead of the rest of the community, and the people coming here seeking refuge and needing support." 'Far-right playbook' She added: "That brings it back to the playbook of the far-right. The more they create fear and chaos, and this imaginary feeling of fear, politics of emotion, reinforcing a feeling of fear, it means everyone is looking towards that instead of what is going on on the ground." While parties in government and opposition may be tempted to appease far-right groups, Ms McDonald said they will only see long-term success by standing firm. Advertisement "It's almost like if they don't, it's eating their own tail because the far-right will eat up mainstream political organisations where they can. "It is a long-term view, but they need to come down strong with it. We need elections focusing on what are really the issues facing people in communities. It has to be about that, not chaos, fear and division. "It's about seeing community stakeholders, and looking to solve the issues for communities on the ground." Covid messaging On how messaging on immigration policy can be improved, Ms McDonald said Government should look back to the regular Covid-19 updates. "Compare this to Covid... we had updates, we were aware, the Government were saying 'we don't know what's next, but we're doing our best to inform you as we go'. "That information is not out there for people, so when there is that gap of information it's going to be filled by fear, chaos, disinformation and lies. "What we need is a proper communication strategy that meets the needs of people and communities, seeing communities as stakeholders in this, so they're confident and understand what is happening. "That plan is not in place, it needs a full governmental approach, it shouldn't just be in one department. "It's a very clear message needed for communities, 'this is the plan, what we're trying to achieve, this is what we're doing to get there'. "This would reduce a lot of the chaos, fear and violence in our communities." She added: "Some of the language the far-right are currently using goes back to the time of the US and UK military campaign in the war in Iraq to dehumanise people. "The lack of information from the government is allowing this hatred and dehumanising language to take control and become mainstream. There needs to be a concerted effort to push back on that and to get in the positive narrative, and for people to understand what is happening. The people seeking refuge here are probably the most documented people in the country. "If the government had a clear plan and strategy, this disinformation wouldn't spread as easily. "I think it's about having brave political leadership. It's normal for people to move and seek refuge in a world where there's famine and conflict. "People have been moving since the dawn of time. It's nothing new, but it's being weaponised because there is no strategy or plan from government that fills that information vacuum." Niamh McDonald, coordinator of the Hope and Courage Collective Ms McDonald said her group has documented over 20 arson attacks on buildings that had been earmarked for refugee accommodation in the past year alone. Sinn Fein had argued that all refugees should be entitled to full supports that Ukrainian refugees received before recent policy changes. However, their stance on migration seems to have changed recently. As the most likely party to be in government after the next election, Ms McDonald urged them to adopt progressive policies on the issue. "All parties need their house in order on this, especially those who are going to be in government. Sinn Fein are the biggest party north and south and what Mary Lou McDonald says has weight in communities across the country. "There is an onus on Sinn Fein to stand with people seeking refuge, and to have brave progressive policies." Ms McDonald said the majority of local representatives have the best interests of their constituents at heart. However, she said some have become more involved with the far-right. In an example of this, an investigation by BreakingNews.ie identified one local politician who appeared on the YouTube channel of well-known anti-immigration activists. "There are different levels. There are some local representatives really taking it up and running with it, then some who don't know how to respond and are not supported in how to respond. "I don't think the leadership of political parties are pushing down enough that this is not acceptable in their values. In Ireland, we have a multicultural, diverse population. The far-right may be targeting migrants today, but next it will be the LGBT community. They don't want progress for women either. "Once you go down that road, many groups will be affected. It's extraordinarily short-sighted." Ahead of a huge year of elections that will include local and European elections here, a British general election, the US presidential election and a possible general election here, Ms McDonald said political leaders will have to show bravery to prevent further issues. "2024 internationally is the biggest year of elections we've seen. In the US, the narrative and framing will affect our politics. The narrative coming from there will be picked up by the far-right and more reactionary independent forces in our elections. "We've heard warnings that 50 per cent of the seats in the European elections could be filled by far-right candidates, so that will be a toxic debate as well. "There needs to be discipline in all mainstream parties, this is about democracy. What do we want in our democracy? The far-right want to reduce our democracy, they want to disrupt, and they want to smash it effectively. We want to maintain our democracy. That's about speaking to the issues people are facing in Irish society right now and not being pulled into the playbook of hate and division. "Local election candidates on the ground can be far removed from the parties, so there needs to be support for them, so they can do their best." The Minister for Justice has voiced support for Ireland joining South Africas genocide challenge against Israel in the UNs top court. Helen McEntee said she was personally in favour of joining the case but acknowledged the Government first needed to take time to study all aspects of the case following the interim ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Advertisement The ICJ ordered Israel to prevent genocidal acts in Gaza but stopped short of ordering a ceasefire. It could be years before the case reaches final judgment. Following the interim ruling, Tainaiste Micheal Martin said the Government would strongly consider an intervention in South Africas case as it proceeds, but not before it carried out a detailed analysis. Advertisement Micheal Martin has said Ireland will strongly consider supporting the South African case (Niall Carson/PA) Ms McEntee expressed her view on joining the case on Sunday. Advertisement Personally I would like us to, she told RTE Radio Ones This Week programme. I am very much aware that we need to do so on a correct legal basis. I mean, what you are doing essentially is accusing another country of genocide. Advertisement You need to know the facts, you need to understand what it is that youre fighting this case on. And, so, I welcome that ruling that happened this week. Personally, I would have liked to have seen it gone further in terms of the ceasefire. It didnt and I fully respect the ruling that was made. But we have to study this now. We cant just jump in without understanding the facts. But Government has given a clear commitment that we will do that. Ms McEntee highlighted that Ireland is already involved in a legal case focused on illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Advertisement In fact, our attorney general will present at that case next week, she added. I would repeat what the Taoiseach (Leo Varadkar) said this week a court ruling does not stop a war. A war, you know, is concluded where there is a military victory or where you have diplomacy. Advertisement She said the Government would use every opportunity it could to press for a ceasefire, to ensure humanitarian aid reaches millions of people in a catastrophic situation in Gaza and all hostages are released unconditionally. On Saturday, Mr Martin made clear Ireland has no plans to suspend funding for the UNs relief agency in Gaza amid Israeli claims some employees participated in the Hamas attacks of October 7th. Advertisement Sinn Feins finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty defended the decision to proceed with its engagements in Washington for St Patricks Day (Brian Lawless/PA) The Tanaiste said he backed the decision by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to take action against those staff suspected of involvement in what he described as the heinous attacks by Hamas. However, he said Ireland did not intend to follow the likes of the US and UK in suspending funding to the agency. UNRWA is playing a central role in providing aid for Gazans amid the ongoing Israeli offensive in the enclave. The agencys chief, Philippe Lazzarini, said it had terminated contracts with several employees and ordered an investigation after Israel provided information alleging they played a role in the Hamas assault. The US state department has said the allegations relate to 12 employees. As well as the UK and US, countries like Australia, Italy and Canada have also temporarily paused funding for UNRWA. Advertisement In another development related to the conflict, Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty has defended his partys decision to proceed with its St Patricks Day engagements in Washington. The party had been under pressure from some pro-Palestinian activists in Ireland to boycott the annual events in protest at the USs ongoing backing for Israel amid the conflict in Gaza. On Sunday, Mr Doherty insisted Sinn Fein would use the visit to voice its concerns to the US administration. We will never shirk from that responsibility, he told RTE. When we have been in the United States, whether it was during the war in Iraq, whether it was in relation to other foreign policy differences that we would have and many of them that we have with America we always will raise the issues of those who we feel are being persecuted across the world, and well do that again this year, and I would call on the Irish government to do the same. A play which dramatises the final days of negotiations which led to the Good Friday Agreement is to get its US premiere later this year. Agreement, by playwright Owen McCafferty, will be staged at the Irish Arts Centre (IAC) in New York from April 11th to May 12th. Advertisement Ahead of its US run, the play will return to the Lyric Theatre in Belfast from March 9th to 30th. The play focuses on the final days of the negotiations which led to the historic 1998 peace deal which largely ended decades of violence in the North. Advertisement It is the second time the Lyric Theatre has collaborated with the IAC following the US premiere of the punk-rock musical Good Vibrations, telling the story of Belfast punk legend Terri Hooley, last year. Agreement was previously staged at the Lyric as part of events in Northern Ireland to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in 2023. Advertisement The award-winning play will be directed by Charlotte Westenra, with set and costume design by Conor Murphy. Advertisement The cast includes Andrea Irvine as former Northern Ireland secretary Mo Mowlam, Chris Corrigan as Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, Dan Gordon as SDLP leader John Hume, Martin Huston as prime minister Tony Blair, Richard Croxford as George Mitchell, the US senator who chaired the negotiations, Ronan Leahy as taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Ruairi Conaghan as Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble. The US premiere will take place in a flexible, state-of-the-art theatre in the IACs new home in New York. Aidan Connolly, executive director of IAC (left) with Jimmy Fay, executive producer at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast. Photo: Lyric Theatre/PA Advertisement Jimmy Fay, executive producer at the Lyric Theatre, said: The successful run of Good Vibrations, and shortly a run of Agreement, are not only a fantastic opportunity to showcase the immense creative talent from this place, but also a unique opportunity to tell important and significant cultural and historical stories. We look forward to the return of Agreement to our main stage following its sold-out run. Over the past 25 years the Lyric has had its own part to play in the story and journey of the Good Friday Agreement, and it is fitting that this powerful production is returning to Belfast and travelling to international audiences. Advertisement We are very grateful to all our funders and our title sponsor FinTrU for their support in helping us get there. Advertisement Aidan Connolly, executive director of IAC, said: Were thrilled to welcome the Lyric Theatre back to New York with Owen McCaffertys extraordinary Agreement, building on the wonderful IAC-Lyric partnership inaugurated with last seasons hit musical Good Vibrations. Thanks to generous support from Culture Ireland and our many funders and stakeholders, this will be yet another opportunity for New York audiences to enjoy the great art and artists of Northern Ireland, and appreciate the enduring legacy of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement. A drop in the polls for Sinn Fein is among a variety of stories featuring on Sunday's front pages. The latest opinion poll published in the Business Post shows support for Sinn Fein has slumped to its lowest level since the last general election. Advertisement Leo Varadkar favours abolishing the TV licence and replacing it with exchequer funding for RTE as part of a tax-cuts package in the Coalitions last budget before the general election, according to the Sunday Independent. The Irish Mail on Sunday reports that the head of the Oireachtas Media Committee has accused RTE of cooking the books in the wake of revelations regarding the funding of the ill-fated Toy Show the Musical. Advertisement Roy Keane taking up the Ireland job now seems unlikely, according to the Irish Sunday Mirror, as FAI chiefs met former Celtic boss Neil Lennon. Advertisement The Sunday World says a cache of Ian Bailey's personal journals, notes and records lay in plain sight on the front seat of his car following his sudden death last week. Advertisement Sunday Life speaks to a "friend" of a murdered showjumper who admitted being part of the cover-up. The latest political scandal to hit Westminster is on the front pages of the British newspapers on Sunday. Advertisement The Sunday Mirror and Sunday Express both ran with stories on the election watchdog, which has warned the Tories against rigging the election. Sunday Mirror: Tories are rigging rules on election #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/S9fVhAaAaw George Mann (@sgfmann) January 27, 2024 Advertisement Sunday Express: RISHI TARGETS SAGA VOTES TO WIN ELECTION #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/hfuX2lLBDr George Mann (@sgfmann) January 27, 2024 The Mail on Sunday splashes with accusations of the rape and abuse of villagers at the hands of guards who work for a conservation body that has Britain's Prince Harry as a director. The Independent says an Afghan solider who served for Britain lives on 10 a day while he waits to find out whether he will be deported. The Sunday Telegraph focuses on Britains underequipped royal navy and its lack of firepower. The front page of tomorrow's Sunday Telegraph: 'UK warships lack missiles to take out Houthi bases'#TomorrowsPapersToday Sign up for the Front Page newsletterhttps://t.co/x8AV4OoUh6 pic.twitter.com/XTho86B2DI The Telegraph (@Telegraph) January 27, 2024 According to The Observer, four Rwandans have been given refugee status in the UK amid a fear of persecution, despite British prime minister Rishi Sunak insisting the African nation is safe as he works to get his illegal immigration bill off the ground. The Observer: Rwandans get asylum in the UK over their 'fear of persecution' #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/trCSS0Wath George Mann (@sgfmann) January 27, 2024 The Sunday Times splashes with a story on the top universities in the UK and a secret plot paying middlemen millions to gather the best candidates from around the world to study on British shores. The Sunday Times: Exposed - foreign students get secret route to top universities #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/Cio0nvPoAv George Mann (@sgfmann) January 27, 2024 Sunday People opts for a headline on killer nurse Lucy Letby and her time in a new cushy privately run prison. Advertisement Sunday People: Baby killer Letby gets key to cell #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/GbMgwC9bqL George Mann (@sgfmann) January 27, 2024 The Sun on Sunday runs with a piece on Strictly winner Ellie Leach, with her ex-boyfriend telling of his regret at breaking her heart with a drunken snog in a bar. The Sun on Sunday: I broke Strictly Ellies heart #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/bL1bNDrNIH George Mann (@sgfmann) January 27, 2024 Lastly, the Daily Star Sunday quotes Shakespeare for its splash, with actors fearing audience farts while on stage as they perform Macbeth. The secretary-general of the United Nations has called on countries to resume funding the main agency providing aid in the Gaza Strip after a dozen of its employees were accused of taking part in the Hamas attack on Israel that ignited the war four months ago. The dispute engulfing the UN agency for Palestinian refugees came as US officials said negotiators are closing in on a ceasefire agreement. The emerging deal would bring a two-month halt to the deadliest-ever Israeli-Palestinian violence, which has stoked instability across the Middle East. Advertisement UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the agency, known as UNRWA, will be forced to scale back aid to more than two million Palestinians in Gaza as soon as February. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that UNRWA will be forced to scale back aid to more than two million Palestinians in Gaza as soon as February (Themba Hadebe/AP) The coastal enclave is in the grip of a severe humanitarian crisis, with a quarter of the population facing starvation as fighting and Israeli restrictions hinder the delivery of humanitarian aid to the besieged territory. Advertisement Advertisement The abhorrent alleged acts of these staff members must have consequences, Mr Guterres said in a statement. But the tens of thousands of men and women who work for UNRWA, many in some of the most dangerous situations for humanitarian workers, should not be penalised. The dire needs of the desperate populations they serve must be met. He added that of the 12 employees accused of taking part in the attack, nine were immediately sacked, one was confirmed dead and two others are still being identified. He said they will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution. Advertisement UNRWA provides basic services, from medical care to education, for Palestinian families who fled or were driven out of what is now Israel during the 1948 war surrounding the countrys creation. They now live in built-up refugee camps in Gaza, the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. The refugees and their descendants number about six million, and in Gaza they are the majority of the population. Palestinians try to extinguish a fire at a UNRWA vocational training centre building in Khan Younis which displaced people have been using as a shelter (Ramez Habboub/AP) Advertisement UNRWA, which has some 13,000 staff members in Gaza, expanded its operations during the war and runs shelters that house hundreds of thousands of newly displaced people. More than two million of the territorys 2.3 million people depend on the agencys programmes for sheer survival, including food and shelter, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said. Advertisement It is a lifeline that could collapse any time now, he said after the funding was suspended. The United States, which is the agencys largest donor, immediately cut funding over the weekend, followed by eight other countries, including Britain, Germany and Italy. Together, the nine countries provided nearly 60% of UNRWAs budget in 2022. Advertisement The Israel-Hamas war has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, destroyed vast swathes of Gaza and displaced nearly 85 per cent of the territorys people. Hamass October 7th attack on southern Israel which sparked the war killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and militants took about 250 hostages to Gaza. Visitors look at photos of Israeli people who were killed during Hamass attack on October 7th and those who have died during the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip, displayed on a giant screen at the National Library in Jerusalem (Leo Correa/AP) Meanwhile, two senior Biden administration officials said US negotiators are making progress on a potential agreement under which Israel would suspend military operations against Hamas for two months in exchange for the release of more than 100 remaining hostages. The officials said terms of the yet-to-be sealed deal would play out over two phases, with the remaining women, elderly and wounded hostages to be released by Hamas in a first 30-day phase. The emerging deal also calls for Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza. More than 100 hostages, mainly women and children, were released in November in exchange for a weeklong ceasefire and the release of 240 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Advertisement CIA director Bill Burns is expected to discuss the contours of the emerging agreement when he David Barnea, the head of Israels Mossad intelligence agency, in France on Sunday, along with Qatari prime minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel. Despite the apparent progress, Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu reiterated in a televised news conference late on Saturday that the war will continue until complete victory over Hamas. Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu, pictured in the Gaza Strip in December, has said Israel will continue with the offensive until a final victory achieves all of its goals (Avi Ohayon/GPO/Handout/AP) Mr Netanyahu also lashed out at the mass protests held by families of the hostages and their supporters calling for another ceasefire and exchange deal. He said the demonstrations strengthen the demands of Hamas. Mr Netanyahus popularity has plummeted since October 7th, and he has faced mounting protests demanding new elections, with many Israelis blaming him for the unprecedented security failures that day as well as the plight of the hostages. Tens of thousands of Israelis join weekly Saturday night protests in Tel Aviv, and recently dozens of relatives of the hostages have started protesting outside the prime ministers private residence in Caesarea. Former prime minister Alexander Stubb won the first round of Finlands presidential election on Sunday and will face runner-up ex-foreign minister Pekka Haavisto in a runoff next month. The vote centred on the Nordic countrys new role as a Nato frontline country with Russia, and the security situation in Europe. Advertisement With all the votes counted, Mr Stubb led the first round with 27.2% of the votes, while Mr Haavisto, Finlands top diplomat in 2019-2023, took second place with 25.8%. Parliamentary Speaker Jussi Halla-aho came in third with 19%, followed by Bank of Finland governor Olli Rehn with 15.3%. The first-round election result will be officially confirmed on Tuesday. The result will push the race into a runoff on February 11 between Mr Stubb and Mr Haavisto, because none of the candidates received more than half of the votes. Advertisement Getting such a result together with the team is heartwarming. I am grateful and humbled by it, Mr Stubb told reporters and his supporters in an election party at a Helsinki restaurant, adding that he was not planning major changes in his campaign for the second round of voting. Advertisement A man casts his ballot during the presidential election in Helsinki (Sergei Grits/AP) Mr Stubb, 55, and Mr Haavisto, 65, were the main contenders in the election. About 4.5 million eligible voters picked a successor out of nine candidates to hugely popular President Sauli Niinisto, whose second six-year term expires in March. He was not eligible for re-election. Advertisement Polls across the country closed at 8pm (1800 GMT). Initial voter turnout was 74.9%. Mr Stubb represents the conservative National Coalition Party and headed the Finnish government in 2014-2015, while veteran politician Mr Haavisto, an ex-UN diplomat and Green League member, is running for the post for the third time as an independent candidate. 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. The president also acts as the supreme commander of the Finnish military, a particularly important duty in Europes current security environment. Advertisement Advertisement The main themes of the election were foreign and security policy issues like Finlands recent membership of Nato, future policies toward Russia, enhancing security co-operation with the United States and the need to continue helping Ukraine both militarily and with humanitarian assistance. Finlands new head of state will start a six-year term in March in a markedly different geopolitical and security situation in Europe than did incumbent Mr Niinisto after the 2018 election. Abandoning decades of military nonalignment in the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine, Finland became Natos 31st member in April, much to the annoyance of President Vladimir Putin of Russia, which shares a 832-mile border with the Nordic country. Nato membership, which has made Finland the western military alliances front-line country toward Russia, and the war raging in Ukraine a mere 1,000 600 miles away from Finlands border have boosted the presidents status as a security policy leader. Advertisement As foreign minister, Mr Haavisto signed Finlands historic accession treaty to Nato last year and played a key role in the membership process along with Mr Niinisto and former prime minister Sanna Marin. Finlands western neighbour Sweden will join Nato in the near future as the final holdout, Hungary, is expected to ratify Stockholms bid by the end of February. UK business secretary Kemi Badenoch has hit out at Conservative plotters for stirring by suggesting she could replace UK prime minister Rishi Sunak but did not rule out a future leadership bid. Ms Badenoch who has emerged as the favourite potential candidate in polling of Tory members, said speculation about her ambitions was all a distraction. Advertisement Touring broadcast studios on Sunday, she insisted those mentioning her name were not her friends. They need to stop messing around and get behind the leader, she told Skys Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips. The fact of the matter is, most people in the country are not interested in all of this Westminster tittle-tattle. Advertisement Quite frankly, the people who keep putting my name in there are not my friends. They dont care about me. They dont care about my family or what this would entail. They are just stirring. Advertisement However, she did not deny having aspirations for the top job, telling the BBCs Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: If youd asked me two years ago in January 2022, I would have laughed it off and said it was a completely crazy idea. Advertisement You never really know these things until youre in the moment. What I would remind people is that after Liz Truss left I stood up and said Im not running again, Rishis the person who should do the job. I did so because I worked with him in the Treasury, I knew he had a handle on the economy. It comes after Sir Simon Clarke went public claiming the Tories face electoral massacre under Mr Sunak as he faces pressure from the right of his party over key issues like his plan to save the Governments Rwanda plan. Ms Badenoch revealed on Sunday she had called the former UK cabinet minister after he wrote an op-ed in the Telegraph calling for a new leader to ask him what on earth he was doing. This is exactly the sort of thing that we have to stop doing in public, Ms Badenoch said. Advertisement We can have private discussions about what is going wrong, and I actually think it is healthy for us to have a debate. For there not to be a debate is unhealthy, but to put all that in front of the public is contributing to the belief that we are more focused on internal matters than external matters, and that is not true. Advertisement It was put to her that she was frustrated by her colleagues behaviour, to which she replied: Extremely frustrated. Rishi Sunak has faced pressure from the right of his party (James Manning/PA) Advertisement Senior Conservatives have leapt to Mr Sunaks defence as infighting broke out into the open this week starting with Mr Clarkes intervention. Will Dry, a former aide who conducted polling in No 10, later said the country is heading for at least a decade of Labour rule as it emerged he had joined a rebel plot to topple the prime minister. The latest turmoil for the Tory leader was triggered by a major opinion poll that put his party on course for a 1997-style wipeout, which Conservative peer Lord David Frost used to argue the party would lose and lose bad unless we do something about it. The former cabinet minister was named as the contact on the YouGov research, but it was commissioned by a group calling itself the Conservative Britain Alliance. Lord Frost has not said who funded the poll but is understood to have been warned he could have the Tory whip withdrawn if he worked with another party after being pressed on whether Reform UK stumped up the funds. The research was published just as MPs were weighing up how to vote on Mr Sunaks Safety of Rwanda Bill timing seen by some as designed to inflict damage on his leadership. Advertisement Senior party figures including Ms Badenoch have hailed him as the best candidate to lead the country to the polls this year, rather than what would be a fourth leader since their 2019 general election victory. Dog owners have been warned to stay off an idyllic sandbar after wildlife volunteers made a really sad discovery. Earlier this month, researchers walking along the Point Walter spit on the Swan River in Perth counted 240 nests created by fairy terns one of Australias smallest and rarest seabirds, an environmental conservation organisation called River Guardians said online. Roughly 140 nests built by fairy terns in Point Walter, Perth, have been destroyed in a week. Source: River Guardians/Facebook Tragically, when the volunteers returned the day before Australia Day, they only found roughly 100 nests remaining with evidence of human and dog activity along the sandbar. We are devastated to hear this, as the entire Point Walter area is a NO DOG zone and the sandbar is fenced off, with signage about the fairy terns nesting, the River Guardians posted on Facebook. Fairy terns are incredibly vulnerable to disturbance as they nest directly in the sand, so any presence of people or dogs can cause the birds to abandon their nests, as well as the risk of trampling the eggs that camouflage so well in the sand. The organisation said the long-weekend is expected to be very busy at Point Walter, and encouraged anyone who sees someone beyond the marked no entry sign to call the City of Melville rangers. Fairy terns are one of Australias smallest and rarest seabirds: Source: Claire Greenwell/Facebook Plea for locals to avoid 'popular picnic area' Locals said the loss of about 140 nests was devastating and pointed out the area was a popular picnic area, drawing people from all over Perth each weekend. So sad! Maybe they should shut off the whole area and have CCTV, one person suggested. The Melville Bird Sanctuary, which was established with the Melville Councils support in June last year, also chimed in online. The area is popular for fishing, kitesurfing and boating. Source: Getty Images Achieving proper sanctuary for our birds is impossible unless there are major changes, firstly in broad community expectations and secondly in current rules and regulations, the group commented, adding that despite having 'No Dogs Allowed' signs along the point, the animals are regularly walked there and often while off-leash. Story continues The sanctuary said a large number of locals also use the area for recreational purposes like fishing, kitesurfing and boating. Unfortunately, there are a number of people who dont read the signs, or think such signs dont apply to them and their dogs, staff wrote. On the spot fines of a few hundred dollars (and an increased numbers of rangers) may be an answer in the short-term. In the long-term, education for the community is important. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. Kemi Badenoch has defended the UKs decision to suspend funding to the UNs relief agency in Gaza. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has sacked a number of its staff who were accused of taking part in the October 7 attack on Israel. Advertisement Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA, said the decision by countries to suspend funding is shocking and immensely irresponsible. The UK Foreign Office has said Britain is appalled by the allegations and has joined other nations including the US, Australia and Italy in temporarily halting funding while an investigation takes place. Business Secretary Ms Badenoch said there is clearly a problem with UNRWA but insisted the UK has also sent aid to Gaza via other means and organisations, and will continue to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to Sky Newss Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips programme about the allegations, Ms Badenoch said: (Its) extremely serious and I think its quite right that we suspend payments to them. Whether the investigation is carried out by a separate arm of the UN or by other country governments I wouldnt be in a position to state, but this is absolutely the right thing to do. Advertisement She added: We are funding other organisations, like the Red Cross, like Unicef. So, this isnt the UN, this is one particular agency within the UN that had been operating in Gaza. The UK has been ensuring that we are able to send aid to the people of Gaza and thats something that we want to continue to do. But there is clearly a problem with the UNs (Relief and Works Agency) and its really important that we do something about that. In a statement on Saturday, UNRWA commissioner general Mr Lazzarini said: It is shocking to see a suspension of funds to the agency in reaction to allegations against a small group of staff, especially given the immediate action that UNRWA took by terminating their contracts and asking for a transparent independent investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Day in & day out -despite continuous bombardment, lack of access & displacement- @UNRWA colleagues keep doing everything they can to distribute urgent food & water, as well as providing life saving health services. Supplies do not meet the unprecedented level of needs in#Gaza pic.twitter.com/KhWpsLTSIT UNRWA Partners (@UNRWAPartners) January 26, 2024 Advertisement The United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), the highest investigative authority in the UN system, has already been seized of this very serious matter. It would be immensely irresponsible to sanction an agency and an entire community it serves because of allegations of criminal acts against some individuals, especially at a time of war, displacement and political crises in the region. The relief agency has played a key role in providing aid for the enclaves population amid the humanitarian disaster caused by Israels offensive in the wake of the October 7 attack. Mr Lazzarini said it had ordered an investigation after Israel provided information alleging several employees played a role in Hamass assault. The US state department said claims had been made against 12 employees. UNRWA has 13,000 staff in Gaza, almost all of them Palestinians, ranging from teachers in schools that the agency runs, to doctors, medical staff and aid workers. An appeals court in Bangladesh has granted bail to Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who had earlier been sentenced to six months in prison for violating the countrys labour laws. The court in Dhaka also agreed to hear an appeal against his sentence. Advertisement Yunus, who pioneered the use of microcredit to help impoverished people, especially women, filed the appeal seeking bail on Sunday morning before it was granted. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in 2006. The 83-year-old economist and three other officials from telecommunications company Grameen Telecom were sentenced to six months in prison on January 1, but they were immediately granted 30 days of bail to appeal against the verdict and sentence. Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus leaves court in Dhaka after being granted bail (Mahmud Hossain Opu/AP) Advertisement Sundays court decision said the bail will remain effective until a final decision is made on the appeal over the sentencing. Advertisement Defence lawyer Abdullah Al Mamun said the first hearing on the appeal will be held on March 3rd. Yunus founded Grameen Telecom as a non-profit organisation. His supporters have said the case is politically motivated, a charge the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was elected for a fourth consecutive term earlier this month, has denied. Advertisement In the original verdict, the judge said Yunuss company violated Bangladeshi labour laws. At least 67 Grameen Telecom workers were supposed to be made permanent employees but were not, and a welfare fund to support the staff in cases of emergency or special needs was never formed. The judge also said that according to company policy 5 per cent of Grameens dividends were supposed to have been distributed to staff but were not. The judge found Yunus, the chairman of the company, and the three other company directors guilty, and fined them each 30,000 takas while also sentencing each to prison. Advertisement Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mohammed Yunus pioneered the use of microcredit to help impoverished people (Gurinder Osan/AP) Yunus said after the original verdict that he was innocent. We are being punished for a crime we did not commit. It was my fate, the nations fate. We have accepted this verdict, but will appeal this verdict and continue fighting against this sentence, he told reporters after the verdict was announced on January 1st. Advertisement Advertisement Grameen Telecom owns 34.2 per cent of the countrys largest mobile phone company, Grameenphone, a subsidiary of Norways telecoms giant Telenor. Yunus is known to have close connections with political elites in the West, especially in the United States, Europe and elsewhere. He faces a number of other charges involving alleged corruption and embezzlement. His supporters say he has been targeted because of his frosty relations with Mr Hasina. President Joe Biden said on Sunday that the US shall respond after three American troops were killed and dozens more were injured in an overnight drone strike in north-east Jordan near the Syrian border. Mr Biden blamed Iran-backed militias for the first US fatalities after months of strikes by such groups against American forces across the Middle East amid the Israel-Hamas war. Advertisement Mr Biden, who was travelling in South Carolina, asked for a moment of silence during an appearance at a Baptist churchs banquet hall. We had a tough day last night in the Middle East. We lost three brave souls in an attack on one of our bases, he said. After the moment of silence, Mr Biden added, and we shall respond. With an increasing the risk of military escalation in the region, US officials were working to conclusively identify the precise group responsible for the attack, but they have assessed that one of several Iranian-backed groups was behind it. Advertisement Mr Biden said in a written statement that the United States will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner (of) our choosing. Advertisement Defence secretary Lloyd Austin said we will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, our troops, and our interests. Iran-backed fighters in east Syria began evacuating their posts, fearing US airstrikes, according to Omar Abu Layla, a Europe-based activist who heads the Deir Ezzor 24 media outlet. He told The Associated Press that the areas are the strongholds of Mayadeen and Boukamal. Advertisement Last night, three U.S. service members were killed, and many wounded, during an unmanned aerial drone attack on our forces stationed in northeast Jordan near the Syria border. Jill and I join the families and friends of our fallen in grieving the loss of these warriors in this President Biden (@POTUS) January 28, 2024 Advertisement According to a US official, the number of troops wounded in the attack by a one-way attack drone may grow. The official said a large drone struck the base, which two other American officials identified as an installation in Jordan known as Tower 22. It is along the Syrian border and is used largely by troops involved in the advise-and-assist mission for Jordanian forces. Advertisement The small installation, which Jordan does not publicly disclose, includes US engineering, aviation, logistics and security troops. Advertisement The US military base at al-Tanf in Syria is just 12 miles north of Tower 22. The Jordanian installation provides a critical logistical hub for US forces in Syria, including those at al-Tanf, which is near the intersection of the Iraq, Syria and Jordan borders. I am outraged and deeply saddened by the deaths of three of our U.S. service members and the wounding of other American troops in an attack last night against U.S. and Coalition forces, who were deployed to a site in northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border to work for the Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) January 28, 2024 Jordanian state television quoted Muhannad Mubaidin, a government spokesman, as saying the attack happened across the border in Syria. US troops have long used Jordan, a kingdom bordering Iraq, Israel, the Palestinian territory of the West Bank, Saudi Arabia and Syria, as a basing point. US Central Command put the toll at three killed and 34 injured. Some 3,000 American troops typically are stationed in Jordan. Since the war in Gaza began on October 7, Iranian-backed militias have struck American military installations in Iraq more than 60 times and in Syria more than 90 times, with a mix of drones, rockets, mortars and ballistic missiles. Advertisement The attack on Sunday was the first targeting American troops in Jordan during the Israel-Hamas war and the first to result in the loss of American lives. Scores of US personnel have been wounded, including some with traumatic brain injuries, during the attacks. The militias have said that their strikes are in retaliation for Washingtons support for Israel in the war in Gaza and have also said they aim to push US forces out of the region. The US in recent months has hit targets in Iraq, Syria and Yemen to respond to attacks on American forces in the region and to deter Iranian-backed Houthi rebels from continuing to threaten commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Mr Biden was briefed on Sunday by defence secretary Lloyd Austin, national security adviser Jake Sullivan and principal deputy national security adviser Jon Finer, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. He was expected to meet his national security team again later on Sunday. The president called it a despicable and wholly unjust attack and said the service members were risking their own safety for the safety of their fellow Americans, and our allies and partners with whom we stand in the fight against terrorism. It is a fight we will not cease. Advertisement Syria is still in the midst of a civil war and long has been a launch pad for Iranian-backed forces there, including the Lebanese militia Hezbollah. Iraq has multiple Iranian-backed Shiite militias operating there as well. Jordan, a staunch western ally and a crucial power in Jerusalem for its oversight of holy sites there, is suspected of launching airstrikes in Syria to disrupt drug smugglers, including one that killed nine people earlier this month. An umbrella group for Iran-backed factions known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq earlier claimed it launched explosive drone attacks targeting three areas in Syria, as well as one inside occupied Palestine. The group has claimed responsibility for dozens of attacks against bases housing US troops in Iraq and Syria since the Israel-Hamas war began. Three officials with Iran-backed militias in Iraq said the drone attack against the base in Jordan was launched by one of the Iraqi groups. No faction has yet officially claimed responsibility. Frances interior ministry on Sunday ordered a large deployment of security forces around Paris, as angry farmers threatened to head toward the capital. The move came hours after climate activists hurled soup at the glass protecting the Mona Lisa painting at the Louvre Museum. Advertisement French farmers are putting pressure on the government to respond to their demands for better remuneration for their produce, less red tape and protection against cheap imports. French interior minister Gerald Darmanin held a security meeting on Sunday before potential road blockades around Paris, his office said in a statement. Slurry, manure and tyres dumped by farmers at the state administration building in Agen (Fred Scheiber/AP) Advertisement Mr Darmanin ordered security forces to prevent any blockade of Rungis International Market and Paris airports, and ban any convoy of farmers from entering the city, the statement said. Farmers of the Rural Co-ordination union in the Lot-et-Garonne region, where the protests originated, plan to use their tractors to head Monday toward the Rungis International Market, which supplies the capital and surrounding region with much of its fresh food. Advertisement Frances two biggest farmers unions said in a statement that their members based in areas around the Paris region would seek to block all major roads to the capital, to put the city under siege, starting from Monday afternoon. Earlier Sunday, two climate activists hurled soup at the glass protecting the Mona Lisa and shouted slogans advocating for a sustainable food system. Advertisement In a video posted on social media, two women could be seen passing under a security barrier to get closer to the painting and throwing soup at the glass protecting Leonardo da Vincis masterpiece. French farmers are barricading some of the countrys major roads (Fred Scheiber/AP) Whats the most important thing? they shouted. Art, or right to a healthy and sustainable food? Our farming system is sick. Our farmers are dying at work, they added. Advertisement Paris police said that two people were arrested. Meanwhile, angry French farmers have been using their tractors for days to set up road blockades and slow traffic across France. They also dumped agricultural waste at the gates of government offices. On Friday, the government announced a series of measures that farmers said do not fully address their demands. Those include drastically simplifying certain technical procedures and the progressive end of diesel fuel taxes for farm vehicles. Advertisement Frances new prime minister, Gabriel Attal, visited a farm on Sunday in the central region of Indre-et-Loire. Advertisement He acknowledged that farmers are in a difficult position because on the one side we say we need quality and on the other side we want ever-lower prices. Whats at stake is finding solutions in the short, middle and long term, he said, because we need our farmers. Mr Attal also said his government is considering additional measures against what he called unfair competition from other countries that have different production rules and are importing food to France. He promised other decisions would be made in the coming weeks to address farmers concerns. An MP in the UK has had the Labour whip suspended after she appeared to say the war in Gaza should be remembered as a genocide in a post about Holocaust Memorial Day. Kate Osamor has issued an apology for any offence caused by the message on the eve of the day marking the murder of six million Jews during the Second World War. Advertisement A Labour source confirmed that the chief whip has suspended her from the parliamentary party while an investigation takes place. Holocaust Memorial Day is a day to remember the 6 million Jews killed in the Holocaust and the genocides that have occurred since. I apologise for any offence caused by my reference to the ongoing humanitarian disaster in Gaza as part of that period of remembrance. Kate Osamor Labour & Co-op MP for Edmonton (@KateOsamor) January 26, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement The Edmonton MP had appeared to suggest the conflict in Gaza was a genocide in a message she shared online the day before Holocaust Memorial Day. She later tweeted: Holocaust Memorial Day is a day to remember the 6 million Jews killed in the Holocaust and the genocides that have occurred since. I apologise for any offence caused by my reference to the ongoing humanitarian disaster in Gaza as part of that period of remembrance. Advertisement The former shadow development secretary, who served in Jeremy Corbyns top team, is the second Labour MP to apologise for remarks about the war in Gaza this week. Tahir Ali accused UK prime minister Rishi Sunak of having the blood of thousands of innocent people on his hands over his response to the conflict. The comments in the UK's House of Commons prompted the Labour leadership to quickly distance itself from his position and Mr Ali later posted an apology on X, formerly Twitter. Earlier at PMQs, I asked the Prime Minister about the actions of Israel in Gaza. This is obviously a deeply emotive issue, he said. Advertisement While I do not resile from my strongly held views on the situation in the Middle East, I would like to apologise for the way in which I described the Prime Minister in my question. A Labour spokesperson said of his remarks: That language is clearly inappropriate and not language we would support or endorse or believe should be used. Two masked assailants attacked a Roman Catholic church in Istanbul during Sunday services, killing one person, Turkish officials said. According to a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, by Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, the armed assailants attacked the Santa Maria Church in the Sariyer district of the city at 11.40am local time. Advertisement He did not specify what kind of weapons were used or whether anyone else was injured. Police at the scene after the attack at Istanbuls Santa Maria Church (Emrah Gurel/AP) Hours later, Mr Yerlikaya announced that two men he described as members of so-called Islamic State had been arrested. Advertisement One is from Tajikistan and the other from Russia, he said at a news conference. We will never tolerate those who try to disrupt the peace of our country, terrorists, their collaborators, both national and international criminal groups, and those who aim at our unity and solidarity, Mr Yerlikaya said. Advertisement Speaking to reporters, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu offered his condolences and support for religious minorities in the city, which, like Turkey, as a whole is primarily Muslim. There are no minorities in this city or this country. We are all actual citizens, he said. Advertisement Speaking to the Associated Press, the victims nephew identified the man who died as Tuncer Cihan. He noted that the target was the church and not his uncle. He was a mentally disabled individual who had no connection to politics or (criminal) organisations. He went there on an invitation and was a victim of fate, Cagin Cihan said. Santa Maria is run by missionary Franciscan friars from Italy sent on a mission of ecumenical dialogue. A forensics officer works near the church after the fatal attack (Emrah Gurel/AP) Advertisement In remarks to the public in St Peters Square on Sunday, Pope Francis noted the attack. I express my closeness to the community of (the church) in Istanbul, which during the Mass suffered an armed attack with one dead and some wounded, the pontiff said. Italys foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, said his ministry is following the situation along with the Italian embassy in Ankara and the consulate in Istanbul. Advertisement I express my condolence and firm condemnation for the vile attack on Santa Maria Church, he wrote on X. He added that I am certain that the Turkish authorities will arrest those responsible. South Koreas military said on Sunday that North Korea fired several cruise missiles from waters off an eastern military port in the countrys latest weapons demonstration. It comes in the face of deepening tensions with the United States, South Korea and Japan. Advertisement The Souths Joint Chiefs of Staff did not immediately say how many missiles were fired or how far they flew. It was not immediately clear how the launches were conducted, although the North has previously tested cruise missiles from sea assets. They said they detected the missiles over waters near the North Korean port of Sinpo, where the North has a major shipyard building key naval vessels, including missile-firing submarines. A TV screen shows a file image of North Koreas missile launch during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea (Ahn Young-joon, AP) Advertisement Advertisement The launches were North Koreas third-known launch event of 2024, following a previous round of cruise missile tests on January 24 and a January 14 test-firing of the countrys first solid-fuel intermediate-range ballistic missile. North Korea said its launches last week involved a new cruise missile called Pulhwasal-3-31 and described the test as part of regular efforts to develop its military. The North described that missile as strategic, implying a possible intent to arm it with nuclear weapons. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have increased in recent months as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un continues to accelerate his weapons development and issue provocative threats of nuclear conflict with the US and its Asian allies. Advertisement The US, South Korea and Japan, in response, have been expanding their combined military exercises, which Kim portrays as invasion rehearsals, and sharpening their deterrence strategies built around nuclear-capable US assets. Since 2021, North Korea has conducted at least 10 rounds of tests of what it described as long-range cruise missiles fired from both land and sea. The country claims its weapons are nuclear-capable, and their range is up to 1,242 miles, a distance that would include US military bases in Japan. Police in France have arrested two people after protesters threw soup at the Mona Lisa painting in The Louvre Museum. On Sunday, protesters from French organisation Riposte Alimentaire sprayed the 16th-century painting by Leonardo Da Vinci with pumpkin soup. Advertisement The Paris museum confirmed no damage was done to the world-famous painting, which has been behind protective armoured glass since 2005. Following the incident, Paris police said they had arrested two people, according to the AP news agency. ALERTE - Des militantes pour le climat jettent de la soupe sur le tableau de La Joconde au musee du Louvre. @CLPRESSFR pic.twitter.com/Aa7gavRRc4 Advertisement CLPRESS / Agence de presse (@CLPRESSFR) January 28, 2024 In a video shared by French news agency CL Press, a woman can be seen throwing liquid from a tin at the artwork. Advertisement Advertisement She then crosses a boundary between the painting and public alongside another women, with both of them wearing T-shirts that said Riposte Alimentaire, which translates as food response, written on the front. Whats the most important thing? Art, or right to healthy and sustainable food? the protesters shouted, AP reported. Our farming system is sick. Our farmers are dying at work, they added. Riposte Alimentaire describe themselves as a collective which seeks to highlight the need to protect sustainable food. Advertisement Museum staff are later seen rushing in to prop black protective panels around the artwork. Leonardo Da Vincis world-famous Mona Lisa (Chris Radburn/PA) A statement from the Louvre Museum said that the Salle des Etats, where the Mona Lisa is displayed, was evacuated after the demonstration. Advertisement It added that the room was suspended for an hour while cleaning was carried out before it was reopened to visitors around midday. The statement added: The museum will lodge a complaint. France has faced major protests in the last few days by farmers in a bid to pressure the government to give in to their demands that growing food be made easier and more lucrative. The movement has spread across the country with protesters using their tractors to shut down long stretches of road and slow traffic on some major routes. Advertisement Farmers drive their tractors on a motorway near Saint-Arnoult, south of Paris on their way to a blockade (Christophe Ena/AP) The farmers are seeking better pay for their produce, less red tape, and protection against cheap imports, AP has reported. In 2022, a man disguised as an elderly woman in a wheelchair threw cake at the famous painting. The perpetrator, wearing a wig and lipstick, called on people to think of the Earth as they were led from the scene. The artwork had the glass installed in the 1950s to protect it after an acid attack. It was upgraded to armoured glass in 2005. Can you eat a hot cross bun in January and still show reverence for Easter two months away? Should I be buying half a dozen on Boxing Day three months out, when the trees still up and the fridge is full of ham and pudding? These ruminations have circulated every year since our major supermarket chains decided to cash in on Easter before the dust has settled on Christmas. Hot cross buns are hitting supermarket shelves earlier each year, and with bolder flavours. Many who express their protestations online with photos and horror-faced emojis are people like me, who remember a time when hot cross buns were only eaten on Good Friday having been purchased the day before. Does the blasphemy only apply to the traditional recipe with fruit and spice? Would indulging in a fruitless or chocolate chip version be such a betrayal? A woman has described the terrifying moment she accidentally made chlorine gas while cleaning her flat and was rushed to hospital after nearly poisoning herself. Emma Welsh was preparing to move out of her home in Birmingham, UK, when she realised she had made a terrible mistake. Determined to get her A$2,000 deposit back, the 30-year-old decided not to pay for the estimated $400 cleaning fee opting to do it herself. Emma Welsh was preparing to move out of her home when she accidentally made chlorine gas. Source: Jam Press Wiping down the radiator, Emma who mixed bleach and malt vinegar to remove stubborn stains noticed the cotton pads she was using had turned bright orange. Horrified, she also began to smell fumes and turned to the internet for help. I Googled it on my phone and thats when I realised Id accidentally created chlorine gas, Kate, a writer, from Scotland, told WhatsTheJam.com. I knew Id f***ked up because I was starting to smell fumes and wondered why the colour had appeared. The whole thing was so ridiculous, as I was just about finished cleaning the flat and had opened a beer to relax. The advice was to get away from the gas as soon as possible. Gas leaves woman with burning throat As reported by Healthline, when bleach and vinegar are mixed, it can create potentially lethal chlorine gas. I grabbed my cat, opened the balcony window to let some fresh air in, and told my friend, who found it hilarious but agreed I should call 111, Emma said. At this point, my throat was burning, so I was glad Id decided to be safe rather than sorry. The woman on the phone was really nice but concerned because chlorine gas can be so dangerous. I then got a callback and was advised to go to A&E. Emma's throat was burning as she headed to hospital. Source: Jam Press The incident occurred place around 11pm, with Emma rushing to the hospital shortly after, arriving at midnight. Story continues When she realised that there was a six-hour wait to see a doctor, she attempted to leave but was told by the toxicologist that the risk was simply too great. I felt like the biggest idiot in the world while in A&E, she said. Thankfully, I ended up being seen quite quickly and the staff consulted the toxicologist, who did an amazing job. When a doctor inspected my throat, he said it looked like Id burned the top layer of skin off. After that, I was sent for a chest X-ray. It was a really long wait for the results to come back, and I was so tired by this point. It took about four hours for me to get the all-clear. To pass the time, I ended up chatting to other patients, most of whom said they also had no idea how dangerous bleach and vinegar can be when mixed. Someone actually said they mixed bleach and vinegar in a bucket to clean, which is a lot more dangerous than my accidental mixing. We all learned something that night. Kate said she is sharing her story in the hope other people might learn from her 'stupidity'. Source: Jam Press Woman gets deposit back Kate managed to get a few hours of sleep before the removal van turned up the next day. And she got her deposit back, too. The mark was still on the radiator when I finally got home, but thanks to a post on Mumsnet, I was able to get it out with nail polish remover, she said. The smell had gone and the flat was absolutely freezing, but I did the right thing leaving the balcony door open. My cat was fine too she just slept on the bed with the door shut while I was gone. Kate said she is sharing her story in the hope other people might learn from her stupidity. You honestly wouldnt think that two common products that most people use without thinking could be so dangerous, she said. Dr Hamdan Abdullah Hamed, MBChB, a dermatologist, told Whats The Jam: If someone has been unfortunate enough to be exposed to chlorine gas, they'd first feel itchiness or a burning sensation, followed by redness, blistering and peeling skin. With further prolonged exposure, they could see dryness and scabbing below the initial layers of skin. I'd suggest that people would move out of the area to reduce exposure and at the very least use water or cold milk to decrease the immediate effects of the chemical burns. Jam Press Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. The Brisbane region is in for a wet few days with possible widespread minor flooding. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a flood watch for Queenslands south-east. Credit: Bureau of Meteorology The Bureau of Meteorology issued a flood watch on Monday afternoon due to a slow-moving trough forming over south-east Queensland and northeast NSW. Enhanced widespread heavy shower and thunderstorm activity is expected within the vicinity of the trough from Monday through to Wednesday, with locally heavy rainfall likely, the bureau said. Moderate to heavy rainfall was expected, along with showers and thunderstorms. Consecutive days of rain in some areas could increase the flood risk, with the upper Brisbane River catchment likely to be affected. The wet weather, however, wasnt expected to cool the city down. Temperatures were expected to reach maximums of 27C and 29C on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. On Monday morning, Brisbane Airports weather balloon recorded a precipitable water value of 70.8 millimetres, just below the March 2017 record of 70.9mm. The precipitable water value is a measure of how much water is in the air. The bureau warned on social media that showers and thunderstorms were likely to be aided by this moisture, potentially producing heavy rainfall. This is a risk for the next two days, so flash flooding and riverine flooding remains possible, the bureau wrote on X, formerly Twitter. The worlds largest passenger plane will make twice as many visits to Brisbane from October, with Emirates to add a second daily Airbus A380 service between the Queensland capital and Dubai. From October 1, flights EK430 (Dubai to Brisbane) and EK431 (Brisbane to Dubai), currently serviced by wide-body Boeing 777s, will instead be serviced by the double-decker A380s, which can seat up to 516 passengers. The Airbus A380 makes its first appearance in Brisbane. Photo: planeimages.net Credit: Beau Chenery - planeimages.net Planespotters may be a little disappointed with the timing, however, as the new services would be at night EK430 would arrive in Brisbane at 10.20pm, while EK431 would depart at 1.55am. The A380s returned to Brisbane skies in 2022, after they were replaced by the smaller 777s in 2018. They had originally touched down in Brisbane, with much fanfare, a little over a decade ago. Crews are working to restore electricity for Queenslanders left without power after ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily lashed the state. More than 4000 homes were without power in the Townsville city council area on Monday morning, while 200 customers were still in the dark in Burdekin shire. About 66,000 customers experienced a power outage at the peak of the wild weather. Parts of Queensland remain at risk of heavy rain and flooding as Kirrily impacts the states western interior. More funding for long doctors appointments and free yearly health checks for Australias 5 million children should be the next steps for Health Minister Mark Butler as he tries to make healthcare more affordable, the countrys GPs have told the federal government. Doctors want the Medicare rebate for long appointments and mental health consults to be boosted by 20 per cent at a cost of $433 million a year in a bid to make GP visits cheaper for patients with chronic and complex illnesses, as well as to relieve the mental health system. GPs want the Medicare rebate for long appointments and mental health consults to be boosted by 20 per cent. Credit: iStock The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has given Treasury a list of policies it says will help Australians struggling financially, a year after its push to triple the bulk-billing incentive for GP visits became the Albanese governments major budget night announcement. Last years budget was a critical first step to rebuild Medicare and general practice after decades of underfunding, said college president Nicole Higgins. Munich Airport, Germany. Get your timing right and you can spend 90 days in Germany without it eating into your Schengen Area limit. Credit: iStock If you want to return to the Schengen area, you could spend that time in a non-Schengen country. In Europe those countries are the UK, Ireland, Cyprus, Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. Greenland and the Faroe Islands, a self-governing region of Denmark, are also outside the Schengen area. Australian passport holders must leave Europes Schengen area, which covers most of the Continent, after a stay of 90 days. Returning to the area is only possible after another 90 days. There is another way. In the 1950s Australia signed bilateral visa waiver agreements with several European countries. Those agreements have allowed Australian passport holders to remain in those countries outside the 90 days allowed under the Schengen area rules. Most of those countries have since rescinded those agreements but some still exist. Finding out which agreements are still in force is difficult, but Germany spells it out succinctly. According to the Missions of the Federal Republic of Germany in Australia, the German-Australian Agreement on the Exemption of Visa Requirements, dated 22.12.1952, allows Australian citizens to travel to Germany and to stay in Germany for up to 90 days without having to apply for a visa. Loading In effect, what you could do is spend up to 90 days travelling in the Schengen area and then fly to a non-Schengen state, for example the UK. According to the German Mission, you need stamps in your passport to prove you have left the area, and that requires departure from an airport. From the UK you could then fly to Germany and stay for up to 90 days. Its important to exhaust the 90 days you are allowed to spend in the Schengen area before entering Germany. If you were to enter Germany from another Schengen country before your initial 90 days was up, the time spent in Germany would be deducted from the time you are allowed to spend in the Schengen area. For more than 20 years, the Arch of Reunification straddled the highway from Pyongyang to the heavily guarded border with South Korea as a symbol of hope that two countries ripped apart by war would one day be reunited. But this week it lay crushed to dust, along with a goal that had spanned three generations of the Kim family dynasty to reconcile the North with the South of the Korean peninsula, under Pyongyangs control. The Arch of Reunification, a monument to symbolise the hope for eventual reunification of the two Koreas, in Pyongyang, North Korea. Credit: AP New satellite images, analysed by NK News, showed the nine-storey monument depicting two women in traditional dress reaching forward to jointly hold a globe with a map of a unified Korea had been torn down days after Kim Jong-un called it an eyesore. Even before the archs destruction, the North Korean leader had had a belligerent start to the year. He publicly abandoned the unification aims of his forefathers, declaring the constitution be changed to designate South Korea the principal enemy, and to codify completely occupying it in the event of war. But the truth is, the two-state solution is the only viable option for a lasting peaceful future without tensions always escalating to war. And whats easy to forget from our relative distance is that for so many Israeli and Palestinian people before October 7, living peacefully was a reality already in practice. To watch the suffering of Israelis, with approximately 1200 killed and around 200 hostages captured on October 7, and the death toll from Gaza growing every day and already surpassing 25,000 lives, its easy to believe that peace is no longer possible, and that Israelis and Palestinians cannot co-exist without violence. Hamas will not surrender, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has doubled down on this opposition to a two-state solution , and so after a seven-day ceasefire and a hostage exchange, bombing and bloodshed resumed. From the relative comfort and safety of Australia, it has become almost unbearable to watch the news from Israel and Palestine. I have been to Israel and Palestine many times and seen peace in practice over and over again at a grassroots level. Yes, there is profound trauma and unforgettable experiences that both sides will carry with them throughout their lives. These experiences are not diminished, but they are not the only reality. I have sat with the Circle of the Bereaved in Jerusalem, with Palestinian parents who have lost children killed by the Israel Defence Forces, and Israeli parents who have lost children in Hamas terror attacks. United in their grief, they comfort each other. In their suffering, friendships blossom. It is sad to think that the one thing Hamas and the Israeli extreme right seem to agree on is undermining the two-state solution. I have seen a network of Israeli and Arab volunteers ferry Palestinians to the West Bank for urgent medical treatment. Project Rozana, of which I am a patron, is run by Jews, Christians and Muslims to bring those in need from Gaza and the West Bank to Jewish hospitals in Israel. It recognises that the little people have no control over their political leaders choices, and the dire health needs of Palestinians and the outstanding medical services offered in Israels hospital system. It is peacemaking work, building grassroots contact between people of the two states who, though they live side by side, do not know each other except through the lens of tribal political caricatures. In Gaza, I visited projects growing flowers and strawberries that had an Israeli partner helping Palestinians export them to Europe to try to reduce Gazas youth unemployment rate. These projects are small, yet these partnerships between Jews and Muslims gave jobs and hope. In 2007, I arranged a sabbatical at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Ahead of the course I was planning to teach at the University of Sydney, my stay allowed me to study the situation there firsthand. In addition to meeting Israeli and Palestinian colleagues, I was introduced to the United Nations officials who had monitored the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory since 1967. Examining their detailed maps of illegal Israeli settlements, roadblocks and checkpoints made it clear, even then, that the two-state solution a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza was no longer viable. There were simply too many settlers, settlements and an all-pervasive Israeli military presence. In the West Bank, the Israeli government is trying to drive out as many Palestinians as possible. Credit: Photo: Kate Geraghty; Artwork: Marija Ercegovac The following year, I returned as part of a delegation of foreign academics for a study tour of the country. Part of the itinerary included a memorable helicopter ride over Jerusalems Old City and central Israel. The aim, the pilot explained, was to demonstrate the precariously small size of the country and thus elicit our sympathy. When looking down on the windy route of the relatively new separation wall, I couldnt miss how it intruded into Palestinian territory and snaked around the Palestinian town of Qalqilya, effectively cutting off its inhabitants from their agricultural lands and the rest of the West Bank. Matters have escalated since then. According to the UN, between 2012 and 2022, the number of Israeli settlers living in the 279 illegal settlements increased from 520,000 to 700,000 people. Of these settlers, 229,000 reside in 14 settlements in occupied East Jerusalem. He asserted that the proposed measures could commence immediately at a low cost to the government, offering tangible benefits such as enhancing the availability of affordable housing provided by the private sector, improving the effectiveness, timeliness, and efficacy of Australian housing policy, and promoting equitable access to digital transaction technologies in Australias property markets. In celebration of Black History Month, Port Byron and Montezuma historical societies are featuring a window display at the Port Byron Library of a well-known folk artist, Inez Nathaniel Walker, who once lived in Port Byron. Today, Walker is considered one of Americas foremost contemporary folk artists. Joyce Biss has created the display based on the 2024 theme to celebrate Black History Month, "African Americans and the Arts, featuring the life of Walker. Through her life, the theme highlights the impact Black Americans have had on visual arts, music, cultural movements and more. Born in 1911 to an impoverished family in South Carolina as Inez Stedman, her mother died when she was only 2, followed by her fathers tragic murder. Inez commented, I remember he was sitting there in front of the fire place reading the Bible, the next day he was killed. By the time she was 16, Inez was married and had given birth to four children. As a young mother to help support her family she labored, working hard on farms. After moving north during the great African American migration period, she eventually settled in Port Byron in 1949. Although we don't know much about her life while in Port Byron, we can understand she sought to escape the labor-intensive work and drudgery she had previously experienced to find an easier way to make a living. While in Port Byron its believed she worked for a local apple processing plant and probably did not have much time to pursue an interest in drawing. Later, after moving to Lyons in Wayne County through unfortunate circumstances, she ended up sentenced to Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women. In prison, Walker found inspiration and time to release her creative impulse. She drew in order to create a place of stability in the foreign and often dangerous environment where she found herself. She created a large body of vivid portraits of men and women characterized in an abstract format. As a result, she became a self-taught artist. A teacher at the prison discovered her unsigned drawings and was struck by the humor and amazing originality in her artwork. She tracked down the artist and showed Inezs work to a Bedford art dealer, Pat Parsons, for evaluation. Recognizing the unique and powerful qualities of Inezs portraits, Pat made arrangements to meet Inez and encouraged her to keep drawing. Over the years, Inez and Pat became close friends and it was because of Walkers art that Parsons began to pursue the study of 20th century self-taught artists. Several years later, Pat Parsons discovered that Inez was in Willard Psychiatric Center in Willard. It took more than a year of petitioning before Parsons and Walker could meet again. During her time at Willard, Pat encouraged Inez to continue drawing, resulting in over 200 more drawings being created before Inez died of pancreatic cancer on May 25, 1990. Following her death, Parsons bought Inezs artwork and continued to exhibit it. Today, Walkers art is recognized throughout the folk art world for the distinguished and unique style she was able to develop. She was quoted as saying, The more I draw, the better I get. In 1996 the American Folk Art Museum received more than 400 of Walker's drawings. The large collection of Inez Nathaniel Walker artwork at the museum includes examples of her entire known body of work. It continues to provide scholars and researchers with extensive material to study her art and life in depth and from multiple perspectives aesthetic, cultural and personal. The art historian, cultural anthropologist, psychologist, art therapist, sociologist, folklorist, educator or liberal arts scholar may all find that aspects of her art illuminate their study of American life and culture. The Port Byron Library has a wide selection of books available for loan highlighting Black History Month. Each one offers a broader cultural view of Black history and the contribution made to our diverse American culture. (A source for this column is a summer 1997 article by Lee Kogan in Folk Art Magazine of the Museum of American Folk Art. Through Kogans research, gathered directly from Pat Parsons, she was able to share Parsons personal knowledge of Inez Nathaniel Walker.) Hochul names UB home for Empire AI consortium Gov. Kathy Hochul announces that UB will be the home for the proposed Empire AI consortium during a visit to campus on Friday. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki This initiative will ensure that New York State is the place we can put this kind of computing power in the hands of students and professors and the geniuses who are ready to win this race. Buffalo was the worlds first electrified city, with widespread streetlights in the late 1800s that earned it the nickname City of Light. And now, Gov. Kathy Hochul has declared Buffalo and specifically UB the home of this centurys great technological innovation: artificial intelligence. Speaking Friday at the Center for the Arts, Hochul made it official that the university will be the site of her proposed statewide AI consortium, Empire AI, which will include construction of a state-of-the-art artificial intelligence computing center to be located at UB. We want to make sure New York State is the capital of AI development but I need a home for this supercomputer thatll power the innovation all over our state. And Im proud to announce that the home will be right here at SUNY Buffalo, Hochul said. This initiative will ensure that New York State is the place we can put this kind of computing power in the hands of students and professors and the geniuses who are ready to win this race. Empire AI, which aims to put the state at the forefront of the AI revolution, is part of Hochuls 2024-25 budget proposal and would be funded by more than $400 million in public and private investment. It was first announced during the governors State of the State address earlier this month, with UB named as the potential site. President Satish K. Tripathi introduced the governor to an audience of more than 200 community leaders. He thanked the governor for officially naming UB the statewide location. (Read the UB news release on the governor's announcement.) We are delighted that the governor is recognizing UBs longstanding national and international leadership in AI and data science with this momentous designation, which will make UB as the home of Empire AI a premier resource center for AI research and innovation, Tripathi said in remarks released after Hochuls announcement. IRB Infrastructure Developers Ltd is the sponsor of IRB Infrastructure Trust. IRB was the EPC contractor for YATL and continues to be the project manager for YATL Yedeshi Aurangabad Tollway Ltd (YATL), a special purpose vehicle of IRB Infrastructure Trust, has won an arbitration award of Rs 1,720 crore for a highway project, a statement said on Sunday. The YATL had initiated arbitration proceedings against the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) after the authority disputed the company's claim for the extension of the concession period by 870 days and compensation of Rs 1,751 crore, the statement said. IRB Infrastructure Developers Ltd is the sponsor of IRB Infrastructure Trust. IRB was the EPC contractor for YATL and continues to be the project manager for YATL. The arbitration was based on the compensation payable to the IRB towards time and cost overrun suffered during the construction period on account of delays attributable to the NHAI and certain Force Majeure events, it added. After thoroughly hearing both sides, the statement said the Arbitration Tribunal has directed NHAI to pay compensation of Rs 1,720 crore including Interest payable as on date of award. The Arbitration Tribunal has directed NHAI to grant extension of 689 days to the concession period, the statement added. IRB incorporated YATL for implementation of Yedeshi Aurangabad NH211 BOT highway project and executed the concession agreement in May 2014. YATL commenced construction of the project from July 1, 2015, and it was scheduled to be completed within 910 days i.e. December 26, 2017. However, due to delay in handing over of land and for other reasons attributable to NHAI, the project completion on entire project length was delayed and the project was finally completed on September 24, 2020, the statement said. As a result of above delay, YATL incurred time and cost overrun for which it claimed compensation from NHAI on March 12, 2021. The same was disputed by NHAI and led to arbitration. Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) national president Nitish Kumar arrived at the Raj Bhavan in Patna and handed over his resignation to Governor Rajendra Arlekar on Sunday. Calling on the Governor at Raj Bhavan, Nitish told him, "We have decided to sever ties with the Mahagathbandhan in the state". The development comes amid a deafening buzz that Nitish would rejoin the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), bringing an end to the 'Mahagathbandhan' rule in the state. The fast-changing political events in the state were triggered by a social media post from former CM and RJD chief Lalu Yadav's daughter, Rohini Acharya, in which she took a swipe at the JD(U) saying that while the 'socialist party' styles itself as progressive, its ideology shifts with the changing wind patterns. If Nitish crosses over, it would mark the fourth time that he would be switching sides. In the Bihar Assembly of 243, the RJD has 79 MLAs; followed by the BJP at 78; JD(U) at 45, Congress at 19, the CPI (M-L) at 12, CPI(M) and CPI at 2 each, and the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular)'s at 4. Another two seats are with the AIMIM and an Independent. Earlier, in a fresh post, Rohini Acharya said her fight against 'communal forces' will continue till death. "Our fight against the communal forces will continue till our last breath," she posted on X. The Modi government is only doing "politics of symbolism" when it comes to Dalits, backward classes and tribals, Ramesh claimed The Congress on Sunday alleged that there is a "conspiracy" to end reservation given to SCs, STs and OBCs for posts in higher education institutions, and claimed that the Modi government is only doing "politics of symbolism" with regard to Dalits, backward classes and tribals. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh shared a media report on X which said that the University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued draft guidelines for de-reserving vacancies meant for the scheduled castes (SC), the scheduled tribes (SC) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) candidates for posts in higher education institutes (HEIs) and open them up for the general category if enough reserved candidates are not available. Ramesh demanded that such a proposal should be withdrawn immediately. In his post in Hindi, Ramesh said, "A few years ago, RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) chief Mohan Bhagwat had talked about reviewing reservations. Now, there is a conspiracy to end the reservation given to SCs, STs and OBCs in higher education institutions." "This proposal of the UGC is in line with the intentions of Mohan Bhagwat and is clearly injustice to Dalits, tribals and backward people," he said. Recently, when Karpoori Thakur was given the Bharat Ratna, Rahul Gandhi had said that the country needs "real justice" and not "politics of symbolism", Ramesh noted. Former Bihar chief minister and socialist leader Thakur was awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously. The Modi government is only doing "politics of symbolism" when it comes to Dalits, backward classes and tribals, Ramesh claimed. "Their real intention is once again revealed through this proposal of the UGC," Ramesh said. He added that "our fight is against this injustice and the continuous attacks on Baba Saheb's Constitution". This proposal to end reservation in colleges and universities is "completely unacceptable" and should be withdrawn immediately, Ramesh said. The 'Guidelines for Implementation of the Reservation Policy of the Government of India in Higher Education Institutes (HEIs)' are in the public domain for feedback from stakeholders. The guidelines have been receiving backlash from several quarters. The JNU Students' Union (JNUSU) has announced a protest against it. "A vacancy reserved for SC or ST or OBC cannot be filled by a candidate other than an SC or ST or OBC candidate, as the case may be. However, a reserved vacancy may be declared unreserved by following the procedure of de-reservation where after, it can be filled as an unreserved vacancy," the draft guidelines read. A new government with the support of the BJP is likely to be in place by the evening, according to the sources The Congress on Sunday called Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar a "chameleon" and said the people of the state will never forgive this "expert" of betrayal and those making him dance to their tunes. The party was reacting to Kumar's decision to resign as the chief minister of Bihar and leaving the 'Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance)' in the state while also dealing a body blow to the opposition bloc INDIA. Kumar had joined the 'Mahagathbandhan' in August 2022, when he had snapped ties with the BJP, accusing it of trying to "split" his Janata Dal (United). He had formed a new government with a multi-party coalition that included the RJD, the Congress and three Left parties. Dubbing him as "Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram", the Congress said there are many people like him in the country. The expression was used widely in politics in the 90s referring to the frequent floor-crossing and switching of parties. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said they already knew about Kumar's decision to leave the alliance, but had not said anything to help keep the INDIA bloc together. "There are many people like 'Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram' in the country. Earlier he and I were fighting together. When I talked to (RJD chief) Lalu (Prasad) ji and (his son) Tejashwi (Yadav) ji, they also said that Nitish is going," he said. The Congress president said if Kumar wanted to stay, he would have stayed. "Therefore, we already knew this, but we did not say anything in order to keep the INDIA bloc intact. If we say something wrong, a wrong message will go out. Lalu Prasad Yadav ji and Tejashwi Yadav ji had already given us this information. Today, it has become true," Kharge said. After severing ties with the BJP in 2022, Kumar had embarked on a drive to bring together all parties across the country to take on the BJP and that culminated in the formation of opposition bloc INDIA. Lashing out at Kumar, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said it is clear that a "political drama" is being created in order to divert attention from the party's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. He said it is clear that the prime minister (Narendra Modi) and the BJP are "scared" of the yatra being undertaken by Rahul Gandhi, which is set to enter Bihar soon. The Manipur-to-Maharashtra Nyay Yatra began on January 14 and has traversed through Manipur, Nagaland, Assam and West Bengal. It will culminate in Mumbai on March 20 or 21. In a post on 'X in Hindi', Ramesh said, "Nitish Kumar, who frequently changes political partners, is giving a tough competition to chameleons in changing colours." The people of Bihar will not forgive this "expert of betrayal" and those who are making him dance to their tunes, he said. "It is quite clear that the prime minister and the BJP are scared of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra and this political drama has been created to divert attention from it," he said. Ramesh said the INDIA bloc is strong. There are a few speed-breakers here and there, "but we will unitedly fight against the BJP and all parties like DMK, NCP, TMC and SP will fight it together", he asserted. On the development related to Kumar, Ramesh claimed that this will not have any impact on the Nyay Yatra, and the INDIA bloc will be further strengthened as (TMC supremo and West Bengal chief minister) Mamata Banerjee has herself said this. "This will further upset the people and I think the people of Bihar will teach the right lesson to Nitish Kumar and the BJP in the election...This is an ideological battle," he said. This will be the headlines for a day or two, and it does not look good on Nitish Kumar who had himself called the first meeting (of the INDIA bloc) in Patna and then attended all other meetings of the opposition alliance, Ramesh said. "But like I said, Nitish Kumar gives a tough competition to chameleons," he said. Taking a swipe at Kumar on his changing sides multiple times and forming government with new alliances, Congress leader Pawan Khera at a press conference said the JD(U) leader is creating a new record where he is becoming "the chief minister for the ninth time". "If you (BJP) have the confidence of 400 (Lok Sabha) seats then why did you have to do all this. It shows that you know the truth and that is why you are indulging in all such activities. This is the impact of the yatra on the BJP. Wherever the yatra goes it is creating an effect. In Assam, the chief minister came in service of the yatra and became our 'prachar mantri'. When the yatra is entering Bihar, this is happening in Bihar and when it started, in Mumbai our leader was made to switch over," he said. Khera was referring to a case being filed against Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders on the instructions of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the political developments in Bihar and Congress leader Milind Deora quitting to join the BJP. The Nyay Yatra exposes 10 years of the BJP government at the Centre and the panic in the BJP is evident, he said. "This is happening as those who give slogans of 400-plus (seats) know the truth in the country. As our (Congress) president has said those who go (quit) have two compulsions, either the ED or the CD. What are Nitish Kumar's?" he asked. Khera said one must learn from Kumar the art of how to flip. He said that "we are trying to hold the INDIA bloc together... and efforts in this regard would continue". "There are speed-breakers in every yatra, there may be red lights, yellow lights or green lights. Hence, the journey of an alliance is like this as is seen today," he said. Kumar submitted his resignation as chief minister to Governor Rajendra V Arlekar on Sunday morning. The governor accepted the resignation, and asked Kumar to continue as the caretaker chief minister till a new government is formed, sources in Patna said. A new government with the support of the BJP is likely to be in place by the evening, according to the sources. Bidding to salvage a border deal in Congress that also would unlock money for Ukraine, President Joe Biden offered fresh assurances Saturday night that he would be willing to close the US-Mexico border if lawmakers would only send him a bill to sign. Biden also eager to disarm GOP criticism of his handling of migration at the border said at a political event in South Carolina that he would shut down the border 'right now if Congress passed the proposed deal. The framework hasn't been formally agreed to by Senate Democrats and Republicans and would face an uncertain future in the GOP-controlled House. A bipartisan bill would be good for America and help fix our broken immigration system and allow speedy access for those who deserve to be here, and Congress needs to get it done," Biden said. It'll also give me as president, the emergency authority to shut down the border until it could get back under control. If that bill were the law today, I'd shut down the border right now and fix it quickly. The deal being negotiated in Congress would require the U.S. to shutter the border if roughly 5,000 migrants cross illegally on any given day. Some one-day totals last year exceeded 10,000. Former President Donald Trump has been pressuring Republicans for weeks to kill the negotiations. He's loathe to give a win to Biden on an issue that animated the Republican's successful 2016 campaign and that he wants to use as he seeks to return to the White House. Negotiators had appeared to be closing in on a deal, but it started to fray after Trump's admonitions to conservative lawmakers grew stronger. In a written statement on Friday evening, Biden said the deal would allow him a new emergency authority to close the border. He added: And if given that authority, I would use it the day I sign the bill into law." It was a stark claim from a Democratic president that was met with astonishment and shock from immigrant advocates who have said his policies do not reflect the progressive approach they had expected. Voters want to see our elected leaders do the hard work to fix our frayed immigration system," said Deirdre Schifeling, chief political and advocacy officer at the American Civil Liberties Union. "President Biden and Congress must abandon these proposals and heed voters' demands for fair and effective immigration policies that manage the border and treat people seeking safety with dignity. But Biden is struggling across multiple fronts, dealing with an influx of asylum seekers even as he cracks down on those who cross into the U.S. illegally. Democrats are increasingly frustrated because asylum seekers are streaming into cities that lack the resources to care for them. In a letter Saturday responding to Biden's comments, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., insisted that Biden doesn't need congressional action to close the border and called on him to take executive action immediately to reverse the catastrophe he has created. Immigration remains a major concern for voters in the 2024 election. An AP-NORC poll earlier this month found that those voicing concerns about immigration climbed to 35% from 27% last year. Most Republicans, 55%, say the government needs to focus on immigration in 2024, while 22% of Democrats listed immigration as a priority. That's up from 45% and 14%, respectively, in December 2022. Arrests for illegal border crossings from Mexico reached an all-time high in December since monthly numbers have been released. The Border Patrol tallied 249,785 arrests on the Mexican border in December, up 31% from 191,112 in November and up 13% from 222,018 in December 2022, the previous all-time high. Mexicans accounted for 56,236 arrests in December, while Venezuelans were second with 46,937, erasing much of the decline that followed the start of deportation flights to Venezuela in October. Arrests of Guatemalans surged, with Hondurans and Colombians rounding out the top five nationalities. The first award was announced in December, of over $35 million to a BAE Systems facility in Hampshire to produce chips for fighter planes, part of a $39 billion "Chips for America" subsidy program approved by the U.S. Congress in 2022 President Joe Biden's administration is expected to award billions of dollars in subsidies in coming weeks to top semiconductor companies including Intel and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co to help build new factories in the U.S., the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday. The forthcoming announcements aim to kick-start manufacturing of advanced semiconductors that power smartphones, artificial intelligence, and weapons systems, the WSJ reported, citing industry executives familiar with the negotiations. The executives expect some announcements to come before Biden's State of the Union address on March 7, according to the report. Among the likely recipients of the subsidies, Intel has projects underway in Arizona, Ohio, New Mexico, and Oregon that will cost more than $43.5 billion, the paper said. Another likely recipient, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) has two plants under construction near Phoenix for a total investment of $40 billion. South Korea's Samsung Electronics, also a contender, has a $17.3 billion project in Texas. Micron Technology, Texas Instruments, and GlobalFoundries count among other top contenders, WSJ added citing industry executives. The U.S. Department of Commerce refused to discuss any potential applicants and declined to comment on any timing reports. This is a merit-based process with tough commercial negotiations CHIPS awards will be entirely dependent upon which projects will advance US economic and national security, a department spokesperson said to Reuters citing a Commerce official. TSMC declined to comment while Intel did not respond to a request. In December last year, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said she would make around a dozen funding awards for semiconductor chips within the next year, including multi-billion dollar announcements that could drastically reshape U.S. chip production. The first award was announced in December, of over $35 million to a BAE Systems facility in Hampshire to produce chips for fighter planes, part of a $39 billion "Chips for America" subsidy program approved by the U.S. Congress in 2022. Saturday, January 27, 2024 at 10:02PM Photo: Nintendo Exciting developments in the gaming world suggest that a new iteration of Nintendo's popular Switch console is in the works, and it's poised to make a notable leap in size. According to a recent Bloomberg report, industry analyst Hiroshi Hayase has revealed that the rumoured Nintendo Switch 2 is anticipated to sport an eight-inch LCD display, surpassing the current Switch OLED model's seven-inch screen. While the prospect of an enlarged display may be welcomed by many, it's not entirely sunshine and rainbows when it comes to the screen technology. A previous report from VGC hinted at Nintendo's decision to opt for an LCD display over OLED in an effort to streamline costs, potentially sacrificing the vibrancy of the gaming experience. However, this LCD model might just be the initial release, leaving room for Nintendo to introduce a more advanced OLED variant later. The eight-inch LCD screen, even with its potential compromises, still represents a step up from the existing Switch OLED. Notably larger than the original Switch's 6.2-inch LCD display, the rumored Switch 2 would outsize other handheld gaming alternatives, such as the Steam Deck OLED or the Asus ROG Ally. Nevertheless, Nintendo appears to have struck a balance, avoiding the extremes of an 11-inch display. Despite a scarcity of concrete information, speculation is rife that Nintendo aims to unveil the next-gen Switch console during the upcoming holiday season. While the company has remained tight-lipped about the Switch 2, industry insiders suggest a potential starting price of US$400 (around CA$538), a $100 (~US$135) increase from the original Switch. Additionally, there are murmurs of game titles for the Switch 2 possibly hitting the US$70 (~CA$94) mark. At least, with the projected price bump, enthusiasts can look forward to a more expansive display. Source There is bipartisan agreement among Cayuga County's state representatives that Gov. Kathy Hochul's proposed school aid cuts would be bad for local school districts. Hochul's 2024-25 executive budget alters the foundation aid formula and ends "hold harmless," a provision that protected school districts from funding cuts. Seven of nine school districts in the Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES system would receive less foundation aid under Hochul's proposed budget. The proposed cuts range from 0.04% for the Auburn school district to 15.03% for Southern Cayuga. Two school districts Southern Cayuga and Union Springs would lose more than $1 million in foundation aid compared to 2023-24 levels. District Proposed foundation aid 24-25 Foundation aid 23-24 Percent change Auburn $44,446,026 $44,464,975 -0.04% Cato-Meridian $10,565,724 $10,677,764 -1.04% Jordan-Elbridge $11,550,212 $11,710,733 -1.37% Moravia $11,151,115 $11,135,267 0.14% Port Byron $10,344,889 $10,349,760 -0.04% Skaneateles $3,669,428 $4,494,780 -18.36% Southern Cayuga $6,171,953 $7,264,241 -15.03% Union Springs $6,788,052 $7,815,636 -13.14% Weedsport $7,688,334 $7,335,115 4.81% State Sen. Rachel May, whose district includes all of Cayuga County, is concerned about the proposed foundation aid cuts for rural school districts. In a statement, she said at least nine rural school districts that she represents would be affected by the cuts. "Like many members of the legislature, I am interested in revisiting the foundation aid formula aid formula to ensure equitable funding for all New York schools, but I cannot support doing so by hurting rural schools that face immense challenges," May, D-Syracuse, said. The county's state Assembly delegation also panned the potential aid cuts. Assemblyman John Lemondes, who represents the city of Auburn and towns of Brutus, Cato, Conquest, Mentz, Owasco, Sennett and Throop, criticized Hochul's budget proposal. Without the funding, he said, school districts won't be able to fund after-school activities and special education, among other programs. He also panned Hochul's decision to provide $2 billion in state funding to address the migrant crisis in New York City, while cutting aid to many upstate school districts. "It's time for the governor to stop allowing downstate issues to overshadow the needs of central New Yorks," Lemondes, R-LaFayette, said. The critics include Assemblyman Jeff Gallahan, whose district includes towns in the southern half of Cayuga County. Gallahan, R-Manchester, said the proposal to end the "hold harmless" provision puts school districts in jeopardy. "Despite the governor's claims to care about education and the preservation of our public schools statewide, the potential reduction in funding for some schools is a slap in the face to New York families, parents, teachers and students alike," Gallahan said. "In the weeks ahead, I will continue to voice not only my opposition to this proposal but also my constituents' outrage." Given the bipartisan outrage, it's unlikely the school aid levels proposed by Hochul will be in the final state budget. Last year, the state followed through on its pledge to fully fund the foundation aid formula. Over the last few years, the vast majority of school districts in the Cayuga County area received increased aid. The cuts proposed in the governor's budget would reverse that progress. Screen grab: WWE In the leadup to the Royal Rumble, one of the biggest stories wasnt about the action in the ring or even WWEs on-screen product. Rather, it was about the new lawsuit against Vince McMahon accusing the WWE founder of sexually assaulting and trafficking a former employee. The lawsuit, which resulted in McMahon resigning from his role as the chairman of WWEs parent company, TKO Group Holdings, received mainstream coverage. And yet, many wondered whether it would even be addressed in Paul Triple H Levesques post-show press conferences, as is often the case in pro wrestling the lines between reality and fiction are sometimes blurred. Ultimately, Fightfuls Jon Alba asked Levesque who is WWEs chief content officer and McMahons son-in-law a thorough question about the lawsuit. It was about a year ago the WWE Board of Directors unanimously opposed Vinces return to the company as executive chair due to the ongoing investigations at the time before ultimately voting him back into power. You, Stephanie [McMahon], Nick Khan, you were a part of that. What degree of knowledge of the current accusations against him did you guys have at the time and how does the situation affect WWEs relationship with partners going forward? Alba asked. While there were many important questions that could have been asked of Levesque considering both his role in the company and personal relationship with McMahon, it would have been hard to come up with one phrased better than Albas. In pointing out that WWEs Board of Directors had initially opposed McMahons return in early-2023, Alba demonstrated why the situation was pertinent to Levesque before asking the most important question of how aware they were of the heinous allegations against the former WWE chairman while also spinning it forward with a question about how the lawsuit could affect the companys future. But while Albas question was both prepared and thorough, the same couldnt be said of Levesques answer. Im gonna do exactly what youd expect me to do here, Levesque said. Look, we just had an amazing week. I just said it, 10-year, $5 billion Netflix deal. The Rock joining our board. We just sold out the Royal Rumble, put 48,000 people into Tropicana Field. I choose to focus on the positive. And yes, theres a negative. But I want to focus on that and just keep it to that. Here's @JonAlba's question and Paul's answer pic.twitter.com/D5sNzFOxIT CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) January 28, 2024 To say Levesques answer was tone deaf would be an understatement. While WWE certainly had a big week with the aforementioned Netflix deal and Dwayne The Rock Johnson joining TKOs board, the reality is that both stories as well as the Royal Rumble were overshadowed by the allegations against McMahon. And while Levesque might only want to focus on the positives, as a top executive who has worked extensively alongside McMahon over the years (to say nothing of also being his son-in-law), he doesnt get that luxury. The Ringers Cameron Hawkins proceeded to ask a follow-up, inquiring about what WWE was doing to make sure employees feel safe in light of the allegations against McMahon. Ill give you the most generalized answer that I can: Everything possible, Levesque replied. That is a very important thing to us, a very important topic to us. Its as simple as everything possible. Paul Triple H Levesque asked what is being done to make sure people in positions of power can't take advantage of employees under them: Everything possible. pic.twitter.com/pNaQBouAqP Jed I. Goodman (@jedigoodman) January 28, 2024 Levesque was asked one more question about McMahon, with Wrestlenomics Brandon Thurston asking if he had read the lawsuit that was filed this week, and if so, what was his reaction. This elicited the former WWE superstars most baffling response yet, as he noted he hadnt read the lawsuit before reiterating his desire to only see the good for the company this week. I did not, Levesque said. I think Cody (Rhodes) mentioned it that we all found out in real-time when you (did) and thats the truth. Ill go back to what I said before this is an amazing week for us. I just at this point, I dont even want to get bogged down in the negatives of it. I just want to focus on the positives and where were going. Were at the most exciting time of the year for us. Were at the most exciting point, to me, business-wise, I think, that weve ever had. I think Cody might have said the, I dont remember exactly how he said it, but the best positioning of this company since the Attitude Era. Ive been through that era. I understand what its like. I feel like we are in the middle of something that, while we might not be able to put our finger on it right now, five or 10 years from now, were going to be saying, Wow, what a time that was. I want to focus on that. Despite Thurstons question supposedly being the last of the press conference, Levesque proceeded to answer a few more inquiries, none of which pertained to McMahon. The reaction to the press conference was swift, with many criticizing the former WWE champion for his apparent lack of compassion and tone deaf approach. Your father in law was just accused of sex trafficking and rape. Everyone knows how much I personally like Paul, but this was bad. The most powerful man in the history of the business was just removed in disgrace. This was really bad. Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) January 28, 2024 Triple Hs performance tonight is why you ask the questions. Matt C. Shoot (@ConfirmedShoot) January 28, 2024 Triple H has not read Janela Grants 67 page lawsuit. I have. Everyone in and around the business should.#RoyalRumble Nick Hausman (@Nick_Hausman) January 28, 2024 Expressly sincerely Triple H has to resign. WWE's Culture will never change with him. Mercedes Mone Fan #SashaKrew (@SoDuTw) January 28, 2024 Major props to @JonAlba, @CeeHawk and @BrandonThurston for doing the right thing and pressing Triple H for answers about the Vince McMahon lawsuit. Even if he didnt budge, that was how it shouldve been done. Ryan Satin (@ryansatin) January 28, 2024 His answers were justnot good. https://t.co/aGrmMGe2G0 Ibou, of WrestlePurists (@BackupHangman) January 28, 2024 While Levesque did more than just say no comment, it was jarring to hear his willingness to overlook the horrific allegations against McMahon in favor of a new TV rights deal and The Rock joining TKOs board. Whether he was ill-prepared to answer the questions or thought his personal desire to focus on the positive would suffice as an answer, either explanation would qualify as brazen in contrast to the seriousness of the allegations. Its a credit to Alba, Hawkins, Thurston and Haus of Wrestlings Nick Hausman (who asked a question about the allegations against McMahon to Rhodes) that these questions were asked in a setting some were worried they wouldnt be. And while Levesque did his best to dodge the questions, the reality is that for better or worse, he ultimately provided true insight into how he and by proxy, WWE actually view the allegations against McMahon. [WWE] This womans husband has two children from his previous marriage. His son, Abel, is 12, and his daughter, Destiny, is 13. She thinks theyre both wonderful kids and absolutely adores them. However, she was diagnosed with postpartum depression three months ago, a week after she gave birth to her daughter. Her husband has custody of Abel and Destiny every other week, and due to the decision by a court order, they are supposed to be homeschooled as part of the custody agreement. His ex-wife is a devout Catholic, and a judge allowed for an order that required a Catholic teacher, a nun, to come over to their house five days a week, six hours per day, for Abel and Destinys classes. The nun teaches in their den, and their house is large enough that she cant hear the teacher or Abel and Destiny. Unfortunately, her husbands children dont give her space when theyre at the house, which has, understandably, caused her stress and frustration. They want to be near the baby at every waking minute that they can be. If Im holding the baby, they are holding onto the back of my shirt and talking to the baby while Im holding her. If I am sitting on the couch with her, they are sitting on the floor in front of me. They literally fight over who gets to hold the baby when I go to the bathroom (pushing each other), she said. Sometimes, shell tell Abel and Destiny that neither of them is going to hold their half-sister, and she puts her daughter in her swing. Whenever she does this, Abel and Destiny immediately shove each other in their race to get to the swing first so they can talk to her daughter. They tussle and argue over giving her baby attention several times a day. Her stepchildren are so eager to see the baby that they grab onto her clothes if shes holding her daughter. Since they arent giving her space, she isnt able to move around, and she almost steps on them in her attempts to get away. The shoving and arguing between Abel and Destiny ensue right next to her because they both are obsessed with being near their half-sister. When she attempts to put her daughter down for a nap, her stepchildren begin to whine, assuring her that her daughter doesnt have to take a nap. I have sat down with all of them (my husband included) and told them they need to back off and given explanations on why. Ive even tried putting together a schedule for the kids, and nothing works. Ive cried to my husband about it and told him I was so touched out that I want to jump ship and begged him to get his kids in line, she explained. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. Home News Nepali pastor to be jailed for praying after Supreme Court denies appeal Pastor Keshab Raj Acharya faces a one-year prison sentence for his religious activities, marking a significant setback for religious freedom in Nepal, after the countrys Supreme Court upheld a previous judgment against the pastor, who now awaits the courts response to his appeal for converting the sentence into a fine. Pastor Keshab must now face his prison sentence unless the court accepts his appeal to have the prison sentence converted into a fine, the legal group ADF International, whose allied lawyers are supporting the pastors legal defense, said in a statement. In a statement, Pastor Keshab expressed his distress but remained hopeful, calling for international intervention to protect religious freedom in Nepal, formerly the worlds only Hindu kingdom. While facing more jailtime is distressing, I find solace in God, believing that anything is possible through Him, he said. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Keshab, 35, leader of the Abundant Harvest Church in Pokhara, Nepal, thanked his supporters for their prayers and support for him and his family. The case against Pastor Keshab began in March 2020 when he was arrested for inviting a man to his house for prayer, leading to charges of outraging religious feelings and proselytizing. The Dolpa District Attorneys office filed charges under Nepals criminal code, which criminalizes religious conversions and propagation, with penalties including imprisonment and fines. In November 2021, Pastor Keshab was sentenced to two years in prison and fined 20,000 Nepali rupees (roughly $150) for the alleged offenses. This sentence was later reduced to one year by the Jumla High Court. Despite his appeal, the Supreme Court upheld the High Courts decision, leaving Pastor Keshab with the possibility of converting his prison sentence into a fine as his only recourse. Tehmina Arora, director of advocacy in Asia for ADF International, criticized the Supreme Courts decision, highlighting the violation of basic human rights and the missed opportunity to set a positive precedent for religious freedom. The Supreme Courts decision came as a shock, especially as there were no witnesses to substantiate the proselytization allegation. Junu Acharya, Pastor Keshabs wife, expressed disbelief at the judgment and emphasized her husbands innocence, stating he did not force anyone to change their religion. She believes the governments actions aim to deter the Christian community in Nepal from spreading their faith. Pastor Keshabs ordeal began following a YouTube video where he offered spiritual guidance against COVID-19 in 2020. Misinformation about his statements led to multiple arrests and charges. Despite the lack of substantial evidence and witness testimony supporting his innocence, he was convicted. The International Religious Freedom Roundtable and the U.S. Department of States 2020 report on International Religious Freedom have both called attention to Pastor Keshabs case, deeming his arrest arbitrary and discriminatory. Joseph Jansen, chairman of the advocacy group Voice for Justice, condemned the misuse of Nepals anti-conversion laws, asserting that Pastor Keshab merely exercised his right to freedom of religion without coercion. The Christian community in Nepal has faced increasing persecution since 2018, with the criminalization of conversions being criticized for violating fundamental freedoms of religion or belief. Home News Churches continue to leave UMC after disaffiliation provision expires Congregations within the United Methodist Church continue to leave the mainline Protestant denomination, even after an official disaffiliation process expired at the end of last year. From 2019 to 2023, the UMC Book of Discipline included a measure known as Paragraph 2553, which created a process for disaffiliating from the denomination due to its years-long debate over whether to bless same-sex unions and ordain noncelibate homosexuals. Paragraph 2553 expired at the end of 2023, with over 7,500 congregations successfully disaffiliating from the UMC through the process, according to numbers compiled by UM News. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe However, congregations like St. Pauls Waccamaw United Methodist Church of Pawleys Island, South Carolina, have held votes to depart from the UMC since the end of 2023. St. Pauls Pastor J.R. Virgin told The Christian Post that his congregation decided on Jan. 21 to disaffiliate from the UMC in a vote of 110 to 38, roughly 74%. The church decided to leave the UMC due to a perception that the Book of Discipline was being blatantly violated in a number of areas, said Virgin. There was also concern that there were little to no repercussions for these perceived violations. According to Virgin, the UMC South Carolina Conference was allowing congregations to disaffiliate via the Book of Discipline Paragraph 2549, which centers on the disposing of a closed church property. Many of the congregations that left under Paragraph 2553 have since decided to affiliate with the Global Methodist Church, a theologically conservative alternative to the UMC launched in 2022. Virgin told CP that, as of last week, there has been no decision made on whether or not St. Paul's Waccamaw will join the GMC. A similar wait-and-see approach was found with St. Johns United Methodist Church of Aiken, South Carolina, which voted 788-109 to disaffiliate from the UMC earlier this month, or 87.8% in favor. St. Johns UMC Senior Pastor Tim McClendon told CP that his congregation "will wait until the dust settles on our church decision, and ponder how best we can connect with others." We are related to many across the GMC, the Foundry Network, and others. We will ponder this for quite some time. It is simply too soon to make this decision, he said. McClendon told CP that, as with the expired Paragraph 2553, the process requires a two-thirds majority vote of church members to support disaffiliation, and those seeking to leave must pay 10% of the appraised value of all church property, liquid assets and other expenses. As with St. Pauls UMC, McClendons church decided to disaffiliate because the denominational leadership often refused to follow or enforce the rules of the Book of Discipline. In recent years, many theologically progressive clergy in the UMC have either officiated same-sex weddings or approved the ordination of individuals in same-sex marriages. In 2022, for example, the UMC Western Jurisdiction voted to make the Rev. Cedrick D. Bridgeforth of the California-Pacific Conference a bishop, even though he is married to a man. These examples continue even after a 2019 special session of the UMC General Conference, in which a majority of delegates approved a measure known as the "Traditional Plan," which reaffirmed the denomination's biblical stance on LGBT issues. 'Discipline' is a hugely important word for Wesleyans. It underscores our distinctive emphasis on sanctification, McClendon told CP. Since 2019, when the General Conference adopted the Traditional Plan, there have been many denominational leaders who have been and continue to be in open defiance of that decision. We are not even close to being connectional anymore; there is no Big Tent Methodism that has room for liberals and conservatives. The tent has collapsed, and we want to get out and hold fast to longstanding doctrinal and Disciplinary standards. South Carolina churches that have voted to disaffiliate from the UMC still have to wait for the annual conference meeting in June, when the regional body will vote on whether to recognize their decisions. South Carolina Conference Communications Director Dan OMara explained to CP that, in 2022, regional leadership adopted a measure known as the Local Church Discernment Process. While similar to the disaffiliation process found in Paragraph 2553, the Local Church Discernment Process is grounded in Paragraph 2549 of the Discipline, which is typically employed when a local church is closed because it no longer serves the purpose for which it was organized, noted OMara. According to OMara, even when Paragraph 2553 was in effect, churches that disaffiliated last year did so under the Local Church Discernment Process instead since they did not profess to disagree with the human sexuality language in the Book of Discipline or how the South Carolina Conference has interpreted it. On June 6, 2023, members of the 2023 South Carolina Annual Conference approved the closure of 113 local churches whose members had voted to separate, he added. These churches completed the Local Church Discernment Process, having determined that they could no longer function as a United Methodist church because they firmly believe that the denomination has not consistently upheld its stated doctrine on issues of human sexuality. OMara declined to comment on how many congregations within the South Carolina Conference were seeking disaffiliation under the process, citing confidentiality and a desire to protect the integrity of the process. Home Opinion 7 spiritual disciplines that can change your life Youve probably heard the phrase, If you keep doing what youve always done, youre going to keep getting what youve always got. I dont know about you, but I want to partner with the new things God wants to do in my life this year, and I want 2024 to really count for something. And I want the same thing for you. I believe that this year truly can be the year that changes your life but it starts by taking ownership. The word ownership can be defined as intentional responsibility. Taking ownership of your faith is about making a conscious decision to actively partner with the Holy Spirit when it comes to your spiritual growth. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe It can be so easy to place the responsibility for your spiritual growth on your church or on your pastor or on your family member, but the important truth is that you are the one who is responsible for your spiritual growth! So, are you ready to take ownership of your faith this year? If the answer is yes, then here are the areas you should focus on. Seven spiritual disciplines that can change your life 1. Prayer: This can be the year that prayer changes your life! Prayer is our direct line to God. It's our means of communicating with Him, expressing our deepest desires, and acknowledging that there are things in our lives that only He can change. If you want this to be the best year of your life, be prepared for God to do things that you can't things that are beyond your ability, because "with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26). Importantly, prayer isnt just about talking to God. It is about listening to God! God already knows what we are going to pray before we say it out loud. He still wants us to share with Him, but He also wants us to listen to His response. What He has to say can and will change our lives. 2. The Bible: This can be the year that the Word of God changes your life! "Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). In a world where we're bombarded with messages from every direction, it's crucial to ground your life on the solid foundation of God's Word. It can be so easy to base our decisions on what social media says, or what the media says, or what our emotions say. But what does the Bible say? We cannot and should not base our lives or decisions on anything else. Let the Bible be the ultimate authority in your life. There are so many ways you can commit to this, whether by setting aside 20 minutes to read every day, joining a Bible study, or listening on the Bible app. You just have to start somewhere. 3. Community: This can be the year that community changes your life! When I first became a Christian, it wasn't only the church services that helped me grow. I was transformed by the deep, meaningful connections I formed in my small group. My small group impacted me so greatly, in fact, that I am still in a small group to this day! Community is where growth happens where we find accountability, encouragement, and support. If you want this year to be the year that changes your life, start investing in community. 4. Worship: This can be the year that worship changes your life! Worship is more than a segment in a church service it's a posture of laying your life before God. You can and should worship everywhere you go. Worship at your home, worship at your place of work, worship in your car you name it. And even though worshiping isnt limited to singing, I still recommend that you flood your life with worship music this year. Music is highly influential in our lives. It has the power to influence our actions, decisions, and words. Listening to worship music consistently can draw your heart closer to God and point you toward Jesus in every circumstance. 5. Evangelism: This can be the year that evangelism changes your life - and the lives of those around you! Second Corinthians 5:20 tells us that we are ambassadors for Christ on this earth. That means that we have a profound responsibility: to share the good news of Jesus Christ wherever we go. But sharing the Gospel with the world has to start somewhere. It starts with just one person the person in front of us. Imagine the impact we could have if each one of us shared our faith with one person this year. This would not only change the life of that person, but it would change our lives, as well. Let this be the year that you take ownership of sharing the gospel. 6. Service: This can be the year that serving others changes your life! So many Christians are consumers rather than contributors and renters rather than owners. This year, take responsibility for what happens in your church and community. Take ownership of loving your neighbor and serving your city. God has blessed each of us with unique gifts, talents, and passions. It's time to ask Him how He wants you to use these gifts in service to others. Remember, "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant" (Mark 10:43). 7. Generosity: This can be the year that generosity changes your life! We live in a world where everyone is trying to get something, but Gods Kingdom is all about surrender and giving. There are two seas in Israel: the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. The Sea of Galilee is teaming with life and is great for fishing, while the Dead Sea is full of salt and has nothing living in it. Whats the difference between the two? While the Sea of Galilee has water flowing in and flowing out, the Dead Sea only has water flowing in. This is what can happen in the life of Christians when the blessings flow to us but not through us. God doesnt want the blessings He gives us to stop with us. He desires the Holy Spirit to move in us and through us, touching lives and making a difference. "Give, and it will be given to you ... for with the measure you use, it will be measured to you" (Luke 6:38). Take ownership this year! Ill leave you with a question: Are you ready to take ownership of these spiritual disciplines in your life? If so, nows the time to step up and step into what God has for you. I will be teaching on this topic over the next couple of months at Rock Church. If you want to learn more about these disciplines and be encouraged along your journey, join us on YouTube @therocksandiego. Home Opinion Can Christians attend gay weddings? To update the famous comment of Leon Trotsky, you may not be interested in the sexual revolution, but the sexual revolution is interested in you. Some of us are still privileged enough to be partly sheltered from this revolution. I count myself as one, along with those whose detachment from real-life pastoral situations apparently qualifies them to sell political pedagogy to others. But as the push among the progressive political class to dismantle traditional sexual mores continues apace, it is harder and harder to find a pastor or a priest who has not faced a difficult question from congregants about Christian obedience and their livelihood. Only last week a pastor friend told me of a member of his church who, as a manager of a business, has been ordered to integrate the bathrooms and is now faced with complaints from women staff who feel their safety and privacy have been compromised. Its easy to decry right-wing scaremongering in the abstract, but far more difficult to advise real people who have to make decisions that could cost them their careers. The sexual revolution has revolutionized everything, to the point where questions that once had simple answers have become complicated. For instance, the question Can I attend a gay wedding? comes up with increasing frequency and is proving less and less easy to answer, as Bethel McGrews closing paragraphs in her recent World column indicate. It is not hard to guess what reasons a Christian might give for attending a gay wedding: a desire to indicate to the couple that one does not hate them, or a wish to avoid causing offense or hurt. But if either carries decisive weight in the decision, then something has gone awry. A refusal to attend might well be motivated by hatred of the couple (though in such circumstances, an invitation would seem an unlikely event) but it does not have to be so. To consider a declined invitation necessarily a sign of hatred is to adopt the notion of hate as a mere refusal to affirm. That is our secular ages understanding, and not that of the Christian faith. A refusal to attend might also cause offense, but to make the giving of offense itself into a moral category is to replace moral categories of right and wrong with aesthetic categories of taste. The latter should always be subordinate to the former in the realm of ethical questions. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe There are also obvious reasons why a Christian should never attend a gay wedding. Many wedding liturgies, including that of the Book of Common Prayer, require the officiant to ask early in the service if anyone present knows any reason why the couple should not be joined together in matrimony. A Christian is at that point obliged to speak up. I would hazard a guess that such an intervention would be far more offensive than simply refusing to be at the service. The issue can also not be separated from the broader question of sex, gender, and human nature. If marriage is rooted in the complementarity of the sexes, then any marriage that denies that challenges the Christian understanding of creation. It is one thing for the world to do that. It is quite another for Christians to acquiesce in the same. Further, the biblical analogy between Christ and the church means that fake marriages are a mockery of Christ himself. Of course, that applies beyond the issue of gay marriage. A marriage involving somebody who has not divorced a previous spouse for biblical reasons involves that person entering into an adulterous relationship. No Christian should knowingly attend such a ceremony either. As Francesca Murphy declared at First Things some years ago, to lose sight of the religious dimension of marriage risks allowing people to commit blasphemy against themselves and against God. That means Christians have a moral responsibility to stand firm on this issue. We fool ourselves if we think the bride and groom as individuals are the most significant part of any wedding. They are not. What their union symbolizes with regard to Christ and the church is far more important. Whatever the alleged gains that might be made by showing the couple a morally amorphous form of love or by avoiding giving offense, the price of attendance is huge. Much has been made of the perplexity sown by the Popes recent statement about blessing gay couples. Just as momentous for individuals and churches could be the confusion sown by a failure to think clearly about attending gay weddings. After all, attendance so as to show love or avoid giving offense is a form of blessing, just without the name. In short, attending a gay wedding involves remaining silent when one should speak. It involves a concession on bodily sex that undermines any attempt to hold fast to the importance of the biological distinction between men and women. And it involves approving of a ceremony that makes a mockery of a central New Testament teaching and of Christ Himself. Thats a very high price tag for avoiding hurting someones feelings. And if Christians still think it worth paying, the future of the Church is bleak indeed. Originally published at First Things. Home Opinion Gods sovereignty is our End Times lifeline How can God reign supreme when we see so much darkness in the world? Often, its easy to believe God is sovereign in Heaven, but its much more difficult to believe Hes sovereign here on earth, especially when we see so much violence, chaos, injustice, starvation, and sickness in the world. When we see all these terrible things happening, we become fearful that God isnt supreme over all the forces that influence our lives. But God desires to strengthen our confidence in Him so we can know Hes not only sovereign in Heaven and on earth, but Hes sovereign over every single circumstance we will ever face. God in His sovereignty has chosen to temporarily step back from His creation, allowing the god of this world (Satan) to have limited freedom. An example of this is that Satan has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God (2 Cor. 4:4). If you are not in relationship with Yeshua, you are at the mercy of Satan, who does everything in his power to keep people from seeing the truth of the Gospel and the glory of Messiah Jesus in order to take them into eternal darkness and separation from God. Currently, Gods sovereign reign upon the earth is not directly being manifested in some situations and circumstances. In other words, in Heaven theres no sorrow, sickness, suffering, or pain. But that is not the reality we face on earth. Yeshua taught us to pray, then, in this way: Our Father who is in Heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven (Matt. 6:910). Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe When we pray in this way, we are praying for Gods Kingdom and His will to be done on earth and in our lives, families, and circumstances as it is in Heaven. We are asking for the power of Heaven to reign in our lives while we are here on planet Earth. And as you keep seeking God and His righteousness above all else, He will invade your life and bless you. This is what David was talking about in Psalm 91:1-4. He said: He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High [El Elyon] will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust! For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark. Psalm 91 goes on to say: You will not be afraid of the terror by night, or of the arrow that flies by day; of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or of the destruction that lays waste at noon. A thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not approach you. You will only look on with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. For you have made the Lord, my refuge, even the Most High [El Elyon], your dwelling place. No evil will befall you, nor will any plague come near your tent. For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways. They will bear you up in their hands, that you do not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and cobra, the young lion and the serpent you will trample down. Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name. He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With a long life I will satisfy him and let him see My salvation. The point is God is sovereign, and He desires to bring us to a place where we are confident of this reality and trust in His love so we have no fear. The Bible says, There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). El Elyon parted the Red Sea for the children of Israel to travel across (Exod. 14). He also opened the earth and swallowed up Korah and the others who rebelled against Moses (Num. 16). God will exercise His direct sovereignty upon this earth when He desires, and Hell do the same for you when you seek Him. Excerpted from To Know Him by Name, Copyright 2024 by Rabbi Kirt Schneider, published by Charisma House on January 2, 2024. CLEVELAND -- Heading into this summers political party conventions, unless an actual conviction impacts Donald Trumps commanding lead or Joe Bidens apparent cognitive decline goes totally off the rails, we are likely to see a presidential rematch a vast majority of America voters claim not to want. I try to understand Trumps unwavering base of support. To many, Trump is a brand that represents the chance to correct what they see wrong in America and the world. My concern is that there seem to be many Republicans who prefer Trump on principle but are willing to risk continuing to lose elections by blindly supporting him. For instance, control of the U.S. Senate is very much up for grabs this fall. With Sen. Joe Manchins retirement, West Virginia is already likely in the Republican win column. Ohio, Montana and Arizona are also in play -- except GOP primary voters could likely nominate a Trumpian acolyte as they did in Pennsylvania, Georgia and Arizona in 2022, turning likely victories into defeats. The current Republican presidential primary season leaves me very frustrated. In recent surveys, Nikki Haley runs consistently ahead of Biden. Depending on which polls are believable, the race between Trump and Biden is much closer, with many variables. Yet the party seems willing to roll the dice with Trump. At times, both Haley and Ron DeSantis, when he was still contending the nomination, appeared hesitant to confront Trump out of concern about saying something that might alienate his supporters should either become the party nominee. Why they did that: In the January 2021 U.S. Senate runoffs in Georgia, both incumbent Republican senators lost their re-election bids after Trump allies urged his voters to stay home because they shouldnt participate in another rigged election. Most challengers to Trump realize they still need his solid base to win a general election. I remember in 1968 when 16-year-old me thought President Lyndon B. Johnson looked like an old man. He was only 60 years old then. Today, 71-year-old me views 81-year-old Biden as a feeble old man. The majority of opinion polls tend also to reflect voters concerns about his age. Bidens apparent physical and cognitive decline compared to only five years ago is stunning. His gait is stiff and slow. He often looks lost and seems incapable of stringing two complete sentences together, even when he attempts to read off a teleprompter. His White House handlers limit his press conferences and interviews. Democrats tout a booming economy, rallying stock market, low unemployment and the trillions the Biden administration is spending on infrastructure and technology as reasons he deserves re-election. Yet during his limited public appearances, he often goes off script, telling exaggerated stories about his much younger self. I dont see any way Biden will be able to have enough stamina to campaign for re-election or debate Trump without putting his frailties on full display, if both are their partys nominees. Bidens southern border policy, or lack of one, is also mindboggling, especially since, in 2007, Biden said, It makes sense that no great nation can be in a position where they cannot control their borders. He added that, you have to have a significant increase in the security at the border, including limited elements where you actually have a fence. Not a fence 3,000 miles like these folks are talking about. ... [But] I think the combination of virtual fencing, some fencing [and] additional Border Patrol is important. Last year, The Washington Post awarded Biden a Bottomless Pinocchio for claiming 30 times that he reduced the budget deficit by $1.7 trillion. Since then, he has repeated it nearly 30 more times, the Post reported in December. Trump claims he will end the war between Russia and Ukraine in one day, but never explains how. He rails against a weaponized Justice Department making himself the victim and has even called those arrested and convicted after storming the Capitol J6 hostages. He continues to grumble about rigged and stolen elections. He has repeated this mantra so many times, his supporters actually believe it to be true. While an argument can be made life was better in America during Trumps tenure, those who worked closely with him, including former Attorney General Bill Barr, said it was an almost daily challenge to keep those with ideas-of-the-day away from the Oval Office, saying Trump often wanted to take action based on whom he talked to last. The New York Times has reported that Trump even toyed with the idea of firing shells into Mexico to take out drug cartel labs. His second Secretary of Defense, Mark Esper, portrayed the idea as ludicrous, The Times reported. Unless Bidens health takes a serious turn for the worse, it is almost too late to replace him on the ballot. This is not 1968, when President Johnson announced he was not running at the end of March and the party still was able to nominate Vice President Hubert Humphrey -- though he eventually lost to Richard Nixon. Ironically, the Democratic National Convention will be in Chicago again this year, 56 years after that city experienced turmoil and unrest over the Vietnam War during the 1968 DNC. The Democrats know they cannot replace Biden with Kamala Harris and win. Democratic efforts to keep Trump off the ballot in some states or convict him of felonies before the election only serve to make him seem more of a sympathetic figure. The former president certainly knows how to play that fiddle. A recent Gallup poll indicates 43% of American voters are independents, despite many having political leanings. Independents were a key factor in electing Trump in 2016 because of their dislike of Hillary Clinton, but then abandoned him in droves after his mouth and tweets had exhausted them, with an assist from the COVID pandemic. Will enough independents return to support Trump this year over Biden? Bidens best chance to win is that he is not Trump. Robert Paulson, the former Republican mayor of Solon, writes an occasional Plain Dealer/cleveland.com column from the political middle. (Photo by David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com) Recent election outcomes prove that voters lie to pollsters. Both Biden and Trump have high negative ratings. Do voters hold their noses and vote for one or does a third-party candidate have a real chance this year? Are more minority voters really flocking to Trump? When I first ran for mayor in Solon, I had a voter say he voted for me because I told him he left his car lights on in the parking lot at a polling location. After the election, a voter told me she was glad I won, despite not voting for me. She said she had intended to, but my opponent played with her kids outside the polls while she went in to vote. It made her feel guilty if she voted against him. Years ago, I stopped trying to determine what influences individual voting decisions. Yet when I see some people ranting or acting like fools, I still ask myself how many of them vote regularly. Bob Paulson, the former Republican mayor of Solon, who last fall announced he was switching his party affiliation to independent, writes an occasional column on politics from the middle. To share ideas and feedback with Bob Paulson: bobpaulsonPD@gmail.com Have something to say about this topic? * Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication. * Email general questions about our editorial board or comments or corrections on this opinion column to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com. 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 The latest positivity around Chinese markets doesn't yet offer the kind of clarity most international investors are looking for to move beyond selective plays. Chinese stocks ended the week with four straight days of gains a rare upswing after a dismal start to the year. A combination of official rhetoric, monetary policy moves and media reports helped support the turn higher from multi-year lows. "The litmus test for a more sustained recovery in shares would be sequential improvement in economic data," David Chao, global market strategist, Asia Pacific (ex-Japan) at Invesco, told me Thursday. "I think the bar might be higher this year given the past few years of underperformance." "Investing in China, you have to have an active strategy," he said, emphasizing the need to focus on industries that receive policy support. Three that Chao mentioned were: high-tech manufacturing, robotics and alternative energies. Policymakers in the last week signaled they are willing to do more to support the economy as a whole, although its unclear to what extent. The People's Bank of China announced a bigger-than-expected cut to one of their key monetary policy tools, the reserve requirement ratio, effective Feb. 5. When I asked PBOC Governor Pan Gongsheng at a press conference Wednesday about implications of U.S. Federal Reserve easing, he acknowledged that would create room for China to loosen its monetary policy as well. On real estate, the PBOC, the high-level National Financial Regulatory Administration and the housing ministry this week also made concerted statements about supporting struggling developers. This kind of cooperation "shouldn't be taken for granted," Edward Chan, a director at S & P Global Ratings, told me Friday. He noted how previously the PBOC tried to help real estate but the housing ministry was less supportive. But whether improved coordination necessarily means stocks will rise broadly is another matter. Sentiment is low, and the retail investor-dominated Chinese stock market is no exception. Schelling Xie, an individual investor in mainland Chinese A shares, said state-backed buying was helping to support stocks with larger market capitalization versus smaller ones, and expected them to have to sell at some point. "The decline [in A shares] is because confidence has collapsed, the economic fundamentals are too poor and policies are slow to respond to deflation," Xie said in Chinese, translated by CNBC. Such gloom is common in many of my conversations in Beijing. But anecdotes and data show that pockets of high-growth remain. The few areas with investment increases last year were in manufacturing and infrastructure. HSBC analysts on Thursday revealed their buys in those categories include China railway equipment maker CRRC, diesel engine and truck maker Weichai Power and factory automation supplier Inovance. All three are listed on mainland Chinese stock exchanges. Weichai and CRRC also trade on the Hong Kong exchange. China has said it wants to boost high-end manufacturing. In the last week, top officials including the premier and securities regulator also talked more about the need to support and develop capital markets. "After a year of more false starts than most people can really remember, institutional interest in the onshore market is going to need a little more than a single week of good news before you see any material interest rise," said Peter Alexander, founder of Shanghai-based consulting firm Z-Ben. "If the government can come out and say very concisely this is what we're going to do, this is how we're going to do it, that will have a far greater impact on sentiment," he told me Friday. Ultimately, Alexander said that China is looking at building its financial system in which the stock market might not play as great a role as it does in the U.S., but rely slightly more on bank lending. Many international funds are not about to wait around. Asia funds tracked by HSBC have been cutting exposure to mainland China since the beginning of 2023, HSBC analysts said in a Jan. 25 report. As of Jan. 23, foreign institutional investors withdrew $4.3 billion from Asian stocks, mostly mainland China's and India's, the report said. In the past six months, foreign investors have pulled around $30 billion from mainland Chinese A shares, the report said. For Citi analysts, that kind of institutional uncertainty about China itself means getting exposure to the market recovery can come through European proxies. Take, for example, LVMH's surge on Friday after reporting growth, including 30% in China in December. Citi analysts also include adidas and Kone in their basket of European stocks with China exposure. CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report. Soon after they got married in 2022, Heather MacLean and Scott Kyrish decided they needed a financial advisor. Each of them had spent years diligently living below their means, and moving in together had cut their costs even further, with MacLean giving up her $1,000-a-month apartment to split the roughly $1,300 mortgage payment on the house that she and Kyrish now share in Round Rock, Texas. "We were both making good money, and we realized we were just putting it in savings," says MacLean. "It occurred to us that maybe we're supposed to invest? Or think about retirement? How's that supposed to work?" MacLean saw a post from Jay Zigmont, a certified financial planner specializing in childfree financial planning, and because the couple both age 36 didn't plan on having kids, thought it would be a perfect fit. Zigmont got them working on a retirement plan, but also proposed a more unorthodox move in the nearer term. "It didn't take long before Jay started trying to convince me to quit my job," MacLean says. MacLean had spent 10 years at a government job she liked well enough, though it didn't offer much more upward mobility, and she was starting to get a little bored. Maybe, she thought, she could apply elsewhere instead. "Jay said, 'Wait a second. What do you want to do if you could do anything, and money didn't matter at all?'" MacLean recalls. MacLean was stumped, but came around to the idea that couple's financial situation gave her room to explore the idea of leaving her job altogether. She was making about $52,000 a year and her husband had recently received a salary bump from about $65,000 to about $80,000. They had plenty of savings in the bank and regularly spent far less than they took in. So in August of 2022, with the support of her spouse and her financial advisor, she quit, and took a few months time to think about the answer to Zigmont's question. MacLean considered going back to school, but didn't want to take on debt. When she remembered the fulfillment she enjoyed while participating in popular online novel-writing challenge NaNoWriMo, a lightbulb went off. "I remembered how much I loved it and thought, 'Maybe I'll give this a shot and see if it can turn into something,'" MacLean says. She's currently sending query letters to literary agents for her first book, "Nightmares in Hale Harbor." And there's more where that came from. 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. Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley took aim at GOP frontrunner Donald Trump on Sunday for his attempts to further delay a bipartisan border deal that has been deadlocked in Congress for months. "Donald Trump, the last thing he needs to do is tell them to wait to pass the border deal until the election. We can't wait one more day," Haley said on NBC's "Meet the Press." She joins a chorus of calls for Congress to hurry up and reach an agreement on border security. Notably absent from the people demanding lawmakers strike a deal: Trump. He has been vocal about urging GOP lawmakers not to pass the border bill unless it checks every box on the Republican party's wish list. "Please blame it on me, please, because they were getting ready to pass a very bad bill. I'd rather have no bill than a bad bill," Trump said at a rally in Las Vegas on Saturday. Delaying the deal in an election year allows Trump to keep blaming President Joe Biden, his likely opponent in the 2024 general election, for the ongoing border crisis and preserve one of his essential campaign talking points. "The fact is that if Joe Biden truly wanted to secure the border, he doesn't really need a bill," Trump said Saturday. Republican and Democratic lawmakers have been going back and forth on the deal since at least October when Biden initially proposed an emergency funding package to support Ukraine and Israel and to reinforce the U.S. southern border. Since then, the package has been at a stalemate with the border becoming a primary sticking point. Congressmembers have assured that they are making progress on reaching a resolution. For example, Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut on Sunday reiterated that the deal's text could be finished within the next few weeks. But Biden and other officials have repeatedly pressed lawmakers to move faster on their negotiations. As the border situation simmers, it has become a top voting issue in the 2024 presidential race, one that Biden has polled poorly on. In the meantime, the crisis at the border has worsened as record numbers of migrants make the dangerous trek to the U.S. The influx has overwhelmed cities across the nation, which say that they do not have adequate infrastructure to provide basic necessities for the incoming migrants. House Republicans have been trying to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for the border crisis, which they say represents a dereliction of his duty. On Sunday, they released their formal articles of impeachment, a next step in the impeachment effort. For many Americans, work hasn't just gone hybrid or remote it's gone global. The number of American workers hired by international companies grew 62% last year, according to the State of Global Hiring Report from Deel, an HR platform that specializes in global hiring. That's based on 300,000 contracts between Deel customers and workers. The majority, 85%, of Deel's contracts are for remote jobs, but there's also interest among a select few to actually move abroad. For a few years now, a growing share of Americans have moved to Portugal for work and life, thanks to its good weather, affordable living and recent launch of a digital nomad visa. And interest isn't slowing down: Portugal was the No. 1 country where American users were applying for visas in 2023, according to Deel data. Here are the top seven countries where Americans are trying to move abroad, based on the number of visa requests being sent through Deel's immigration and visa support feature: Portugal Spain United Kingdom United Arab Emirates Canada Germany France Deel users are generally trying to move to Southern Europe, and Americans are especially interested in moving to Dubai. Expats across Spain and the UAE, in particular, are highly satisfied with their personal, financial, social and work lives abroad, according to global data from online community Internations. As of 2023, the top three cities for expats to thrive in their new lives abroad are all in Spain: Malaga, Alicante and Valencia. The normalization of remote work has sparked an existential question, says Deel CEO Alex Bouaziz: "Now that people are able to get some of the best jobs remotely and can live anywhere, where are the most appealing places for remote workers?" Would-be expats have more options to consider places with higher quality of life factors or favorable tax advantages, he says. "It's interesting how people redistribute themselves," Bouaziz adds, "or consider 'what becomes my center of gravity when it's not work, which I can do anywhere? Where can I live my best life?'" Many workers are highly interested in location flexibility, whether they want to move around or simply untether their work from where they live. The most noteworthy change in the remote work landscape in the last year was an uptick in companies actively recruiting for work-from-anywhere positions, FlexJobs lead career expert Toni Frana recently told CNBC Make It. The remote-work job board has seen "a huge increase in job-seekers looking at work-from-anywhere jobs" since the pandemic, Frana says, "and that's hardly died down." Want to be smarter and more successful with your money, work & life? Sign up for our new newsletter! 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. Check out: U.S. workers are getting scooped up by international companies hiring remote roles The container ship, Safeen Pride, with a destination of 'HODEIDAH (ARMED GUARDS)' seen at sea on January 17, 2024 in Djibouti, Djibouti. Commodities trader Trafigura said on Saturday it was assessing the security risks of further Red Sea voyages after firefighters put out a blaze on a tanker attacked by Yemen's Houthi group a day earlier. The U.S. military said a U.S. Navy ship and other vessels provided assistance after the Marlin Luanda was hit by a Houthi anti-ship missile. "No further vessels operating on behalf of Trafigura are currently transiting the Gulf of Aden and we continue to assess carefully the risks involved in any voyage, including in respect of security and safety of the crew, together with shipowners and customers," a Trafigura statement said. Some shipping companies have suspended transits through the Red Sea, which is accessed from the Gulf of Aden, and taken much longer, costlier journeys around Africa to avoid being attacked by Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi group, which began launching waves of exploding drones and missiles at vessels on Nov. 19 in response to Israel's military operations in Gaza. The Houthi attacks have primarily targeted container vessels moving through the Red Sea. Many fuel tankers have kept using the route. A notable exception is QatarEnergy, the world's second largest exporter of liquefied natural gas, which earlier this month stopped sending tankers via the Red Sea, citing security concerns. Over several hours early on Saturday the Marlin Luanda's crew battled a blaze in one cargo tank on the vessel's starboard side, Trafigura's said in a statement. By Saturday afternoon, the blaze was extinguished and all crew were safe, Trafigura said. "The vessel is now sailing towards a safe harbor," Trafigura said, adding that the firefighting effort had been supported by Indian, U.S. and French navy vessels. The Marshall Islands-flagged Marlin Luanda issued a distress call on Friday and reported damage, U.S. Central Command said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. The USS Carney and other coalition ships were providing assistance to the tanker, it said. India's navy deployed INS Visakhapatnam, a guided missile destroyer, after receiving a distress call from the Marlin Luanda, which had 22 Indian and one Bangladeshi crew on board, an Indian Navy spokesman said. The tanker was carrying Russian naphtha purchased below the price cap in line with G7 sanctions, a Trafigura spokesperson said on Friday. U.S. and British warplanes, ships and submarines have responded to the Houthi attacks on shipping in recent weeks with dozens of retaliatory strikes across Yemen against Houthi forces. About eight hours after the Marlin Luanda incident, the U.S. military destroyed a Houthi anti-ship missile that was aimed into the Red Sea and ready to launch, Central Command said. The missile "presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and the U.S. Navy ships in the region", it said. The Houthis' Al-Masira television said on Saturday that the United States and Britain launched two air strikes that targeted the port of Ras Issa, Yemen's main oil export terminal. It was not clear if this was the strike referred to by Central Command, and the U.S. Fifth Fleet did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The British Defence Ministry declined to comment. Investigator Boyko Atanassov had been advised and urged by a colleague from the Prosecutors Office to take unpaid leave for at least six months, until the lion changes its den, as the caller has said. This is what he told Bivol. Atanassov explained that this advice had been explained with a concern to not have something unpleasant happen to him. There are now three disciplinary proceedings against the investigator from the Sofia Investigation Services. The launch of the latest attack on him by the Sofia City Prosecutors Office coincides with him raising the issue of the non-collection of VAT by the State and difficulties encountered when investigating tax crimes. We all need to know whether there is borrowing from international financial institutions to cover the lack of tax collection at the expense of taxpayers. By large companies, mostly owned by oligarchs, the investigator told Bivol. Atanassov noted that civil associations have begun to request information from the Ministry of Finance about the amount of non-collected VAT. For the time being, however, there is no response from the institution. I am under disheartening pressure by the prosecutions leadership, Atanassov explained, specifying that the second disciplinary action against him had been launched because he had not carried out a timely investigation into a case he had never been tasked with. The third disciplinary action had been initiated in connection with a report after an audit by the Sofia City Prosecutors Office Investigation Unit. A few people were audited, including me. There is no audit of Unit 4, which handles cases against ministers and high-ranking politicians, about which I told you that they simmering in desks drawers. Against former ministers, MPs, they are there It was like a reaction to crush me. To put me on my knees; to keep me quiet. All efforts are being made in this direction at the moment. Atanassov says that disciplinary actions had been launched against some of his colleagues, the majority of whom had been communicating with him. They have been told that the actions have been launched because they talk to me and are in touch with me. The investigator sees another coincidence as well between the pressure on him and the launch of a probe by the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) into his claim that prosecutor Ivan Geshev had concluded shameful agreements with organized crime groups, something Atanassov had witnessed. Some of these facts have been communicated by me as early as 2016, at a hearing in the SJC, its Ethics Committee, and the entire SJC. Then the Council declined to check whether my words were true. I have repeated them many times since then. Atanassov says pressure had been also exerted on him in a phone conversation with another magistrate, in which he had been advised to find cover. The idea was to take a six- month unpaid leave until the lion changes its den. I do not want to be a hostage of anyone, this situation, in which the prosecution and its leadership are finding themselves, is shocking. All magistrates should not be hostages of one single person. All of us to just be idle, not fulfill our duties, not to fight corruption. Bulgaria is the last in Europe actually, first in the lack of fight against corruption. Same with organized crime. In the said phone conversation, the investigators colleague had shared his fears that someone could do a favor to someone in connection with Atanassovs physical well-being, adding that he should go far away, in exile, and just work as a freelancer during this time. This conversation took place three hours after I have not been given the documents from the disciplinary actions. I have not been given copies of these proceedings. Three hours later, there is this strange coincidence and the proposal to take six-months of unpaid leave. I can only connect it with an attempt to pressure me. Atanassov further stressed that the Prosecutors Office is managed like an authoritarian regime and dictatorship. At least for the time being, I cannot say that the Prosecutors Office is performing its functions according to the law. The entire power of the Prosecutor General and those close to him is focused on the fight against people who criticize the prosecutions inactivity. I do not criticize Prosecutor General Sotir Tsatsarov as a person; I am criticizing the fact that he is not making the prosecution do its job under its mandate; he is not making it tackle corruption and organized crime. On the contrary! I think that all efforts are now being made to have corruption prevail as a State policy. Atanassov says he had been visited by police officers in connection with reports that he and his family might be in danger and under threat by what he calls Tsatsarovs Special Unit. He notes that there is nothing new in the prosecutions reaction. In 2005, with my colleague Yordanov we reported corruption in Sofia Investigation Services and colleagues approached me and suggested I tell a daily newspaper in Sofia something against my colleague Yordanov and then I could be promoted. I did not accept it. Subsequently, the Sofia Investigation Services leadership asked me to resign, because the National Investigation Services and its Chief Angel Alexandrov were going to crush me. Citizen support for Atanassov Two years ago, in interviews with Bivol, investigator Boyko Atanassov (see here) revealed the existence of a Special Unit in the Prosecutors Office directly subordinate to Tsatsarov and his puppeteers, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and controversial businessman, media mogul and lawmaker Delyan Peevski. The Unit deals with concealing crimes and tipoffs against people close to the government, and at the same time, uses signals and tipoffs to blackmail the inconvenient. In the following months, a number of probes and disciplinary proceedings were launched against Atanassov. The SJC was also approached. All these were attempts to crush him and to close his mouth. The investigator, however, did not give in and in his media appearances, he continued to expose the corruption schemes and mafia-style methods of the prosecution, while the repressions against him intensified. His car was also stolen, as some kind of a Sicilian Warning. On February 7, 2018. The civil association BOETZ (Fighter) logged a request to the National Security Agency (DANS), the Interior Ministry, the National Security Services and the Bulgarian President to guarantee investigator Boyko Atanassovs personal security. The request notes that his life is under threat because of his work and his fight against the mafia and corruption. It includes specific argumentation and evidence. (http://www.boec-bg.com/archives/173 ) As a follow up to this request, Boyko Atanasov was invited to a meeting in the Presidents Office on February 19, 2018, but President Rumen Radev did not appear in person and sent his advisers. On the next day, the two new disciplinary actions were launched against Atanassov and a day later he received the above-mentioned phone call. The recording of this phone conversation is being kept in Bivols editorial office. Bivol stands firm behind investigator Boyko Atansov. We will inform international human rights organizations, as well as the EU Member States embassies in Bulgaria about this case. Meanwhile, the conclusion of this story remains open. *** If you find this article useful, support our work with a small donation. Pay a Bivol Tax! We will highly appreciate if you decide to support us with monthly donations keeping the option Monthly Like this: Like Loading... This post is also available in: Bulgarian So dangerous is the world the 66-year-old convicted killer occupies, with threats seeming to lurk in every shadow of his forested Washington County property, that the sound of a motorcycle was enough to whip him into an addled state of fear, our columnist writes. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close When it comes to realism and logic, whom would you trust more: engineers or politicians? This is an especially pertinent question when all the governments in the Western world are committed to 'net zero carbon emissions', but it is the energy providers and manufacturing companies who have to try to meet that improbable target. Many of those businesses say what the politicians want to hear especially when they are provided with vast subsidies in the process. But, last week, two of the most knowledgeable and involved spoke up to provide the facts rather than the gloss. The first was the former chairman of Siemens Energy, the German industrial behemoth that is the biggest manufacturer of wind turbines in the UK. Joe Kaeser, whose old firm lost almost 4 billion in 2023, largely because of problems in the offshore-wind business, ridiculed the fashionable notion that wind power is 'cheap', saying: 'I think the net zero targets are realistic, but they come at a cost. You need to stick by the facts at some point, even though some facts sometimes may not be liked... 'If you want to have cheap energy you need to be gas-fired. That's the cheapest way, the most secure way if you calculate the whole thing from beginning to end.' Did you hear that, Ed Miliband? Labour's Shadow Climate Change Secretary continually claims that if we moved to an energy system powered entirely by renewables, with only nuclear back-up, this would 'cut bills'. Presumably he believes that when the wind isn't blowing, nuclear power which happens to be very expensive, though safe and reliable could be turned on at a moment's notice. Er, no, Ed. You need gas-for that. And where do the truly colossal sums come from to create this electric future, free from fossil fuels? Naturally, from you, the taxpayer. That is a point appreciated by Miliband's colleague, the Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who has been steadily putting the brakes on her party's commitment to spend 28 billion a year on what it calls 'green growth'. Joe Kaeser, former chairman of Siemens Energy, admitted: 'You need to stick by the facts at some point, even though some facts sometimes may not be liked' Last October, the National Infrastructure Commission declared we would have to spend 2 trillion to hit the official target of net zero by 2050. That's optimistic: the National Grid itself says it will cost 3 trillion to build the system. A trillion here, a trillion there, and pretty soon you're talking serious money. These are sums that otherwise might be spent or will need to be spent on, for example, defence and social services. This is, obviously, a global issue. And so one of the best people to consult is the head of Toyota, the world's most successful car company. After all, this is the industry key to the politicians' determination to make their countries' CO2 emissions dwindle away, by switching over entirely to electric vehicles (EVs). And it was the chairman of Toyota, Akio Toyoda (grandson of the company's founder) who last week was the second industrialist to tell the bald truth. The firm has, for some time, taken the lonely position while supporting the move to reduce CO2 emissions that it is completely unrealistic to suppose that the world's drivers could ever depend entirely on electricity. Speaking to employees in a Q&A session, Toyoda observed that his company's determination unlike its rivals to continue investing massively in petrol-electric hybrid vehicles had paid off: it sold a record 9.2 million cars last year and was struggling to meet the demand for its hybrids. Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda has for some time taken the lonely position while supporting the move to reduce CO2 emissions that it is completely unrealistic to suppose the world's drivers could ever depend entirely on electricity Toyota's Corolla Touring Sports 2.0 Hybrid: Mr Toyoda said electric cars would never take more than 30 per cent of the market Mr Toyoda also said that electric cars would never take more than 30 per cent of the market because 'customers not politicians will decide'. Quite so. In the U.S., Europe and the UK, sales of EVs are actually falling from earlier levels, as customers experience some of their disadvantages not just 'range anxiety', but eye-watering insurance costs and appallingly high levels of depreciation. Recent research showed EVs in the UK lose up to half their value after only three years' use. This consumer resistance explains why Hertz, the car-rental colossus, announced this month that it was replacing 20,000 Teslas with petrol-powered vehicles a stunning volte-face that hit both its own share price and that of Tesla. Is our own Government listening to the consumer? Although Rishi Sunak last September moderated Boris Johnson's policy of compelling British car manufacturers to sell only EVs by 2030, delaying the cut-off date to 2035 (the same as in the EU), the Prime Minister has maintained all the punitive measures. So, by 2030, our car manufacturers will be required to make 80 per cent of their sales EVs or be fined 15,000 for every car they sell that breaches that target. Please, listen to Mr Toyoda. Engineers know what works best and the consumer is king. Young men sign up to fight: that's the heroic point My fellow Mail columnist Boris Johnson, while offering his brawn in the service of the new 'citizen army' proposed last week by the outgoing British Army chief, General Sir Patrick Sanders, gave reasons why 'we are somehow failing to entice young men and women to join the ranks'. He suggested that this was '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 unlikely that they will get hurt'. By way of demonstrating how unlikely this was, he also observed: 'I am proud that during my tenure as PM there was not a single member of the UK armed forces who lost his or her life on active service.' In fact, only three British soldiers have been killed while on military operations since 2014 an extraordinary thing historically. During my lifetime of 67 years, there had previously been only one year without loss (1968). This is for a simple reason: since 2014, when we withdrew our combat troops from Afghanistan, the British Army has not been involved in any fighting at all. But, far from encouraging young men to sign up, this makes them much less inclined to do so. And it should be obvious why. The biggest attraction the chance of taking part in battle has been removed. The possibility that you may lose your life in combat is the point of the heroic challenge, not a disincentive. Two of my nephews served in Afghanistan; I have spoken to them and their colleagues. One of those ex-officers told me: 'The year I applied, we lost more than 100 men in active combat. In the same year, there were over 5,000 applicants to Sandhurst, of whom 300 were accepted. 'By 2016, after we'd ceased combat operations, Sandhurst struggled to fill 200 places.' Or as one Afghan veteran told Sebastian Junger (a journalist who had been embedded with the military during that campaign): 'Combat is such an adrenaline rush. People back home think we drink because of the bad stuff but that's not true. We drink because we miss the good stuff.' Dragon's Den viewers have branded Steven Bartlett the new 'main guy' of the BBC show, saying all the entrepreneurs are eager to seek funding from him above the other investors. Ever since joining the BBC programme as an investor in 2021, audiences and fellow 'Dragons' alike have noticed that some ambitious business owners seem to go on the show exclusively for the Diary of a CEO podcaster, who is 31 years old. And speaking to FEMAIL, a branding expert revealed that he leads a 'younger, fresher' front of show regulars who are not just social-media savvy but connected with other entrepreneurs. 'Steven Bartlett is a true rags to riches story, and more importantly, his story is incredibly relatable, and made for a modern market,' Hayley Knight - co-founder and Communications Director at BE YELLOW PR agency - said. 'He also brings young, fresh and relevant blood to both Dragon's Den and entrepreneurship in general, and his main audience is young, aspiring entrepreneurs, and has inspired a new generation of business leaders.' Dragon's Den viewers have branded Steven Bartlett the new 'main guy' of the BBC show, saying all the entrepreneurs are eager to seek funding from him above the other investors She explained that Steven's 'modern movement' cannot be underestimated when it comes to entrepreneurship. 'He has made positive success seem achievable and reachable, especially to those from underrepresented backgrounds - there has never been a young Black man on the show, and this is an incredibly important and vital shift in order to boost diversity within entrepreneurship,' Hayley added. 'Role models and representation are powerful tools.' She also explained that his online presence has amassed him with a huge switched-on network of fans. The entrepreneur has 1.7 million followers on TikTok alone - where fans have left more than 36.3 million likes. Elsewhere, he has 3.2 million followers on Instagram. 'Steven has blown up during the social media era, so has connected directly to an engaged audience (especially on TikTok and through his podcast),' Hayley continued. 'People can actively see his growth, development and listen to his advice, and he goes on tours, so people feel an alliance with him, and more connected, more so than older, or less connected entrepreneurs, which is why he does so well on Dragon's Den. 'We also live in a time where university is no longer the best, or only option if you want to succeed, and Steven is showing people they have more options available to them.' Moreover, his advice feels 'current' because he 'knows what his audience needs to hear'. 'He can also draw controversy, which creates even more intrigue and engagement on his behalf,' Hayley said. On Thursday, viewers and investors alike saw that Kimai's founders, Antwerp-born friends Sidney Neuhaus and Jessica Warch, clearly only had one Dragon in mind from the get-go Deborah added that it was clear the two entrepreneurs 'came here for Steven' on Thursday's episode Taking to social media, many felt like it was clear that Steven has become the entrepreneurs' favourite 'Steven has been a refreshing addition to the show, and though the overall Dragons carry a variety of knowledge, experience and contacts, I hope that Steven can lead the way in bringing in younger, fresher entrepreneurial faces that people can relate to. 'I will never take away the success that the other Dragons have achieved, or the value they bring to the table, but seeing newer faces such as Whitney Wolfe Herd or Ayesha Ofori join the panel, even as a guest for a series would do so much for young entrepreneurship.' It comes as, during Thursday night's programme, the business owner made his biggest investment since joining the series - after offering 250,000 to a lab-grown diamond jewellery brand loved by Meghan Markle. And viewers and investors alike saw that Kimai's founders, Antwerp-born friends Sidney Neuhaus and Jessica Warch, clearly only had one Dragon in mind from the get-go. The diamond entrepreneurs were frustrated with the lack of supply chain transparency across the industry, so pioneered the use of 100 per cent traceable lab-grown diamonds. Founded in 2018, the brand was worn by The Duchess of Sussex in 2019 during a royal engagement in London and is a favourite of Emma Watson and Jessica Alba, while Diane von Furstenberg was the first female investor to back the business. Prices for Kimai jewellery range from 225 for a single stud earring to 12,195 for a Toi et Moi engagement ring. The Belgian-born duo requested 250,000 for a three per cent equity stake in their luxury jewellery brand. Meghan Markle sporting a pair of lab-grown diamond earrings by Kimai while visiting Smart Works in London in January 2019 And speaking to FEMAIL, a branding expert revealed that Steven (pictured with Prince William in September) leads a 'younger, fresher' front of show regulars They received three offers - from Steven, Deborah Meaden and Sara Davies. Sara kicked off the negotiations as she offered them 'all of the money for the 3 per cent they've asked for'. Next, Deborah - who stressed that she's 'quite known for her jewellery' - wanted 5 per cent in exchange for the 250,000. Steven offered the same as Deborah, impressing his branding expertise on the entrepreneurs. However, Sidney and Jessica surprised all the investors when they said no to all offers. A baffled Peter Jones asked: 'You came in asking for a quarter of a million for 3 per cent, you've been given that offer, and you've rejected it?' 'We just think the value added is important to us,' Jessica explained. 'And I think, definitely what you said, Steven, about everything that comes with building a brand is really what we value most. But unfortunately, we won't be able to take it at that valuation.' 'They came for Steven, they're quite clear,' Deborah added. She also explained that his online presence has amassed him with a huge switched-on network of fans. Pictured in November 2021 Eventually swayed over, Steven, 31, now backs the London-based fine jewellery company in exchange for a 3 per cent equity stake. The deal is the biggest investment made by The Diary Of A CEO podcast host since he first joined the programme in 2021. Taking to social media, many felt like it was clear that Steven has become the entrepreneurs' favourite. 'It's getting a bit ridiculous now they all want Steven,' one said. 'It's pointless the others being there!' A second added: 'All the entrepreneurs want Steven now, he's the main guy.' Elsewhere, another wrote that 'these women came for Steven'. Jessica and Sidney presented each judge with a piece of jewellery to showcase their designs, and Steven was particularly impressed with his 16,000 lab-grown diamond ring. The duo explained their profits over the past few years, and how Meghan Markle played a significant part in spiking sales. In 2019, the pair made 350,000 in revenue and a net loss of minus 350,000. The second year of trading saw a revenue of 890,00 and a net loss of minus 350,000 again. Last year, sales spiralled, and they made 3 million, with a net loss of 100,000. 'And this year, we're on track to do 5 million, and a profit of 500,000,' Jessica told the judges. She continued: 'We've launched without investment, and then two months after our launch we got Meghan Markle to wear our pieces, which enabled us to grow the revenue significantly, and from there we raised $1.2 million.' Steven questioned the duo on how they got the Duchess of Sussex sporting their jewellery, to which they replied: 'Cold emails', 'We're big believers in cold emails,' Jessica added. Several of the Dragons fought to be picked by the brand's founders as the duo received offers from Deborah Meaden and Sara Davies. 'You've got us all mesmerised,' Deborah said while calculating her offer. She praised the company for its sustainable values and offered Jessica and Sidney their asking price in exchange for a five per cent equity stake of the business. Sara offered the pair the total sum of money they asked for in return for three per cent. 'You two are very good in this space,' she said. Next, Peter attempted to lure the founders in with his connections in the industry, 'I'm very close friends with the owners of Cartier,' he said. But Peter failed to match the requirements after hearing the offers from other judges. Ultimately, it was Steven who managed to secure investment in Kimai. 'The moment you told be about hounding down Meghan Markle, you had me,' he said. Steven offered the duo their asking price in exchange for a five per cent equity stake of the company, which they rejected. Jessica's negotiating skills successfully haggled Steven down to the original three per cent Kimai offered. Kimai's global e-commerce is growing at a rapid rate of 120 per cent year-over-year, as the online market for sustainable fine jewellery is on the rise. 'They are two of the most impressive entrepreneurs I have ever seen in the Den', said Steven. 'Rock solid on their numbers, vision and convictions. Kind, humble, smart, tenacious and passionate. 'Annoyingly, really incredible negotiators - which is annoying as an investor but perfect as business partners, so I'm happy to be in business with them. Eventually swayed over, Steven (pictured in 2021) now backs the London-based fine jewellery company in exchange for a 3 per cent equity stake 'They are the absolute full house. I'm going to support them in any and every way I can - I'll bring a wealth of knowledge to the business as it relates to marketing, innovation, community growth, scaling and I'm planning to use my vast network of contacts to open doors that will help to accelerate their incredible business even more'. Crafted without environmentally harmful mining practices, the firm's sustainable stones are said to be physically, optically and chemically identical to mined counterparts. Using cutting-edge technology, labs are able to replicate the heat and pressure that create natural diamonds found in the earth. These sustainable gems can also provide 100 per cent supply chain traceability. Catering to an eco-conscious clientele, the brand offers a range of lab-grown diamond and recycled 18k gold earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings and is proud to be one of the few fine jewellery labels to be certified B-corp. Kimai will be working with Steven and his team to amplify their digital presence, and the investment will be used to elevate the customer experience at the brand's flagship store in Marylebone, London. 'We know that lab-grown diamonds are the future', said co-founders Jessica Warch and Sidney Neuhaus. 'Sharing our story on such a huge platform like Dragons Den was a unique opportunity to help spread the word about this relatively new technology, which allows beautiful diamonds and jewellery to be made, without costing the earth.' King Harald of Norway has confirmed he has no plans to abdicate after speculation he could follow in the footsteps of his former Danish counterpart, Queen Margrethe. The monarch, 86, (who is the second cousin of King Charles III) insisted that the promise he made to the Norwegian Parliament when he acceded the throne in 1991 'lasts for life'. King Harald told Faktisk.no: 'I stand by what I have said all along. I have taken an oath to the Storting, and it lasts for life.' It comes after Queen Margrethe of Denmark, 83, made the shock decision to abdicate after 52 years on the throne, making way for her son Frederik to take over as King on 14 January. Afterwards, a royal expert had suggested the Danish monarch had broken an 'invisible pact' between heads of state in the Scandinavian countries that none would step down from the throne. King Harald of Norway has confirmed he has no plans to abdicate after speculation he could follow in the footsteps of his former Danish counterpart, Queen Margrethe Queen Margrethe of Denmark , 83, made the shock decision to abdicate after 52 years on the throne, making way for her son Frederik to take over as King on 14 January Roger Lundberg told STV that, after Denmark's changeover, there is a chance King Harald of Norway and King Carl Gustaf of Sweden , 79, might follow suit and step down to allow their eldest children to take the throne. However, this has now been firmly dismissed by King Harald. The Norwegian King was 53 when he acceded the throne in 1991, upon the death of his father King Olav. Ahead of this, he had been acting as Crown Prince Regent due to his father's illness, which escalated in the spring of 1990. King Harald has faced some health concerns himself in recent years, and spent time in the hospital to treat an infection last May, but clearly has no intention of abdicating. His Scandinavian neighbour Queen Margrethe of Denmark made the shock announcement that she would give up the throne in her New Year's Eve speech. The Danish Royal Family have spent the last two years grappling with various scandals, including the Queen's surprise decision to strip her grandchildren of their princely titles. There were also rumours of an 'affair' after Crown Prince Frederik was spotted out in Madrid with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova, the monarch's decision to retire may provide a much-needed fresh start. But Denmark is not the only monarchy in the Scandinavian nations to have had a bumpy few years - with Norway's royal family experiencing its very own 'Megxit'. The monarch, 86, (who is the second cousin of King Charles III ) insisted that the promise he made to the Norwegian Parliament when he acceded the throne in 1991 'lasts for life' A royal expert had suggested the Danish monarch had broken an 'invisible pact' between heads of state in the Scandinavian countries that none would step down from the throne King Harald and Queen Sonja's only daughter Princess Martha Louise, who was fourth in line to the throne, stepped down as a working royal in 2019. It was announced in 2022 that the mother-of-three would no longer represent the Royal household in any form following her engagement to an American Shamanic healer who had been criticised for his controversial views. King Harald said that Martha would not be allowed to use her royal title any future commercial partnerships with her partner Durek Verrett, 47. Shortly after the mother-of-three announced her engagement to Verrett, a Norweigan publishing house dropped his book 'Spirit Hacking' over pseudoscientific claims, including 'children can get cancer from being unhappy'. Princess Martha Louise of Norway announced her engagement to Durek Verrett in June. The princess was previously married to Ari Behn, who she wed in 2002 and had three children together Maud Angelica, 19, Leah Isadora, 17, and Emma Tallulah, 14. They split in 2016, and Ari took his own life on Christmas Day in 2019. Queen Sonja of Norway, King Harald of Norway and Princess Martha Louise of Norway attend the unveiling of Norwegian Trekking Association gift for The Queen of Norway 80th birthday on July 4, 2017 Among his other claims, Verrett says he once came back from the dead, recovering from a month-long coma, by letting his soul 'burn' and he has also spoken of having to undergo a kidney transplant from his sister as a child. Following Martha Louise's decision to step down, King Harald stressed that his daughter has remained a princess at his request, saying: 'She is our daughter, and she will continue to be. So she is Princess Martha Louise.' The princess was previously married to Ari Behn, whom she wed in 2002 and had three children together Maud Angelica, 19, Leah Isadora, 17, and Emma Tallulah, 14. They split in 2016, and Ari took his own life on Christmas Day in 2019. Crown Prince Haakon, Martha-Louise's older brother, is Norway's heir apparent - and the future King has already had a taste of what it will be like to ascend the throne after stepping in for his father on several occasions over the past few years. A podcast which aims to reinvestigate murders from a 'feminist perspective' is facing backlash from listeners after shifting focus to discrimination against male drag artists. Lady Killers, hosted by historian Lucy Worsley on BBC Radio 4, explores the crimes of women from the 19th and 20th century 'from a contemporary, feminist perspective'. But one episode about a tragic love affair between a lesbian couple in Memphis, Tennessee, raised eyebrows when the conversation turned from the issue of 'lesbian invisibility' to discrimination against male drag acts. The episode recounted the murder of Freda Ward by her lover Alice Mitchell in 1892, and Ms Worsley raised the matter of lesbians being 'pretty invisible in popular culture except when they are being murdered or murdering someone'. She was discussing the matter with lesbian American comedian Cameron Esposito, who began lamenting restrictions being placed on drag artists in the US - and the discrimination they face. Lady Killers, hosted by historian Lucy Worsley on BBC Radio 4, explores t he crimes of women from the 19th and 20th century 'from a contemporary, feminist perspective' Ms Worsley continued this theme, deciding to speak to a male draft performer from Memphis - known as Magical Miss Mothie - about his experience in the profession. A BBC spokesperson said this was part of a 'wider discussion about challenges in America today to the LGBTQ+ community.' But the segue landed badly with a number of women on Mumsnet, who have dubbed the second half of the episode 'depressing' and 'very, very disappointing'. One person said: 'One of the commentators started talking about who gets to use what bathroom, and the ban on drag queens in public places. Then we get another person popping up. 'Yes, you guessed it, on a programme bemoaning the visibility of lesbians, the person they chose to talk about their experience is a drag queen. 'Quite what a man has to tell us about lesbian invisibility, I don't know...' The episode recounted the murder of Freda Ward by her lover Alice Mitchell in 1892, and Ms Worsley raised the matter of lesbians being 'pretty invisible in popular culture except when they are being murdered or murdering someone' The episode then spoke to a male draft performer from Memphis - known as Magical Miss Mothie - about his experience in the profession Another member of the popular parenting site said: 'Very very disappointing. I love Lucy Worsley, she's great. 'I would imagine this was the decision of some trendy blue haired member of the production team, rather than anything to do with her.' A third person said: 'Ill give this mansplaining episode a miss. 'The other episodes that Ive listened to are great, its a really good podcast from the fab Lucy.' A number of feminist and gay campaign groups have also criticised the move. The segue landed badly with a number of women on Mumsnet, who have dubbed the second half of the episode 'depressing' and 'very, very disappointing' Another member of the popular parenting site said: 'Very very disappointing. I love Lucy Worsley, she's great' Bev Jackson, co-founder of the LGB Alliance, told The Telegraph: 'Its ironic that a lesbian guest asked about the invisibility of lesbians in popular culture bemoans the "backsliding in LGBTQ+ rights" - such as restrictions on drag queens performing to small children.' A spokeswoman for Womans Place UK said the podcast typically sheds 'a valuable light on historic attitudes towards women and violence'. However, they said this particular episode 'illustrates exactly the problem that lesbians face - that their voices are routinely silenced, while those of men are amplified, even in situations where they are clearly irrelevant.' A BBC spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Far from being invisible, the secret lesbian love affair between Alice Mitchell and Freda Ward during the 19th century is at the heart of this episode of Lady Killers. 'The programme includes commentary throughout from actor and author Cameron Esposito, who shares her own personal experiences of being a lesbian in the USA today. 'The brief interview with drag artist Magical Miss Mothie features as part of a wider discussion about challenges in America today to the LGBTQ+ community.' Crown Princess Victoria today attended a memorial ceremony for Holocaust victims at the Eric Ericsson Hall in Stockholm with her husband Prince Daniel. The royals were there to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a global memorial day that commemorates the tragedy that took place during World War II. The mother-of-two, 46, cut a sombre figure in a plum dress jacket and a matching pleated leather skirt as she paid her respects to the victims of the Holocaust. Both Victoria and her husband appeared pensive as they shook hands with their guests, who had their undivided attention throughout the visit. For the occasion, the princess kept things simple with black leather boots and a co-ordinating black clutch bag. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, 46, cut a sombre figure in a plum dress jacket and a matching pleated leather skirt Her sleek bun and minimal accessories perfectly complemented the look while keeping in theme with the solemn tone. Prince Daniel, 50, wore a smart dark blue suit, along with a crisp white shirt and a plum tie which matched his wife's ensemble. Both royals were photographed paying their respects to the victims and appeared visibly emotional. The ceremony at the Eric Ericsson Hall was arranged by The Living History Forum in Stockholm, Sweden. The biggest German Nazi death camp, KL Auschwitz-Birkenau was liberated by the Soviet Red Army on 27 January 1945. The world commemorates its liberation by International Holocaust Remembrance Day annually on 27 January. An estimated 1.1 million of those deported to Auschwitz, are believed to have died at the camp, according to data from the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum. It is thought a number of survivors came from across the globe to the Eric Ericsson Hall in Stockholm today. Crown Princess Victoria today attended a memorial ceremony for Holocaust victims at the Eric Ericsson Hall in Stockholm with her husband Prince Daniel (Pictured: Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel) It is thought a number of survivors came from across the globe to the Eric Ericsson Hall in Stockholm today The royals appeared in honour of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, an international memorial day that commemorates the tragedy of the Holocaust that occurred during World War II The royal couple appeared pensive as they gave their guests their undivided attention and shook hands with them The crown princess and prince were photographed paying their respects to the victims It comes amid a busy week for the royals who visited the aerospace and defense company Saab in Linkoping, Sweden three days ago. The royal couple attended a tour of the facility - with Victoria even sitting in one of the war planes. Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and solutions, from military defense to civil security. For the occasion, the mother-of-two, 46, donned a sophisticated By Malina suit, marking the fifth time she has worn it since 2022. For the occasion, the princess kept things simple with black leather boots and a co-ordinating black clutch bag The ceremony at the Eric Ericsson Hall was arranged by The Living History Forum in Stockholm, Sweden Victoria expertly styled her outfit with a matching grey Andiata polo knit sweater and Gianvito Rossi suede court shoes in a charming lilac hue. Saab is headquartered in Stockholm, but its development and manufacturing operations are undertaken in Linkoping. With operations on every continent, the company continuously develops, adapts and improves new technology to meet customers changing needs. Crown Princess Victoria was aptly dressed for the outing in a grey By Malina suit, which she has showcased on a number of occasions since September 2022. Her Sandy blazer boasts a double-breasted front and boxy fit, adorned with a classic checked pattern. Meanwhile, the corresponding Carlotta trousers feature a high-rise waist and wide fit with front pleats. Victoria added a matching grey Andiata polo knit sweater and Gianvito Rossi suede court shoes in a lilac hue. She completed her look in the form of a statement necklace and diamond hoop earrings. The royal showcased her signature make-up look, incorporating a subtle smoky eye, bronzed cheekbones and nude lipstick. Meanwhile, Prince Daniel sported a smart navy suit, teamed with a crisp white shirt and sky blue tie - topping off the look with a pair of Oxford shoes. The couple met with Mikael Olsson, Saab's head of flight test, as well as other employees. The King's staff 'are worried he is doing too much for a man of 75', a well-placed insider has claimed. It comes after Queen Camilla, 76, was pictured smiling today as she visited her husband at The London Clinic where he underwent a successful procedure for an enlarged prostate. Her Majesty has reportedly told 'workaholic' Charles to 'slow down' in the wake of his recent health scare; the monarch is known to be a fan of early morning starts and post-midnight finishes. However, an insider told The Telegraph that the Queen 'knows [his work] gives him an enormous sense of fulfilment and that she's never going to change the habits of a lifetime'. Meanwhile, one source claimed: 'The people who work for him are worried he is doing too much for a man of 75. It's sometimes a struggle to keep up with him.' The King's staff 'are worried he is doing too much for a man of 75', a well-placed insider has claimed. Pictured, the King and Queen on December 25, 2023 Charles has gained a reputation for being dedicated to his work and packed 2023 full of engagements - with one tally suggesting he undertook 516 over the course of the year including 94 abroad. But an insider has since claimed that the Queen has urged the King - who has postponed his engagements while undertaking 'a short period of recuperation' - to take a new approach to his work. Speaking to The Sun, they said: 'The Queen has told him he needs to slow down a bit.' In the 2018 BBC documentary Prince, Son and Heir, Prince William said: 'The man never stops. When we were kids there were bags and bags and bags of work that the office just sent to him.' Prince Harry also shared the feeling that their father should 'slow down' a bit. The Queen's visit on Sunday was her third to the private hospital since she arrived with Charles on Friday morning ahead of the procedure. It is the same hospital where the Princess of Wales is being cared for following abdominal surgery. Camilla told people inside The London Clinic on Friday that the King was 'doing well' after the procedure. Charles took time to visit his daughter-in-law, Kate, who is on the 12th day of her hospital stay after undergoing a successful major operation last week. King Charles arriving at the London Clinic in Marylebone on Friday morning ahead of surgery for an enlarged prostate 9.30AM Friday: A Buckingham Palace statement about Charles being admitted to hospital The 75-year-old has spent a second night at the London Clinic - the same hospital where the Princess of Wales is recovering following abdominal surgery A Buckingham Palace spokesman previously said the King was 'admitted to a London hospital for scheduled treatment'. The spokesman added: '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.' What is benign prostate enlargement? Benign prostate enlargement is a common condition in men aged over 50, and can affect urination. It sees the prostate, a small gland located in the pelvis that forms part of the male reproductive system, grow in size. How exactly it becomes enlarged is unknown, but doctors believe it is linked to hormonal changes in men as they get older. It is known as 'benign prostate enlargement' to distinguish it from prostate cancer, which is a malignant condition requiring urgent treatment. While many men experience no issues as a result of an enlarged prostate, others may need medical interventions if it puts pressure on the bladder or the urethra; it also carries a risk of a urinary tract infection. Sometimes, it can be treated by making lifestyle changes, or with medicines; but surgery can also be carried out to remove part of the prostate or to shrink the gland. Source: NHS Advertisement It is not known how long Charles will spend in hospital but reports suggest he could remain there over the weekend. The King 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 wished Charles the 'very best' for his treatment and a 'speedy recovery' afterwards, a Downing Street spokeswoman said. The King was diagnosed with the benign condition on January 17 while staying at Birkhall, Aberdeenshire, 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. Charles, who acceded to throne only 16 months ago, cancelled engagements and was urged to rest by his doctors ahead of the corrective procedure. The exact nature of the 75-year-old's treatment is not known. NHS England said the 'enlarged prostate' page on the NHS website received one visit every five seconds on the day the King's diagnosis was announced, with further huge boosts in visits in the days that followed. 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. 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. Inveterate trend surfer that I am, I recently booked a face massage. And not just any face massage, mind: a buccal variety. Keep up now, reader, keep up. Im talking about the vogue for glamazons, such as J-Lo, Kate Moss and the Duchess of Sussex to have the insides of their mouths ligaments, muscles and buccal fat pads pummelled with the aim of looking snatched. Translation: sharp of jaw and elevated of cheekbone. As with all such trends, there are those on social media declaring it better than Botox for face-slimming purposes. I cant say I concur, but its certainly better than those monstrous buccal-fat removal operations, where this cherubic padding is extracted to give a more chiselled guise. What looks modishly taut at a baby-faced 25 is destined to look alarmingly skeletal 20 years on. As for cheek massages firming and sculpting abilities, this sort of manipulation cannot fundamentally reshape the muscle concerned. However, it will remove tension and allay fluid retention, thus bloating, in the short to medium term. So, if youre seeking jowl tightening-cum-lifting for a party or wedding, then this makes an excellent choice. My guru, Charlotte Mernier, certainly has clients who argue that regular sessions have allowed them to forgo the needle. Yet, as a lifelong teeth grinder born with TMD (temporomandibular disorder, or a b*ggered jaw), lower-face Botox qualifies as a pain-nuking essential for me. In an ideal world, Id have both the massage and the Botox, please. UK beauty expert Hannah Betts tried buccal face massage, which involves having the inside of your mouth pummelled to achieve a sharp jaw line Anyway, back to Madame Mernier. Charlotte, 35, is an osteopath with a jaw specialism, making her treatment, My Osteo Buccal Massage, hotly sought-after by those wanting something more profound than a mere facial (165 for 60 minutes, myosteolondon.com). She also goes beyond conventional buccal techniques by addressing not only the intraoral muscles and fascia inside the cheeks, but the neck and head as well. Starting with cleansing, then hypnotic face and neck kneading, her method is sublimely relaxing. Her touch is surprisingly gentle, yet manages to stimulate collagen production and increase cell oxygenation, lending glow and yes contour. I loved it, yearned for our hour session to be three times as long, and really want to go again. In the meantime, Ive been endeavouring to replicate just a little of her magic at home. Januarys impoverishment and general deflatedness physical in addition to mental has led me to administer speedy morning face massages as I apply the oil layer under my SPF. Q+A Superfood Facial Oil (8 for 30ml, hollandandbarrett.com) provides wallet-friendly slip. My aim is basic hoisting. I create two victory signs, then make ten or so firm strokes upward from the chin to the ears with my jaw. Next, I do the same with my cheekbones, again sweeping towards my ears. Then, I swipe a Revolution Skincare Cooling Eye Roller Ball (now 6.40, lookfantastic.com) around each eye a few times, tending north. This really does make a difference in terms of lift and signs of life. I ask Dr Michael Prager, who makes my beloved, worth-every-last-precious-penny Night Oil with Retinol (90 for 30ml, skincare.drmichaelprager.com), whether this post-pathetic Betts massage perking-up is just my imagination. He responds: Product absorption will be increased even further when massaged. Plus, youre boosting circulation and helping to stimulate collagen. Finally, massaging helps with lymphatic drainage which depuffs the skin. So Im not merely imagining that my face looks less slumped. Some women prefer to massage with a cleansing balm. Ive fallen in love with M&Ss sublimely-scented Revive Nourishing Cleansing Butter in Calm (12.50 for 125g, marksandspencer.com). If a gua sha device (a smooth-edged stone used to stroke and thus stimulate the skin) spurs you on, I favour one with a deep enough chasm to fit my sagging jaw into. Metal ones feel cooling on midlife complexions the Rena Chris Metal Gua Sha Tool (7.99, amazon.co.uk), say. If even this modest self-massaging feels like too much effort, then simply wield Jones Roads Multivitamin Serum (46 for 30ml, jonesroadbeauty.com). This genius rollerball creation by Bobbi Brown is minimum effort, maximum result. I crave one in every room. RACE YOU TO IT! Moondust Quad Eyeshadow Palette Urban Decays Space Cowboy is a warm champagne with cool sparkle that has become a cult phenomenon. Its Moondust Quad Eyeshadow Palette (39, boots.com, from January 31) plays on this theme. Space Rider boasts warm nudes, including Space Cowboy; Galactic Cowgirl (below) has four shimmering cool hues. Shop MY ICON OF THE WEEK Claudia Winkleman Claudia Winkleman has Estee Lauder DayWear Sheer Tint as her base, with Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Bronzing Powder The Traitors host, 52, is all about the tan and fringe. Estee Lauder DayWear Sheer Tint (45.90, boots.com) is her base, with Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Bronzing Powder (45, charlottetilbury.com). Her shiny do is by Head & Shoulders (from 4, boots.com), and she leaves a YSL Opium (75, boots.com) trail. CHAPPED LIP SAVIOURS UpCircle Lip Balm (11.99, upcirclebeauty.com) Packed with hemp seed oil and shea butter, this new balm smells delicious and glides on easily. Shop Solgar L-Lysine 1000mg Tablets (8.95 for 50, amazon.co.uk) Dry air and vitamin deficiencies spur cold sores lysine helps prevent reappearance. Shop COSMETIC CRAVING An Australian mum has told of the horrifying moment her baby stopped breathing and turned blue after she took him to hospital for what she thought was a mild illness. Emma Corte, from the Central Coast, NSW, knew something was wrong with her newborn Sunny even though the only symptoms he was displaying was lethargy and a loss of appetite. The 32-year-old followed her instincts and took him to the emergency room where his condition quickly deteriorated and he had to spend five days on a ventilator at only eight weeks old. Doctors eventually discovered he has a rare condition, CGD, which affects his immune system. It also makes his tiny body go into sepsis hours after contracting any infection. The one cure was a stem cell transplant which dad Kyle did not hesitate to provide his now-18-month-old son when he was found to be the perfect match. Eight months on, Sunny's health is improving as he enjoys a normal life with his parents, twin brother Raffy, and siblings Koa, seven and Taj, four. Mum Emma Corte has told of how her son Sunny (pictured), one, stopped breathing due to a rare condition. He was saved by a stem cell donation from his dad Kyle Eight months on, Sunny (left) is improving as he enjoys a normal life with his parents, twin brother Raffy (top centre) and siblings Koa (bottom centre), seven and Taj (right), four Emma felt uneasy when she noticed Sunny was struggling to feed and far more lethargic than usual about a month after he and Raffy came home from the hospital. 'Sunny was always my baby that was awake more, he was the one always wanting the cuddles and would always wake up first wanting to be held,' Emma explained. 'That was the biggest change I noticed just over a couple of days. He wasn't feeding as easy as well but that was it, he didn't have any signs of even a cold or anything.' Both twins were scheduled in for surgery for a hernia the following week. Emma had been told by a doctor to be extra vigilant about the babies' health so she erred on the side of caution and took Sunny to the ER. Had it not been for the hernia and encouragement from Kyle, Emma would have waited until the next day before taking Sunny to be seen as it was a public holiday. 'My husband said, 'Just take him, you are obviously worried, you're going get peace of mind if you do, and they'll probably say he's completely fine' which was honestly what I was expecting to happen,' the mum recalled. When she got to the hospital they were rushed through and she was speaking to a doctor when she suddenly noticed Sunny go limp. 'He was in my arms and was hooked up to all the monitors, his oxygen was dropping, I could hear the machine beeping,' Emma said. 'Then you could just tell in his face, he was starting to turn blue and go really floppy.' Emma took Sunny to the hospital with mild symptoms and while she was speaking to a doctor, he suddenly went limp and blue. He had to be resuscitated and put on a ventilator The doctors sprang into action and called for assistance to get Sunny breathing again. 'Panic struck over the whole room, (the doctor's) hitting buttons, the next minute all these doctors came in and there were people coming from everywhere,' Emma said. 'That's when I thought, 'Oh, my God, there's obviously something wrong, I'm not overreacting'.' Emma had to stand back and helplessly watch as doctors and nurses resuscitated her weeks-old newborn until he was stable. Sunny had to be put on a ventilator as he was having frequent apnea episodes and moved to an intensive care unit at a more specialised hospital better equipped to treat babies of his very young age. He underwent a series of tests as doctors tried to figure out what was making him so sick and were unable to determine his outlook without answers. 'The doctors and nurses were all fantastic. Although they could never say he's definitely going to be okay, because obviously no doctor can say that if they don't know what's going on, both my husband and I felt like they were doing everything they could, and we felt very supported,' Emma said. While Sunny was on a ventilator to help him breathe and heavily sedated, it was found he had respiratory sepsis. After five days, doctors had to see how Sunny would go off the ventilator as it could cause further complications and miraculously, he started breathing again by himself 'He tested positive to lots of different respiratory viruses. They said he got all these horrible respiratory viruses and his lungs were shutting down,' Emma said. 'It was a waiting game. There wasn't a magic medication they could give him and he would get better. It was more: we have to let his little body ride out all these viruses while this lungs are giving up but we're keeping them alive with the ventilator.' After five days, doctors had to see how Sunny would go off the ventilator as it could cause further complications, like brain damage, down the road and miraculously, he started breathing again by himself. Sunny spent two more weeks recovering in hospital. He had developed pneumonia from the ventilator then the mum struggled to feed him. 'He wasn't feeding great, he still had a feeding tube in and was still refusing bottles. I had another eight-week-old baby at home I was away from and I was getting very over it,' Emma said. 'It got to a point where it was just the feeding and he was doing well enough to be able to go home so we ended up taking him home with his feeding tube. There was no other reason for us to be in hospital.' Sunny's immune system was weak so the parents had to be extra careful not to expose him to infections, illnesses and viruses. Sunny had chronic granulomatous disease a condition that inhibits the body's ability to fight off infections. A haplo transplant was the cure and Kyle was a perfect candidate READ MORE: Perth parents spend four agonising months in the intensive care unit not knowing if their son would survive - after losing their first child to a rare but fatal genetic condition Advertisement Not long after he returned home, Emma and Kyle got the news Sunny had something called chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). CGD is a chronic immunodeficiency condition that inhibits the body's ability to fight off serious infections. 'Doctors told us, 'You can live with Sunny's disease but you've got to live a very sheltered and protected life. He could never be put down on grass because with his disease his body can't fight any bacteria or fungal infections',' Emma said. 'If he's exposed to any sort of infection within 48 hours he'd be septic again.' One cure was a bone marrow transplant. No one in the family was a match for Sunny but there was one other option. A haplo transplant would give Sunny healthy and working stem cells he needed to be able to fight off diseases - and Kyle was a perfect candidate. Instead of waiting for a suitable bone marrow donor, they decided to go ahead with the stem cell transplant to give Sunny a better quality of life as soon as possible. 'It was the best decision we ever made. It wasn't a nice experience but we're so grateful we did do it and that we did it while Sunny was so young,' Emma said. Kyle had to give himself injections for five days to boost his stem cell production before doctors took his stem cells by blood donation. Sunny had to endure a week of chemotherapy. Kyle had to give himself injections for five days to boost his stem cell production before doctors took his stem cells by blood donation The day after Sunny finished chemo, he was transplanted with his dad's blood in a process called engraftment after which the bub had to stay in another strict isolation for four weeks 'That was to completely wipe out his existing immune system and blood virtually but everything in his system went down to zero,' Emma explained. 'We were in hospital in very strict isolation because he was at a very high risk of catching anything and everything in that state.' The day after Sunny finished chemo, he was transplanted with his dad's blood in a process called engraftment after which the bub had to stay in another strict isolation for four weeks. 'You're virtually waiting for Kyle's blood they put in to find a home in Sunny and then start growing,' Emma said. Emma stayed in Sydney with Sunny while Kyle took care of Koa, Taj and Raffy on the Central Coast, an experience the mum said was like being back in Covid lockdown. Around the 100-day mark since Sunny was first admitted to hospital for the transplant, the family of six were finally reunited when mum and bub could return home. 'It was very special being able to come home and all be together. It was a bit of an anxious time as well because, Sunny still wasn't a hundred percent perfect but the numbers were growing' Emma said. The transplant happened in June of 2023 and it will take up to 12 months for Sunny's immune system to fully grow back but he is enjoying his normal as a happy healthy one-year-old 'So it was all these mixed emotions of being so excited to come home but then I was also now putting him in a house with kids that bring germs home.' Doctors had reassured Emma that Sunny would be okay being a couple of hours away from the hospital if he were to catch something, putting her mind at ease. The transplant happened in June of 2023 and it will take up to 12 months for Sunny's immune system to fully grow back but he is enjoying his normal as a happy healthy one-year-old. 'He'll soon be doing what every other kid does, it's just that first 12 months. He's having a bit of a hard time while everything rebuilds but once it's rebuilt there's a high chance he'll be cured for life,' Emma said. 'There are always small risks that come with the transplant but from what's happened so far, everything looks great and is doing everything it needs to do in the last eight months since the transplant.' Emma said the experience taught her how important it is to donate blood, plasma and bone marrow for those to can to save a life like Sunny's. 'We never really did anything like that before but we're making it a priority now because we know how important it is for so many people out there.' To register as a blood or plasma donor or book in your next donation, go to lifeblood.com.au. Why spend a few hundred pounds on a standard oven when for more than 12,000 you can invest in a solid lump of half-tonne cast-iron cooker with an AGA badge attached. For the uninitiated, this heat-storage-range cooker seems a strange choice. Traditionally, the biggest attraction has been that, unlike other cookers, it always stays on. So when not cooking a Sunday roast it just sits there like a giant radiator heating the kitchen and warming the bones of the house. As a fashion accessory, logic flies out of the window with an AGA along with thoughts of the energy bills that soar on its arrival. It is not just the glorious iconic curves with, typically, three separately heated ovens ideal for Mary Berry baking types but the chrome hot plate tops. Toby Walne receives an eye-popping weekly 40 bill to keep his AGA on Even estate agents such as Savills go weak at the knees believing the kerb appeal of this range can be viewed as an investment by adding more than its cost of purchase to a property value being viewed as an aspirational middle class trophy 'at the heart of the home'. Yet unsurprisingly, AGA has struggled during the cost of living squeeze as fuel prices have risen. Sales have been falling and it reported a drop in turnover of 10million to 144million in 2022. This is why it has recently turned to a new generation of all-electric cookers where you can control the oven and hobs individually with just the press of a button to keep the running costs down. This led to AGA getting in hot water earlier this week with the Advertising Standards Authority for boasting it has the 'lowest running cost' when compared to other electric heat-storage cast-iron ranges on the market. AGA was told to withdraw the ad on its website for its 'eR7' and criticised for the way it compared its own 12,695 cooker with competitors, such as the 12,200 Everhot 110i, for being selective with the data used to make comparisons. Three separately heated ovens in the AGA are ideal for Mary Berry baking types. (Pictured, the TV baker leaning on one of the heat-storage cookers) The Aga eR7 kept in 'slumber' mode used 0.347 kWh per hour just over 16 of electricity a week. This is when the cooker is hibernating on a basic low setting that required the press of a button to get it back up to full heat. The Everhot 110i, in contrast, used 0.531 kWh per hour so might cost about 25 a week to keep it ticking over. Yet when both cookers were full on, the eR7 hot plate used 0.6 kWh (17p an hour) while the Everhot 110 used 0.22 kWh (6p). If AGA kept the oven and hotplates turned on full blast for seven days it might drain 252kWh of electricity. Using the standard unit rate capped charge by the energy watchdog Ofgem of 28.62p per kWh this adds up to more than 70 a week or 300 a month. This is even more than the total average household energy cost at 168 a month, according to data collector NimbleFins. Even the highest home energy users (top 25 per cent) only burn through an average of about 233 a month. The Everhot cooker (pictured) was found to be more efficient compared to the AGA when both appliances were fully on However, writing as a proud AGA owner myself, I am all too aware of the cache and pitfalls of owning one. It's far from being a cost-saving cooker. You are paying through the nose for a luxury brand, the ultimate kitchen status symbol for country and city folk alike. The days when AGA ovens were powered by wood, coal or oil are long-gone and its entire range is now made up of electric models, with classic three-oven AGAs typically costing from 12,000. Most of the cookers have separately controlled ovens and stoves. My three-oven 'Dual Control' burns 142.8 kWh of electricity a week and is designed to be kept on though the hot plates are operated separately (these use 0.78kWh an hour of electricity with both plates on). Marry Berry published a range of AGA books turning a farm house work horse into a middle-class aspiration Leave the oven on 24 hours a day and we've added more than 40 a week to our total energy bill. Yet the AGA also warms the house by heating the kitchen as a giant radiator plus we manage without central heating if prepared to huddle around it. It may bring us together as a family but this handsome beast offers lousy value for money. That's why for a third of the year the AGA is switched off and our standard 2.5 kWh electric oven is used instead, which only uses up about 70p per hour when on. A spokesman for AGA says: 'The need to reduce consumers' energy costs prompted AGA more than ten years ago to develop new all-electric models that addressed energy issues. Today, for most consumers it makes little sense to have a cooker that is on all the time. With the AGA eR7, for example, each oven and hotplate can be controlled independently, meaning they are on when you need them and off when you don't, for example overnight, when you're out at work or when you're on holiday. Hotplates heat up in eight to ten minutes and ovens in 40 to 60 minutes. This ensures you're never using energy unnecessarily.' COOKING UP A SUNDAY ROAST - TWO HOURS IN THE OVEN Cooker Price Energy Used* Cost AGA eR7 12,695 2.9kWh 82p Everhot 110i 12,200 1.8kWh 52p Hotpoint Class 2 219 1kWh 29p * includes cost of raising temperature before starting to cook The Advertising Standards Authority says: 'The Everhot was more efficient in energy use for the hottest oven function. Because of that, we did not consider that the data demonstrated the AGA eR7 had the lowest running costs of any cast-iron heat-storage range cooker.' My AGA is built like a tank and going nowhere so should last a lifetime and beyond. I use this to help justify the eye-popping weekly 40 bill for keeping it on, as I lean against the 'heather' (posh pink colour) brute with a glass of red wine that has been gently warmed on the side of the stove. Working on a purchase price of 12,000, over 50 years this adds up to just a little more than 200 a year. Gosh. I couldn't even buy a standard cooker for that kind of money. And if I turn it off in the summer a trick that means it will then not cost a bean to run for a large part of the year I convince myself the AGA is worth every penny. Tony Hetherington is Financial Mail on Sunday's ace investigator, fighting readers corners, revealing the truth that lies behind closed doors and winning victories for those who have been left out-of-pocket. Find out how to contact him below. M.F. writes: Have you come across investment firm Tradesafer? They have addresses in Geneva and London, but phone lines seem to go through a call centre. They promise daily high returns, and my account shows a 500 profit, but they have ignored several attempts I made to withdraw the money. Scam: Tradesafer has the cheek to say in its terms and conditions that its dealings with clients are governed by British laws, the same laws Tradesafer is breaking Tony Hetherington replies: T his is a fraud. Its website tradesafer.com claims: 'We provide access to a wide range of financial markets, including stocks, currencies, commodities, and cryptocurrencies.' And it adds: 'Our team of experienced traders and financial experts is always ready to assist you with questions, consultations, and guidance.' Fine words, but they do mean that Tradesafer and its experts must be authorised and approved by the Financial Conduct Authority and they are not. Despite this, Tradesafer has the cheek to say in its terms and conditions that its dealings with clients are governed by British laws, the same laws Tradesafer is breaking. It even claims to be a British company, with a registered office at 25 Walbrook in the City of London. It is not there, of course, and although there are companies with a similar name, there is no Tradesafer Ltd listed at Companies House. It uses another City address too, at 30 St Mary Axe the site of the Gherkin skyscraper but again, there is no sign of it. The confusion deepens when you find that on one page of its website it says it is a Swiss company registered in Geneva, while on another page it displays a bogus British registration number which really belongs to a genuine South London business in the construction industry. None of this is surprising, once you accept that this is a scam run by liars. Tradesafer has page after page of promotional material, terms and condition, and legal information, much of it contradictory. On one page, it offers 'the most up to date market analysis and recommendations'. On another page it does a U-turn, warning that 'the company is not your adviser or confidant'. Then it says it does offer investment recommendations, but it is up to the client to accept them or not. And it disclaims responsibility for the behaviour of its own experts, warning: 'Our market recommendations are based solely on the opinion of our staff', adding Tradesafer itself may disagree with any advice offered, and accepts no responsibility for any losses. You gave me a screenshot of your account, taken from Tradesafer's own site. This shows a profit of 534, a healthy return on your initial toe-in-the-water investment of just 200. But this was just Tradesafer's bait to lure you into making a far bigger deposit. When you tried to make a withdrawal, Tradesafer's Jacob Meyer insisted you would have to make an appointment to discuss this 'with one of our liquidity officers'. What kind of international investment firm would need to negotiate over the withdrawal of a few hundred pounds? Against this background, you might wonder why Tradesafer has not attracted the attention of any watchdogs who might sound the alarm. Well, it has. Tradesafer's name, website address and London office address all appear on a warning issued a month ago by a financial regulator. Unfortunately, it is the Australian financial regulator, which spotted Tradesafer from the other side of the world when it tried to cheat investors Down Under. Our own Financial Conduct Authority, based just five miles from the addresses used by Tradesafer, doesn't seem to have noticed the crooks yet. Balance transfer causes a muddle S.H. writes: In December 2021, I opened a credit account with Sainsbury's Bank, and in January 2022, I asked the bank for a balance transfer of 5,500 to the MBNA credit card company. This was agreed, and over the following 18 months Sainsbury's collected direct debit payments totalling about 1,800. However, Sainsbury's Bank told me recently that the money had not, in fact, reached MBNA. Where has it gone, and why is Sainsbury's still collecting my direct debit payments? Tony Hetherington replies: You had nothing in writing from Sainsbury's, saying it had made the transfer and setting out its interest terms on the 5,500 you borrowed. And you had nothing in writing from MBNA, denying the 5,500 had arrived. Everything was done by telephone, you told me, and you did not notice for 18 months that your repayments seemed to be wrong. You then asked Sainsbury's for a copy of your January 2022 statement, and sure enough it confirmed the transfer of 5,500, on which you had been paying interest of about 80 a month ever since. Sainsbury's staff backed this up, telling me the transfer had been successful. It is unclear why you thought it had failed, unless it was because you noticed both banks were collecting payments from you. The 5,500 did reduce the balance you owed on your MBNA card, but this left you owing the same amount on your Sainsbury's card. I understand both banks have now been in touch. Neither bank is at fault. If you believe you are the victim of financial wrongdoing, write to Tony Hetherington at Financial Mail, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY or email tony.hetherington@mailonsunday.co.uk. Because of the high volume of enquiries, personal replies cannot be given. Please send only copies of original documents, which we regret cannot be returned. Post-Brexit freedoms have allowed Britain to forge closer economic ties with Taiwan and helped to push back against attempts by China to isolate the island. Vincent Chin-Hsiang Yao, Taiwan's new ambassador to the UK, said his country hopes to make Britain its biggest trading partner in Europe. This could give the UK even better access to critical industries such as microchips as Taiwan is one of the world's largest semiconductor producers. Yao's comments follow a victory for Taiwan's pro-sovereignty Democratic Progressive Party in this month's presidential elections, which sparked fury from Beijing. The party promotes a more independent identity for Taiwan - separate from mainland China. Big brother: Taiwan lies just off the coast of China and has strengthened links with the UK In his first interview with a UK newspaper since taking office earlier this month, Yao said Britain's exit from the European Union had provided it with 'more leeway' in foreign and trade policy and this had resulted in 'a lot more attention' being paid towards Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific region. Yao said Taiwan is already a large investor in the UK, with Britain receiving 'nearly a quarter' of its European investment as of the end of 2022, second only to the Netherlands, according to data from its Ministry of Economic Affairs. He added that the UK was the second-biggest European investor in Taiwan, pouring 9.1billion into the country, again second only to the Dutch. Cosying up to China had been a key part of former Prime Minister Lord Cameron's foreign policy strategy. But trade links between London and Taiwan have strengthened in recent years as Britain pivoted away from trying to court Beijing following the pandemic and a brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong in 2019. Yao said: 'The UK Government is sending a lot more staff to Taiwan. Personnel numbers at the British Office in [the capital city] Taipei have increased significantly. 'The ties between our two countries have been expanded.' Brexit has also helped to boost trade links between the UK and Taiwan in critical sectors such as semiconductors, which are used in everything from mobile phones to cars. The industry's dominant player is the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, which has a market cap of 479billion, making it more valuable than Shell, AstraZeneca and HSBC combined. Yao said Taiwan was focused on 'collaborating' with the UK to develop cutting-edge technology, noting that Britain's expertise in designing and researching computer chips was highly prized. 'Britain is very strong in circuit design and Taiwan is very strong in manufacturing,' he said, adding that both sides could work together to 'cultivate more talent' in the industry. The UK's expertise in chip design is exemplified by companies such as Cambridge-based firm Arm, which counts tech giant Apple among its customers. Britain and Taiwan are also working closely on technology relating to artificial intelligence, offshore wind power and batteries for electric vehicles. Yao said: 'There is still room to improve and that is why we are trying to figure out more opportunities for us to work together.' When asked if he would like Britain to become Taiwan's largest investment partner, the ambassador replied: 'Of course. I certainly hope we get more investment to and from the UK.' In November, the UK and Taiwan signed an enhanced trade deal that committed to holding talks on areas such as investment and green energy. It was the first agreement of its kind signed between Taiwan and a European nation. The move prompted a backlash from Beijing, which views Taiwan as a renegade province and has not ruled out the use of force to unite it with the mainland. Due to hostility from Beijing, Taiwan is formally recognised by only a handful of countries. The UK maintains 'unofficial' diplomatic ties. Britain's approach is in contrast to that of the EU, which is arguing over its level of dependence on China. Major players including Germany have deep economic ties with Beijing. Yao added: 'China shouldn't be the reason we stop these business exchanges. There are many, many opportunities for us to work together.' Our nuclear industry is reawakening,' energy secretary Claire Coutinho declared in a Government strategy document published earlier this month. In between invoking Winston Churchill's enthusiasm for nuclear power and its ability to help the UK reach net zero, Coutinho added that setting up new plants would ensure our energy security 'so we're never dependent on the likes of [Vladimir] Putin again'. Fighting talk. But in the space of a fortnight, Coutinho's gung-ho attitude has already been dented as a diplomatic row brews over who should pay for the controversial power stations. French state-owned energy company EDF last week lit the blue touchpaper with the revelation the UK's flagship Hinkley Point C nuclear plant in Somerset would be delayed until 2029 at the earliest. The cost, it added, could spiral to as much as 46billion, from initial estimates of 18billion. Costly: The early stages of construction at Hinkley were undertaken by EDF and the Chinese Few in the industry will have been surprised, particularly as EDF has experienced delays on similar projects in Finland and France. But what was a shock were some incendiary remarks from the French government. The Elysee Palace began pressing the UK to help plug a funding gap at Hinkley and for good measure cast doubt over its commitment to Sizewell C, the next nuclear power station in the pipeline. A French Treasury official suggested the Government was trying to leave EDF in the lurch on Hinkley. The official added that it cannot, at the same time, abandon the French firm to 'figure it out alone' on Hinkley and also expect it to plough money into Sizewell. It is, the official said, 'a Franco- British matter,' and not one for the French to resolve single-handedly. This is a bad moment for two critical new nuclear plants - and our broader energy security - to be dragged into a cross-Channel tussle. The French government, which was previously relaxed about EDF's forays into UK nuclear, now wants its energy company to work on projects back home in France. Well-placed UK sources deny the French claims that EDF has been left to shoulder the financing burden alone at Hinkley, or that it has been jettisoned by the British state. They point to the fact EDF has all along had contractual obligations to shoulder the costs at this stage of the project. The early stages of developing Hinkley were undertaken by EDF along with China General Nuclear. The Chinese firm has fulfilled its part of the bargain, leaving the onus on the French. 'It's all down to the French state,' a senior industry source told The Mail on Sunday. 'It's tough, but they've not managed it at all well.' A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesman said: 'The Government plays no part in the financing or operation of Hinkley Point C. The financing of the project is a matter for EDF and its shareholders.' As well as backing Hinkley, EDF several years ago began serious talks with the Government over Sizewell C in Suffolk. Each could power an estimated 6 million homes for 60 years, meaning the two projects are linchpins for meeting future energy demand. The French group is due to take a 20 per cent stake in Sizewell. The Government has previously indicated it will take 20 per cent. It was hoped the rest would be funded through money from the private sector, such as pension funds and sovereign wealth funds. So far, Britain has put 2.5billion into the project in total and taxpayers are the biggest shareholders. Campaigners who vehemently oppose the project are alarmed by the recent comments from Paris, pointing out that if the French back off from Sizewell, taxpayers could be on the hook for huge extra amounts of cash via their bills. The new type of funding structure for Sizewell C means consumers will already face an added tax to help pay for the plant. Alison Downes of the Stop Sizewell C campaign group said: 'It would be madness to give Sizewell C the final go-ahead while the questions of whether Hinkley C can be finished, and who pays, are not resolved. Sizewell C is bound to take longer and cost more, but this time it would be we consumers who would bear the risk and pay the price through the "nuclear tax" on our energy bills.' And another area of the industry is watching the fracas with mounting frustration. Companies vying to build 'mini' stations known as small modular reactors (SMRs) hope this prompts the Government to commit instead to their projects, which are quicker to build and cheaper. The firms include Rolls-Royce SMR, which has already received significant funding from the Government. New nuclear plants of whatever size will almost certainly be part of the UK's energy mix in the years to come. The sector had already been championed by Boris Johnson before soaring oil and gas prices in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine highlighted Britain's dependence on overseas energy. Any fisticuffs with France over Hinkley and Sizewell would strain the sector and could fatally damage the level of public. Industry figures are urging ministers to resist stumping up cash the French had agreed to pay. One senior source said: 'I hope the Government doesn't lose its nerve, though there's no sign of that at the moment. It would be a terrible precedent.' Take action: Record numbers of bereaved families are paying inheritance tax Record numbers of bereaved families are paying inheritance tax on the estates of their loved ones and the total is expected to continue rising unless people take preventative action. Once, inheritance tax only used to affect the very wealthiest households. But over the years, spiralling house and asset prices mean increasing numbers of middle-class families are being caught in its net. Allowances which enable you to pass on a certain amount of wealth tax-free have also been frozen for years decades in some cases. As a result, as much as 5.2 billion paid in the eight months to last November a 400 million increase in one year alone. However, if you think your estate may attract inheritance tax when you pass away, there are ten tricks you might employ to fortify your family treasure. Although inheritance tax is one of the most hated and feared levies, few end up paying it. Around four per cent of estates attract it the rest are small enough that they can be passed on inheritance tax-free. There have also been rumours that the Government is considering changing the inheritance tax rules as a pre-election giveaway either by increasing the allowances or scrapping it altogether. However, unless changes are made, inheritance tax is likely to continue to trap a growing number of estates especially in areas where house prices have been rising. > Inheritance tax guide: How it is calculated and what families must know Should you spend it... or be happy to pay tax? Before running through the allowances and tricks available to reduce your bill, it's worth mentioning two that sometimes get overlooked. First, you could enjoy your money in your own lifetime. It is easy to become fixated on passing on a legacy to loved ones, but if you are worried about exceeding your allowances which stretch as high as 1 million in some cases you are already well placed to pass on a substantial sum. Spending and enjoying the money that you have earned could improve your own quality of life and reduce the tax bill on whatever is left when you pass away. Second, inheritance tax is often cast as a cruel tax that takes money from deserving loved ones and hands it over to the evil taxman. But money collected through inheritance tax goes towards Government spending, where around two thirds is spent on public services such as the NHS and schools and another quarter goes on social security such as universal credit and the state pension. Paying a portion of your wealth when you are gone to support the society in which you lived can be seen as a valuable legacy and this would only happen once you have happily already handed a substantial sum to loved ones tax free. Everyone has a tax-free allowance of 325,000. That means that if the value of your estate including property, investments and all other assets is under this sum, there will be no inheritance tax to pay. Married couples and those in civil partnerships can combine their allowances to pass on 650,000 jointly tax free. They can also pass wealth between each other tax-free. Everything over these allowances is taxed at a flat 40 per cent. Yet, there are a number of simple and perfectly legal steps you can take during your lifetime to ensure a lower bill when you pass away. While we've given a flavour of what is possible, in many cases you may need expert advice from a solicitor or financial planner and should look into how the rules apply to your own circumstances. Record numbers of bereaved families are paying inheritance tax on the estates of their loved ones and the total is expected to continue rising unless people take preventative action 1. Pass on a family home to avoid a tax bill There is a further generous allowance designed to help people pass on a family home tax-free. This increases your allowance to 500,000 or 1 million for couples if you own a property that you intend to pass on to your direct descendants. To benefit from this so-called residence nil rate band, you must pass on your home to a descendant, such as a child or grandchild. Also beware that once the value of an estate breaches 2 million, this allowance is gradually phased out. Your allowance is cut by 1 for every 2 that your estate is worth above the threshold. Should it be worth 2.3 million or more, this allowance is removed completely. Therefore, it may be appropriate in some cases to gift assets during your lifetime if you wish to reduce your estate to below the 2 million threshold. You may also need to be careful if downsizing. Elsa Littlewood, a tax partner at accountancy firm BDO, says: 'If you downsize, say from a 500,000 property to a 250,000 property (or sell and no longer own a home outright), you may still be able to benefit from the full residence nil rate band entitlement, but only if you meet a number of conditions.' Seek expert advice before going ahead if you think you might be in this position. 2. Make gifts earlier rather than later You can give away as much wealth as you like during your lifetime tax-free so long as you survive for seven years afterwards. However, under this seven-year rule, the closer to seven full years you survive, the less tax will be payable on the gift. So, if you die within three years, inheritance tax is payable at 40 per cent. But if it's between three and four years, the tax is 32 per cent; four and five years it's 24 per cent; five and six it's 16 per cent; and six to seven it's 8 per cent. Therefore, if you know you want certain friends or loved ones to benefit from your wealth, it may be worth considering if you would like to make gifts while you are still around rather than waiting until they inherit them. Keep good records of what you have given and when. 3. Use your gifting allowances You can make gifts of up to 3,000 a year that are immediately exempt from inheritance tax. You can also make unlimited small gifts of 250. Married couples and those in civil partnerships can pass money and assets between each other and do not have to worry at all about inheritance tax. 4. Be generous on special occasions If your son or daughter gets married, you can gift them up to 5,000 free of inheritance tax. You can give a grandchild 2,500 on their wedding, and 1,000 to anyone else. 5. Make regular gifts out of your income You can pass on as much money as you like tax-free as long as it comes from your income rather than existing assets. Gifts made this way are immediately tax-free; are not affected by the seven-year rule; and won't incur a bill. This could include, for example, giving money from your salary, an income from buy-to-let properties or from your investment portfolio. In order to qualify, the gifts must follow a regular pattern and should not affect your everyday standard of living. Such gifts must be made out of surplus funds, which means your beneficiaries may have to show the HMRC your bank statements to prove you did not need to spend that money on anything else. There is no limit to how much you can give in this way. However, it is important that you keep good records, for example of the sums you intend to gift and the frequency. A letter to the beneficiary outlining your plans is a good starting point. 6. Leave money to charity Any gifts left to charity in your will are excluded from your estate for inheritance tax calculations. Not only this, you can also reduce the inheritance tax rate payable on your estate from 40 to 36 per cent by giving to charity. To benefit, you must give at least ten per cent of your net estate the part that attracts inheritance tax to charity in your will. 7. Pass on your pensions If you gift a pension to a loved one, they may be able to inherit it tax-free. There is no tax to pay if the giver dies before the age of 75, and if they are over that age, it is taxed at the receiver's normal income tax rate. These benefits apply to defined contribution pensions in other words pensions that are paid into by an employer and employee and the size of which is determined by the amount of contributions and investment returns. Defined benefit including final salary pensions do not have this advantage. 8. Set up a trust to take more control Trusts allow you to give away money during your lifetime, but to retain some control over it. They can be a good way to pass money to children or grandchildren if you are worried about how they might spend it. Trusts are a legal arrangement where you can hold assets such as cash or investments that are put aside for someone else, such as your children or grandchildren. Assets held in trust are considered as not belonging to you so, if they are set up correctly, they shouldn't count as part of your estate when calculating if any inheritance tax is due. The trust is looked after by trustees, who are legally responsible for managing the assets for the person or people who will ultimately benefit from them. When you set up a trust, you decide the rules. For example, you may decide that beneficiaries can only access the assets once they reach the age of 18 or 25. Trusts vary in complexity, but even the simplest require professional help from a financial planner or lawyer to set up. There are a number of different types of trust and tax rules vary depending on which you choose. 9. Put a life insurance policy into trust Life insurance policies pay out to your loved ones when you die. However, if you set one up correctly in a trust, the policy is not considered part of your estate and thus is paid out straight after your death and without incurring a tax bill. You can appoint one or more beneficiaries who will be paid the full policy sum when you die. Again, you probably need expert advice. Some people choose to set up a life insurance policy to the value that they believe their loved ones will be required to pay out in inheritance tax on their estate. However, premiums can be high and there is complexity involved. 10. Tricks if you have a very large estate The tips above tend to be the simplest and most common ways to reduce tax bills. There are further options, but all will certainly need expert advice and tend to only be useful for those facing especially large bills. For example, if you are a farmer or landowner and wish to pass on the business, you may benefit from special exemptions. However, there are strict rules about what is and isn't covered. There are also protections for trading businesses left to family members. To qualify for business property relief you will need to meet a number of criteria. There are also niche investments in small business ventures, that incentivise people to invest by giving some inheritance tax protection. These investments, known as Seed Enterprise Investment Schemes, allow you to support fledgling UK businesses, but come with considerable risk. They tend to only be considered once the more easily obtained inheritance tax allowances have been used. When it comes to end of life planning, most of us are woefully underprepared. Despite worrying about what will become of us when we are old and frail, most of us haven't left instructions for if we can no longer look after ourselves. Around 3.4 million people over the age of 75 around 59 per cent have yet to arrange a power of attorney (POA) to look after their finances and health arrangements if they can't do it themselves, according to research from investor relations firm Just Group. Stephen Lowe, group communications director at the firm, says: 'None of us like to think about our vulnerabilities or impending mental and physical decline but handling the affairs of a relative without a power of attorney in place can be distressing and costly.' Signing up: Without a power of attorney your family, friends and even your spouse could find they are unable to carry out your wishes Power of attorney is a legal document that names and gives permission to someone you trust known as the attorney to take over your affairs if you are unable to in the future. Your attorney can deal with medical decisions, banking, tax bills and lawyers on your behalf. Without a power of attorney your family, friends and even your spouse could find they are unable to carry out your wishes as institutions won't allow them access to your accounts or to make decisions for you. It can only be registered while you have mental capacity. 'While we can only hope for the best we should prepare for the worst,' says Rachael Griffin, a tax and financial planning expert at wealth manager Quilter. If something happened to you without a POA, your partner or family member would have to apply to the Court of Protection to be appointed as your 'deputy'. This can take anywhere from four to six months and you'll need to pay around 800 plus solicitor's costs which can be around another 1,000. Costs can escalate if the court decides a hearing is needed. There are two types of power of attorney and the most common is a Lasting Power of Attorney known as an Enduring Power of Attorney prior to 2007. This gives your attorney the authority to take over your affairs if you lose mental capacity. The other is an Ordinary Power of Attorney, which gives someone temporary power over your finances, usually if you are admitted for a spell in hospital or moving abroad. A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) can cover two areas of your life. One covers your health and welfare, and another covers your property and finances. To be fully prepared for the future you should have two LPAs covering both areas. Louise Wright, 52, from Herefordshire, sorted out her affairs after being diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer. 'I was most concerned with a health and wellbeing lasting power of attorney. I didn't want my family to be worrying about what the right thing to do for me would be. I wanted my wishes and consent to be clear so that in a critical moment they could confidently make any necessary decisions on my behalf. 'The most difficult part is deciding who you trust to fulfil your wishes and act in your best interests. For me this was my husband Andrew and my eldest child. There is also a section on the form where you can add another 'attorney' in case one of the originals dies. I thought this was useful and named my second eldest child.' 'You absolutely must trust your attorneys implicitly,' says Jade Gani, solicitor and founder of Power of Support an advice website for those acting as attorneys. 'They will have far reaching powers to act and make decisions about your affairs in the same way that you would. You don't have to name your family you can pick anyone you really trust. Also, they don't have to be the same attorneys for both documents. You could have different people acting for your health and welfare than you do for your property and finance.' Also, consider the age of your attorneys. If they are a similar age to you, can you be sure they will still have mental capacity when you need them? You can download the necessary forms from Gov.uk and it will cost 82 for each type you register there is one for health and wellbeing and another form for finance and property. If you earn less than 12,000 before tax you get a 50 per cent discount on the fee. Once completed register them with the Office of the Public Guardian. It typically takes around four months for an application to be registered. Plans: Louise Wright, left, sorted out her affairs after a cancer diagnosis. Right: Amanda Elias set up a POA for her father 'I set up a power of attorney for my father, it was very easy to do and so much cheaper than using a solicitor,' says mother-of-three Amanda Elias, 43, founder of Bravura Cosmeceuticals in Ammanford, South Wales. 'It takes a few months to complete and then when you need to, you can activate it online. 'I have told all of my friends it's something they really need to look into and something I plan on doing myself when my youngest turns 18.' However, many DIY forms are filled in wrongly. Between 2018 and 2023, nearly 130,000 Lasting Power of Attorney applications were rejected by the Office of the Public Guardian, according to Freedom of Information data from Quilter. The most common reason for rejection was that the forms had been signed in the wrong order. Other issues included missing information, not providing full names and incorrect witnesses you can't use anyone related to you or the attorney or where it could be classed as a conflict of interest. When drawing up lasting power of attorney documents whether you do it yourself or use a solicitor make sure you include any important extra details. For example, do you use an investment manager to help with your finances? If you do, it may be worth including in your LPA that you give permission for your attorney to continue to use them. 'The majority of attorneys would not have the experience to invest their loved one's assets without professional advice,' says Rebecca Seeley Harris, solicitor at Re Legal Consulting. The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) used to require 'specific wording in the Lasting Power of Attorney to enable the attorney to delegate investment decisions to an investment manager. This requirement has been removed but 'some financial institutions may still require it'. 'This is not the only instance when the financial institutions have ignored the OPG, they have ignored the new digital service and still require the paper document,' adds Seeley Harris. These problems are why it is often wise to get a solicitor to help you. Instructing a solicitor costs around 500 to 700 per power of attorney form. Although many will offer you a discount if you set up both a health and a financial power of attorney at the same time. You may also get a reduced rate if you combine setting up power of attorney with writing or updating your will. The family of a young father-of-three fatally shot by heavily armed officers are calling for a fresh investigation after they obtained bodycam footage and witness accounts that allegedly contradict the police's version of events. Justin Mason, 29, was shot dead on August 5 during a raid by Queensland Police's Specialist Emergency Response Team on a Burpengary East property in Brisbane's northern outskirts. Police claimed Mr Mason, who had a return-to-jail warrant and 47 pending charges, pulled a firearm and threatened officers who tried a number of 'tactics' to disarm him before they fired multiple shots. However, Mr Mason's brother Josh Mason claimed this was not evident in police bodycam footage, which he has viewed multiple times alongside solicitor Martin Longhurst. Justin Mason, 29, died of two gunshot wounds during raid by Queensland Police's Specialist Emergency Response Team at a Burpengary East property in Moreton Bay An overhead map of what happened at Burpengary East property in the afternoon of August 5 'They shot him point blank with a bean bag round,' Josh said in a text message supplied to Daily Mail Australia. 'The MP5 [submachine gun] didn't need to be fired, he would have been f**ked after the bean bag round. 'They were all shot simultaneously.' The Mason family has made formal complaints to the state Coroner and Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll, along with former Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and state Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath. Mr Longhurst, a former police prosecutor who is representing the Masons pro bono, confirmed to Daily Mail Australia he and Josh had viewed the bodycam footage. 'Every time there is a police shooting causing a death there will be a full coronial investigation,' he said. 'The family have assisted the coronial investigation as much as they can.' Texts from Justin's older brother Josh Mason allege bodycam footage does not back up the police version of the fatal shooting The letter sent on October 9 to Commissioner D'Ath prompted Ethical Standards Branch Detective Inspector Jason Hindmarsh to ring Justin's parents Annette Hicks-Mason and Michael Mason. Annette and Michael told Daily Mail Australia they recalled Detective Inspector Hindmarsh telling them the matter was being investigated and taken seriously. Despite these reassurances, Ms Hicks-Mason said she told Detective Inspector Hindmarsh she still did not trust the process, and maintained the footage her family had reviewed did not show Justin with a gun. Four unmarked police vehicles drive onto the property just moments before the fatal shooting A Specialist Emergency Response Team member with Justin's friend Andrew Baird (seated) on the day of the shooting The first ambulance arrives at the Baird property about 10 minutes after the fatal shooting Justin Mason (pictured left) with older brother Josh (centre) and mother Annette Hicks-Mason Queensland Police told Daily Mail Australia the matter was being investigated by officers from the Ethical Standards Command on behalf of the State Coroner'. In the email sent to Commissioner Carroll, Ms Hicks-Mason and Michael wrote that Justin was 'our world'. 'I honestly don't know if Queensland Police understand the magnitude of what they have done and the way they executed the search warrant,' they said. 'Justin did not make any threats to police, Justin didn't try to escape and at no time, did Justin produce a weapon, because there was no weapon.' In the complaint made to the Coroner, the Masons state 'what the police said happened was very different to what actually happened after viewing the bodycam'. The complaint said bodycam footage shows 'Justin being shot point blank with the beanbag rifle to the head area, within a second he was shot in the head and chest with the automatic rifle'. Justin's parents claim Ethical Standards told them 'beanbag rounds are not lethal'. The white Mercedes where Justin died is visible in this picture of the Moreton Bay property 'That is not so, if fired at point blank range, as they did,' the argued in the complaint. 'Ethical standards then said that Justin was still trying to get away, and that he produced a hand gun from his bumbag.' The Masons say after the shooting, police bodycam showed something on the floor of the car. 'That's what they [police] said was a gun but it wasn't big enough to be a gun,' Michael said. 'Josh reckoned it was about the size of a lighter.' The Mercedes where Justin was fatally shot by police is loaded on a truck to be taken away Ms Hicks-Mason believes the item of the floor was a package of Subutex tablets which offset the effects of opioid withdrawal. 'Justin was trying to put the drug suboxone in his underwear, he was not pulling a gun, he would never do such a thing,' the complaint to the Coroner states. Police showed Josh and Mr Longhurst a separate picture of a weapon they say was found in Justin's car. Mr Longhurst has requested the bodycam footage to magnify the object on the floor and ascertain if it is the same weapon shown in the photo. The complaint to the Coroner also states police confiscated the CCTV equipment from the property, and when Justin's friend Andrew Baird finally got it back all the images had been wiped. Mr Baird, 41, a friend of Justin's whose family owns the property where the shooting occurred, confirmed to Daily Mail Australia the images had been wiped, but said some screengrabs from the motion-activated cameras had been stored in the cloud. Ms Hicks-Mason said police had also promised to return Justin's phone and other possessions, which they have not. The arrest warrant served to Mr Baird did not mention 'return to jail' or any weapons charges. Justin is pictured with his father Michael Mason, who maintains the story his son pulled a gun on police is 'ridiculous' The scene outside the Burpengary East property on the Sunday night after the shooting It stated police were there to take a stolen Mercedes and two sets of keys. Mr Baird believed Justin had purchased the car. 'He only just picked it up but he didn't steal it, he paid for it,' Mr Baird said. 'I am pretty sure he knew it was stolen because it was cheap. I am pretty sure he knew that, but I didn't ask him.' On the day of the shooting, Justin had been helping Mr Baird and his friend Jessie Arkinstall paint her excavator. Although Mr Baird and Ms Arkinstall did not directly see the shooting, they heard it. 'What they said on the news, that's not happened,' Mr Baird said. 'I was only 10 feet away from where they shot Justin. There was no voice come out of any of them. 'He didn't even have time to do anything. There were no words said at all. 'It was like bang, bang, bang, bang. The only thing we heard was the bullets, the guns. 'There was no communication back and forth.' The warrant given to Andrew Baird by a senior police officer after the shooting had occurred Armed special task force officers search the Baird property on the day of the fatal shooting Justin poses happily with his 13-year-old daughter Keerah who lives with one of his ex-partners A plain clothes officer approaches Jessie Arkinstall (left) and Mr Baird on the day of the shooting Ms Arkinstall, 30, also says semi-automatic fire broke out just seconds after police arrived at the property in four unmarked four-wheel drives and rammed the stolen Mercedes that Jason was sitting in. 'I just remember hearing about five shots, one after the other,' she told Daily Mail Australia. READ MORE: The four horror words a mother uttered after her son was shot dead by cops responding to domestic violence call Advertisement 'It was the same gun. I didnt hear a different noise, it was exactly the same. It sounded like a machine gun. It was very fast. 'After the shots were fired, I didnt hear anybody trying to resuscitate or do CPR or anything like that. It just went quiet after a while.' During the shooting Mr Baird's father Grahame was in his caravan where he could see what occurred. Mr Baird said his dad repeatedly shouted at officers: 'You assassinated him.' 'And they said, "No, we don't know anything,"' Mr Baird said. 'Dad kept saying, "He's dead," and the coppers just kept on saying, "You will get all your answers". After the rapid gunfire broke out, Mr Baird and Ms Arkinstall both say it went silent. 'It wasn't like you could hear anyone saying, "Hey, are you alright?" or doing any CPR or anything like that,' Ms Arkinstall said. Andrew Baird said police took the CCTV camera from his property and after several frustrating weeks trying to get it back, it was returned with the image wiped 'There was no ambulance-like sirens. It was kind of like quiet and really confusing'. Mr Baird said he did not previously see a weapon on Justin even when his friend had stripped to his underwear just before the raid as he was putting dirty clothes in the wash. 'If there was one [a gun] in the car he probably would have shown me because I used to go shooting a fair bit,' Mr Baird said. Jessie Arkinstall is furious at Queensland police, whom she accuses of endangering her baby A beanbag bullet along with the pellets it contained and shattered glass were taken from the Mercedes after the shooting Justin leaves behind devastated partner Tarlia Bone and three children. His two eldest children, 13-year-old Keerah and Max, nine, live with an ex-partner. His other daughter Billi, aged two, lives with another ex. 'Ikea-style' pop-up homes and a ginormous 600-pod tent are among the latest ingenious solutions starting to make a dent in America's surging homelessness crisis. The number of people sleeping in shelters and the streets rocketed to a new record in 2023, spurred by a 'sharp increase' in citizens experiencing homelessness for the first time, federal officials said this month. A whopping 28 percent of the nation's homeless population line the sidewalks and shelters of California, where 181,399 people don't have a permanent roof over their head. More than 123,000 of this number are sleeping on the streets. The crisis goes hand-in-hand with increasing drug use and rampant crime - and some officials, like Sacramento's District Attorney Thien Ho, have gone as far as suing the city over a failure to clean up encampments. What Ho blasted as an ongoing 'collapse into chaos' is partly a reflection of the political pressure between those in charge of cities like Sacramento, the courts, and the national government warring over how to handle the costly crisis. But innovative charities are starting to soothe tensions in cities like California's San Jose and Nevada's Reno, by thinking big and small - from the construction of a ginormous 15-acre tent, to miniscule 400-square-foot homes. Tiny modular homes constructed by charities like DignityMoves are helping to make a dent in California's sprawling 181,399-strong homeless population In Reno, the $17 million Nevada Cares Campus, a ginormous horseshoe-shaped fabric structure, is housing 600 people who would otherwise be on the streets Complete with support services and access to computers, the communities of private cabins are utopias compared with the crime-riddled encampments many of the residents previously called home Pop-up 'Ikea-style' units are being toted as a temporary solution to the homeless crisis Elizabeth Funk is one of the masterminds behind the micro-homes solution. Her charity, DignityMoves, in the process of building thousands of 85-square-foot units which she describes as an Ikea flat-pack version of a house. Designed to last 20 years and coming at a cost of $50,000 per unit, the steel-paneled modules are toted as a temporary solution to the urgent need for shelter in California. DignityMoves uses land borrowed from local councils and wealthy Silicon Valley philanthropists, and they only take people sleeping in the immediate area in order to combat neighbor resistance. Funk said the charity piloted its first tiny homes village in San Francisco in 2021, where they continue to house 95 people, eight dogs and three cats in 70 pop-up modules. The wait for permanent housing in the city is a 'staggering' 16 years. 'The ones that we use in San Francisco are a panel-based system so they come flat-packed kind of like IKEA. They're cabins that you can push a button and it unfolds,' Funk told DailyMail.com. DignityMoves also has modular villages in Santa Barbara, Sonoma and Alameda, and it's currently expanding into several more cities including San Jose, which was an early adopter of the tiny homes solution and has seen marked success so far. Funk said homelessness rose by 10 percent in California over the past year - but it decreased by the same percentage in San Jose thanks to tiny homes initiatives run primarily by LifeMoves and HomeFirst, which are similar to DignityMoves. DignityMoves CEO Elizabeth Funk said budding solutions are starting to allay the crisis - and she's 'highly confident' they can even 'put an end to unsheltered homelessness' over time Designed to last 20 years and coming at a cost of $50,000 per unit, the steel-paneled modules are toted as a temporary solution to the urgent need for shelter in California DignityMoves also has modular villages in Santa Barbara, Sonoma and Alameda, and it's currently expanding into several more cities including San Jose, which was an early adopter of the tiny homes solution and has seen marked success so far Fully assembled Modpods, which are also being used at the Nevada Cares Campus in Reno San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan (pictured) has said modular homes are helping get people off the streets - and only 1,200 more units are needed to resolve the issue in the California city according to DignityMoves The city's mayor Matt Mahan credited the units with helping get 1,500 people off the streets - and he said it's working as a long-term solution to get people into permanent housing too. Some 48 percent of the modular residents have been moved to permanent housing so far - compared with an average rate of 34 percent from hotel and other lodgings over the past three years. Spurred on by the early success, in June San Jose officials diverted $8 million of the citys $137 million in homelessness and housing funding from developing affordable housing to running and building more tiny homes. Funk said the city is 'close to having as many as they need' to end chronic homelessness, and she believes the modules can eventually 'put an end to unsheltered homelessness' nationwide. 'I'm highly confident they can put an end to unsheltered homelessness - with a very clear caveat that that does not solve homelessness, it just gets people indoors,' she told DailyMail.com. 'We will always have people falling into homelessness. There's always going to be domestic violence and somebody has to escape or somebody loses their job. 'What we're hoping we can do is end chronic homelessness, which is a condition that sets in once you've been on the streets for so long that you have developed a mental and behavioral health problem that's going to be debilitating for the rest of your life. 'And I think of that really just like cancer. It is a disease. It is a condition and it is an absolutely preventable one.' An aerial view of part of a homeless encampment in San Francisco, California Tents lining the street in West Oakland, California, earlier this year Sights like this, a homeless person's belongings scattered on the street next to a bank in Los Angeles, California, have become a common sight at ATMs across the country Complete with support services and access to computers, the communities of private cabins are utopias compared with the crime-riddled encampments many of the residents previously called home. Funk said its this sense of community, privacy and safety which is helping people to turn their lives around and get off the streets for good. 'When I was walking around the project the other day, a resident came up to me and he started sobbing and he threw his arms around me and he said, you saved my life,' she said. Funk added that another resident told her she'd been kicked out of every shelter in her area until she moved in to one of the cabins. American real estate developer John Sobrato, 84, offered the San Jose City Council the opportunity to construct a 150-bed solar-powered temporary housing complex on Via Del Oro in the south of the metropolis 'I asked her what had changed,' Funk recalled. 'She said: "Are you kidding, I'm not going to misbehave here - I've got something to lose".' Funk said projects like DignityMoves are reliant on cooperation with local officials to secure the land, and wealthy philanthropists like Silicon Valley billionaire John Sobrato, who leased a two-acre plot to San Jose for just $1 a year to support one 150-bed complex. The cabins come with an average $50,000 price-tag - but Funk said this one-time cost pales in comparison with the annual expense of uncontrolled homelessness. 'The cost of leaving somebody on the streets is much higher than people realize,' she said. 'It's something like $60,000 a year per person. 'But it's shared by emergency rooms and probation and the street cleaning department - so the cost-benefit is not directly calculated in one department, but it's very real.' She said city leaders are becoming increasingly aware of this - and the modular housing concept is taking hold thanks to this and the Supreme Court's 2018 Martin vs Boise ruling. SCOTUS held that cities cannot enforce anti-camping ordinance if they don't have enough homeless shelter beds available for their rough sleeping population, leading to an explosion in so-called 'tent cities'. 'It's the threat of a lawsuit' which has prompted councils to take action, according to Funk. 'When somebody is, you know, sleeping on the steps of Nordstroms, if they're going to relocate them, they're liable to be sued,' she said. Crews begin the process of mandatory removal of "The Zone," a homeless camp in Phoenix, on May 10, 2023 William Honecker washes his dishes using bottled water as his dog Fred watches him. Honecker lives in the camp with his dog Fred. He once owned a home in Leonardo section of Middletown, but through a series of problems has had to take refuge in the Toms River camp A growing homeless camp in Portland, Oregon, one of the states with the highest rough sleeping toll in the country this year Just across California's eastern border in Nevada, another ingenious solution is making a dent in spiraling homeless statistics. Reno - the state's biggest city outside the Las Vegas Valley - began using tiny modules in 2020 after the number of rough sleepers in the city tripled during the pandemic, thanks to widespread unemployment and rocketing housing prices. A year later, in early 2021, it also began offering another innovative housing solution - hundreds of sleeping pods in a giant tent called the Nevada Cares Campus. Based on a 15-acre plot a mile east of downtown Reno, the $17 million complex is a ginormous horseshoe-shaped fabric structure with capacity for more than 600 people. The project also provides support services including help finding permanent housing. Co-ordinators are planning to construct more facilities including a healthcare clinic using $80 million in federal funds. Since 2021, the number of unhoused people living on the street in the city has tumbled by 58 percent, from 780 to 329, according to the Wall Street Journal. Ex-convict Jorge Ramirez-More, 62, turned his life around at the Reno tent complex after being homeless for more than a year. Ramirez-More lived in the tent for 15 months while building enough income to start renting an eight-by-eight foot room inside one of the modular buildings in a low-income housing complex nearby. Dave Bronson, the mayor of Anchorage, Alaska, praised the giant tent solution, and said he wanted 'a building that can be stood up as cheap as possible' in his own town - where rough sleepers also have to contend with sub-zero temperatures. 'The Reno model is a good model,' the Republican mayor told the Wall Street Journal. Homeless people in Reno, Nevada, gather their belongings minutes to the camp clearing as the city moved them into new temporary housing In Reno, the number of rough sleepers tripled during the pandemic, thanks to widespread unemployment and rocketing housing prices But not everyone agrees - with critics saying the solutions are too 'prison-like'. Bronson said he tried to get a tent complex approved for his city in 2021, but the Democratic assembly voted it down. Mike Clark, the commissioner of Washoe County which surrounds Reno, blasted the giant tent solution as a waste of money which only gets people off the street temporarily. 'I think they are just warehousing people,' he told the Wall Street Journal. The campus didn't come without problems in the early days, with the flimsy floors meaning restrooms couldn't be engineered inside, and a lack of staffing leading to crime running rampant. But staffing levels have risen, and restrooms have been re-engineered outside the complex. Tracy Whitmire, 45, a domestic abuse victim who moved into the campus in February, said it 'feels like a prison sometimes' thanks to the metal detectors residents must pass through and the restrictions on drugs, alcohol and visitors. 'But were safe and no one can harm me,' she added. On a single night in 2023, an average 653,100 natives had no place to stay - or two in every 1,000 Americans - marking an increase of 12 percent from 2022, according to the US Department of Housing. California is followed by Oregon, Hawaii, Arizona and Nevada as bearing the highest proportional brunt of unsheltered people in America - at 20,142, 6,223, 14,237 and 8,666 people respectively. They are all Democrat-led states, with the exception of Arizona. Nearly two years into the gruelling war in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin is banking on the collapse of Western support to decisively turn the tide and announce a decisive victory by 2027, experts warn. After months held to relative stalemate in Europe, the Russian President will now turn to exploit global instability in the Middle East and South America in a bid to distract Kyiv's allies and sponsors around the world, derailing the West's staunch backing of Ukraine and its fierce resistance. Vlad Sutea, founder and lead analyst at early warning and threatcasting group T-Intelligence, told MailOnline Russia will ramp up efforts to 'rally support in the "Global South"' this year, fomenting 'anti-Western sentiment' and even 'encouraging regional conflicts elsewhere' as the world hangs in the balance of a few key elections. And if Putin is able to alienate Ukraine from its friends this year, unrest will pave the way to 'complete victory in the latter half of this decade', with dates pencilled in as early as 2025, he says. Ukrainian soldiers sit on a T-64 tank during combat duty in the Bakhmut direction on December 27, 2023 in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine A Ukrainian soldier sits inside a T-64 tank during combat duty in the Bakhmut direction on December 27, 2023 in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine Ukrainian soldiers fire with the Archer Artillery System on Russian position on January 3, 2024 in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine The state of war in January as Ukraine looks to steadily retake land in the south and east 'Global geopolitical and war risks are at their highest in recent years, with tensions escalating on every continent,' explains Mr Sutea. 'The current state of play appears remarkably advantageous for Russia, diverting attention and resources away from its ongoing war on Ukraine as we already see with Israel. 'But the optimal scenario for Putin involves coordinated moves by his allies towards their respective objectives: China's aggression against Taiwan, Iran fully unleashing its proxies in the Middle East, a resumption of the Korean War, and a Venezuelan invasion of Guyana.' Russia has chosen its friends carefully, building strategic relationships with nations that do not always seem clearly aligned on politics or ambitions. China sought to go its own way after the Chinese Communist Party came to power in 1949 - but finds common ground with Russia today in looking to undermine American hegemony. Iran's relationship with Russia has been rocky but held together by shared interests in the Middle East. Were Iran to support Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen against Israel, Kyiv fears its allies would be forced to divert resources away from Ukraine. Venezuela agreed to move troops away from the Guyana border in December but tensions persist over access to the oil-rich Esequibo region. Philip Ingram MBE, retired British Army colonel and military intelligence specialist, told MailOnline if the conflict does boil over it would 'almost certainly result in U.S. boots on the ground and possible UK involvement', playing into Putin's hands. 'Such a coordinated series of events would not only present numerous dilemmas for the West, particularly the U.S., but also align with Putin's and Xi's shared vision of establishing a so-called 'multipolar world' order,' says Mr Sutea. 'In order words, a return to the imperial-style "spheres of influence", where democracies wane and autocracies redraw maps to their liking. Russia eyes to "reclaim"... Central and Eastern Europe, China wants to dominate East Asia and contest the U.S. internationally, and Iran wants the Middle East for itself and its allies, and so forth. 'Our procrastinated, insufficient, and often fearful response to the situation in Ukraine has already provided other revisionist autocracies a concept validation that relentless aggression does pay off, with some patience, even if it doesn't work out from the start.' Already, Microsoft has revealed that since July 2023, pro-Russian social media channels have published videos deceptively edited to push anti-Ukraine propaganda - apparently indicative of a global push to undermine popular support for Ukraine. 'Kremlin officials and Russian state-sponsored propaganda have long promoted the false claim that President Zelensky struggles with substance abuse; however, this campaign marks a novel approach by pro-Russia actors seeking to further the narrative in the online information space,' a Security Insider memo concluded. Elsewhere, Putin was quick to align with Hamas - a decision shocking onlookers, given Russia's pragmatic relationship with Israel - and pinning the war on 'the failure of US policy in the Middle East' - a soundbite likely to go down well in the Global South, experts say. In Gaza, Putin may have exploited attention being drawn away from Ukraine. In South America, Russia has more directly influenced instability. Venezuela is able to back up repeated threats to annex the oil-rich Guyanese region of Esequibo with Russian-supplied tanks and infantry fighting vehicles, and helped by investment from Russian companies. In December, Putin and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro shared their desire for the ushering in of a new 'multipolar world' as Maduro pledged to visit Russia this year. A Ukrainian soldier of the 41st brigade walks in a trench near the frontline, outside Kupiansk, Kharkiv region, on January 23, 2024 Ukrainian soldiers of the 41st brigade stand in a trench outside Kupiansk on January 23, 2024 Empty graves after the exhumation of bodies in the mass grave dug during Russia's occupation, near the town of Izyum, Kharkiv region, January 23, 2024 A destroyed armoured military vehicle in a field in Kharkiv region of Ukraine, January 23, 2024 The sense that all is still to play for means diplomatic prospects are still very much a Western discussion not being entertained in Russia, says Marie Dumoulin, former French diplomat and director of the Wider Europe Programme at the European Council of Foreign Relations (ECFR). 'Every time the Russians have been saying we're open to talk, they've added "provided Ukraine recognises the new territorial realities", which means surrendering and giving up its territorial integrity.' As late as December 2023, Putin indicated he had no intention to end the war until Russia achieved the 'demilitarisation' and 'denazification' of Ukraine. On the other side, Ukraine will bitterly hold on to sovereignty having only secured its independence in 1991 with the fall of the USSR. For much of the 20th century, Ukrainian identity was suppressed by Soviet schools and the emigration of Russian nationals to - now contested - parts of southern and eastern Ukraine. After three decades of protests and hard-won reforms to unpick corruption and align Ukraine more closely with the West, popular support for continuing the war and defeating Russia remains high. 'We see in Ukraine people getting exhausted by the war' says Ms Dumoulin. 'But that doesn't mean that they are ready to compromise on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of their country. 'There is this feeling that there have been so many sacrifices, that you just can't step back without having lost everything.' But Ukraine's ability to keep up momentum will depend on its ability to replenish spent resources with support from abroad. 'Now, Putin's calculus is that ultimately, time plays for Russia, because he assumes that the West will not be willing to support Ukraine long enough for Ukraine to prevail. 'And in addition to that, in terms of resources, his calculus is that ultimately Russia has more resources to put into this war than Ukraine.' Ms Dumoulin agrees that foreign conflicts could soak up attention from the war Ukraine, undermining Kyiv's efforts to find reliable backers in the West. 'The media attention has clearly shifted from the war in Ukraine. And the war in Gaza has implications in terms of domestic politics for a wide number of countries, including France, for example.' Putin assumes that the West will not be willing to support Ukraine long enough for Ukraine to prevail. Still, she says, governments in the West - and especially in Europe - are unlikely to divert their attention from the Steppe 'because of the vital nature of the conflict for new countries [in the EU]'. She adds that the relationship between Israel and Russia has been 'clearly affected' by the conflict in Gaza, but said that signals were 'ambiguous' at this stage. 'The history of the Russia-Israel relationship is, is more about very flexible arrangements, depending on the topics. And I would assume that they will try to continue to find that kind of flexible arrangements. But then I didn't expect Russia to try to clearly side with Hamas.' A law enforcement officer inspects the site of Russian missile debris in Vyshneve, Kyiv region, on January 23, 2024 Kyiv, the capital, has been hit with missiles since the war began in February 2022 (Jan 23 pic) An injured man receives first aid after the Russian missile attack on Kharkiv, January 23, 2024 Rescuers search for people under the rubble at a residential building damaged in the Russian missile attack on Kharkiv Dr Tobias Borck, researcher at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) in London, told MailOnline the conflict in Gaza is 'convenient' for Russia in distracting the West and influencing narrative. 'For Russia, what is going on in the Middle East is quite convenient because it does draw attention away from Ukraine. It does create a second big thing to worry about for the West and that is a good thing for Russia. 'Yes, Russia has come out positioning itself more favourably to the Palestinians but I think that is primarily narrative; Russia has a pretty good relationship with Israel... but what Putin can do is make this big argument that the West with its double standards is giving Israel a free hand in the killing of civilians and so on. 'It's an argument that goes down quite well in the Global South. And I think Russia will continue to exploit that however inconsistent with the facts it might be. 'Russia has never been in the business of facts so it is just exploiting that. Ultimately, when we think about Russian strategy in the Middle East there's one thing I always come back to, that Russia does not actively want instability in the Middle East; it's not actively creating instability in the Middle East necessarily. 'However, it concludes that instability in the Middle East is worse for the West than it is for Russia. 'So it is most certainly not going to help create stability. It might occasionally exploit instability. I think that's what we are seeing with Wagner Group now in Libya and Sudan and elsewhere. 'But I don't think we understand the problem correctly when we are looking for a grand scheme in Washington and in Moscow.' Despite Russia's exploitation of foreign conflicts, there is hope for Ukraine. Last year, the country lost 0.05 per cent of its land - compared to 17 per cent in 2022. Ukraine also has 40 to 50 per cent fewer casualties, estimates T-Intelligence. Russia concludes that instability in the Middle East is worse for the West than it is for Russia. In a new report looking ahead at trends for 2024, the organisation notes Ukraine's determination to resist 'remains unwavering' and its military capabilities have 'significantly and irreversibly strengthened' thanks, in part, to the commitments of Western backers. 'Putin's theory of victory hinges on outlasting both Western support for Ukraine and Ukraine's capacity to sustain the war in terms of manpower, capabilities, industry, and economy,' explains Mr Sutea. 'He is banking on a prolonged conflict with military attrition and international fatigue to secure a win. To counter this, Western and international support for Ukraine needs an unprecedented surgeincreasing military material assistance, removing political restrictions on weaponry, accelerating defense-industrial output, and shaping political goals to put Ukrainian victory and Russian defeat as the chief aims.' Ukrainian border guards patrol the Ukrainian-Belarusian border in Chernigiv region on January 23, 2024 The harsh winter is likely to slow armour and put extra pressure for troops on both sides The border with Russian ally Belarus (pictured) remains dangerous. Last August, Poland began a series of military drills on its border with Belarus in a display of strength and deterrent Ukrainian soldiers remove a camouflage net from crates of ammunition before going to the frontline in the direction of Bakhmut, January 23, 2024 Russia will not achieve its aims in 2024, T-Intelligence estimates, and will be looking to drag out the war until at least 2025, dependent on how long backers maintain their pledges to Ukraine. For now, the focus will likely be on the complete conquest of the Donbas and Oskil River Valley in Kharkiv Oblast - although these too are 'unlikely to be met'. Both sides will focus on investment into - they hope - game-changing technologies this year, with Ukraine finding success in drones and Russia boosting spending to $140bn (up 30 per cent) to improve its missiles and vehicles. Ukraine's spending, meanwhile, will drop slightly from 2022 - to $44bn. T-Intelligence warns that the outcome of key elections could spell 'uncertainty' and risk 'future curtailment' of essential aid to Ukraine. According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, an independent non-profit research organisation based in Germany, newly committed aid from governments reached a new low between August and October 2023, a 90 per cent drop year on year. New packages were valued at just EUR 2.11 billion (1.84bn), the lowest since January 2022 - before the invasion. Charities urge that aid is as vital now as ever. Yaroslava Gres, Coordinator of Ukraine's official fundraiser, UNITED24, told MailOnline: 'Aid and support from the West have been crucial in sustaining Ukraine through this challenging period. 'It's not just about the tangible help; there's also a moral and psychological boost that comes from knowing there are countries and people out there who stand with Ukraine during this war.' 'At the same time, every day, Ukrainians are on the frontlines, not just defending our homeland but also upholding values and principles that resonate with the West. The war in Ukraine is a war in general for values: life, democracy, and freedom. We are defending our basic human rights, which are understood by everyone in the world.' She told MailOnline that Ukraine is especially in need of medical equipment and intensive care incubators for the growing number of prematurely born babies in the country, expected to have increased 'by at least 15 per cent due to the war'. 'Behind this figure, there are thousands of vulnerable newborns fighting for survival, dependent on specialised intensive care incubators.' On top of this, Ukraine has the challenge of rebuilding hospitals and healthcare facilities in wartime to manage the humanitarian crisis and aid the country's recovery. Then there are schools and bomb shelters desperately needed to protect Ukraine from the intense bombardment of Russian missiles - mitigated in part by critical air defense, dependent largely on foreign donations. And as the war evolves, Ukraine will look to implement its learnings with a new fleet of naval drones, guarding Ukrainian waters and shielding cities from missiles launched by Russian ships - of unmeasurable value to the lives saved, but costing Ukraine $250,000 per drone. 'Ongoing assistance from Western nations and individuals is more critical than ever. This support is not just about meeting immediate needs; it's about standing together in a fight for values that unite us.' A resident looks at the of an industrial building surrounded by apartment houses after a night Russian rocket attack in Sloviansk, Ukraine, Saturday, January 27, 2024 Local residents use plywood to replace windows in their homes shattered during a night Russian rocket attack in Sloviansk, Ukraine, Saturday, January 27, 2024. A soldier prepares a mortar shell shooting a target in the direction of Bakhmut, where clashes between Russia and Ukraine continue to take place, in Donetsk Oblast, January 26 A Ukrainian soldier prepares a mortar before shooting a target in the direction of Bakhmut, in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on January 26, 2024 Natalia Tronenko, co-founder of British-Ukrainian Aid, spoke to MailOnline about how support has changed over the last two years: 'We receive fewer donations [than at the beginning of the war] and there are fewer fundraising events organised in support of Ukraine. 'Now the tendency is to narrow down the list of specific items to be procured and delivered; donations are often ring-fenced. There were more hospitals donating their supplies to Ukraine than there are now. 'More charitable trusts, businesses and companies used to contact us, and although often generous, they were mostly one-off donations. However, in the past two years, we've built a database of supporters who donate to us on a regular basis via our website, PayPal, JustGiving and other fundraising platforms. 'We started receiving vehicles as donations, and a number of people included our charity as a beneficiary in their wills.' Ms Tronenko said the most urgently-needed aid still includes tourniquets, first aid kits, evacuation vehicles and rucksacks for medical equipment. More recent was demand for evacuation drones. Another vicious dimension of Putin's war is the weaponisation of these bare essentials needed so desperately by Ukraine's beleaguered civilian population. Catriona Murdoch, Partner at Global Rights Compliance and Starvation Mobile Justice Team Lead, spoke to MailOnline about their research. 'We are seeing a clear attempt to undermine Ukrainian morale through the systematic destruction of the Ukrainian way of life. The weaponisation of food, water, energy, and other critical infrastructure is just one way in which this is being done.' The encirclement of towns and cities cuts the population off from essentials, she says, before strikes decimate infrastructure critical to supporting live, forcing large populations to migrate away. Agricultural infrastructure is then targeted to cut deep into Ukraine's ability to feed itself and export grain to 'food insecure countries' - breeding further unrest. 'These starvation tactics are not new but are seen time and again across current and recent conflicts,' explains Ms Murdoch. 'Yet the Ukrainian spirit is not something that can be destroyed by missiles. Something so calculated to ruin and divide, has in fact united Ukrainians, and given them the strength to continue their brave resistance.' A Ukrainian infantryman keeps the watch in the trenches on the front line, in the direction of Bakhmut on January 19, 2024 Trenches bogged down in mud and water continue to be staffed by a fierce resistance in Ukraine As temperatures drop the Ukrainian soldiers keep their positions under the harsh winter conditions Ukrainian servicemen of the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade fire a M109A5 Paladin self-propelled howitzer towards Russian troops near Bakhmut on January 16, 2024 Ukraine will focus on minimising territorial losses in 2024, the experts warn, as it prepares for a year of declining military and humanitarian aid. While this may spell fewer major counteroffensives, analysts says a lack of clear progress should indicate Ukraine is giving up the fight. Much will hinge on how well Ukraine can address recruitment and leadership challenges within its own military, and the extent to which Russia is able to mobilise troops and fuel its war machine. But the direction of the war will also depend on the flow of aid to Ukraine - and Russia's attempts to manipulate it. The commitments of international allies have gone a long way to ensuring Putin's army is not able to continue its march west. But the experts, and those most affected, say it will take real persistence to stop Russia from wearing down the enemy with distractions in other countries. 'Peace does not come when the attacked country lays down its arms. Then it is not peace, but occupation,' concludes Oleksandra Matviichuk, Ukrainian human rights lawyer and co-recipient of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize. 'To achieve peace in Ukraine, we need to stop Russia. Putin will be stopped only when someone stops him. Like any dictator, he preys on weakness and fears strength. 'Therefore, we need the support of the international community to stop him in Ukraine and going further.' A ring was the source of some considerable difficulty at Queen Victoria's Coronation, and not a little pain. Inadvertently made too small, the Coronation ring was famously jammed on the young queen's ring finger so tightly it could not be removed without the help of iced water. The notorious episode did not, however, diminish Victoria's love of rings - or of showing them off, to the irritation of her advisers. Queen Victoria loved wearing jewellery of all sorts, but rings in particular An 1872 portrait of Victoria shows her in the clothes she wore for the thanksgiving service following the recovery of her son, Edward, Prince of Wales from typhoid fever. Her rings are on prominent view The Archbishop of Canterbury places the crown on Victoria's head on 28 June, 1838. In the course of what was acknowledged to have been a chaotic ceremony, he felt obliged to force Coronation ring - designed for Victoria's little finger - on to her ring finger A print showing Victoria's mentor and first Prime Minister instructing the young queen A portrait marking Victoria's Golden Jubilee as queen. Rings feature on both hands Judy Dench plays a richly jewelled Victoria in the 2017 film Victoria & Abdul (based on the story of Abdul Karim, the Munshi) Photographs generally show her wearing one or more rings on both middle and ring fingers and on both hands. To Victoria and her husband, Prince Albert, rings were a notably sentimental genre and Victoria was a very sentimental woman - who loved jewellery. Their engagement ring made the point. Although she, being the monarch, had proposed to Prince Albert, it was he who designed the ring itself and included touching symbolism. The whole thing as designed as a serpent with its own tail in his mouth, signifying everlasting love. It was set with a pear-shaped emerald, the Queen's birthstone, on his head; there was a smaller pear-shaped diamond on its neck, ruby eyes and more diamonds on its face. Victoria rarely took it off. When she was buried on January 22nd 1901, it was, as she had requested, with a great deal of jewellery. Her neck was festooned, her wrists had bangles and bracelets almost up to the elbows, and she had rings on each finger, including thumbs. READ MORE: EVEN KIM KARDASHIAN LIKES ROYAL JEWELS An amethyst and diamond cross pendant that belonged to Princess Beatrice, Queen Victoria's youngest daughter has just sold at Sotheby's for 16,520 - more than 11 times its estimate. The pendant has similarities to the amethyst-set Attalah cross, borrowed from Asprey & Garrard by Princess Diana during her lifetime and bought last year, also at Sotheby's, by Kim Kardashian. Advertisement It has been suggested that she wore so many rings to disguise her fingers, which were small and became red and swollen during the winter. As a consequence, she was unable to pull her gloves over them. In her 1985 book The Royal Jewels, Suzy Menkes writes how the queen made a 'perpetual parade of rings' on an 1855 state visit to Paris as guest of the Imperial Monarch Napoleon III and his Empress, Eugenie. It was also noted that during the same trip, she wore a large blood red ruby ring at a State Dinner. Menkes says the profusion of rings had 'exasperated' Victoria's friend, mentor and first Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne a powerful influence in the earlier years of her reign. On her death in 1901, Victoria left 21 personal rings to the Crown among many other jewels including a couple set with hair which, while we have no records, is likely to have belonged to her children. The 1838 Coronation mishap had been the fault of the then Crown Jewellers, Rundell Bridge & Rundell. When taking the measurements for her Coronation Ring (up until the 20th century each sovereign had a new ring made), Rundells thought that it would be placed on her little finger. They were wrong. The gold ring itself was magnificent, set with an octagonal step-cut sapphire overlaid with rubies, four oblong and one square-cut - to create a cross, and surrounded with brilliant-cut diamonds. But it was considerably too small. The Archbishop felt obliged to force it on the larger ring finger and, after the ceremony, the Queen had to soak her hand in iced water to remove it. A Coronation portrait of a young Queen Victoria. She became queen in 1837 upon the death of William IV and was crowned the following year Whig politician, Home Secretary and Prime Minister Lord Melbourne, who is said to have been exasperated by Queen Victoria's love of rings A colourised photograph of Victoria from around 1890, towards the close of her reign In her daily journal, she wrote: 'had the greatest difficulty to take it off [...] - which I did at last with great pain'. This ring she left to the Crown along with the personal pieces. The mishap might explain why Victoria changed Crown Jeweller five years later, replacing Rundell, Bridge & Rundell with Garrard & Co. Today, the Crown Jeweller is Mark Appleby from Mappin & Webb. A Scottish travel influencer has given his verdict on McDonald's in Thailand - and he was not impressed. Posting to TikTok under his handle @hughabroad, the vlogger reviewed items he said were unable to be found in European or American branches. Introducing the review, he said: 'I'm currently outside McDonald's in Thailand and I'm trying some items on the menu that you can't get in Europe or the US'. He then proceeded to order a corn pie and a Samurai burger, which is made using pork meat instead of beef. A Scottish travel vlogger has given his verdict on McDonald's menu items in Thailand , after sampling some of the offerings from the chain while in south-east Asia Unwrapping the burger before tucking into it, Hugh seemed slightly underwhelmed by the contents, which he described as 'a bit of salad, a bit of mayonnaise and a very thin patty' and 'some sort of barbecue sauce'. Tasting the Samurai burger appeared to do little in the way of changing Hugh's mind, as labelled it 'extremely average'. He said the patty was 'unbelievably thin', adding that the burger 'didn't really taste of anything', rating the item five out of ten. Moving on to the corn pie, the travel vlogger noted its similarity to the British apple pie, saying that it was 'very small but roasting hot and crispy on the outside'. Hugh was equally unimpressed by his choice of dessert, despite saying the outside was 'very good' thanks it being well-cooked with a crispy texture. He was, however, less complementary of the pie's filling, branding the sweetcorn flavour as 'horrible', which saw put the dessert back in its packaging after just two bites. Giving a verdict, he said: 'I'm rating that one a very generous two out of ten'. Summarising his experience, Hugh said: 'All in all that was an extremely average meal that cost me 120 Thai Baht (2.65).' Posting to TikTok under his handle @hughabroad, the vlogger reviewed items that he said were unable to be found in European or American branches 'Although it's cheaper than ordering McDonald's in the West, there is no debate when comparing the quality to that of Thai street food, which is available for a similar price and you're much better off spending your money with local vendors'. Other users disagreed with Hugh's take on the corn pie, as they leapt to its defence in reply. One user posted: 'The corn pie is the best thing on the menu in Thai McDonald's'. A second wrote: 'Omg you gave 2/10 to the corn pie? It's my favourite!' A third commented: 'I love corn pie'. A travel expert has revealed her top tips for navigating one of Britain's busiest airports - and possibly saving 20 in the process. Taking to TikTok in a video posted on her channel, vollger @emsbudgettravel revealed her top tips and tricks for going through London Stansted Airport. Revealing her first tip of the video, Em said: 'When you go through security, turn left instead of right as Stansted is currently running a trial where there are no liquid restrictions, which means you can leave everything in your bag'. Her next tip concerned the offering of many retailers that is favoured by Brits on the go: the meal deal. Em advised shoppers not to waste the drink option of the deal on a bottle of water, suggesting they bring a reusable water bottle and fill it from a water fountain - which can be found behind the airport's Pret A Manger branch - instead. Revealing her first tip of the video, Em said: 'When you go through security, turn left instead of right as Stansted is currently running a trial where there are no liquid restrictions, which means you can leave everything in your bag' She followed this up with a money-saving tip for anyone who has 'time to kill before [their] flight and doesn't want to pay 20 for an overpriced meal'. Instead, she suggested heading to the Wetherspoon for a refillable hot drink, which costs 3.25, with teas, coffees and hot chocolate available to choose from. Closing out the video, the travel vlogger's final tip revealed a hidden quiet spot that even regular users of Stansted Airport may not know about. To find this, Em says you should 'head past the all gates sign and down the escalators' that lead to Gates 90-93, where extra seating is available. She says it is 'usually a lot less busy' than other seating areas, but urges other passengers to respect the fact it is a designated quiet area and avoid being too loud. Em advised shoppers not to waste the drink option of the deal on a bottle of water, suggesting they bring a reusable water bottle and fill it from a water fountain - which can be found behind the airport's Pret A Manger branch - instead Closing out the video, the travel vlogger's final tip revealed a hidden quiet spot that even regular users of Stansted Airport may not know about. To find this, Em says you should 'head past the all gates sign and down the escalators' that lead to Gates 90-93, where extra seating is available Responding to the video, other users were in agreement with Em about the quiet seating spot, as one user replied: 'I went to the quiet area and loved every second of it.' A second responded: 'I thought I knew all the Stansted hacks but this is great!' Meanwhile, a third wrote: 'Good tip on security. I like sitting on the fourth floor of wetherspoons watching the planes'. However, another traveller turned their nose up at the idea of travelling from Stansted, posting: 'No thanks, Ill stick with Heathrow'. An American woman living in Britain has shocked viewers on TikTok by revealing what food is better in the UK. Posting to her account, @mortonsmunchies has divided her followers by waging a war against American bread. The content creator said that she actually prefers British bread because the slices are bigger and it has less preservatives. She said: 'I love the size of [British] bread. If you were to make a sandwich using bread in America, this does not fill you up, no. 'And then you kind of want to make another sandwich [but] two is too much,' she added. An American woman has shocked viewers on TikTok by revealing the vast difference in size between slices of bread sold in the UK and the US. Posting to her account, @mortonsmunchies introduced the video by addressing the huge disparity in how big each slice was She continued by slating the number of preservatives found in a number of foods in America compared to the UK, fuming that 'they put so much c*** in our food in the United States. It's ridiculous'. The vlogger bemoaned the fact that sliced bread in America could stay fresh for 'up to two months'. The reviewer did warn users that sliced bread bought in the UK must be 'sealed tight, because it will go moldy right away', which she viewed as a positive because it illustrates that, typically, fewer preservatives are present. Moving on to taste a piece of the American sliced bread, she appeared to be distinctly unimpressed by what she labelled to be a 'dry, stiff' offering that was 'not tasty at all', giving it a paltry zero out of ten. Conversely, she complemented a piece of white sliced bread - that was bought from popular supermarket Tesco - for being 'soft and delicious', rating it a whopping ten out of ten. Other users were shocked that she found a white sliced loaf to be so tasty, urging the critic to try freshly-baked variations of the foodstuff. In reply, one user wrote: 'You gotta [sic] try tiger bread, its my fave [sic]'. A second commented: 'What's funny about this is that [white sliced bread] is one of our worst breads'. A third added: 'Bread from the bakery is even better.' An abandoned home that sold for just 1 and came with a warning to 'enter at your own risk' underwent an astonishing transformation after being bought. It was purchased back in 2015 by Maxine Sharples, who was studying a postgraduate degree at Liverpool John Moores University at the time. The house, located on Webster Road in the Webster Triangle area of the city, was able to be bought thanks to an initiative by Liverpool City Council, which launched the Homes for Pound Scheme in an attempt to revive old homes no longer in use. Miss Sharples, now 36, said that she was left homeless during the renovations of the property, as she was forced to live in a campervan. Speaking in a mini-documentary uploaded to YouTube by CNBC Make It in June 2023, Maxine said: 'I heard about the scheme through a neighbour. I was a postgraduate student at the time with nominal savings, so I applied. Slide me The house, located on Webster Road in the Webster Triangle area of the city, was able to be bought thanks to an initiative by Liverpool City Council, which launched the Homes for Pound Scheme in an attempt to revive old homes no longer in use Slide me Maxine ran into difficulty almost immediately after being given the keys to the house in February 2020, due to the onset of the pandemic and a subsequent lack of contractors within her budget being available Slide me Upstairs, where the bathroom used to be, is a smart stairway landing area, leading to a luxurious open-plan kitchen and living room, complete with state-of-the-art Ikea units and an island seating area Miss Sharples, now 36, said that she was left homeless during the renovations of the property, as she was forced to live in a campervan 'Four years later, I received a phone call, telling me I was shortlisted for one of the homes for a pound. I thought it was a scam at first, but agreed to be interviewed for a property'. Explaining how she went about renovating the delipidated abode, which had seemingly fallen into a state beyond repair, Maxine said she decided to flip the living arrangements so that the two bedrooms and the bathroom would be downstairs. This meant having the kitchen and living area upstairs, in what may appear to be an odd and unconventional switch. However, Maxine ran into difficulty almost immediately after being given the keys to the house in February 2020, due to the onset of the pandemic and a subsequent lack of contractors within her budget being available. Consequently, in May 2020, she decided to quit her full-time job and undertake the mammoth renovation task by herself. For a period, it looked like the refurbishment of the house may never happen, as Maxine was low on funds and 'at rock bottom' after going through a break-up while unemployed. As a result, she thought the house was going to be taken away from her, meaning the renovation money - which came to a total of around 60,000 - would be lost. However, she was reinvigorated by a group of friends, who offered to help Maxine with the project after bumping into her in a local park. Fortunately, the local council handed her a lifeline, by extending the deadline for renovations because of the pandemic. It had been transformed into a chic modern townhouse that features a bathroom with suave grey tiling The master bedroom was renovated with a king-size bed and underfloor heating Maxine described the stunning upstairs as a part of the house she finds 'uplifting', where she can practice yoga, read and relax in what she labels her 'urban tranquil paradise' This allowed her to complete the upstairs, but she had to live in her newly-built kitchen for six months while she finished work on the downstairs part of the house. After all the works were finished, the property that previously looked like a crumbling, abandoned mess - just waiting to be abolished - was unrecognisable. It had been transformed into a chic modern townhouse that features a bathroom with suave grey tiling, a master bedroom with a king-size bed and underfloor heating, along with the installation of patio doors that give direct access to Maxine's 'yarden'. Upstairs, where the bathroom used to be, is a smart stairway landing area, leading to a luxurious open-plan kitchen and living room, complete with state-of-the-art Ikea units and an island seating area. Maxine described the stunning upstairs as a part of the house she finds 'uplifting', where she can practice yoga, read and relax in what she labels her 'urban tranquil paradise'. Poe asks public to shun 'Pekeng Initiative:' Senate focused on things that matter Sen. Grace Poe called on the public to reject the fake people's initiative being peddled to amend the 1987 Constitution. What the Filipinos urgently need are food on the table, jobs, healthcare, education, and quality life, she stressed. "Sa bangayan dito sa pekeng initiative, inuuna na naman ng ibang tao ang politika kaysa problema ng bayan," Poe said. "Isa lang naman ang solusyon dyan: tigilan nyo na itong pekeng initiative. We, in the Senate, are ready to work and focus on the things that matter--and we hope the House is ready to set aside this PI and do the same," she added. The ongoing signature drive for Charter change (Cha-cha) has been hounded by issues such as bribery to convince the people to sign the petition. Poe lamented the signature campaign has become problematic for being a "politician's initiative," citing reports that some politicians are behind it. Various surveys also revealed that Cha-cha is not among the priority of the Filipinos, the senator pointed out. " Bakit sinasabi namin na Pekeng Initiative ito na itinutulak ng mga politiko? Tingnan natin ang mga survey. Sabi ng isang survey regarding the issues that concern our people, 1% lang po ng ating kababayan ay nagsabi na concerned sila sa Cha-cha," she said. She added that in another national survey, Cha-cha did not figure among the top concerns the Filipinos want addressed by the administration. "Malinaw po na wala sa isip ng tao ang Cha-cha, yet eto ang mga kasama natin sa House, sinasabi nila na nakuha na raw ang 12% na signatures na kailangan para matuloy na itong petition para sa PI. Napakalayo naman po ng 1% sa 12%; paano ba nakuha ito? Dagdag bawas?" Poe said. "Ito ang klaro sa ating mga survey: our people have more important things on their mind. The high prices of goods. Jobs. Higher salaries. Food. Naghihirap po sila, gutom po sila," Poe added. Four U.S. Marine Corps F-35 fighters suddenly appear out of the rear windows of our Royal Air Force tanker. In a feat you would scarcely believe possible, the pilots refuel their planes from a hose dangling from the wing of the tanker while flying at 280 knots over the Nevada mountains. But it is at this moment that our Allied fleet becomes sitting ducks. An enemy attack now could wipe us out. Fortunately, this is all part of the annual Exercise Red Flag - which brings together 3,000 American, British and Australian servicemen - and any hostile missiles would merely be simulations. A US Marine Corps F-35 takes on fuel from an RAF Voyager tanker during Exercise Red Flag at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada Over three weeks, around 100 aircraft and 3,000 US, UK and Australian servicemen perform various drills aimed at improving Allied integration, logistics and tactics. Pictured: The cockpit of the RAF Voyager Colonel Eric A. Winterbottom, Commander of the 414th Combat Training Squadron that leads Red Flag, said the annual exercise is constantly adapting to the evolution of global conflict Red Flag has been going on for decades, but Tuesday's drill has added pertinence. Just hours earlier, US and UK air forces carried out a fresh series of strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. DailyMail.com is aboard an RAF Voyager tanker. Two such aircraft supported the attacks in Yemen on Monday. This year, Red Flag has gone up a notch. 'It feels like there is more focus that we need to get this right quickly because we know that the threat in the world is changing,' says RAF Wing Commander Paul Summers, who is also aboard the Voyager flying over thousands of square miles in the west United States. From the US and Australian side, much of the talk is of honing their skills for operations in the Indo-Pacific and a possible war with China. But the UK also has pressing concerns in its own backyard with the ongoing war in Ukraine. And that is not to mention the Middle East. Summers admits that over the past few decades, the RAF has operated in a 'kind environment' in which the UK didn't face a 'homeland threat'. 'We're probably not in that place anymore,' he adds. RAF Wing Commander Paul Summers said this year's Red Flag had gained added 'focus' due to the increasingly unstable global outlook DailyMail.com was aboard the RAF Voyager flight as it refueled four US Marine Corps F-35s and six RAF Typhoons, replicating the partnership currently in operation in Yemen Refueling mid-air at high speed can be a fraught situation, with any minor errors leading to potential damage to aircraft or the refueling basket itself Aircraft carry out exercises across thousands of square miles over mountainous landscapes in the west United States A B-2 Spirit stealth bomber at Nellis Air Force base. The bomber is capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions Red Flag began in 1975 as a means of giving pilots the experience of their first ten combat missions in a safe training environment. Nowadays, its focus is on integrating Allied Forces and preparing them for the next phase of global conflict. Teams are split into two. The blues, which represents the Allies, take on the reds, manned by pilots who have been trained to adopt the tactics of potential aggressors and whose aircraft have been loaded by simulated enemy weaponry. Drills take place over three weeks and cover four main scenarios: defending Allied air space; attacking enemy air space; striking ground targets; and suppression of air defenses. Today, the blue team, made up of US, UK and Australian pilots, has the objective of suppressing the air defenses of the red team, composed mainly of Americans. These defenses are made to replicate a 'superior threat' with an integrated air defense system akin to that of China or Russia, says Summers. Our Voyager tanker is tasked with refueling the four F-35s and six Typhoons on the blue force. Up to 50 other aircraft, including F-22s, F-16s and B-2 bombers, are also involved in the exercise. After it is complete, everyone will sit down for a six-hour debriefing in which data is poured over to work out who shot down who, which targets were neutralized and ultimately, who won. It gets competitive. RAF Flight Lieutenant Simon Tofrick said the key to the precision execution of mid-air refueling was to use references marked on the jets to guide them towards their target Real-time data on how the drill is unfolding is analyzed inside the RAF Voyager cockpit Before it gets to that, the F-35s wait patiently for each other to top up on around two tonnes of fuel, with an individual pit stop lasting up to four minutes. RAF Flight Lieutenant Simon Tofrick explains that the key to executing this high-speed maneuver is not to aim for the hose itself, which flaps around in the wind, but to use references marked on the jets to guide them towards their target. 'It can get a little bit spicy,' he says. 'If you miss it in an uncontrolled situation, the basket [attached to the end of the hose] can swing around underneath and do some damage to your aircraft. 'Or if you were to go in too fast, you could potentially damage the basket as well, which would then knock it out for everybody else.' The Americans carry out this precision airborne dance with aplomb, before peeling away to rejoin the fight. But these are no longer the close combat dogfights made famous by the Battle of Britain. Today, the battle for the skies is fought over what are referred to as 'Beyond Visual Range' scenarios, with better radar and increased missile range meaning pilots no longer need to see their friends or enemies. 'You're not so much that image of a swashbuckling fighter pilot smoking the cigar,' says Dan Armstrong, an Australian F-35 pilot. 'You're operating a computer system, sharing data and it's really a lot more nerdy than you think. 'It's about managing risk. When do I want to go forward, or stay on the backside? It's a very measured type of fighting. Back in the day, you're just getting stuck in.' The fighter pilots are not the only ones adapting to the evolution of global conflict. The Voyager's role is also of growing importance. In the event of war with China, refueling tankers would be crucial in helping fighter planes and ground-attack aircraft overcome vast distances across the Indo-Pacific. And for the first time at Red Flag, units will soon scramble to a new base in California to replicate what would happen if an established base was compromised in a real-world scenario. It is part of a growing emphasis on what is known as Agile Combat Employment (ACE). Colonel Eric A. Winterbottom, Commander of the 414th Combat Training Squadron that leads Red Flag, says the exercise is a 'change in mindset' from being able to build heavily in one location to being light and maneuverable. 'We've operated for years, [with bases] relatively invulnerable. A lot of the bases in the Middle East, for example, where we were able to build up a large infrastructure, are fairly, semi-permanent. 'Now we're looking at situations where our bases may be threatened by opponent capabilities.' For the UK, this means a potential missile or cyber attack on its base in Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, by Russia. Back in Nevada, the six RAF Typhoons have now lined up alongside the Voyager for refueling, replicating the partnership in operation during the strikes in Yemen on Monday. Australian F-35 pilot Flight Lieutenant Dan Armstrong said the jet's stealth capabilities allowed him to give enemies 'an upper cut without them knowing they're getting punched in the face' An RAF Typhoon carries out drills during Exercise Red Flag. Two RAF Typhoons joined US attacks on Houthi targets in Yemen on Monday It is a stark reminder of how this is not just a drill. But as the threat of an all-encompassing global conflict grows stronger by the day, the Red Flag pilots have every confidence they have the tools to do the job. Armstrong enthuses about the world-beating qualities of his F-35, a highly-advanced stealth fighter that pairs state-of-the-art data sharing capabilities with extraordinary acceleration and agility. 'The real big advantage of the F-35 is stealth, so we can get in close to the enemy and really give them an upper cut without them knowing they're getting punched in the face. 'The jet is amazingly capable. if I was ever gonna go to war and go downtown, this is one I'd do it in.' UK tradesmen are facing rocketing van insurance costs as brazen thieves target vans using an array of power tools causing thousands of pounds worth of damage. Many of these tools are sold on in markets across the country by unscrupulous traders uninterested in their stock's provenance. In London, over a 12 month period, some 8,327 thefts from vans were reported with tools worth more than 21.4 million of tools having been stolen. Figures currently being collated suggest the situation is getting worse with insurers claiming further hikes are inevitable. The loss of tools is only part of the problem. When someone breaks into a van to steal tools, the van needs repair and often the tradesperson cannot work for several days while their equipment is replaced. One insurance industry source told MailOnline: 'Theres definitely a correlation between van insurance increases and the 25 per cent increase in tool theft from vehicles. 'Due to the elevated risk of theft claims, substantial claim payouts, and an increase in claim frequency, van insurance premiums have surged accordingly. We know that November and December are among the most common months for tool theft. 'The theft of equipment from vans resulted in a 3.5 billion loss for businesses in 2022. Considering the current trends in rising insurance costs, this figure is expected to have experienced an even sharper escalation in 2024.' As well as having to replace their stolen tools, the victims have to repair their vans - some of which will have been damaged beyond economic repair. For those working in the capital, having been forced to recently upgrade their vehicles to reach higher environmental standards under ULEZ, the threat of theft is making their businesses uneconomic. Police have warned tradesmen and women to remove all tools from their vans at night when they are at particular risk. Your browser does not support iframes. They also advise people to 'park defensively' in areas covered by lights and CCTV. Also to have alarms and extra security fitted to their vehicles. However, the thieves often use tools they have previously stolen to attack their new victims, having being equipped with a wide array of drills, reciprocal saws and angle grinders - all of which can chew the light steel of a Transit-style van in a matter of seconds. In some parts of London, more than one in ten vans a year will be targeted by tool thieves. Areas such as Tower Hamlets, Newham, and Camden are among the worst compared to the number of vans registered locally. Barnet has the highest number of van attacks followed by Newham, Enfield, Hillingdon and Brent. Merton, Kensington and Chelsea and Sutton are the three lowest threat areas. Videos posted online show how the thieves know the various weak points of specific makes and models, gaining access often quicker than somebody fumbling through their pockets to retrieve a key. Even vans fitted with deadbolts and hardened panels to protect weak spots can be attacked. Electrician Mark Allison showed the damaged which was caused to his van online He was parked in a hotel car park overnight when thieves targeted his van Fortunately for Mr Allison, he had no valuables apart from a few hand tools and a heavy pack which the thieves did not want to carry One electrician, Mark 'The Sparkie' Allison posted footage of his van after it had been attacked in covered hotel car park. He told his followers on YouTube: 'This is what's greeted me in the hotel car park this morning. 'If you're a tradie and you've been travelling around doing your job, I'm sure you've all been through this. 'Someone has cut through the door.' He said he did not have any expensive tools inside his van. He had some hand tools which they decided not to steal and a heavy portable powerbank. He added: 'It's a bit of a bugger because I have to sort out a new side-loading door as I don't think that'll polish out.' He said manufacturers should do more to protect vans from such attacks. One van driver who spoke to MailOnline said: 'It was the second time they attacked my van. The second time the van was only a couple of years old. It had all the deadlocks on it. But they cut around all the hardened areas and peeled open the door. 'Another van was done that week as well. You cannot leave a van anywhere. If you go to any market at the weekend you'll find thousands of tools and everyone knows where they have come from. 'The police aren't interested in investigating this. You get a crime number so you can report it to the insurance.' Your browser does not support iframes. In a survey by Vanarama, they found that mechanics, cleaners and furniture removers face the highest premiums, compared with welders, tree surgeons and tilers. According to their survey, a mechanic will pay on average 837.28 for a Ford Transit van with a diesel engine, compared with 1,1,59 for an electric van. A welder would pay 722.77 or 1,004.29 for the same vans. According to a Vanarama spokesperson: 'Tool theft is on the rise, and has been for a while. The latest statistics show a 62 per cent increase in tool theft between January 2021 and October 2021 alone, with close to 35,000 incidents reported within just those eight months. 'The report from HertsTools also states that nearly four in every five tradespeople have experienced tool theft. So, its more important than ever to do what you can to keep your van and its contents safe and secure. Theres also an additional benefit to keeping your van as safe and secure as possible. Doing so can help reduce your insurance premium!' In a survey by NFU Mutual, some 58 per cent of van drivers/owners said they had suffered a trade theft from their vehicle. Less than a quarter said they left tools or machinery inside their vans overnight because of the threat of theft. Leicestershire Roads Policing Unit stopped this car which had been carrying thousands of pounds worth of stolen power tools The contents would have been from several van attacks. Leicestershire Police have been running Operation Pioneer to target tool thieves Worryingly, less than half kept details of serial numbers or registered their equipment. Some 46 per cent said he cannot remember how much their tools cost or how much they would be to replace. Zoe Knight, commercial specialist at NFU Mutual said: 'In the current climate as supply is low and demand for stolen equipment is high, we would urge people to step up security. 'Tradespeople rely on their tools for their income and to keep the chain of a project on schedule and our research shows the theft of equipment can have a devastating impact, professionally, financially and mentally. 'It is crucial that tradespersons are fully supported should the worst happen. The cost of replacing kit and machinery has increased significantly due to supply chain issues in recent times. We are advising tradespeople to keep a record of what they own by recording serial numbers and keeping up to date with current market values.' The tragedy that befell the Janin family is more than most can bare to think about. Within a matter of months Mariano Janin suffered the agony of his teenage daughter taking her own life and then the loss of his heartbroken wife, weeks later. Mia Janin, was only 14 years old when she was found dead in her home in Barnet, North London, in March 2021. The talented schoolgirl had suffered merciless bullying from her classmates both online and at school which saw her degraded in a boys-only Snapchat group. An inquest this week heard she was bullied 'on buses, in class and at home' by a group of boys who 'still bully other students'. Four months after her daughter's tragic death, Mia's mother, Marisa, also passed away after a brain aneurysm led to the discovery of acute myeloid leukaemia - which was deemed untreatable. However, her devastated husband Mariano believed the real reason for his wife's death was the stress of losing their daughter. He wrote to his wife on Facebook after she passed away in August 2021: 'My beloved Marisa. Thank you for all of our years together. I feel really blessed and honoured to have been your husband. 'I hope you are finally with Mia once again, able to find some closure and are manage to rest in peace. We will meet again. 'I will forever love you. Mariano.' Pictured: Mia is seen in a family photograph with her parents Mariano and Marisa at the beach Mr Janin described Mia (pictured) as a 'bubbly' girl who had just been invited on a holiday to Greece with her best friend from school Mia's father, Mariano Janin arriving at the inquest into her death on Friday (26 January) Mia and her mother Marisa have been buried together in Israel Mia was the third pupil at the Jewish Free School in North London to have died by suspected suicide since 2017. At school she appeared to be a typical teenage girl - a cheerleader, a devoted reader, going to acting classes on the weekends, and hanging out with friends in Camden. Her father spoke about how she had considered becoming a doctor, but in the end she would probably have ended up studying architecture. However, after Mia suffered relentless bullying from a group of her peers, she struggled to see another way out of the darkness. Barnet Coroner's Court was told on Tuesday that she had been mocked on a vicious 60-boy Snapchat group over a TikTok video she made and how the same group would allegedly ridicule female pupils and post fake nude photos of them. The night before her death, Mia had asked her parents if she could be home-schooled for the rest of the year, having only been back at the state school for just one day since the lockdown restriction were lifted. Although her parents had agreed to move her, Mariano later said he did not realise how bad it had become for his only child. On the day of her death, he said she was was 'planning the weekend and starting to plan the holidays and planning to start cheerleading and drama again.' Police discovered two hand-written notes when Mia was found, one addressed to her parents, and another to her best friend. In the note to her family she wrote: 'I just wanted to let you know I do love you guys very much. I have been brought up well by both of you. 'I have learned many things, I love all of you very much. However I know this decision is the right one for me. 'On earth I never felt connected. I felt a longing to leave for a while. I know this is a shock to you.' She concluded the note: 'Let my friends have my things please. I love you lots.' The Jewish Free School in Kenton, north-west London where Mia was a year 10 pupil Mia as a child with her farther Mariano (right) and mother Marisa (left) An inquest heard that the 14-year-old was bullied online and at school during her three years at Jewish Free School in north London Speaking after the inquest, Mr Janin told reporters: 'Nothing will bring back my wife and my daughter Mia' After Mia's death Marisa never went upstairs in the family home again, unable to be near to her daughter's bedroom - which remained untouched - and deal with the trauma of the tragedy. 'When I lost Marisa I became a widower. But interestingly there is no word in English, Spanish, Hebrew or possibly any language to define someone who loses a child. Its just tragedy', Mariano told the Jewish News in 2022. He added: 'My wife used to say that if her father (Alexander Neumann) could see how his granddaughter was bullied in a Jewish school, he would turn in his grave. He survived four concentration camps and was the sole survivor of a huge Hungarian family from the town of Papa.' Marisa did not want Mia to be buried in the UK, but instead wished for her to go back to her homeland of Israel. That is where both Mia and Marisa are today, and an image of their two grave stones sits on the mantel in their home in North London with Mariano. He continued that: 'I dont know if I will ever get any kind of closure. Friends say I should meet another woman, start another family. 'This will not give me closure. I will not replace my lovely wife and daughter with another.. I dont need to fall in love again because I knew real love.' Mariano has said how he will never stop searching for answers and the truth as to what happened. 'I have nothing to lose. No one took accountability for what happened to Mia and nothing has changed. It had happened before. If bullies get impunity, they don't learn any lessons.' He wrote to Mia on his Facebook page on the day of her would-be 17th birthday last year: 'Today you would be 17 years old, every day I wonder how you would be. I miss you so much. Forever Young.' He described her on ITV News: 'She was a bubbly, lovely person, very nice with a good sense of humour, very creative. 'She was a beautiful person, that's it. No doubt about it. 'First of all, I would like to clarify what's happened with Mia. We know there was big bullying at the school - we like to get some accountability. 'The most important thing for me is to avoid this happening again. This is something which is completely avoidable. But it is a very difficult situation to stand in my shoes.' Mia Janin (pictured) was found dead at her family home in Harrow on March 12, 2021 The inquest concluded that Mia took her own life 'while still in the process of maturing to adulthood' The school denies being aware of the bullying and the difficulties it was causing Mia, but pupils claim they must have been aware but did nothing to stop it. In statements read out to the the inquest, one of Mia's friends said: 'JFS probably did know about Mia's bullying. Could they not see anything? How did they miss the bullying that was happening in front of them?' Another added: 'The school was in denial all the time. They didn't know she was being bullied and didn't hold those who bullied her accountable.' 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'. Speaking after the hearing, 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.' 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. The Jewish Free School have been approached for a comment. For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details An American woman who lived in Europe for four years has gone viral for explaining why she regrets moving back to the US. Kayleigh Donahue posted a TikTok video last November and admitted that she was 'bamboozled' when she moved back to Massachusetts. Donahue assumed that moving back to America would be a good thing and believed there would be more career opportunities and better pay. 'I really got sucked into the American dream of living when I was abroad,' she stated. Donahue revealed that she would most likely be moving back to Europe and was 'living life lavishly over there' compared to the US. Kayleigh Donahue posted a TikTok video last November and admitted that she was 'bamboozled' when she moved back to Massachusetts Donahue assumed that moving back to America would be a good thing and believed there would be more career opportunities and better pay Donahue moved to Europe back in 2018 and lived in Dublin, Ireland before returning to the US. However, her move seemingly didn't work out as well as she thought it would. 'I literally have lost money by moving back here,' she said. 'I got a job where I made more money in America than I was making in Ireland, but I still can't save.' According to Donahue, the cost of living in the US is higher, the job market is not good, and she has 'way less time off.' The content creator revealed she had 29 paid days off a year in Ireland and now only has 10 in the US. 'What I thought would be a good decision of me moving back to make money and spring forward my career led me to being more poor.' According to Donahue, she had 29 paid days off a year in Ireland and now only has 10 in the US. She also admitted to losing money since moving back to America It's unclear what Donahue's career was back in Ireland, but according to the Organisation of Working Time Act, if she was a full-time employee, she would be required to have 20 paid vacation days each year. She also didn't clarify what he current job is, but according to 2024 statistics, the average American worker gets only 11 days of paid vacation a year. Property prices between the US and Ireland are also very different. The price of renting in and outside of the cities in the US is much more expensive than in Ireland. According to Numbeo, the average price of buying an apartment in a US city is nearly $770, while in Ireland, it's only $498.28. Donahue primarily lived in Dublin, Ireland for four years, but was able to vacation in other countries throughout Europe Social media users who currently live in Europe were thankful that Donahue posted the video. The content creator admitted that she would even move just for the vacation days Several TikTokers were attracted to the idea of several vacation days, and Donahue even admitted that she'd move back 'just for the 20+ vacation days.' 'American living in Amsterdam right now with Irish boyfriend, he thinks he wants to try the U.S., I don't want to... I'm just going to send him this ty!,' a TikTok user wrote. Other users wrote that they were 'tearing up' as soon as they heard how many paid vacation days she had in Ireland. Donahue responded to several comments made by TikTok users, and even thanked a TikTok user who wrote that she gave 'splitting facts.' It is not uncommon to hear the younger generation quip and moan about boomers and millennials being out of touch, but what if the shoe were on the other foot? How much traditional British slang do gen-zers actually know themselves? The MailOnline took to the streets of London, Birmingham and Newcastle to put this to the test and ask this generation of anyone born between 1997-2012 if they know the true meaning behind the classic lines such as 'Bob's your uncle', 'chewing the fat' and 'butcher's hook'. The turn of phrase which perplexed the most gen-zers across the UK was 'cat that's got the cream', and maybe even more strangely most people knew or used the slang term 'Bob's your uncle' but could not pin point what it actually meant. London In London, the Southbank students were particularly puzzled by the phrases 'the cat that has got the cream' and 'know your onions' which no student guessed correctly. Phrases such as over the moon, however, were known by all the generation Z students. Courtney and Marina struggled to understand the meaning of any of the slang thrown their way, despite admitting to using some of them. When asked if they know their onions, Courtney said: 'I want to say it means none of your business, but I don't know.' More shockingly, she struggled to define the phrase 'Bob's your uncle', despite admitting to often using it. She said: 'I use that phrase a lot and I have no idea what it means. I don't even know what it means but I use it.' Courtney and Marina struggled to understand the meaning of any of the slang thrown their way, despite admitting to using some of them The phrase that puzzled the pair the most was 'the cat that has got the cream', which continued to confuse them even after finding out its definition. Courtney said: 'What could that possibly mean. I have no clue at all. How is that happiness?' A group of three Gen Z men were also thrown off by the popular feline phrase thinking it sounded 'a bit sexual'. They said: 'Literally no idea. I have never heard of that. 'That sounds a bit sexual, I actually don't know. That's not a phrase though.' When asked to define 'its lit up like Blackpool illuminations in here' the groups Gen Z brains may have been an obstacle, as lit has taken on a whole new meaning in recent years. A group of three Gen Z men were also thrown off by the popular feline phrase thinking it sounded 'a bit sexual' The Gen Z student told our reporter that he is a cat that got the cream Friends Nathaniel and Hans had heard some of the phrases before on television but were clueless to their meaning They said: 'I assume that just means it is lit, like it is fun. This is like sick or whatever. That is my guess.' When told the true definition, more Gen Z terminology came out, as they added: 'That is cap. That is actually cap.' They did however score one point for their knowledge of 'whacky backy'. Art student Neve tried her best to guess the meanings of the terms used but came up short. She thought that chewing the fat meant falling over and had not heard the phrases use your loaf or having a butchers hook before. She said: 'I have never heard that in my life. Absolutely no idea. I am so terrible at this. 'I have heard that one before, but I don't know what that means. Is it like freak out or something?' Friends Nathaniel and Hans had heard some of the phrases before on television but were clueless to their meaning. When asked to define a Fuddy duddy they said: 'I have heard it before, but I don't know what it means. I have heard it in a show but never heard it used by a human being ever. 'Messing around maybe, it is a silly word for a silly action.' Carlotta and Lucy thought chewing the fat meant taking too long to say something or digging yourself into a hole. They had however heard use your loaf and over the moon. Matthew Lucas had never heard the phrase 'Bob's your uncle' and believed that it meant you have a dodgy uncle called Bob. Art student Neve tried her best to guess the meanings of the terms used but came up short He said: 'Your uncle is called Bob. Your uncle is a dogy man, a sketchy guy, a hustler.' 'I am confused.' Another group, Finn, Alicia and Liam, thought that both fuddy duddy and two sandwiches short of a picnic meant that you were clumsy. When asked about Bob's your uncle they said: 'You just say it, it doesn't really mean anything.' Emile was very happy with his attempt, getting only one correct answer and what he says was a good guess. He concluded: 'I am a cat that's got the cream. We will call it 2/4.' Newcastle Peter Ryan guessed a few of the phrases but struggled on others Harry Dinning (pictured) and his pal James McIntyre didn't have a clue what chewing the fat meant Youngsters in Newcastle were familiar with popular expressions such as 'over the moon', 'chockablock' and 'Bob's your Uncle'. Do you know all the terms? Chewing the fat Having a chat Use your loaf Think carefully Having a butchers hook having a look Over the moon - delighted Know your onions to be knowledgeable Bob's your uncle there you have it Cat that's got the cream very satisfied It's lit up like Blackpool illuminations in here - you left the lights on Whacky backy - weed Fuddy duddy - old person Two sandwiches short of a picnic - stupid Chockablock - busy/full Advertisement However, they stumbled over terms such as 'cat that's got the cream', 'fuddy duddy' and 'having a butcher's hook'. Kai Stitt, 16, a policing student from North Shields, North Tyneside said: 'I have never heard 'chewing the fat' before. 'I never would have guessed it meant having a chat. I would have guessed it meant taking the mic out of someone. I say chocka but not chockablock. 'New terms and new trends come in. The chavvy people coin the phrases and then everyone else picks up on them. 'These phrases seem posh to me, but I guess they are just old-fashioned. I imagine they will slowly die out. 'I never hear people our age using these phrases. I never hear friends my age say it, it's always family or older people saying it.' Jan Kolanowski, 18, also a policing student from Newcastle said: 'I have never heard the 'chewing the fat' phrase in my entire life. 'In fact, I have never heard any of these phrases. They sound strange to me. 'The 'cat that got the cream' phrase is just really funny. That made me laugh. Language is changing all the time. 'It's the same thing as music and styles, everything changes really quickly. 'New phrases are coined online and are picked up quickly. It doesn't just happen on the internet but in real life as well.' Rosie Cusick, 22, an architecture student at Northumbria University, who is originally from York, said: 'Use your loaf? I've not heard anyone say use your loaf. 'My parents use some of these phrases. They use 'Bob's your Uncle', 'over the moon' and 'chockablock'. 'Some I've never heard like 'the cat that's got the cream'. 'Phrases die out because of social media. New phrases are picked up quickly. 'If you use old fashioned phrases on social media, no one will understand what you're talking about.' Amber Egan, 25, an adult nursing student at Northumbria University, who is originally from Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, said: 'I've heard most of them through my parents. 'However, I wouldn't use a lot of them myself.' Her friend, Megan Robertson, 22, of Newcastle, a law student at Northumbria University, added: 'Fuddy duddy is really funny. 'I wouldn't say that to someone's face. It sounds rude. 'I know 'over the moon', 'chockablock' and 'Blackpool illuminations' but only because my parents use the phrases. 'I would never use them myself.' Peter Ryan, 28, a physio student at Northumbria University, said: 'I've never heard of 'having a butchers hook', never. 'I have never heard some of the cockney stuff. 'However, I have heard my parents use some of the other ones. My mam always says, 'it's like Blackpool illuminations in here', whenever I leave the lights on. 'I also know 'over the moon' and 'chockablock' but wouldn't use them myself.' James Mcintyre, 18, a psychology student at Northumbria University, said: 'I've heard 'over the moon'. 'I know 'Blackpool illuminations' because my parents have said that to me. Also, I have heard my dad say, 'having a butcher's hook'. 'But social media means that news phrases tend to be more concise and short because everything is typed.' Harry Dinning, a 20-year-old psychology student at Northumbria University added: 'I've heard a few of them like 'Blackpool illuminations', 'over the moon' and 'chockablock'. 'I'd never heard, 'know your onions' or any of the other ones. 'These old-fashioned phrases are quite long. I don't think anyone wants to speak for that long. New phrases tend to be shorter.' Birmingham Harry Stone, 22, a barman at The Soak in Selly Oak thought that 'using your loaf' was 'something about spending some money' Shiv Bhunjun, 21, who is a student at Birmingham University, guessed a 'Fuddy Duddy' was 'The police?' In Birmingham 22-year-old Harry Stone, a barman at The Soak in Selly Oak thought that 'using your loaf' was 'something about spending some money'. He also thought a 'Fuddy Duddy' was 'a silly idea' and 'cat that's got the cream' as 'someone that has managed to be successful in their chosen venture.' Ciah Wallace, 24, a sales assistant in Sheanies vintage store was the only one who managed to correctly get all the slang terms right. Shiv Bhunjun, 21, who is a student at Birmingham University, guessed a 'Fuddy Duddy' was 'The police?' Joel Hutchinson, 19, who is a university student, did not know what chewing the fat meant. He said: 'Not a clue. This is bad. It's going to be shocking. I was thinking chewing someone's ear off.' He guessed 'using your loaf' was something to do with 'using money maybe'. Which does make sense if you take loaf to mean bread which can be slang for cash. He struggled with having butcher's hook though. He said: 'Being on the hook? Not a clue. I'm gonna start using that one, that's good.' Joel Hutchinson, 19, who is a university student, did not know what chewing the fat meant Lily Feebrey, 18, who is a university student, struggled with the old-school phrases. He struggled with 'Bob's your uncle' though. He said: 'I know that. Yeah, that's a classic. I do use that but I'm not sure.' Lily Feebrey, 18, who is a university student, struggled with the old-school phrases. On 'chewing the fat' she responded, 'not a clue, no.' She guessed a 'fuddy duddy' was 'someone who isn't very smart?' And she thought a 'having a butcher's hook' was 'a cook?' Whether Donald Trump has 'all but locked up' the Republican nomination like President Biden says he has, his victories in Iowa and New Hampshire have set off a burst of speculation about who he will and should pick as a running mate. Three years ago, an array of Republican lawmakers were distancing themselves from Trump after January 6. Now, with the former president looking like a contender who is even leading Biden in a string of polls, even former rivals and critics are lining up to embrace him. A DailyMail.com poll in New Hampshire found Vivek Ramasmway is the top choice to be running mate, followed by Tim Scott in second and Tucker Carlson and Ben Carson in joint third. But the hunt for the VP pick is going nationwide, and advisors are already telling him who he should choose. DailyMail.com breaks down what Trump is looking for in a candidate and who are the top contenders. Advisors are already suggesting names to former President Donald Trump on potential running mates, as he contends with Nikki Haley's continued challenge following his victories in Iowa and New Hampshire. Trump must decide whether to prioritize MAGA loyalty or look to expand his appeal on the margins while leading Joe Biden in polls What Trump is looking for in a VP? Does he want loyalty, looks or the ability to attract independents and moderate Republicans? The key choice facing Trump will be whether he wants to elevate total loyalty, prowess on the stump, or an ability to appeal to independents and moderates in a closely-divided election. His prior vice president, Mike Pence, isn't even in the mix, after Trump blamed him for lacking 'courage' on January 6 and his own presidential campaign flamed out. Trump goosed the gossip when he said at a Fox News town hall in Iowa this month that 'I know who it's going to be,' although comments from aides at the time suggested Trump may have jumped the gun a bit. Now, just a few weeks later, informal advisors are passing on names. 'I think it would be good for a vice presidential pick to check several boxes: Who helps solidify the base? Who can go into suburban areas and expand support by speaking to these moms in kind compassionate ways?' Hogan Gidley, a former Trump White House press aide who still consults with the former president told DailyMail.com. 'Who can take the America first policies that so many people a vast major of people in his country support and not just implement, but continue to grow those out over not the next four years but the next 12? 'As an added benefit, it would be nice if that person could talk to the press, understand Trump world, understood the president himself, was a fighter, was unflappable.' Advisors are already suggesting names to former President Donald Trump on potential running mates, as he contends with Nikki Haley's continued challenge following his victories in Iowa and New Hampshire. Trump must decide whether to prioritize MAGA loyalty or look to expand his appeal on the margins while leading Joe Biden in polls. Elise Stefanik: A Trump loyalist who is favorite on outside betting sites after she took on the Ivy League presidents One of the key choices Trump faces is whether he should pick a woman. Allies have already urged him to choose a female running mate or black man, according to reports this week. One contender is a senior House Republican who Trump has called 'a killer'. Stefanik rocketed to the top of Trump's potential VP list when she helped topple the president of Harvard during high profile House hearings on antisemitism on campus. She has signaled her willingness to be completely loyal to Trump by referring to January 6 defendants who stormed her workplace as 'hostages.' Stefanik slammed Trump after the release of the Access Hollywood tape back in 2016, but has come to be a loyal defender. 'Of course I'd be honored' to serve in a Trump administration 'in any capacity,' she said days ago when asked about being his running mate. She is a leader in outside betting sites and would solidify Trump's support in the MAGA base of the Republican party. But there are concerns she would be able to attract the independents and moderates Trump needs to win the general election. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) fired up conservatives with her attcks on university presidents over antisemitism Tim Scott: A former Republican race rival who has now endorsed him and been at his side at rallies Multiple allies are encouraging Trump to consider minority and women candidates, as he looks for ways to eat into Joe Biden's coalition. South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott helped his case by endorsing Trump before both New Hampshire and South Carolina although his own campaign petered out before the Iowa caucuses. Trump may have appreciated his his grinning support on stage at his New Hampshire victory party, but critics called him out for fawning over the likely nominee after Trump said he 'must really hate Nikki,' who appointed Scott to the Senate. 'I just love you,' Scott interjected. 'There are few moments in my life Ive been more embarrassed than to watch Tim Scott ...I mean, it was humiliating to watch what Tim Scott did as a sitting senator, and one time he wasnt even on the script,' Rev. Al Sharpton said after the event. In DailyMail.com's New Hampshire poll, Tim Scott finished as the second most popular pick to be VP. Sen. Tim Scott could bring stature and diversity to a Trump ticket, but critics accused him of fawning over the candidate when Trump told him he must 'hate' Nikki Haley Nikki Haley: She has infuriated Trump by staying in the race, but does she hold the key to getting votes outside MAGA? One pick who could potentially help Trump with independents and people outside the MAGA fold is the still unvanquished Nikki Haley, who has been the recipient of attacks from people in Trump's orbit. Former Trump chief White House strategist Steve Bannon has predicted a 'big fight' over Haley, and has said people would try to 'force' her onto the ticket. Haley beat back a stable of male candidates, coming in third in Iowa and losing to Trump by 12 per cent in Iowa. But she infuriated Trump by staying in after New Hampshire, and has even gone after his mental competency in her bid to topple him. Trump has made peace with critics in the past, but the 77 year old will have a hard time explaining elevating someone he has called 'bird brain' to be second in line to the presidency. That could be an opportunity missed, with the former governor and UN ambassador being one of the few options who could reassure voters outside Trump's MAGA base. Fight or flight: Trump called Nikki Haley 'birdbrain,' but she is one of the few options who could help Trump address weakness with a constituency: moderates and independents Kari Lake: A firebrand former news anchor who has secured the MAGA base. But what about the rest of the GOP? Lake is a vocal defender who has accompanied Trump on the campaign trail, even standing in for him in Iowa when a blizzard kept him away. She is telegenic and knows how to fire up a MAGA rally crowd. But she probably won't win Trump many votes he doesn't already have, and lost her race for governor (contesting results in a way that reinforces Trump's own election overturn effort). She is on tape defending her integrity after DailyMail.com published audio of state party chair Jeff DeWit trying to 'bribe' her to step back from politics. But the episode has raised questions about whether she has taped conversations with other officials. Wired: Arizona candidate for U.S. Senate Kari Lake is one potential running mate Kristi Noem: 'Knows how Trump ticks' and could help him in the Midwest battleground states The South Dakota governor may have an inside line on knowing how to handle Trump, or so she suggested in her memoir, where she described working with Trump to bring fireworks to Mt. Rushmore. She 'had a good understanding of what makes him tick,' Noem wrote. She isn't widely known outside her state, but could try to sell a Trump restoration in Midwestern battlegrounds like Michigan and Wisconsin that have gone back and forth between Biden and Trump. You're a firework: South Dakota Gov. Kirsti Noem says helped learn 'what makes him tick' as the two worked to bring July 4 fireworks to Mount Rushmore Ron DeSantis: Could 'DeSanctimonious' be in the fold after he endorsed the former president? A pick that seemed unthinkable when Trump bombarded him with nicknames. But the dynamics may change now DeSantis has endorsed him. DeSantis might be a natural as a running mate were it not for his disappointing campaign effort that plowed through millions, bet big on Iowa and lost, and ended up earning repeated mockery by Trump. His record in Florida, especially during COVID, won him an army of conservative fans across the country that could help his case. However, DeSantis dropping out seemingly helped Trump as many of his supporters had the former president as their second choice. It opens up the question of how many voters DeSantis could attract outside the MAGA base. Trump called him 'DeSanctimonious' up until he offered a terse endorsement of Trump, avoiding what would have been a humiliating defeat in New Hampshire. There is also a constitutional snag: the president and vice presidential running mate can't hail from the same state. The former president has also insisted that DeSantis won't be in his cabinet, but with just over 10 months until the general election, anything could happen. Shoes to fill: Trump praised but then grew disappointed in Vice President Mike Pence. It would be a surprise if he elevated Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who he mocked as 'Ron DeSantimonious' Vivek Ramaswamy: The 'America First' presidential nominee who ran against Trump while showing loyalty If loyalty is a top criteria, and it almost always is in Trump world, the candidate who ran against Trump without really running against Trump has earned a spot on the list. Vivek Ramaswamy, became the first rival to endorse Trump after repeatedly praising him from the debate stages that Trump skipped during the primaries. The biotech entrepreneur was the top pick to be on the ticket in DailyMail.com's exclusive poll of New Hampshire Republicans. He offered soft suggestions that he could be the superior messenger for Trump policies, then got in a bit of a spat with the winner shortly before Iowa, where he won 8 per cent in the caucuses. The 'America first' candidate who said the movement was 'bigger than one man' then immediately endorsed Trump and appeared onstage with him as he campaigned in New Hampshire. Ramaswamy is an articulate salesman who who can stick to talking points on the stump, and provide some youth to a Trump ticket. (At 38 he is half Trump's age). But he is new to politics and it's doubtful he will bring over many voters who aren't already for Trump. America first second fiddle? Ramaswamy is an articulate salesman who who can stick to talking points on the stump, and at 38 is half Trump's age Sarah Huckabee Sanders: His former press secretary and a governor with a strong conservative record Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders represents a known quantity for Trump, having served as his White House press secretary. She established working relations with the White House press, then built a conservative record in a state where her father previously served as governor. Although Arkansas sent Bill Clinton to Washington, it is a small state that is certain to be in Trump's column. At 41 she brings youth, governing experience, and White House experience, though she wouldn't have the foreign policy gravitas of recent picks. And she hails from Hope, Arkansas the famous birthplace of another U.S. president. Wild card: The other wildcard names in the mix - including Tucker Carlson and Ben Carson Trump has always considered wild cards, and brought several generals into his administration in key roles. (Two grew to condemn him and Mike Flynn got fired). Other names in the mix are former HUD Secretary Ben Carson, who was back campaigning for Trump in Iowa, Sen. J.D. Vance, whose 'Hillbilly Eligy' helped explain the Trump phenomenon, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. In November 2008, Indias commercial capital Mumbai was attacked by a terrorist unit on a suicide mission. Their targets were foreign holidaymakers, Mumbai residents and a Jewish centre. The terrorists controllers in Pakistan used live TV coverage to direct and encourage the slaughter. In an echo of 9/11, the massacre is known in India as 26/11. Sixteen years on, JONATHAN MAYO tells the story of an atrocity that will never lose its power to shock. Wednesday, November 26, 2008 8.30pm British couple Will Pike, 28, and Kelly Doyle, 30, are walking back to their room at the prestigious Taj Palace Hotel after a few hours in Mumbai sightseeing. They have treated themselves to a night of luxury after a fortnight in Goa. As they walk through one of the hotels many entrances, Will notes the lack of security. If you wanted to raid this place you would come this way. Meanwhile, out at sea, ten men are approaching the shore in an inflatable dingy. When they land, they split up into five teams of two and say their farewells. The men are terrorists from a Pakistan-based Islamist jihadi organisation called Lashkar-e-Taiba, which means Army of the Pure, who want to seize Indian-controlled Kashmir. They have been officially banned in Pakistan since 2002. In their backpacks they carry bombs, weapons and a list of targets, including the Taj Palace Hotel. 9.20pm A taxi carrying terrorists Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab and Ismail Khan pulls up outside the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Mumbais main railway station. They pay their fare, slip a bomb containing steel ball-bearings under the drivers seat and head for the main concourse. Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab at the Chatrapathi Sivaji Terminal railway station in Mumbai Smoke billows from the burning Taj Mahal Palace hotel on November 29, 2008 The five-star hotel is one of the most famous and opulent in India They pull out AK-47 assault rifles and start to shoot indiscriminately; the floor vibrates from the gunfire. One eyewitness said: They showed no fear or horror. They were like little children firing toy guns. Half a dozen railway policemen stand and watch the massacre and, when Kasab and Khan get close, they run away. One policeman does try to fire back but his gun jams and, in desperation, he throws a plastic chair at the terrorists. The second-in-command is police Inspector Shashank Shinde, who tries to rally his men, shouting: You five with rifles, come with me! But they are armed with old weapons and Shinde and most of his men are killed. 9.38pm Three miles away, Abu Rehman Bada and Abu Ali walk through the lobby of the Taj Mahal Palace and fire at anyone in their way. British Conservative MEP Sajjad Karim had just checked in and sees one of the terrorists is smirking as he kills. Sajjad said: People were screaming and shouting and running away. Some of them who were immediately in front of me began to drop. Im not sure quite how we managed it but we got round a corner and into a kitchen area. Sajjad and six other guests and staff manage to barricade themselves in a basement restaurant. 9.40pm Upstairs, Will Pike and Kelly Doyle are changing for dinner in their third-floor room. Will hears what he thinks are gunshots, but Kelly says, Dont be ridiculous. This is a five-star hotel. Kelly Doyle and Will Pike on holiday in Mumbai before the terrorist attack But then she too hears the shots, so they run into the corridor and see smoke drifting up from the ground floor. The couple dart back to their room, turn off the TV and the lights and hide in the bathroom holding hands. Will calls his father Nigel in London. Nigel recalled: I could hardly hear him because he was whispering. I could just make out him saying, Dad, Im terrified! Theres shooting going on outside. 9.45pm A block away from the Taj Mahal Palace, a taxi pulls up outside the Leopold Cafe, one of Mumbais best-known bars. Before getting out of the taxi, terrorists Abu Soheb and Abu Umar also leave a bomb under the drivers seat. Once inside the cafe, they chat calmly to each other, then suddenly throw a grenade and open fire. There is chaos and screaming as people try to escape. Soheb and Umar reload and try to finish off any survivors. Retired British teacher Michael Murphy is shot in the ribs and his wife Diane in the foot, but both survive. Eleven people are killed and 28 wounded. The gunmen then run towards the Taj Mahal Palace and start shooting at guests and security guards by the hotel pool. They link up with accomplices Bada and Ali. Retired British teacher Michael Murphy was shot in the ribs and his wife Diane in the foot, but both survived 9.55pm The four are roaming the Taj looking for targets. In the Harbour Bar close to the hotels main entrance, New York financier Mike Pollack and his wife Anjali are hiding from them under a table. He says to Anjali: We have to get out! and picks up a table and hurls it at a window but it just bounces off as the window is made of toughened glass, an innovation introduced after a 2003 terrorist attack. A waitress beckons to the Pollacks and other diners to follow her to the safety of the kitchens. 10pm The target of the fourth pair of gunmen, Fahadullah and Abdul Rehman Chhota, is the five-star, 800-room Oberoi Trident Hotel. They stride into the lobby and within seconds shoot dead nine staff and three guests. British businessman Colin Tungate is in a lift which reaches the lobby in the middle of the gunfire. We heard bangs as the door opened. A Japanese man in the lift was shot and wounded at that precise moment. I frantically pressed the Close door button but had to move the shot mans foot for the doors to close. Colin and his colleagues manage to escape. The police are blocking all the roads in southern Mumbai. 10.02pm Upstairs in Tiffin, the Oberoi Tridents first floor sushi restaurant, Reshma Khiani who is over from the U.S. for a wedding, hears the gunshots but she thinks they are fireworks. Then the terrorists walk in and start shooting at the diners at point-blank range. Reshma is hit six times and left for dead beside her family and friends. Upstairs on the second floor the staff of the Kandahar restaurant look down at the massacre in horror. Two waiters start leading diners away from danger and are just about to escape themselves when gunman Fahadullah yells, Stop or Ill shoot! He orders them to set light to the tablecloths using alcohol from a drinks trolley. The waiters deliberately use wine as it doesnt burn and they are soon out of matches. In frustration, Fahadullah shoots one dead but the other escapes. The target of the fourth pair of gunmen, Fahadullah and Abdul Rehman Chhota, is the five-star, 800-room Oberoi Trident Hotel. Pictured: A hostage peeks from a window A terrified guest looks out from a broken window of the besieged hotel 10.15pm Amit and Varsha Thadani were married on Sunday and are in their second-floor room in the Taj Palace dressing for a reception downstairs for 500 friends and family. The couple hear gunshots and then two men talking in the corridor. Varsha recalled: The next thing we heard was them dragging a lady out from the room next door. She was shouting. The woman is then dragged back into her room and bullets start flying through Amit and Varshas wall. Varsha said: She was crying in pain as if asking for help, but there was nothing we could do. At their wedding reception downstairs, a dozen Taj staff run in and lock the doors. 10.25pm The fifth pair of terrorists, Babar Imran and Abu Umar, close in on their final target, a Jewish study centre called Nariman House. Their handlers in Pakistan, who are in constant contact, phone to remind them that to murder Jews is more valuable to their cause than hotel guests. Imran and Umar are told: Every person you kill there is worth 50 of the ones killed elsewhere. They murder the rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his pregnant wife Rivka. Their two-year-old son Moshe is asleep in bed upstairs. The terrorists take him and other Jewish residents hostage. 10.30pm The bombs left in the taxis blow up, killing the drivers and their passengers. Its clear that Mumbai is under a major terrorist attack. The Indian government orders the National Security Guard to be deployed. Dozens of TV crews are now outside the Taj and Oberoi hotels so the Lashkar-e-Taiba commanders are able to watch the attacks live and use the coverage to guide and encourage their men. Indian Intelligence, which have been warning of a terrorist seaborne attack for the past two years, are monitoring their mobile phone calls. 10.45pm After over an hour of killing at the railway terminus, Kasab and Khan leave the building and so the police come out of hiding. By now 58 people lie dead and over 100 are wounded. But Kasab and Khan arent finished. A short distance away from the station, they shoot security guards outside Cama womens hospital and then prowl the corridors looking for hostages. The nursing staff turn off the lights and lock the doors to the wards. In the maternity ward, Nazarene Sheikh is in labour and calling out in agony, so the staff tell her that she must be quiet or they will be killed. The pain is so intense Nazarene cant stop crying but by a miracle Kasab and Khan dont hear. 11.20pm Throughout the Taj Palace, hundreds of residents have locked their doors, and some have even climbed onto window ledges. Will Pike and Kelly Doyle are still hiding in their bathroom. Throughout the Taj Palace, hundreds of residents locked their doors The hotel burns amid gun battles between Indian troops and Pakistani militants - but parts of the Taj were open again within weeks Will recalled: Occasionally you could hear a single gunshot. We thought that they were coming to the rooms executing people. To protect themselves they have grabbed a penknife and a knife and fork. Thursday, November 27 1am The four gunmen are now on the sixth floor of the Taj Palace. Their Lashkar-e-Taiba controllers call them wanting to know why the attack has stalled. They need the mission to look as spectacular as possible to grab the worlds attention. Pile up the carpets and mattresses from the room youve opened, douse them in alcohol and set them alight. Get a couple of floors burning! A mile away, Mohammed Kasab and Ismail Khan, who wreaked havoc in the rail terminus, drive straight into a police roadblock. Khan is shot dead and Kasab is overpowered. He pleads to one of the officers: Please sir, I have done what I came to do. Please kill me. Kasab later claims his father, a street seller, sold him to Lashkar-e-Taiba telling his son: Well have money, we wont be poor any more. 1.10am In the Oberoi Trident, Fahadullah and Abdul Rehman Chhota are on the 12th floor looking for hostages. They stumble across 15 diners who escaped from the Kandahar restaurant downstairs. The gunmen march them up a stairwell, firing shots in the air to keep them moving and when they reach the 21st floor, ten are lined up and shot. Turkish businessman Seyfi Muezzinoglu and his wife Meltem and three other women are spared. They are then taken to a bedroom by Fahadullah and Chhota while they decide what to do with them. 1.10am The Lashkar-e-Taiba controllers are watching the TV news and are furious there is no sign of a fire at the Taj, so they phone their men. Nothing is going to happen until you start the fire. When people see the flames they will begin to be afraid. And throw some grenades, my brother. Theres no harm in throwing a few grenades. But the gunmen are in no hurry to act and seem overwhelmed by the opulence of the hotel and tell their handlers: There are computers here with high tech screens! Its amazing! The controller insists they start a proper fire immediately. 2am The gunmen have done what they are told and now four hotel rooms in the Taj are alight. Flames surge up into the night sky from the iconic building and fire crews desperately try to douse the flames. The dramatic scene is being relayed live around the world. Three hours after being deployed, the army is finally in position, surrounding all the terrorist targets. At the Taj a small unit of marine commandos called MARCOS arrive with a mission to kill the terrorists and rescue the hundreds of trapped guests. 3.45am Retired Australian couple Doug and Alison Martell have hidden in their Taj Palace hotel room since the start of the attack. Doug looks through the peephole and sees the corridor on fire. They decide they have no option to escape through the hotel. In the corridor Doug is spotted by the terrorists and gunned down and killed. Alison is hit in the arm and later rescued by hotel staff. 3.50am Black smoke from the fire has reached the bathroom where Will Pike and Kelly Doyle are hiding. Will says, This is it. They decide to escape though their third-floor window and tie towels, sheets and curtains together to form a makeshift rope. Will smashes the window with a table, tells Kelly he loves her and climbs out. I put all my weight on the rope and the last thing I remember was falling. I remember looking up and seeing the ledge going away and the rope falling down with me. The next thing I remember I was on the ground looking at the bone shards sticking out of my wrist. A fire crew rescue eventually Kelly by hydraulic crane and Will is taken to hospital with serious injuries. Will Pike (pictured with Kelly Doyle) has a spinal cord injury that means he will never walk again 4am In the library of the Taj Palace, British-born millionaire Andreas Liveras, is speaking live to BBC News. I came to have a curry in the Taj Mahal hotel, which is the best restaurant here, he says to presenter Matt Frei. Andreas was frustrated that they had yet to rescued and though the publicity might provoke some action. We hid ourselves under the table and then they (the hotel staff) switched all the lights off. But the machine guns kept going, and they took us into the kitchen, and from there into a basement, before we came up into a salon where we are now. People are frightened. The hotel is shaking every time a bomb goes off. We are looking at each other and everyone jumps, living on their nerves. Matt Frei wishes Andreas good luck. 4.30am The first mass evacuation of Taj Palace guests by the MARCOS is taking place. Meanwhile, in the Oberoi Trident, gunmen Fahadullah and Chhota are still holding five hostages. Seyfi Muezzinoglus wife Meltem is trying to comfort a terrified 28-year-old Singaporean lawyer named Lo Hwei Yen. The terrorists handlers in Karachi call with instructions: Brother Abdul, the media is comparing your action to 9/11. Dont be taken alive. Kill all hostages, except the two Muslims. Keep your phone switched on so that we can hear the gunfire. The five are led into the corridor and three are shot, including Lo Hwei Yen. Seyfi and Meltem are powerless to stop them. Seyfi recalled: It was terrible. I still hear her screams. The terrorists walk away, leaving the Turkish couple behind. 4.15am A fireman rescues newlyweds Amit and Varsha Thadani who have been hiding in their Taj Palace bathroom for six hours. In the Oberoi Trident sushi restaurant, Reshma Khiani is still lying in a pool of blood surrounded by her dead family and friends. All night she has been drifting in and out of consciousness and hallucinating that she can see Ganesh and Jesus. Now fully awake, she sees the sun coming up through a window. 5pm In the library of the Taj, millionaire Andreas Liveras is still holed up with guests and staff. Suddenly gunshots are fired and a number of people are hit. Andreas is killed by a bullet to the head. Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, the lone survivor of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack's ten gunmen, was convicted in 2010 For the past few hours Kelly Doyle has been walking barefoot from hospital to hospital searching for her injured boyfriend Will. Finally she finds him in the Bombay Hospital. She recalled, I walked in and they had half plastered his hands and blood was seeping through and he looked yellow. I kissed him and said, We are fine, we are fine, we are alive. Will has a spinal cord injury that means he will never walk again. 6am Indian TV has announced the capture of Mohammed Kasab and the Lashkar-e-Taiba controllers want to do a deal. They instruct their men in Nariman House to get one of the hostages to call the Israeli consulate in Mumbai and tell them the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh he must release the captured terrorist Mohammed Kasab in exchange for the Israelis. After hostage Norma Rabinovich has made the call a Lashkar-e-Taiba controller speaks to her and promises that she and the hostage with her, Yocheved Orpaz, will be released. He says chillingly: Just sit back and relax and dont worry. Norma sobs: Yes, sir. He replies: And save your energy for good days. 8.30am Reshma Khiani, who has lain injured in Oberoi Tridents first floor sushi restaurant for 12 hours, is finally rescued. Although some wedding reception guests have been brought out of the Taj, many are still waiting to be evacuated and can hear gun battles outside. Then a MARCOS commando bursts in, saying: I want you all to stay calm! Listen to me, there is nothing to worry about. The first bullet will go through me, Im leading you out. 6pm The commandos are slowly making their way through the Oberoi Hotel and have reached the 18th floor where gunmen Fahadullah and Abdul Rehman Chhota have been holed up in a bathroom. Their controller phones them for an update and Fahadullah says that Chhota is lying dead next to him and that the bedroom is on fire. Theyre showing it on the TV. The controller tells him he must not be taken alive and to go out and fight. Put your phone in your pocket but leave it on. Then the controller hears the sound of gunshots as Fahadullah is killed. 10pm The siege of Nariman House continues. Hundreds of police and commandos surround the building. The terrorists have had no phone call from the Indian government about releasing Kasab and so the Lashkar-e-Taiba controllers are losing patience. They call the terrorists holding Norma Rabinovich and Yocheved Orpaz and tell Babar Imran to shoot them. Sit them up and shoot them in the back of the head. Imran stalls, saying that his colleague Umar is asleep and not feeling well, so the controller gives him half an hour. Two year-old Moshes nanny has managed to grab him and flee the building. 10.30pm The controller calls again. Have you done the job yet or not?. Imran replies: Please dont be angry, I was waiting for you to call so you could listen. Hold on. Norma Rabinovich and Yocheved Orpaz are shot as the controller listens. Friday, November 28 7.23am A helicopter appears over Nariman House and drops men onto the roof. The Lashkar-e-Taiba controllers are watching the live TV pictures and tell their men inside what they can see. Fifteen men have climbed down on your rooftop right now. Go towards the roof, throw a grenade at them! The first commando inside the building is killed by shrapnel from a grenade. Imran and Umar are not going to die without a fight. 5.39pm The siege at Nariman House has been going on for over 40 hours. The commandos fire rockets at the building and launch another assault. This time they make their way through black smoke and kill Imran and Umar. On the street, the commandos wave their guns at the TV cameras in celebration. The watching Lashkar-e-Taiba controllers know it is only a matter of time before the rest of their ruthless killers are eliminated. Aftermath The Taj Palace Hotel and the Oberoi Trident were only declared safe on Saturday, November 28. In all, at least 174 people, including 20 security force personnel and 26 foreign nationals were killed and more than 300 people were injured. In 2010, Mohammed Kasab was convicted of murder and executed two years later. The day after he had resigned as chair of the Arizona Republican Party and as his plans for a huge Donald Trump fundraiser in Phoenix collapsed in chaos, Jeff DeWit melted down. 'This place is a sinking ship,' he told stunned staff at party headquarters on Thursday, according to a source familiar with his words. 'You should all get out now.' He resigned Wednesday after DailyMail.com published a secret recording of the state party chair apparently trying to bribe Kari Lake out of launching a run for Senate. DeWit accused her of setting him up and leaking a doctored tape. Either way, the week of turmoil leaves the party in a perilous state. Jeff DeWit resigned as chair of the Arizona Republican Party on Wednesday, a day after leaked audio revealed the moment he tried to persuade Kari Lake to get out of politics for two year DeWit was at the third-floor headquarters of the party in Phoenix on Wednesday and Thursday. Sources said he floated the idea of withdrawing his resignation to fight on Factions are battling for control. Its campaign war chest is depleted after Trump dropped out of its biggest fundraising event of the year. And Democrats see a chance to turn the purple battleground state a deeper shade of blue in November's elections. DeWit should have been enjoying a huge week, welcoming Trump he was chief operating officer of his 2016 and 2020 campaigns to Dream City Church on Friday afternoon and returning the following day to oversee a crucial meeting of officials from all across the state. Instead he spent it out of the public glare, trying to avoid journalists and their questions about who was behind the plot to remove Lake from politics for two years. Lake last year revealed how an unnamed official had come to her house with an offer designed to prevent her joining the state's Senate race. A local radio station named DeWit as the official responsible on Monday. And a day later his own words confirmed Lake's allegations when the audio was made public. 'There are very powerful people who want to keep you out,' he can be heard saying in the recording from March last year. He asks Lake, who ran for governor in 2022 and who at the time was widely expected to announce a Senate campaign, to keep the conversation secret. Former President Donald Trump was in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday. He pulled out of a major fundraising event due to be held in Phoenix, Arizona, on Friday, as the state party plunged into crisis after the audio was leaked and DeWit resigned Lake's team claim she is now the Arizona kingmaker after 'she nuked the unethical chairman of the AZGOP.' But she was booed at a state meeting on Saturday The audio arrived days before the Arizona party held its annual state meeting in Phoenix. Hundreds of committeemen and women traveled to the city from all around the state 'So the ask I got today from back east was: "Is there any companies out there or something that could just put her on the payroll to keep her out?"' At another moment he asks her for a 'number' that would keep her out of politics for two years. He first told allies he could tough it out, accusing Lake of setting him up. But on Wednesday afternoon he announced his resignation, saying he feared Lake was about to leak more damaging audio. 'I genuinely believed I was offering a helpful perspective to someone I considered a friend,' DeWit said. The strain was obvious on DeWit, according to people who saw him at the party's third-floor headquarters in a downtown office block during the week. As he fumed in his corner office with his executive director and communications director, he thought there might be a way back. It wasn't a real resignation, he told allies. He said: 'I can retract it.' A source present said the headquarters had the feel of the last day of college. 'His two lieutenants were sadly packing up knowing they'll never be back again,' the source said. 'In my mind there's two types of Republicans: Trumpers and traitors,' said one attendee Stalls outside the event sold bulletproof backpacks, T-shirts and one displayed a U.S. flag made out of shotgun cartridges. Delegates conducted party business and elected a new chair Another said DeWit was leading with his emotions and thought he could find some way back. 'It was frantic. His movements were frantic, which spoke to the panic and lack of concrete plan,' he said. The state party had been under intense financial pressure, caused in part by legal bills related to Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The Washington Post last year that DeWit was 'begging the Republican National Committee for a financial bailout.' He had expected a huge windfall on Friday when Trump was due to headline the 'Freedom Fest' at a megachurch in the north of the city. On Thursday, the state party announced Trump was unable to attend because he had to appear in a New York court. The result was a bitter blow to the party, said GOP strategist Barrett Marson. 'It was supposed to be significant fundraiser featuring a very popular attraction.' he said. 'I don't know that Jeff DeWitt was the most popular person in GOP circles, and I don't know that he was doing a swell job as chairman, but he was getting this done, and he was raising some money. 'And now all that is in peril.' He said DeWit's downfall may have been that he was too establishment for the Make America Great Again (MAGA) Trumpist wing of the party, and too MAGA for the establishment, leaving him with few allies to defend him. 'He was his own island,' he said. Republicans gathered at the Dream City Church in Phoenix on Saturday. Trump had been due to headline the party's 'Free The Arizona party has faced a cash crunch in recent years, blamed in part on legal battles over the 2020 election result, which Trump insisted was stolen from him The chaos comes at a crucial time for the Arizona Republican Party. The once red state is now considered a purple battleground and it could tend blue if Republicans can't get in line That was evident in the leaked recording. As he argued with Lake, urging her to step aside, she accused him of trying to defeat Trump. 'I'm not even sure Trump can win again,' he can be heard saying. The former president values loyalty above all else. And it may have been that line, as much as anything, that triggered the cascade of leaks that ended his run as chair. On Saturday morning, hundreds of attendees milled around the courtyard of the Dream City Church where Trump had been scheduled to speak in front of some 4,500 paying ticketholders ahead of a long-scheduled rules meeting. One said the week had been been a 'rollercoaster.' Michael Phillips, a Pima County committeeman,' said it was 'cray, cray, cray.' Media were barred from the meeting. But tweets and messages flew around from those inside. They described a bad-tempered gathering as committee members clashed over the bylaws for electing a new chair. Trump and Lake endorsed Gina Swoboda for the position, but her opponents said she was ineligible for the post under the party's own rules. The clashes over election integrity reflected intra-party squabbling ever since Trump refused to accept results in Arizona that showed he lost to Joe Biden. Swoboda was the former president's 2020 Arizona election day operations director and since then has led efforts to unearth voting irregularities around the country with Voter Reference Foundation. She was also 'election integrity director' for Lake's failed 2022 campaign to be governor. Lake repeatedly claimed the election was stolen from her, although courts rejected her claims of fraud. Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake was booed by Republicans in Arizona Saturday as she spoke in support of Gina Swoboda (left) at Dream City Church Media were barred from the Saturday meeting, which was marred by bad-tempered disputes Swoboda won the vote on Saturday night, but not without a difficult evening for Lake. The Senate candidate received a frosty reception inside the hall. Witnesses said her words were almost drowned out by booing as she delivered her endorsement of Swoboda. 'You may not agree with me on everything,' she said as she battled the noise, 'but what we can agree on is that elections in Arizona are a corrupt mess election.' Her team shrugged off the less-than-warm welcome. 'She nuked the unethical chairman of the AZGOP,' said senior adviser Garrett Ventry. 'Her endorsed candidate for AZGOP Chair just won. Kari Lake is the kingmaker for Arizona Republicans. Outside the meeting Hilary Jones Rojo, standing behind a stall selling bulletproof backpacks and flagpoles that can withstand winds of 85mph, said the turmoil had been necessary. 'I'm glad she exposed it,' she said. 'I think Jeff DeWit was doing things that chairmen have to do ... but I think it got very scummy.' Others put it more succinctly. 'I'm sick of this party,' said a red t-shirted man as he left the meeting. 'In my mind there's two types of Republicans: Trumpers and traitors.' Haunted for decades by a secret desire to become a woman, Debbie Hayton had gender reassignment surgery 12 years ago. In yesterday's extract from her searingly honest memoir, the married science teacher described the dawning realisation that her operation could not alter biological fact: she would for ever be a man, however she chose to dress. Today, she argues that Britain's schools must stop pandering to the trans lobby. You may think that changing your sexual identity should be an issue of concern solely to people like me. Though middle-aged and married with three children, after decades as a secret transvestite I came out and transitioned from a man to a woman, first socially by cross-dressing and changing my name from David to Debbie, then physically by subjecting myself to the extreme surgery of having my genitalia sliced and diced and reconfigured. We transsexuals are a smallish number in a UK population of 68 million. But what should be a personal and private matter affecting just a few has become public property and a game-changer insidiously affecting the whole of society. Gender identity ideology now permeates our institutions. It has hijacked the narrative of all our lives. Take the sudden, unwelcome proliferation of preferred pronouns. Email signatures, internet profiles, even identity badges, are no longer complete without a nod to pronouns. 'My name is Alan and my pronouns are he/him.' 'Hi, I'm Barbara and my pronouns are she/her.' 'Hello, my name is Colin and I use he/they pronouns.' You may think that changing your sexual identity should be an issue of concern solely to people like me. Above: Debbie with her wife Stephanie People never used to feel the need to do this. Now it's almost obligatory. You might imagine a transsexual like me would approve. I don't. If asked I always refuse. I say: 'My name is Debbie and I am not declaring any pronouns.' I think preferred pronouns are a retrograde move, but more on that later. First I want to concentrate on the most scandalous effect of the new obsession with transitioning the dreadful things we are doing to children. Today, thousands of impressionable youngsters lap up gender identity ideology as the answer to all their problems and are encouraged in this dangerous assumption by those who should know better. I feel for today's transgender-identified children and I worry greatly about them. I transitioned because I thought I had a gender identity that was different from the sex I was born with, even though I had never been able to define 'gender identity', even to myself. I still feel like a heterosexual man, but one who wants to be perceived as a woman. I've come to realise that I had transitioned without knowing why. And I was not a teenager I was approaching 50. I know how vulnerable young people are. If, back in 1980, aged 12 and secretly dressing in my mother's clothes, a teacher had told me I could be a girl, I would have been all ears. If they had told me that there were drugs and surgeries that could make me look like a girl, my next question would have been: 'Where do I find them?' That was the stuff of my dreams. I would have been desperate to sign up for the full package. Irony of being lectured for not declaring my pronouns The fashion for declaring your preferred pronoun is now so ubiquitous that it is difficult to be a conscientious objector. On the surface, bowing to someone's wish to be called 'he' or 'she' or 'they' is surely no more than a kind and thoughtful gesture that respects other people's situations. And perfectly harmless. Except that it isn't harmless. It transfers power. No longer do any of us have the freedom to perceive which sex-based pronouns best describe the human being standing in front of us: we are now expected to read the label and follow the instructions. Or else. When I transitioned just over a decade ago pronoun badges were unknown, and for many transsexuals also unwanted. Pronouns were the acid test of a successful transition. When, without being prompted, strangers described me as 'she' and 'her', I knew I'd passed muster as a woman. Declaring my pronouns on a badge would have defeated the exercise. Those proselytising for pronouns need to stop and think about the potential impact on trans people who are still in the closet. Declarations of pronouns place them in an excruciating dilemma as I would have experienced if this had been demanded of me during the first 43 years of my life before I transitioned. That's why, even now, I neither share pronouns nor fudge the issue but will say if pressed, 'My name is Debbie and I am not declaring any pronouns.' I am still surprised when I am not 'read' at 50 paces: I'm almost 6ft tall, my shoulders are broad and my voice broke in adolescence. But people take me as they find me. Transsexualism is not on most people's minds when they meet someone new. The choice is instinctive: man or woman? And the balance tips one way or the other. A new colleague who was unaware of my past once challenged me ever so nicely for not wearing my pronouns. 'It's really helpful to trans people,' she lectured me. 'If we all share our pronouns, trans people do not stand out when they share theirs.' The irony was delicious: badge or no badge, she hadn't clocked that I was trans, which was good because it just showed how successful my transition had been. As for her, the 'she/her' badge she wore was redundant I read her as female anyway. The fact is that we have evolved as humans to assess the sex of people's bodies. If the messages clash, the observer must choose follow the badge or trust their instincts? I worry that, when the badge wins, the wearer achieves something remarkable. They control the speech of other people and, in a chilling Orwellian sense, prevent them saying what they instinctively know to be true. Advertisement And it would have been a mistake. As I have discovered through personal (and physically painful) experience, transition is not an elixir. But I do not think I would have discerned that truth as a child. What I now know and it has put me at odds with the militant transsexual community is that gender identity disorders are just that: disorders. Whatever is happening, it is part of the human condition. We did not need to invent a new belief system to explain it and we certainly did not need to sell it to children. Tragically, though, some children have been subjected to life-changing physical interventions, treated with cross-sex hormones, the long-term effects of which are unknown because this truly is experimental medicine. Puberty blockers may stop their natural development so they will never know what it means to grow up the way nature intended. Some teenage girls will never be able to breastfeed their own babies after electing to have a double mastectomy 'top surgery' as it's called by the LGBT+ community (the T stands for transgender). One plastic surgeon Dr Sidhbh Gallagher touts her business on social media, where she styles herself 'Dr Teetus Deletus'. Her videos are glitzy and her language is juvenile but her product is profound and permanent. Of course, not every child who struggles with their sex will undergo such catastrophic and irreversible surgery, thank goodness. But the impact of gender identity ideology is being felt widely in schools. I am a science teacher and after nearly 30 years in the classroom, I know full well that growing up is hard it always has been. Some children struggle with their changing bodies. Others have difficulties coping with the fickle nature of relationships among their peer group, both within their sex and between the sexes. But what is new is the concept of the 'trans' person, and by extension, the so-called 'trans child'. According to gender identity ideology, the trans child is a young person who does not identify with the gender that was assigned to them at birth. It must sound tantalising to children who struggle with their sex, particularly when the message is proselytised with the help of 'genderbread persons' and 'gender unicorns' in bright, cheerfully coloured cartoon images that push the concept of gender identity on to children who believe what they are told. The creators of the unicorn define gender identity as one's internal sense of being male, female, neither of these, both, or another gender(s). And everyone, they say, has one. For transgender people, their sex assigned at birth and their own internal sense of gender identity are not the same. Female, woman, girl and male, man, boy are also not necessarily linked to each other but are just six common gender identities. But this is simply not true. Those concepts are linked. We are male or female in the same way that each member of every other mammalian species is male or female. Females produce large gametes called ova, or eggs while males produce small motile gametes called sperm. Sperm meets egg and the cycle starts all over again. Adult female humans are called 'women' and adult male humans are called 'men'; juveniles are called 'girls' and 'boys' respectively. There is certainly variation within each sex, but that basic division accounts for everyone. We all used to know and accept this, even if we didn't like it. But now children have been told that the traditional view of sex is simplistic (it isn't), that scientists have found out more (which they might have done, but there are still two immutable sexes), and that not everyone falls into the binary (they do). When these ideas come into schools, they can go virtually unchallenged. My view (and my experience) is that gender non-conformity can be tolerated celebrated even without the need to pretend that any child is really the opposite sex, or has a gender identity. But schools and teachers have been seduced to the point where they no longer recognise reality. This was a problem during Covid restrictions when children spent their days on the internet rather than physically in school. But it persisted when those restrictions were relaxed. Back in the classroom, children were again a captive audience. But some teachers had by then embraced gender identity ideology and vigorously promoted it, presumably genuinely believing it would improve their pupils' lives. Other teachers then shrugged and paid lip service. After all, if it makes some people feel happier about themselves, it can't be a bad thing, can it? Actually behind the rainbows and sparkles it can be very bad. Few secondary-school teachers train to be teachers of PSHE (personal, social, health and economic education); rather, we are physics teachers, or teachers of maths, English, geography, art, whatever. For many of us, PSHE is something that needs to be covered, perhaps with their tutor group after taking the register and reading out the notices for the day. But with no free time to develop their own programmes, the temptation is to say: 'Just give us a scheme and we will deliver it'. And so schools have bought ready-to-teach materials from external providers. These are not hard to find from, for example, Stonewall UK (the gay and lesbian charity which became 'trans-inclusive' in 2015). It claims to have a 'dedicated team of education professionals' who work hard to 'bring you the resources and guidance you need'. Teachers struggling to find the time to mark their books suddenly have one less task to worry about. Job done! Debbie, then called David, on her wedding day with wife Stephanie in 1993 But what job and why has it been done? Gender identity ideology can look harmless at first glance. But behind the bright and colourful resources, adults are making promises they can never deliver. Youngsters are taught that they can choose to identify as boys, girls or perhaps something else. This has a profound impact on some of them to change who they are, the names they call themselves and the pronouns they declare. And they are supported in this, their ideas reinforced rather than scrutinised, by a ready-made community on the internet which applauds transgender-identified children as heroes. But the fact is children have always harboured fantasies; our job as teachers should not be to affirm them uncritically but gently and sensitively to steer them back to reality. Youngsters need to grow up and find themselves, not be railroaded into off-the-peg identities. The BBC once told children there were 'over 100 genders' but in some respects it didn't go far enough. Every human being is unique: if there are 7 billion of us then there are also 7 billion different genders. But for all the variation in personality, there are just two sexes. Science cannot be fooled even if people can. Boys who yearn to express femininity (as I did) do not need to become girls as part of the deal. Meanwhile, girls who are desperate to reject that very same femininity don't need to identify as non-binary to cut their hair, wear trousers and climb trees. Nobody needs a gender identity we simply need to be ourselves. I'm sometimes asked by other teachers to advise on trans policies. I'm not a policy expert but two general principles seem to me to be self-evident. Firstly, we cannot change our sex and nor can we wish it away. In schools, we sometimes need to treat boys and girls differently in sports, changing rooms and toilets, for example. In these situations, biological sex matters and transgender-identified children must not be accommodated with the other sex. The second principle is inclusion. That does not mean placing boys in girls' spaces, or vice versa but they can and should be included in mixed-sex spaces with everyone else. Schools should also be sympathetic to pupils who prefer to opt out of stereotypes bundled with their sex. We should, of course, protect gender non-conforming children from condemnation, criticism and ridicule but we need not cite gender identity. Crucially, nobody should need to claim to be trans or non-binary in order to be respected for being different. GENDER identity ideology must be challenged that is my firm belief. It imposes unscientific and harmful ideas on children. In not much more than a decade, this new faith has gripped our society and is fundamentally distorting it. The parallels with traditional religion are unmistakable. There is a priestly class trans people who are at the centre of a belief system with its own doctrines and creeds, which are self-serving and inward looking. They are considered immune from criticism and, at the same time, so weak and vulnerable that they need special protection. Politicians and policymakers defer to their demands like their predecessors centuries ago bowed to the requirements of the Church. Children are educated in this belief structure, and adults expected at least to go along with it if they want to be seen as worthy people. Question gender identity ideology and you are labelled anti-trans and a bigot and you are shamed and shunned until you comply. Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling is perhaps the most high-profile objector, even receiving death threats for her perfectly reasonable view that people cannot change their biological sex. Dissenting politicians have been subjected to censure from within their parties, while ordinary people have received appalling abuse for simply stating the truth human beings cannot change sex. To continue the religious theme, those like me who once believed the dogma but have seen the light and left the faith are apostates, deserters, heretics, even traitors. We are seen to be bad people who need to be silenced. But I refuse to be silenced in my belief that transgender women (biological males who transition) are not women. I am also deeply concerned about the drift towards gender self-identification where any man can simply declare himself to be a woman. This is a dangerous nonsense that makes women vulnerable to predators and I will continue to press this point despite the campaign of lobbyists such as the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), Stonewall and Amnesty International. It worries me that decision- makers are capitulating to the demands of pressure groups not only to enshrine gender identity into law but to push the boundaries as far as possible. I was horrified by a report from Dentons, a global law firm based in London, in 2019 that encouraged campaigners to press for children to be allowed to change their gender (and hence their legal sex) without the approval of adults, especially, it seemed, their parents. Needing parental consent, it argued, could be 'problematic' for minors. Should parents disagree, the state should take action against them for 'obstructing the free development of a young trans person's identity'. These comments should have raised red flags. Why the need to shut out parents and keep things quiet? But too many governments and policymakers simply caved in. In workplaces, human resources departments and trade unions usually on opposite sides of any argument were united in announcing that self-declaration of gender takes precedence, displacing other people's perceptions of us. Public services have been captured by the mantra of inclusivity. Hospitals fly Pride flags while the police paint rainbows and Stonewall logos on the sides of squad cars. These days, Stonewall UK reigns supreme with dogma such as 'Trans women are women, trans men are men and non-binary identities are valid'. Mutual support: Stephanie and Debbie today It's a statement I repudiate. Their central belief that we all have a gender identity that determines whether we are men, women or something else not only flies in the face of science, it demolishes women's boundaries and their sex-based rights. Ironically, it also defines all human sexuality as attraction to gender identity rather than to the sex of a person, denying the basis of gay and lesbian existence. I am mightily relieved to have escaped the quasi-religious trans community. Far better to be a transsexual apostate grounded in reality than a follower of their ideology, clinging to that ethereal fantasy that we have a gender identity. We don't. Fulfilment is not found in identity groups, no matter how colourful the pink-and-blue transgender flag flown by anarchists, rabble-rousers and any political activists looking for a fight, in the knowledge that styling themselves 'trans allies' means they can act with impunity. Fulfilment comes through self-awareness, self-understanding and self-contentment. For me, transition was hard work; self-discovery was harder but infinitely more worthwhile. Why would anyone want to be defined by a transgender identity, when they could just be themselves? Debbie Hayton, 2024 Transsexual Apostate, by Debbie Hayton, to be published by Swift Press on February 8 at 16.99. To order a copy for 15.29 (offer valid to 17/02/24; UK p&p free on orders over 25) go to mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937. NSW Police have halted two further neo-Nazi gatherings in Sydney in less than 24 hours, with Premier Chris Minns vowing to crack down on right-wing extremists. After police stopped a group of men wearing black clothing and balaclavas associated with the National Socialist Network on a train at North Sydney Station on Australia Day, police again broke up meetings of the far-right group at North Turramurra on Saturday evening and Artarmon on Sunday morning. At North Turramurra on Sydney's upper north shore on Saturday evening, the group's leader Thomas Sewell was given a public safety order extension, banning him from several parts of Sydney until midnight on Sunday. 'Police have served a 31-year-old man with a Public Safety Order extension, prohibiting him from entering a number of local government areas in Sydney until midnight (on Sunday),' NSW Police said in a statement. 'The order extension was served (on Saturday) evening at North Turramurra.' Police broke up a meeting of the National Socialist Network at North Turramurra on Saturday evening (pictured, police cars at the scene) The National Socialist Network, led by Thomas Sewell (pictured right), held an Australia Day demonstration on a train on Friday Police descended on North Turramurra on Saturday night where dozens of members of the neo-Nazi group were meeting. One local witness, who asked to remain anonymous, said the group began assembling around the local scout hall in the afternoon. 'There were a large number of young men in attendance, but also some young women, mostly wearing black clothing, and the scout hall was definitely open and ostensibly being used by the group,' the resident told NCA Newswire. A large police presence was seen around the hall, including about 10 police cars. In a separate incident on Sunday morning, there was a heavy police presence at Artarmon Reserve as the members group once again gathered in public. Pictures from the scene showed police watching on as a group of black-clad men congregated at the suburban park. NSW Police said on Sunday morning that a police operation had concluded with no arrests after the group moved on without incident. Police, including officers from the Raptor Squad and Public Order and Riot Squad, were called out to the reserve after the group of approximately 30 men began to gather around 8.30am. NSW Police intercepted a train carrying the neo-Nazi group at North Sydney station (above) on Friday, Australia Day The group of men (pictured) were seen boarding a train dressed entirely in black, one carrying an Australian flag 'The group ... was verbally served an updated Public Safety Order prohibiting them from entering further Sydney local government areas,' NSW Police said. 'The group dispersed and there were no arrests.' It came a day after police stormed North Sydney train station on Australia Day following reports a group of about 60 men were boarding a train into the city wearing balaclavas and all-black outfits. The men are affiliated with the National Socialist Network, which is led by convicted criminal Thomas Sewell. The 30-year-old leader and his followers boarded a train at Artarmon station, further up the northern line in Sydney, on Friday afternoon. The group of men were seen wearing sunglasses, balaclavas and masks while chanting and waving Australian flags. All passengers were evacuated and no one is understood to have been injured. Police arrested six members of the group on Friday morning and issued 61 infringement notices for offensive behaviour. Two members have since been released without charge. NSW Premier Chris Minns strongly denounced the act, and said he would be open to strengthening laws against 'White Power salutes'. He said officers were able to slow down the trains between Artarmon - where the group boarded - and North Sydney, in order to allow officers from the Public Order and Riot Squad, and the North Sydney Command to intercept the group. Police arrested six members of the group (pictured) on Friday morning and issued 61 infringement notices for offensive behaviour More than 20 officers boarded the train and dozens more stood on the platform to remove the neo-Nazi group from North Sydney station (above) on Friday More than 20 officers boarded the train and dozens more stood on the platform. On arrival of the train in North Sydney station, members of the public were directed to leave the train while police removed the men. 'This menace was stopped before a very ugly confrontation on Sydney's streets. There is no place for this kind of fascism, neo-Nazism, or far-right extremism on this great day, Australia Day,' Mr Minns told reporters. 'The vast, vast majority of people that live in (this) state would completely reject any notion or idea that this group of far right extremist and neo-Nazis are needed on our national day.' Prior to the incident, the group had been issued a public safety order by NSW Police to stay away from Australia Day events. Mr Minns said that the behaviour was not welcome in NSW, and anyone who was 'attempting to reconvene and do this again,' would be met with 'overwhelming force from the NSW Police'. 'No normal person wears a balaclava, let alone on Australia Day on the public transport system,' he said. 'If it wasn't so menacing, it would be completely ridiculous'. It follows the NSW government's recent announcement that it will be conducting a review into section 93Z of the Crimes Act, which legislates laws against publicly threatening or inciting violence against someone based on the grounds of race, or religious belief or affiliation. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Saturday joined in the condemnation of the group's behaviour. He said he was 'horrified' by the images. 'I don't want to see people in balaclavas, dressed in black from head to toe, who are engaged in neo-Nazi activity in this country,' he said. 'It has no place and it has rightly been condemned by all decent people'. Following the public incidents involving the National Socialist Network, Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin said he was 'heartbroken and alarmed by the return of genocidal antisemitism'. NSW Premier Chris Minns (pictured) strongly denounced the act, and said he would be open to strengthening laws against 'White Power salutes' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured) on Saturday said he was 'horrified' by photos of the demonstration He said recent public displays of antisemitism should be a 'source of shame' for society and were a 'deep collective reflection on how little we have learned'. 'We are reminded that the desire to destroy the Jews has not diminished, only the means to carry this out has been temporarily suppressed,' Mr Ryvchin said. 'The audacity of anti-Semites in Australia, the freedom of mainstream online influencers, Neo-Nazi cells and supporters of jihadist terror to incite against our community with virtually no consequences, is particularly chilling.' A family of four has been terrorised during an early-morning home invasion in Sydney's inner west on Sunday, with police hunting for four men who stormed the suburban home armed with a metal bar. Police and paramedics rushed to Lucas Road, Burwood around 2am on Sunday after four people broke into the residence, leaving a father in his 60s with head injuries. Detectives were told a father, mother and their adult son and daughter were assaulted during the ordeal, with their assailants stealing a phone and car keys before fleeing the scene. It's believed police are investigating whether the incident was a case of mistaken identify, with the home intruders leaving the family's car in their driveway. All four members of the family were treated by paramedics and taken to Royal Prince Alfred hospital in a stable condition. A spokesman for NSW Ambulance said a man in his 60s was treated for head injuries following the incident which shocked the local community. A family of four has been terrorised during an early-morning home invasion in Sydney 's inner west on Sunday Police and paramedics rushed to Lucas Road, Burwood around 2am on Sunday after four people broke into the suburban home Police were told a father, mother, son and daughter were assaulted during the ordeal, with their assailants stealing a phone and car keys before fleeing the scene One local resident, Elizabeth Zhu, said she was 'totally shocked' by the incident. She said she did not hear the sirens and was alarmed when she walked out her door early on Sunday morning to see police scouring the property. 'I was in tears because I know the family,' she said. She described it as 'very very scary' for the normally-quiet street. 'Someone just went in with steel bars and attacked,' she said. 'It's still just unbelievable.' She described the family as 'very quiet' and 'very nice people'. She said she spoke to the mother on Sunday morning while she was still in hospital, with the husband being treated for a head injury. She said she was perplexed as to why the family was targeted. 'I just thought if I wanted money, I wouldn't go into their house because there's so many nice houses on that street,' she said. Officers from Burwood Police Area Command have launched an investigation into the incident. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. All four members of the family were treated by paramedics and taken to Royal Prince Alfred hospital in a stable condition NSW Ambulance said a man in his 60s was treated for head injuries Sir Keir Starmer has stoked the fury of Lancastrians after he tweeted there would be zero-tolerance in 'hotpot areas'. The comedy typo was made during a pledge on X, formerly Twitter, to create 13,000 extra police officers and PCSOs. It meant the Labour leader's message about strengthening policing was lost on many of his 1,400,000 followers. Most saw the funny side as a surge of memes appeared on social media blasting the Lancashire hotpot, poking fun at Sir Keir's gaffe. 'Those hotpot areas need sorting out. B****y Lancastrians,' wrote one user. Sir Keir's comedy typo was made during a pledge on X, formerly Twitter, to create 13,000 extra police officers and PCSOs Sir Keir Starmer's gaffe about Lancashire hotpot was dubbed 'anti-Lancashire discrimination' 'Those hotpot areas need sorting out. B****y Lancastrians,' wrote one user 'Labour being weak-willed I can deal with, but being anti-hotpot I can't' One man tweeted: 'What has Labour got against hotpot? Is it a particular recipe they oppose or hotpot in general? This won't win them votes in Lancashire' A person posted a picture of an arrest, adding: 'What is the charge? Eating a hotpot? A succulent Lancashire hotpot?' Journalist Jason Reid wrote: 'Zero-tolerance in hotpot areas? Betty will be spinning in her grave,' alongside a pic of Coronation Street's famous cook Betty Williams A proud Lancastrian wrote: 'As a man born in Lancashire, this is the last straw. 'Labour being weak-willed I can deal with, but being anti-hotpot I can't.' One man tweeted: 'What has Labour got against hotpot? Is it a particular recipe they oppose or hotpot in general? This won't win them votes in Lancashire.' A person posted a picture of an arrest, adding: 'What is the charge? Eating a hotpot? A succulent Lancashire hotpot?' Journalist Jason Reid wrote: 'Zero-tolerance in hotpot areas? Betty will be spinning in her grave,' alongside a pic of Coronation Street's famous cook Betty Williams. The Lancashire hotpot is a famous stew named after the county in northwest England. It is made up of lamb and onion, with sliced potatoes on top, slowly baked in a pot at a low heat. But beyond the jokes, the Labour leader's pronouncements around tackling knife crime are hitting headlines. Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail yesterday, Sir Keir 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.' Five zebras, four camels and a miniature horse had to be rescued from a flaming truck on an Indiana highway on Saturday morning A truck hauling zebras and camels for a circus caught fire on an Indiana highway, prompting a police rescue of the animals which were roaming along the freeway. The tractor-trailer caught fire around 2am along Interstate 69 in Grant County, with police rescuing the five zebras, four camels and a miniature horse being rescued. The Grant County Sheriff's Office shared images of the animals munching on grass at the side of the highway after being saved from the inferno. One video captured at the scene shows the zebras and camels herded into pens on the side of the road, while another shows the camels crossing the highway. Sgt. Steven Glass with Indiana State Police said that a state trooper and a sheriff's deputy had to be treated at a hospital for smoke inhalation but were later released. The tractor-trailer caught fire around 2am along Interstate 69 in Grant County, with police rescuing the five zebras, four camels and a miniature house being rescued Officers from the sheriff's office posed with the exotic animals after rescuing them from the blaze The Grant County Sheriff's Office shared images of the animals munching on grass at the side of the highway after being saved from the inferno None of the animals were injured during the blaze, with the truck driver also escaping harm. The fire caused all northbound lanes of I-69 to be closed until 6:30 on Saturday morning. The truck was bringing the animals from Florida to Fort Wayne for four weekend circus performances in the Indiana city, said Steve Trump, its circus director. Trump said the truck's crew stopped the vehicle along the highway to check a problem with the vehicle and discovered a fire that quickly spread, threatening the animals in its trailer until they were rescued. The fire destroyed the truck and a second truck was sent from Fort Wayne to pick up the animals from the highway and bring them to Fort Wayne's Memorial Coliseum to await their roles in the weekend's family-friendly circus performances. 'I was thrilled that things worked out that way,' Trump said. Deputy Brent Ressett with the Grant County Sheriffs Office said: 'Its not something we see every day.' Grant County Sheriff's Office public information officer Brent Ressett told USA TODAY: 'They just started grazing actually in the middle of the interstate, which which kept them occupied, which was a good thing.' The truck was bringing the animals from Florida to Fort Wayne for four weekend circus performances in the Indiana city None of the animals were injured during the blaze, with the truck driver also escaping harm Ressett continued: 'And they were all docile, obviously, they had bridles on so you know, wasn't like they couldn't be moved around. And the the median kind of served as a corral because of the guardrail.' He also told the outlet that the incident could have been more dangerous, with a second semi-truck traveling along holding tigers and lions on board. 'That might have been a little bit more interesting', he added. Police said they had issued no citations and the preliminary investigation revealed that an equipment failure had caused the truck to catch fire. John Fetterman has trolled pro-Palestinian protestors who turned up at his home by unfurling a huge Israeli flag from the rooftop as they chanted below. Protestors gathered outside his Braddock home, just outside of Pittsburgh, and were heard yelling: 'Fetterman, Fetterman, you can't hide. You're supporting genocide.' Fetterman, a first term senator, did not respond to the protestors chants - instead rolling out the blue and white flag of Israel. It's not the first time Fetterman has trolled those supporting Gaza and the Palestinian cause. During a rally for Israel in Washington D.C. he arrived draped in an Israeli flag. Pro-Palestinian protestors were trolled by Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman who unfurled a huge Israeli flag from the rooftop of his home Protestors down below gathered outside his Braddock home, just outside of Pittsburgh, chanting: 'Fetterman, Fetterman, you can't hide. You're supporting genocide.' The senator's support for Israel has placed him in opposition to many within the Democratic Party and among his supporters who do not share his views. Pictured Thursday at the Capitol John Fetterman spent the night standing on a rooftop waving an Israeli flag at protestors in Pennsylvania. Just an unbelievable sight to see. pic.twitter.com/5sJHMTLMht James Ray (@GoodVibePolitik) January 27, 2024 In November, Fetterman was seen waving an Israeli flag in protesters faces outside of the Senate. Fetterman, who is not Jewish, has been criticized by member of his own party over staunch support of Israel to defend itself from Hamas terrorists in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks. He has been a vocal supporter of Israel placing emphasis on the tragedy suffered by innocent Israelis. A deep intra-party rift has broken out among Democrats as the death toll in Gaza continues to rise and even President Biden has accused Israel of an 'indiscriminate bombing campaign.' Fetterman, meanwhile, plastered photos of Israeli hostages to the wall outside his office and draped himself in an Israeli flag in photos. Democrat Senator John Fetterman set off a crowd of pro-Palestine protesters by waving a Israeli flag at those who were demanding ceasefire on Capitol Hill in November 2023 As Fetterman, in his signature hoodie-and-shorts, walked through the crowd, angry pro-Palestine demonstrators shouted, 'Shame! What a joke!' John Fetterman waves Israeli flag at anti-Israel protesters getting arrested after occupying Kirsten Gillibrand's congressional office last November 'I do find it confusing where the very left progressives in America don't seem to want to support really the only progressive nation in the region that really embraces the same kind of values I would expect we would want as a society,' Fetterman said. He says he is the only senator with both an LGBTQ flag and a prisoners of war flag displayed outside his office. 'Can't it be possible that it's really appropriate to stand for both?' 'In my front office, I have displayed the posters of the innocent Israelis kidnapped by Hamas,' and shared a video of the posters on X. 'They will stay up until every single person is safely returned home,' he wrote. Fetterman also said he had met with families of the Hamas hostages and survivors of the October 7 massacre last year. 'Together, we began to post photos of the hostages outside my office to stress the urgent need to bring them all home. My office is posting every last one,' he wrote on X. Early in the conflict he criticized his Democratic colleagues for hastily assigning blame to Israel for a hospital blast in Gaza. 'It's truly disturbing that Members of Congress rushed to blame Israel for the hospital tragedy in Gaza,' Fetterman said in a post on X. 'Who would they take the word of a group that just massacred innocent Israeli citizens over our key ally?' In November, the Pennsylvania Senator said, 'In my front office, I have displayed the posters of the innocent Israelis kidnapped by Hamas,' and shared a video of the posters on X 'I'm not a progressive,' Fetterman clarified to NBC News last month. 'I just think I'm a Democrat that is very committed to choice and other things. 'But with Israel, I'm going to be on the right side of that. And immigration is something near and dear to me, and I think we do have to effectively address it as well.' Fetterman's staunch support for Israel goes back years. In April 2022, the then-lieutenant governor and Senate candidate told Jewish Insider: 'Whenever I'm in a situation to be called on to take up the cause of strengthening and enhancing the security of Israel or deepening our relationship between the United States and Israel, I'm going to lean in.' As for far-left Democrats who criticize Israel, he went on: 'I would also respectfully say that I'm not really a progressive in that sense.' After the crash, diesel began to seep into a nearby river, leaked into Brandywine Falls and caused the Brandywine Creek to catch fire A man has died after a trucker carrying thousands of gallons of diesel lost control and caught fire between State Route 8 and Interstate 271 in Ohio. According to the Summit County Sheriff's Office, a truck driver was traveling northbound on state Route 8 and was attempting to get on Interstate 271 through a ramp when he lost control at 9.15 am today. The heavy-load tanker, which was carrying 7,500 gallons of diesel, went over the side of the bridge, crashed back on State Route 8 and exploded in a burst of flames. Officials said the driver died at the scene due to injuries from the crash. Video shows wild flames blazing and black smoke billowing from the crash while the Summit County HAZMAT Team, Macedonia Fire Department, Twinsburg Fire Department, and other local fire departments responded to the scene. According to the Summit County Sheriff's Office, the unknown truck driver was traveling northbound on state Route 8 and was attempting to get on Interstate 271 when the truck lost control at 9.15 am today The heavy-load vehicle, which was carrying 7,500 gallons of diesel, went over the side of a bridge, crashed back on State Route 8 and exploded in a burst of flames The Sheriff's Office Patrol Units along with Deputies from the Summit County Jail were also present at the scene. According to CNN, the diesel in the truck began to seep into a nearby river, leaked into Brandywine Falls and caused the Brandywine Creek to catch fire after the crash. Bryant Somerville, a Ohio Environmental Protection Agency spokesperson told the channel: 'The nearby Brandywine Creek has been impacted with diesel from the crash. 'The creek briefly caught fire initially after the accident, and Ohio EPA's on-scene coordinator is reporting the fire is out.' Somerville further said that the EPA has set up containment measures to stop the diesel spread in the creek and will 'oversee abatement efforts'. Video shows massive flames blazing and black smoke billowing from the crash while the Summit County HAZMAT Team, Macedonia Fire Department, Twinsburg Fire Department, and other local fire departments responded to the scene Matt Bruning, an Ohio Department of Transportation spokesperson told CNN that crews at the scene are inspecting both the State Route 8 and Interstate 271 for damage. Bruning also clarified that the part of the road where the tanker exploded 'will need to be repaved.' 'I don't have a timeline on that [the reopening]. I also have not yet heard details about the bridge inspection. We will not reopen anything until we deem it safe to motorists.' the transport official said. According to the Sheriff's Office, the ramp between State Route 8 to I-271 north is currently closed and State Route 8 is currently closed in both directions, till the bridge can be inspected for safety. The Summit Metro Crash Team are still investigating the cause of the crash. Ex-deputy Tory chair Lee Anderson says he does not regret rebelling against Rishi Sunak on Rwanda but says he remains loyal to the party after claiming to have turned down a six-figure offer from Reform UK to defect. The Tory hardman bailed as deputy party chairman earlier this month so he could go against the government in voting for amendments to the Rwanda bill despite later admitting he couldn't go through with it after quitting. Anderson, who nets 100,000 a year hosting a show on GB News despite blasting other MPs for taking second jobs, has now called on the Conservative Party to unite around Rishi Sunak as pressure grows on the PM ahead of a general election. Sir Simon Clarke, who last served in the Cabinet under previous PM Liz Truss, became the first big-name Tory to call for Sunak to quit, saying he had lost 'key voters' by being soft on immigration. Writing in the Telegraph, Sir Simon said Sunak 'does not get what Britain needs...(and) is not listening to what the British people want', and claimed his actions had 'consistently fallen short of his words'. Ex-deputy Tory chair Lee Anderson has called on his fellow party members to unite around Rishi Sunak rather than warring amongst themselves The PM faced a call from Sir Simon Clarke to resign, claiming he had been too soft on immigration Sir Simon Clarke who last served in the Cabinet under Liz Truss has called on Sunak to resign as polling suggested the Tories are doomed at the next election Your browser does not support iframes. The survey of 14,000 voters found the Tories are on course to lose nearly 200 seats at this year's General Election, giving Keir Starmer a 120-seat majority Reform leader Richard Tice denied that his party had made a financial offer to Lee Anderson, but later told GB News the MP would pass the 'vetting' process if he wished to defect But speaking to The Sun, MP Anderson said Tories had to unite against the 'common enemy' of the Labour party rather than continuing to wage war amongst one another. He said: 'Its a binary choice between us and the Labour Party. It has got to stick with Rishi of course it has.' A landmark poll published earlier this month appears to predict electoral doom for the Tories in the upcoming general election. The YouGov survey, which granularly predicts which seat will go to which party, sees the Tories all-but wiped out in the so-called red wall and Labour win a Blair-style landslide of 385 seats. Anderson joined with fellow deputy chair Brendan Clarke-Smith to join about 60 Tory MPs backing amendments to the Rwanda laws that rebels said toughened up the immigration legislation. READ MORE: Tory whips investigate claims a plot to bring down Rishi Sunak is linked to the Reform party Advertisement But the rebellion was for naught as the bill, which seeks to enshrine Rwanda's status as a 'safe country' in UK law, passed comfortably. And Anderson later admitted on GB News that he couldn't bear to join Labour in the division lobby when it came to voting for or against the bill because rival MPs were 'giggling and laughing' at him. The ex-Labour councillor, who defected to the Tories after Jeremy Corbyn became leader, said he does not regret rebelling on a point of principle, and added that he does not intend to ask for his old job back. He added: 'When the amendments were defeated, you sort of have to accept that they are right and youre wrong. Thats democracy in action within Parliament. Youve had your little moment.' The Ashfield MP also used the interview to apparently confirm reports that he had been made a six-figure offer to defect again this time to Nigel Farage's Reform UK party, previously the Brexit Party. Anderson had been secretly recorded boasting to MPs he had been 'offered a lot of money' to defect to Reform, which is led by long-term Eurosceptic Richard Tice. The amount is reported to have been 86,000 each year over five years. Mr Tice has denied that his party made any offers to Anderson, accusing him of making up the claim to 'negotiate himself the deputy chairmanship of the Tory party' in remarks reported by The Times. However, GB News reported more recent remarks from Tice that Anderson and fellow rebel Clarke-Smith 'would both pass our (Reform's) strict vetting process' after they quit ahead of the Rwanda vote. Anderson said of the prospect of defecting again: 'The Conservative Party, to be clear, has been incredibly kind to me, has been loyal to me. Why would I turn my back on it?' Anderson is known for speaking his mind, earning the nickname '30p Lee' after claiming that people who used food banks didn't know how to budget and claimed he could make meals for 30p. He also courted controversy after being filmed by then-Mail+ journalist Michael Crick staging a doorknock while on the campaign trail for the 2019 general election. Anderson could be heard telling a friend on the phone to pose as an anti-Labour swing voter, saying: 'Make out you know who I am, make out you know I'm the candidate but not a friend all right?...I'll see you in a minute.' Nottingham knife killer Valdo Calocane 'knew what he was doing' and was 'not insane' when he stabbed three people to death and attempted to kill three more during an early morning city-wide rampage, experts have claimed. Two consultant psychiatrists submitted these opinions as evidence to his sentencing hearing - but it was ultimately decided he was a 'paranoid schizophrenic', meaning he dodged a murder verdict and was handed a hospital order instead. This followed the judge also being told three psychiatrists had assessed Valdo Calocane and jointly concluded that he was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia at the time of the offences. The conclusions reached by the two psychiatrists who disagreed is likely to cause distress to the families of the victims, including the brother of student Grace O'Malley-Kumar, who also believes the triple-killer was 'not schizophrenic' during his rampage. Grace, fellow University of Nottingham student Barnaby Webber, both 19, and school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, were all killed by Calocane, who stabbed them to death on June 13 last year. 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 - but it has now emerged that other psychiatrists said he was 'not insane' Grace and fellow University of Nottingham student Barnaby Webber, both 19, were killed by Calocane Calocane then stole stabbed Ian Coates (pictured) to death and stole his van. He mowed down three pedestrians but they all survived Prosecutor Karim Khalil said the experts concluded the condition 'resulted in an abnormality of mental function and an inability to exercise full control.' On Thursday, Mr Justice Turner said the 32-year-old would 'very probably' be detained in a high-security hospital for the rest of his life as he sentenced him for the 'atrocious' killings, as well as the attempted murder of three others. The prosecution commissioned psychiatrist Dr Richard Latham to form a view on Calocane's mental health after families of the victims brought concerns over the CPS having a plan to accept a plea of diminished responsibility in November, The Express reports. Dr Latham did not personally interview the killer and his views were reached after reviewing assessments made by three psychiatrists who had. He reportedly agreed with the views. Forensic psychiatrist Professor Nigel Blackwood also filed a report for the prosecution which mostly concurred with two psychiatric reports from the defence that Calocane's responsibility was diminished responsibility due to schizophrenia. But Prof Blackwood said that the killer did not have an absolute defence to murder by insanity, The Express reported. He said: 'He retains some responsibility in that he was not insane at the time of the assaults.' Another assessment was undertaken by Latham after backlash from the victim's families. The assessment, completed on December 12, stated that is 'relatively consistent evidence he knew what he was doing and that he knew he was committing crimes'. 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 court heard that Calocane's 'serious' mental illness, which he was not taking his prescribed medication for, meant he would hear voices telling him he needed to kill people or his family would be hurt. He is also known to have visited MI5's London headquarters two years before the fatal attack to ask them to stop 'controlling him'. Calocane had previously been detained in hospital four times under mental health laws and was arrested in September 2021 for assaulting a police officer. Three psychiatrists agreed a hospital order would be the best course of action for Calocane, who believed he was being 'interfered with' by 'malign forces', with all of them agreeing in court that the attack would not have happened had he not been in the grip of 'severe psychosis'. 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) Pedestrians Wayne Birkett, Marcin Gawronski and Sharon Miller all survived 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. Mr Griffin, of Nottinghamshire Police, said in a statement on Wednesday that the force 'should have done more' to arrest Calocane before the fatal attacks of June 13. In August 2022, Calocane was reported for summons after assaulting a police officer and was due to attend court in September for that assault, but failed to appear and a warrant for his arrest was issued. 'The defendant was never arrested for that warrant, which was still outstanding at the point of his arrest in June 2023,' Mr Griffin said. 'I have personally reviewed this matter and we should have done more to arrest him.' Ashworth Secure Hospital, where Calocane could spend the rest of his life A CPS spokesman told The Express: 'When we received the first three psychiatric reports and were able to consider the impact of these on the prospect of the murder charges, we spoke with the families of the victims. This consultation was a significant factor in our decision to commission the fourth psychiatric report. 'We again offered to meet the families to update them once we made our final decision before notifying the families.' Victims Grace O'Mally-Kumar and Barnaby Webber will be honoured with a woodland memorial constructed near the scene where they were stabbed to death, The Mirror has reported. University of Nottingham volunteers are working to create the space on campus, just yards from where they were attacked. It will feature a flower-lined path and seating where friends, family and fellow students can pay their respects. A mum has broken her silence on how an online 'sextortion' scam caused her teenage son to kill an innocent grandmother during a failed bid to kill himself. The teenager - then aged 17 - ploughed his Toyota LandCruiser into oncoming traffic and smashed into a car at more than 100km/h at Corbould Park on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. The teen survived the crash with minor injuries but 63-year-old grandmother Karen Malcolm was killed instantly in the head-on collision as she drove home from work on August 9, 2022. Now Queensland mum Mary has revealed her son Jack had been trying to commit suicide after he was caught in a blackmail plot trying to shame him into handing over cash. Mary explained the teen, now 19, confessed on his hospital bed that he had been trying to end his own life after he fell prey to the scammer just days before the crash. Jack revealed he had exchanged naked pictures of himself, via social media platform Snapchat, with a girl he had never met named Amber Rose. Jack, 19, (pictured) plead guilty to manslaughter after he ploughed his Toyota LandCruiser into oncoming traffic. The court heard the teen tried to end his own life after falling victim to a sextortion scam The scammer, posing as the young girl, earned Jack's trust and convinced him to send the images, the Courier Mail reported. Once the photos were sent, the scammer then threatened to make the images public. Jack, who was about to enter his final year of his trade apprenticeship, was told to transfer $900 in exchange for his pictures remaining private. He transferred the scammer the scammer the full amount - $200 of which he borrowed from a friend - but the scammer sent an image to one of his friends. The distraught teenager begged the scammer to stop and threatened to end his own life. 'Hope you sleep better knowing you killed me,' Jack wrote to the scammer. Mary said her son 'burst into tears' when she told him he had killed a woman. 'He kept saying 'what, what, somebody died' and 'oh my God, I took someone's life, I can't believe this,' she told Courier Mail. The mother-of-four added she had a very open relationship with Jack and believes because he was such a 'good boy' he felt so ashamed and did not reach out for help. A week after the fatal crash, the scammer attempted to extort even more money from Jack but the teen immediately showed his mum the messages. Grandmother Karen Malcolm, 63, (pictured) was killed on the way home form work when Jack's car crossed into her lane and ploughed into her car The family called police and the money was traced back to another victim in Melbourne. 'Turned out he was being blackmailed to receive the money and then pass it on to the scammers as Apple (gift) cards,' Mary said. 'The person extorting Jack was in Nigeria or something. They threatened to do the same thing to the man in Melbourne if he didn't pass on the money.' She explained her son wanted to finish his apprenticeship before becoming a police officer, but that dream has been shattered by his jail sentence. The teenager pleaded guilty at Brisbane Supreme Court on Wednesday and was ordered to serve a minimum 18 months of a three-year jail term. 'I hope he learns a lot and he has a lot of time to reflect and learn and make himself a better person and comes out and has a productive and successful life,' Mary said. Jack was contacted by a scammer, disguising themselves as a young woman named Amber Rose, on Snapchat. The scammer convinced him to send naked pictures of himself and then threatened to make the images public if he did not pay $900 A psychologist report presented in court said Jack was experiencing an acute stress reaction at the time of the crash and the intense distress caused him to dissociate. Justice Peter Davis told the court he accepted Jack's explanation that he had been so distressed by a sextortion plot he tried to end his own life by causing an accident in which he 'hoped to die'. Last year, Aussies lost more than $13.8 million in threats and extortion scams, according to the ACCC's Scamwatch. The majority of victims were aged 24 years and under, with almost $7million lost via social networking and mobile phone applications. Scamwatch data revealed victims under 24 years of age were also unlikely to report the scam to authorities, with only 610 reports from a total of 7,876. Australian billionaire Lang Walker AO - who built large parts of modern day Australia - has died at the age of 78. The renowned property developer and philanthropist is understood to have spent his last days surrounded by family at his Woolloomooloo home, on Sydney Harbour. In a statement, Mr Walker's family said their hearts were 'broken' by the loss of a 'great man who changed the lives of so many people through his visionary projects and philanthropy'. 'Lang loved creating incredible places where people can live and work, but he loved his family more than anything else in the world and his generosity and affection had no boundaries,' they said. 'His zest for life and his relentless pursuit of perfection lives on within everyone in the Walker family. 'We kindly request privacy during this difficult time and thank everyone for all the messages of condolence.' He died overnight with his wife, Sue, and three adult children - Blake, Chad and Georgia - by his side. Australian billionaire property developer Lang Walker AO (pictured) passed away overnight at the age of 78 Mr Walker, who co-founded Walker Corp with his father Alec in 1964, had 10 grandchildren. It's understood the 78-year-old's health had been deteriorating for some time as he had multiple stints in hospital over the Christmas holidays. In 2015 Mr Walker was awarded the Order of Australia, earning him the AO after his name, for his philanthropic efforts and service to the community. He was a long-time supporter of the St Vincents Curran Foundation and gave to several medical and cancer research groups. Mr Walker was also a donor to the Royal Childrens Hospital Foundation in Brisbane, the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme and the Sydney Childrens Hospital Foundation. The businessman also provided support for Aussie sailors having helped the Australian Olympic sailing team, the Youth Sailing Academy and the Cruising Yacht Club, Sydney. However, Mr Walker was best known as the visionary behind some of Australia's most successful property developments, including the King St Wharf complex and Broadway shopping centre . More recently, he helped develop Riverlea in Adelaide - the state's largest masterplanned community worth $3billion. Walker Co had originally specialised in earthmoving, excavation and quarrying before moving into residential property. It later branched into the development of apartments, industrial parks and commercial centres. A spokesperson for the Walker Corporation confirmed both his family and company would release statements on Sunday afternoon. Mr Walker's wealth was estimated to be over $5billion, according to the Australian Financial Review's rich list last year. Two 911 calls have revealed what happened in the moments before and after a university student was fatally shot while trying to enter the wrong house. Nick Donofrio, 20, died last August when he mistakenly went to the wrong home in Columbia and attempted to gain entry to the property. Donofrio was a student at the University of South Carolina at the time, and lived in a frat house on the same street at the time of the incident. The Exercise Science and Kinesiology student had been out drinking that same night, and authorities say he was 'highly intoxicated'. Now, authorities have released two phone calls made to 911 on that night, one from a worried friend who of Donofrio, and the other from the homeowner. Nick Donofrio was shot and killed when he tried to enter the wrong house on the street he lived on in the early hours of the morning Police were first dispatched to the home on South Holly Street after receiving a call about a burglary - but while they were en route, it was updated to a shots-fired situation In the audio, a woman can be heard telling the operator: 'Hi, somebody's trying to break into our house. 'They're trying to break in the front door. They're banging on it. They just broke the window. My boyfriend just shot through the door.' A loud bang could be heard in the background of the resident's call as her partner fired a shot. The woman can be heard continuously crying and tells the operator that the person, later identified as Donofrio, had broke a glass panel on the door. The official asked if she could 'peek out' and see anyone lying on the porch. She responded that the front door's frosted glass obstructed her view, and her porch camera didn't provide a good angle. Her boyfriend eventually confirmed that a man was on the ground. Police arrived less than five minutes after she placed the call. Donofrio's friend Will Graves had been with him that evening, and was concerned when he didn't make it home. The Exercise Science and Kinesiology student had been out drinking that same night, and authorities say he was 'highly intoxicated' In a statement after his death, his parents said they were 'very proud of Nick,' who was 'the son that every parent would wish for' Making a call to 911, he told the operator: 'I put a friend of mine in an Uber and we haven't heard from him in hours. 'I was supposed to drop him off at home and he never made it. And I have no idea where he is. And we are all incredibly worried. What is Stand Your Ground law? The Stand your Ground exists in some form in at least 28 states. It states that it legal for a person to exert deadly force in self-defense if they believe it is necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm to themselves. In most cases, self-defense only works as a criminal defense if a person has tried to get themselves out of danger and has failed to do so. It is known as a 'duty to retreat'. Stand Your Ground states differ because they do not impose a duty to retreat. In South Carolina's Stand your Ground law, it is written that a person who uses deadly force in line with the law - so if they thought they were facing a threat to their life - can't be criminally prosecuted. Advertisement 'The Uber driver called me and said he passed out on the front porch. And his roommates came out to his house and we have no idea where he is.' An investigation into the incident determined the shooter, who legally owned the firearm, was covered by South Carolina's 'Stand Your Ground' law and no charges would be filed. The statute allows people to protect themselves with deadly force against intruders 'unlawfully and forcefully entering' their home or if they feel in danger of injury or grave bodily harm by an attacker. At the time, Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook emphasized that the lead investigator worked 'diligently' to gather the facts in this 'heartbreaking case' and had maintained contact with the Donofrio family. In a statement after his death, his parents said they were 'very proud of Nick,' who was 'the son that every parent would wish for.' 'Nick was funny, smart, compassionate, and loved life,' his parents Dina and Louis said in the statement. 'We will miss him immeasurably.' Dina said their whole family, including his older brother Louie who also attended the University of South Carolina, were all 'devastated' by Donofrio's death. The heartbroken mother said that as a child, Donofrio was 'just a happy, happy kid'. 'He was such a happy kid, always smiling. He loved life, he loved to have fun,' Dina said. Asked what she thought her son would want people to know, Dina said: 'I think he would not want people to be sad. I think he would hate how much we're all hurting. When the Western New York chapter of the Muslim Public Affairs Council bought space on billboards calling for the end of violence in Gaza, the company that owns the billboards removed them, without explanation and to the dismay of Khalid Qazi, the councils founding president and senior adviser. Now, the council has partnered with the Buffalo chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace, a Jewish-led pro-Palestinian group to try to send the same message. This time, it appears the agency will not object. Billboards calling for cease-fire in Gaza removed in Buffalo "We want a simple thing: Stop the killing and stop the war in Gaza," said Husam Ghanim, a research associate professor at the Jacobs School of Medicine at the University at Buffalo. Two digital billboards will be displayed for the next two weeks near the intersection of two of Buffalos most heavily traveled expressways, the I-190 and the I-290 in the Town of Tonawanda. After running for six days, the billboards owned by Lamar Advertising were taken down in November without explanation, Qazi told The Buffalo News. The billboards were supposed to have remained for two weeks. They displayed a call for cease-fire in Gaza. Nobody condones any murder or kidnapping, Qazi told The News. We condemn all kinds of terrorism. Lamar reimbursed the money for the days the ads were not displayed. Qazi called the decision a violation of the First Amendment and a violation of the groups right of free speech and expression. Lamar officials have not responded to emails for comment. Qazi said that in his communication with Lamar officials, agency officials said the decision to remove the billboards was the result of pushback from its national office. But Qazi said Lamar officials were ready to accept a joint message coming from members of the Muslim and Jewish communities in Western New York. They signed a contract with the two organizations to put up the billboards that not only call for cease-fire, but also display the casualties in Gaza, including the number of children killed. The billboards will include pictures and graphics and update the number of lives lost every week. They will display messages such as Let Palestinian children live, Life is precious in Gaza too, 1 Palestinian child killed every 10 minutes and 24,000 killed. Qazi said he is not sure what made Lamar officials change their mind, but he is glad they did. Anna Falicov, a member of Jewish Voice for Peace, said that while she hopes the billboards stay, she is uncertain whether the pushback might prompt a similar decision yet again. We both firmly believe that there has to be an end to loss of life in Gaza and the West Bank, she said. The billboards will help raise awareness and educate people, she added. This is not a religious issue. Its not an issue that all Jews hate Muslims and vice versa, Falicov said. We are joined together in saying that peace is the only way forward. Previously, the organizations have conducted a joint rally in downtown Buffalo, with faith leaders from both communities present. Colin Anderson, a political scientist at UB, had previously told The News that the first incident was part of a wider debate around whether it would be seen as an infringement of free speech legally in the United States. It was a great example of self-censorship, Anderson had said, since Lamar, a private entity, was not acting on the governments orders, but making a decision to respond to backlash it might have received. The Buffalo Jewish Federation, a pro-Israel Jewish civic and social organization in Buffalo, declined to comment on the billboards. In a statement to The News, the organization said: We too share in the pain of the horrible loss of life during war. However, we continue to demand that Hamas release the remaining 130 innocent Israelis held hostage in Gaza. Kari Lake was booed during a wild meeting of the Arizona Republican Party on Saturday, held days after the state chairman was forced to resign. Party officials from across the state gathered in Phoenix for a long scheduled meeting and to select a replacement for Jeff DeWit, who stood down after DailyMail.com published a recording of the moment he apparently offered Lake a bribe not to run again. But the secret audio has divided the party. While some have applauded Lake, a firebrand hardliner who is close to Donald Trump, others accused her of secretly wearing a wire to set up DeWit. Some of that bubbled over when she took the stage at the state meeting held in a Phoenix megachurch. Witnesses said she was booed for a minute as she tried to make the case for Gina Swoboda to be elected chair of the Arizona party. Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake was booed by Republicans in Arizona Saturday as she spoke in support of Gina Swoboda (left) at Dream City Church Leaked audio captured the moment when Arizona Republican Party Chair Jeff DeWit offered Kari Lake a job or money to step out of politics for two years 'You may not agree with me on everything,' she said as she battled the noise, 'but what we can agree on is that elections in Arizona are a corrupt mess election. 'Can we agree that elections are a mess in Arizona? No?' The outbursts reflect the crisis facing the Arizona party, as different wings squabble over who is to blame for fundraising problems. After DeWit resigned, Trump canceled an appearance at the party's 'Freedom Fest' on Friday, which would have brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars in a crucial election year. Vera Gebran, who ran for state chair last year, said she had seen Lake speak all over the country, and had never seen her get such a hostile reception. 'I think she was booed because of a perception that she's gone too far,' she said. Kelli Ward, a former chair, is also caught on video snatching away a microphone from another attendee as she tries to make a point while onlookers tell her she is no longer in charge. Lake came to fame as a TV news anchor in Arizona but has been a polarizing figure since running for governor. She claims the election was stolen from her, but has lost several court challengers. Last year, Lake claimed that an unnamed person had come to her house and tried to bribe her not to run again. Republicans from across Arizona gathered at Dream City Church, Phoenix, for their annual mandatory meeting. This year it was dominated by the fallout from the resignation of DeWit Vera Gebran, who ran for chair in 2023, said she had never seen Lake get such a hostile reception and that it was sparked by some attendees thinking she had gone too far On Tuesday, DailyMail.com published leaked audio of the conversation with DeWit at a time when she was known to be weighing a Senate run. Lake's opponents say it must have come from her and accused her of trying to divide the party by sitting on the audio for 10 months. In it, he can be heard saying: 'There are very powerful people who want to keep you out.' He floats the idea of a well-paid job and asks her '... is there a number at which...' as if asking her price to sit out of politics for two years. She repeatedly rebuffs his approach. In his resignation statement DeWit accused Lake of setting him up by recording a private conversation. 'This morning I was determined to fight for my position,' said DeWit, 51, Wednesday. 'However a few hours ago I received an ultimatum from Lake's team: Resign today or face the release of a new, more damaging recording.' DeWit was the chief operating officer for Trumps 2016 and 2020 campaigns. The Trump administration nominated him for a senior role in NASA and he took over the Arizona Republican party in January last year. The meeting with Lake came weeks later. DeWit claimed he simply suggested postponing her plans for two years in order to run for governor again. 'It was a suggestion made in good faith, believing it could benefit both her future prospects and the party's overall strategy,' he said. He admitted he 'said things I regret' but accused Lake of 'deceptive tactics' and of releasing a 'selectively edited' audio recording. Kelly sparked backlash by calling Moriarty's alleged plastic surgeries a 'mental illness', which the actress claimed was just a decade-old picture with makeup Moriarty said she is taking a potentially permanent break from social media due to the 'harassment' caused by Kelly's comments Actress Erin Moriarty fired back at Megyn Kelly's allegations she is 'obsessed' with plastic surgery, accusing the radio host of 'bullying' her with 'disgustingly false' remarks on her looks. 'We're all subject to levels of bullying throughout our lives but I am horrified,' Moriarty, 29, began in a lengthy Instagram post, saying Kelly used an image from before her 21st birthday for 'clickbait seeking.' 'I got my make up done that day and it involves major contouring and I remember leaving and feeling pretty,' she continued. 'I saw the comments, scathing enough to just turn my comments off. But this is becoming harassment. This is becoming false news.' It comes days after Kelly sparked backlash with a recent podcast appearance, where she said of Moriarty: 'She's got the Kim Kardashian lips, she's made her nose so skinny, it looks like a pencil now... I find it like a sign of mental illness.' Actress Erin Moriarty recently shared this image to her Instagram, sparking allegations from Megyn Kelly she had 'completely changed her face' with plastic surgery. In response, Moriarty said the image was taken a decade ago, and her changed look was only due to 'contouring' Moriarty shared her response almost a week after Kelly's controversial podcast remarks, saying she 'had no idea what was going on' amid social media frenzy because she was going through 'one of the most challenging weeks of my life.' 'And I specifically thought that as I emerge this period of time - so stressed that I have BARELY been able to eat and sleep - I thought ok, I'm going to emerge this 10 pounds thinner and the verbal abuse/ accusations will be flying,' she continued. While Moriarty said she was expecting viewers to suspect she was on drugs or hit her with 'a flippant 'just eat a burger' comment', she was stunned by the hostile reaction that came instead. 'You learn to become Teflon and move on - I had NO idea what was going on this time,' she said in the post. 'To receive a message about a disgustingly false, counterproductive to the degree of being ironically misogynistic video of Megyn Kelly commenting on the manner (sic) - to learn the widespread nature of this has left me horrified.' Although Kelly claimed in her appearance that the image of Moriarty, which the actress shared recently on her Instagram before deleting it, was from 'a year ago', Moriarty said it was actually far older. She said the picture 'had in actuality been taken about a decade ago before I was of LEGAL DRINKING AGE', and called on Kelly to 'maybe do some research that would take 30 seconds.' 'How utterly misinformed, inaccurate and clickbait seeking people who we follow and consider to be informed is appalling,' Moriarty said in the furious post, which contained a number of grammatical errors. Former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly sparked backlash with a recent podcast appearance , where she said of Moriarty: 'She's got the Kim Kardashian lips, she's made her nose so skinny, it looks like a pencil now... I find it like a sign of mental illness' Moriarty, 29, slammed Kelly's comments on her looks as 'utterly misinformed, inaccurate and clickbait seeking' The remarks in question came in Kelly's podcast earlier this month with journalist Michael Knowles, where she accused Moriarty of 'completely changing her face' with plastic surgeries. She made the comments in response to Moriarty sharing the allegedly decade-old picture this month, as Kelly continued: 'She's got the Kim Kardashian lips. She's made her nose so skinny it looks like a pencil now. 'She's got, like, what appear[s] to me to be cheek implants. 'More and more young women are doing this. 'It's not about an objection to plastic surgery, it's about an obsession with turning yourself into this fake version of yourself... I find it like a sign of mental illness. 'It's extremely upsetting. It's just a massive turnoff to me. I really want to get in the heads of these young girls and say, 'Please don't do this,'' she said. In the same podcast, Kelly also took objection to the recent look of Jeff Bezos' fiance Lauren Sanchez, after she shocked fans by stepping out in Milan in a sheer Dolce & Gabbanna lace dress that exposed her backside last week. 'I'm sorry, she looks like a hooker. You look like a hooker! And you're dating [one of] the richest men in the world. Try to be a little classy. Must everything be an expose of your obviously over enhanced assets?' she fumed. Moriarty seen in her starring role in Amazon Prime show 'The Boys' Sanchez and fiance Jeff Bezos in Milan this week. Kelly slammed the outfit and told her to 'have a little class' While Sanchez is yet to respond to the remarks while likely spending time on Bezos' $500 million superyacht, Moriarty showed less restraint. She concluded her scathing statement by saying she had effectively disabled her account, but was leaving it active so fans could read the post. 'Consider it deactivated,' she said. 'Social media was my ability to connect with fans... But I'm deciding to invest my energy into my work.' 'I am horrified by the reaction, the reductive assumptions, and the aforementioned video that is a primary example of such harassment. 'It's broken my heart. You've broken my heart. You've lost the privilege of this account.' Amid her own 'personal situation', she concluded that no one knows 'what someone is going through', adding: 'Shame on you Megyn Kelly.' Evil baby killer Lucy Letby has been given a key to her own cell a report has claimed, as a prison insider described her cushy new life on the inside as being like a 'hotel - but you're surrounded by criminals'. This comes five months after the monster was given a whole life sentence with not chance of parole for the murder of seven newborn babies and attempting to kill six others. Having the key to her cell means that Letby, 34, can lock herself away from fellow inmates if she feels threatened by them. It is believed that keys are handed to the residents of category A HMP Bronzefield as a reward for good behaviour on the inside. The move has caused significant upset for the grieving parents of Letby's victims. Evil baby killer Lucy Letby has been given a key to her own cell a report has claimed Having the key to her cell at HMP Bronzefield (pictured) means that Letby, 34, can lock herself away from fellow inmates if she feels threatened by them 'We thought they were throwing away the key, and now we find out that she has her own key,' one parent told The Sunday People. A prison insider told the paper that the VIP arrangement means Letby can socialise if she wants to, but can also have privacy if she wants. They said it was 'no different to living in a hotel - but you're surrounded by criminals'. Letby was previously moved to HMP Bronzefield from Low Newton jail in County Durham. This comes after baby murderer Letby reportedly 'became prison friends' with two other killers whilst she was held on remand before her trial in August. Letby was said to have bonded with Michelle Smith, a woman who murdered her own 42-day-old baby, and Shauna Hoare, who helped kill 16-year-old schoolgirl Becky Watts. A source told The Mirror that the trio of killers had been playing board games together and sat with each other when it came to eating meals. 'They were together 24 hours a day they were a well-known threesome and were literally never apart,' they said. Letby, originally from Hereford, was convicted of attacking the babies at Countess of Chester Hospital neonatal unit in 2015 and 2016. In September last year it was announced that the serial killer will face a retrial over one count of attempted murder of a newborn baby girl. Letby, originally from Hereford, was convicted of attacking the babies at Countess of Chester Hospital neonatal unit in 2015 and 2016 Nick Johnson KC, for the prosecution, told Manchester Crown Court that a decision had been made to pursue a retrial in the case of Baby K, a girl born in February 2016. The child's parents were in court to hear the announcement. Letby attended the hour-long hearing via video link while her parents were absent. The prosecution is not pursuing a retrial on the five other charges of attempted murder, relating to four babies two girls, Baby H and Baby J, and two boys, Baby N and Baby Q. Letby refused to come up from the cells when Mr Justice Goss sentenced her to 14 whole life terms following her convictions on August 21. She has applied for leave to appeal her convictions. In September Letby launched an appeal against all her convictions. Labour City of Chester MP Samantha Dixon criticised the prison chiefs for the decision to give Letby the key to her cell, saying it did not 'feel right or fair'. A spokesperson for HMP Bronzefield spokesman told The Sunday People: 'Prisoners in some of our main units have a privacy key to the cell they reside in, so they are able to secure their personal belongings.' The Panorama interview was hailed at the time as the scoop of a generation The BBC last night came under fire after failing to publish thousands of emails related to the Martin Bashir scandal despite being ordered to by a judge. The potentially explosive documents could expose an ongoing cover-up of what BBC bosses knew about the deception Bashir deployed to secure his controversial interview with Princess Diana. Last month The Mail on Sunday exclusively revealed how Judge Brian Kennedy had demanded the Corporation hand over the emails and questioned its honesty after it fought a two-year campaign to keep them under wraps. Judge Kennedy ordered BBC bosses to disclose the emails on or before the close of business last Wednesday, although the deadline was later extended by 48 hours. But on Friday morning, senior BBC lawyer Lois Clifton wrote to the First-tier Tribunal, where Judge Kennedy hears cases, and pleaded for yet another delay. Princess Diana during her controversial 1995 interview with Martin Bashir for the BBC The Panorama interview was hailed at the time as the scoop of a generation The Corporation is understood to have instructed an external law firm to scour the documents and help redact personal details and other information before they are released. But the process has raised fears that the BBC is attempting to hide incriminating or embarrassing information. Journalist Andy Webb, who first submitted a request under the Freedom of Information Act for the emails in July 2021, said: This is an absurd delay after spending so much time and money already trying to prevent disclosure Is this yet another cover-up? Bashirs 1995 Panorama interview with Diana, in which she declared there were three of us in this marriage referring to Charless then mistress Camilla was hailed as the scoop of a generation. It later emerged that Bashir had shown Dianas brother Earl Spencer forged bank statements to draw the Princess into his trust and then peddled a litany of vile lies. The BBC said it takes its responsibilities to comply with the tribunals ruling extremely seriously, adding: Extensive work has been done to review the documentation, which includes many hundreds of pages of duplicates and material that was not related to the 1995 Panorama but was nevertheless caught by the electronic searches. 'We are in the final stages of compiling that documentation.' Diana didn't shy away from Bashir's hard-hitting questions, going against the Palace's unspoken rule about remaining quiet Celebrity chefs Rick Stein and Michel Roux are selling mail-order Valentine's Day kids that people have to cook themselves, but people are complaining about the 'extortionate' 150 price tag. Valentine's Day is the busiest night of the year for restaurants, but luckily couples can order their very own romantic meals to their doorsteps via the Dispatch App. The meals are designed to be restaurant quality, but they require people to prepare them themselves - as well as dealing with the washing up afterwards. Rick Stein's heat-and-eat mail delivery kit of grilled scallops, steamed lobster and chocolate pave, costs 141 with postage and the cheapest wine is 27 a bottle. People can get a set menu at Rick Stein's (pictured) restaurant in Padstow, Cornwall for cheaper Michel Roux is offering saffron and champagne soup, beef Wellington and profiteroles at a 130 According to Dispatch, it costs 68 per head for the meal. Meanwhile, MasterChef's Michel Roux's meal is offering saffron and champagne soup, beef Wellington and profiteroles at 130 - working out at 62.50 per head. But a lobster, hake and apple tart set menu at Rick's The Seafood Restaurant in Padstow, Cornwall costs only 30 and doesn't involve cooking. Also, a meal at Michel's La Gavroche in London, which closed this month, would have cost people 80 each but the food would be freshly prepared. Rick Stein's heat-and-eat mail delivery kit of grilled scallops, steamed lobster and chocolate pave, costs 141 with postage and the cheapest wine is 27 a bottle Former sous chef John Lansdown, 42, called the meal kits 'pretentious nonsense'. He told The Mirror: 'It's probably a mark-up of 90%. If I had a 150-a-couple budget for a meal out, I'd eat somewhere less expensive, independently run, and give the difference to a charity. 'The food would taste better too.' Food campaigner Maddy Alexander-Grout said: 'I'm sure it's delicious but 141 for a meal you have to cook when it arrives is extortionate, even when it's from the kitchen of Rick Stein. 'You can eat in his restaurants for less. 'Valentine's Day is about spending time with the person you love, not how much you can spend on the most extravagant meal.' Some of the UK's top universities have been accused of paying middlemen to offer foreign students with poor exam results 'back door' routes into their institutions because they command higher fees. Undercover filming of Russell Group university representatives appeared to show recruiters suggesting students from abroad could buy their way into higher education with the equivalent of C-level GCSEs. Their UK counterparts would be required to have A or A* grades at A-level in order to be eligible for the same courses; but the institutions are said to be keen on foreign students because they can levy higher tuition fees than on their British counterparts. The Russell Group is made up of 24 universities from across the UK; 15 have been implicated in the scandal following an investigation by The Sunday Times into international foundation courses designed to ease overseas students into degrees. The group says international students are an 'important part' of its makeup; some universities said students can only move into full-time degree courses if they pick up good enough grades while on the pathway course. An undercover investigation has found that foreign students can get into pre-degree 'foundation' courses at some top universities with the equivalent of D and E grades at A-level The Sunday Times' reporters spoke to recruiters who acted on behalf of Russell Group institutions such as the University of Exeter (above) The University of Manchester (pictured) is also one of the 15 Russell Group instiutions that operates international foundation courses for foreign students In one case, recruiters told an undercover reporter not to apply for the course through admissions body Ucas Some of the universities, such as Exeter, use the international student recruitment agency Into to handle entry to its international foundation course The Sunday Times' investigation spoke to recruiters acting on behalf of a number of Russell Group academies, including Exeter University and Manchester University, as well as an agency that represents Nottingham, York and Durham. Captured on hidden cameras, one recruitment official representing four Russell Group institutions told an undercover reporter: 'International (students) pay more money and the (universities) will receive almost double, so they give leeway for international students.' The foundation courses are not the first year of a university degree; instead, they act as an extra year of education for students that either do not meet academic or English language requirements. Which Russell Group universities offer foundation courses? The Russell Group is made up of 24 self-selected universities across the UK. Of those, 15 offer international foundation courses designed to act as a bridge between school and university for foreign students, according to The Sunday Times. Birmingham Bristol Cardiff Durham Exeter Leeds Liverpool Manchester Newcastle Nottingham QMU London Queen's University Belfast Sheffield Southampton Warwick Advertisement Passing the course which recruiters said was practically a formality can then guarantee direct entry into a degree course, again running at uncapped fees. Foreign students can pay many times what a UK student will in annual tuition fees; the Reddin survey of university tuition fees, published by the Complete University Guide in 2021, found annual fees could be almost 40,000 a year for foreign students. UK students will pay no more than 9,250 a year in tuition fees thanks to a government-mandated cap. The probe found that recruiters acting on behalf of the Russell Group universities, operating in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, were offering to arrange places on the international foundation courses for students with B and C grades at GCSE level, or even D and E grades at A-level. UK students applying for the same courses, paying capped tuition fees, would need straight A or A* grades in order to get onto the same course with direct entry into first year. One recruiter told the paper: 'Direct entry is a bit tricky in the UK unless you are an A student. It (a foundation course) is like a back door to be able to enter these universities.' The middlemen are reported to take a as much as a 20 per cent cut of the fees that would be paid by a first-year student, stacking up into millions of pounds across the institutions concerned. In one case, undercover reporters spoke to representatives from external agency Into who, despite working for another company, wore university-branded lanyards and use official email addresses. Others posing as parents of foreign children were directly referred to middlemen by the universities themselves. Recruiters, in some cases, explained that a child would need to apply to the university through an external agency rather than via admissions service Ucas. Doing so would would mean there would be no external record of their entry into university via an international foundation course. Into, and a number of the universities using recruiters to attract international students, told the paper that they were committed to fair admissions and upheld high quality standards for new learners. In a statement to the Sunday Times, the Russell Group said: 'International students are an important part of our student body, bringing diverse perspectives that enrich the learning environment. Revenue from international students is reinvested into high-quality teaching and learning to benefit all students.' In a separate statement released on Saturday, it added: 'International Foundation Year programmes at Russell Group universities...are different to degree programmes, have separate admissions processes and, crucially, different entry requirements, which have been incorrectly conflated in the article. 'Our universities maintain high entry standards to their degree programmes to ensure that their offer remains of high quality, and that all students whatever their pathway to university are at an appropriate standard to study, both on entry and throughout their course. 'Universities maintain robust admissions policies to ensure an equitable and consistent process for all applicants. 'Foundation year programmes have long proved to be effective pathways to university for both international and UK students. 'Most of our members also run foundation courses specifically for UK students, with similar entry requirements, designed to support students from underrepresented groups to access higher education and bridge the gap between different educational backgrounds. 'Entry to main degree programmes from these courses is not guaranteed. 'The latest UCAS data shows domestic student numbers at Russell Group universities are rising faster than international student numbers. 'International students are an important part of our student body, bringing diverse perspectives that enrich the learning environment. 'Revenue from international students is reinvested into high-quality teaching and learning to benefit all students.' Loose Women star Kaye Adams has revealed that her 10-year tax battle with HMRC left her 'utterly beaten up and gaslit' as she feared tax collectors would 'come for me'. HMRC began investigating the TV presenter's IR35 status in 2014 when she hosted 'The Kaye Adams Programme' on BBC Radio Scotland, since then she has won three court battles. The tax office believed the 61-year-old owed 124,441 from under paying her taxes. 'I should be feeling elated right now that they've finally, after ten years, called off the dogs. And do you know what? I just feel utterly, utterly beaten up and gaslit,' she said in an interview with the Sunday Times. HMRC began investigating the TV presenter's IR35 status in 2014 when she hosted 'The Kaye Adams Programme' HMRCs boss recently came under fire from some MPs after they accused the tax authority of heavy-handed treatment of workers who tried to challenge it over self-employment rules She went on to detail her frustration at the treatment she and other high profile presenters have received during this clamp down on IR35 status, comparing their 'hostile' attack with that of the Post Office. 'To have had this over me for ten years, as some kind of insinuation that I'm a tax dodger, is akin to somebody calling me a thief. 'Those are not my values. I want to pay my tax. This was a sensible way for me to organise my business affairs. It was absolutely routine. It was a way so many people in my position freelance people in the media organise their affairs.' Other high profile people HMRC has taken to court, include Gary Lineker, who was accused of owing nearly 5million in unpaid tax, Eamonn Holmes, who revealed last week he had to sell his house in east Belfast to pay off a huge bill after he lost his 250,000 tax battle with HMRC and fellow Loose Women presenter Lorraine Kelly escaped a 1.2 million tax bill. HMRC argued the presenter, who was employed as a freelancer during her time at BBC Scotland The television presenter with her daughter Charley, 20 (right) pictured with fellow Loose Women star Nadia Sawalha (2nd left) and her daughter Maddie (left) In the case of Ms Adams, HMRC officials had claimed that she was an employee and owed thousands in unpaid taxes. She was paid 155,000 per year to present a minimum of 160 programmes for the BBC. HMRC argued the presenter, who was employed as a freelancer during her time at BBC Scotland via her company Atholl House Productions Ltd, owed 81,150.60 in income tax and 43,290.98 in national insurance contributions. Adams appealed to the First Tier Tax Tribunal and first won her case in April 2019. However, HMRC repeatedly refused to accept the decision, leading to three more hearings. After she won her latest hearing as well HMRC put out a statement saying they did not think it was 'proportionate' to pursue this case any further. However, Ms Adams said she is angry that they have refused to apology for what she went through, instead said the tax collector is 'gaslighting' her. An HMRC spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Given this litigation has been ongoing for a number of years and the First Tier Tribunal does not set binding legal precedents, we don't think it would be proportionate to appeal in this case. 'We always seek to resolve disputes out of court first and only take action to litigate where this isn't possible.' Ms Adams said the case had cost her nearly 300,000 in legal fees said: 'It was never proportionate. By the end of my first hearing five years ago, I had burned through more money in legal fees than the tax in dispute. 'Where was HMRC's concern over proportionality when they appealed to Upper Tribunal and then appealed again to the Court of Appeal and then again hauled me over the coals in the First Tier Tribunal for a second time? 'Not once did they score a victory over me, yet they kept going. And now they have the audacity to suggest, my case does not set legal binding precedent. It is outrageous. 'HMRC knows IR35 is a mess. It knows it has been playing fast and loose with taxpayers' money to push through an interpretation of the law that it has frankly invented and it seems these faceless bureaucrats are accountable to no one. 'They have the power to ruin good, honest hard-working people's lives with no consequences. 'It is not just lives they are trashing, HMRC is making a mockery of the legislation. Self-employed status is now determined according to the pressure applied by HMRC and risk management on the part of media companies, not according to the law. 'This is a pyrrhic victory for me. I have won my case against HMRC and I have spent on legal fees nearly 300,000, which should have been in my pension. Justice eh!' In a statement, a spokesman for HMRC said: 'We always seek to resolve disputes out of court first and only take action to litigate where this isn't possible. We carefully consider a variety of factors when deciding whether to appeal litigation cases, including the tax we think is due under the law, whether clarification of that law would be helpful and whether we can achieve that clarification in other ways.' Patients should stop wasting GPs' time with warts, hay fever and sick notes requests, doctors have pleaded. In a book entitled Why Can't I See My GP? Dr Ellen Welch puts forward the case that the next generation should be educated on how to use the NHS correctly. She believes pupils should be taught in their PSHE lessons how not to waste doctors' time when they grow up. Welch, who works as a locum part-time GP in Cumbria, told The Times: 'We can't deal with everything. It is too much. We cannot deal with a nation being ill if we have to do all this.' The Doctors' Association is also planning a campaign for lessons on how to use the health service, set to start in 2024. In a book entitled Why Can't I See My GP? Dr Ellen Welch (pictured) puts forward the case that the next generation should be taught how to use the NHS correctly Dr Ellen Welch said that health anxiety had risen since the pandemic, but that people need to be aware that you do not need to trouble your GP with minor ailments such as 'hay fever, conjunctivitis, a sniffle' and the early stages of a cough and cold as most of those will go away without treatment Welch, 43, a former chairwoman of the Doctors' Association, said GPs had been unfairly blamed for being idle and continuing with online consultations after the pandemic, which she herself has done. She said: 'The NHS is so vast and confusing even for people who work in it to navigate. If we put it on the curriculum from a young age, teenagers will know when they grow up how to use it effectively and what GP practices can and should deal with.' Welch noted that health anxiety has risen since the pandemic, but added that people need to be aware that you do not need to trouble your GP with minor ailments such as 'hay fever, conjunctivitis, a sniffle' and the early stages of a cough and cold as most of those will go away without treatment. She advised on using a common sense approach for self treatment, such as visiting the pharmacy for a cold remedy or using eye drops when possible. The Doctors' Association is also planning a campaign for lessons on how to use the health service, set to start in 2024 Latest data for England shows 71 per cent of GP consultations are face to face, while 24 per cent are over the phone. It comes after suggestions that the NHS is discriminating against elderly patients with one in six GP practices now taking bookings online only. Dr Victoria Tzortziou-Brown, Vice Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said a lot of high quality, safe care is delivered remotely in general practice on a daily basis. She said: 'It is important that GPs and our teams are able to offer patients access to our services in a variety of ways, and whilst many patients prefer to see their GP face to face, many appreciate the convenience that remote consulting offers. 'The College's position is that the method of consulting should be a shared decision between clinician and patient based on clinical need, and clearly remote consultations will be more appropriate for some patients than others. 'Whilst there is risk associated with all medical consultations, delivering remote care comes with specific challenges and limitations, as highlighted by this research. 'It makes a number of helpful recommendations in terms of identifying patients for whom remote care may not be appropriate and to support GP teams to ensure remote consultations are delivered as safely as possible.' Donald Trump's lawyers intend to appeal his $83.3 million defamation lawsuit loss to E. Jean Carroll by arguing there was an 'insane' conflict of interest at the heart of the case. The former president's legal team are set to appeal on the grounds there was a conflict of interest between Carroll's lawyer and the judge presiding over her case. Trump's firebrand attorney Alina Habba claimed she was unaware that Judge Lewis Kaplan and Carroll's lawyer Roberta Kaplan - who are not related - worked together in the early 1990s, with the judge serving as her 'mentor', reports the New York Post. 'It was never disclosed. It's insane and so incestuous,' Habba said, arguing their alleged close relationship was never disclosed and she only became aware of it after the conclusion of the case. Former President Trump's legal team are set to appeal his stunning $83.3 million defamation lawsuit loss to writer E. Jean Carroll, arguing there was a conflict of interest between Carroll's lawyer and the judge presiding over the case On Friday, a jury awarded Carroll (pictured center, with her legal team after their win) over $60 million more than she was seeking for Trump's scathing remarks on her allegations that he raped her in a Manhattan department store in the 1990s. Trump has maintained he never met her Habba continued: 'This is news to us. We are going to include this in our appeal and take appropriate measures. The fact it wasn't disclosed is an ethics violation.' The allegations of a conflict of interest were bolstered by an anonymous former Weiss partner, who reportedly claimed Roberta Kaplan - a junior associate - made an extra effort to stand out to the managing partners. 'Lew was like her mentor,' they claimed. Before becoming a founding partner at law firm Kaplan, Keckler & Fink in 2016, Roberta Kaplan worked alongside the judge at Paul, Weiss Rifkin, Wharton & Garrison in Manhattan. She began at the firm in 1992, according to her LinkedIn, where Judge Kaplan was a partner until he was appointed to the federal bench by President Bill Clinton in 1994. In a statement to the Post, representative for Roberta Kaplan, Zak Sawyer, denied there was any conflict of interest and said the two barely knew each other. 'They overlapped for less than two years in the early 1990s at a large law firm when he was a senior partner and she was a junior associate and she never worked for him,' he said. Trump's firebrand attorney Alina Habba (pictured) claimed she was unaware that Judge Lewis Kaplan and Carroll's lawyer Roberta Kaplan - who are not related - worked together in the early 1990s Judge Lewis Kaplan, who clashed with Trump's legal team numerous times in the fiery trial, was allegedly a 'mentor' for Roberta Kaplan back in the early 1990s Roberta Kaplan (pictured) crossed paths with Lewis Kaplan at a Manhattan law firm for two years from 1992 to 1994. A representative for the attorney denied any conflict of interest, and said 'she never worked for him' Attorney Roberta Kaplan (left) embraces E. Jean Carroll (right) as they leave Manhattan Federal Court on January 18, 2024 in New York City Judge Kaplan clashed with Trump's legal team on numerous occasions in the fiery defamation trial, including threatening to 'lock up' Habba as she continuously interrupted proceedings. The defamation trial concluded in dramatic fashion on Friday, as a jury awarded Carroll over $60 million more in damages than she was anticipating. A civil court jury last year found Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll in a Manhattan department store, with his comments after the decision leading to the defamation trial that ended this week. Trump was ordered to pay the sum as he accused Carroll of lying when she accused him of sexually assaulting her, and has consistently insisted that he never even met her. The huge damages handed down on Friday came as a surprise even to Carroll, who broke down in tears and embraced her legal team as she won tens of millions more than expected. Carroll, and her lawyers Kaplan and Shawn Crowley, glanced excitedly at each other as the judge queried what the 'm' on the jury's verdict form signified. 'Million,' the foreman replied. She and her legal team then composed themselves as the judge wrapped up the proceedings - while Trump's legal team looked stunned and stoney-faced. The author broke down in tears and hugged her attorneys as the ruling was handed down (seen in a court artist's depiction on Friday) As the decision came in, Trump was already en route to the airport, as jetted to Nevada for his next campaign event in the Republican primaries - while continuing to paint the legal cases against him, including Carrolls, as politically motivated. The former president has already vowed to appeal the verdict and called the case a 'Biden Directed Witch Hunt.' Taking to Truth Social after the verdict, Trump declared that the trial was evidence that there is 'no longer Justice in America.' He derided the ruling as 'absolutely ridiculous', adding: 'Our Judicial System is Broken and Unfair!' 'I fully disagree with both verdicts, and will be appealing this whole Biden Directed Witch Hunt focused on me and the Republican Party,' he continued. '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 blasted the verdict minutes after the jury hit him with an $83.3 million damage award 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 As her client tore into the verdict from a runway, Habba issued a scathing rebuke of the trial from the steps of the courthouse, tearing into the justice system that she sees as being 'weaponized.' The lawyer said her client is being targeted because he is leading in the polls, and raised a number of alleged issues with the trial - the day before she says she became aware of the alleged 'conflict of interest.' 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. '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.' Transport for London plans to offer cheaper rail and Tube fares on Fridays in order to entice home workers back to the city, it has been revealed. Mayor Sadiq Khan is said to have contributed to the plan in order to help revitalise the night-time economy at the kickstart of the weekend. Mr Khan hopes to end the pattern of workers taking long weekends at home by offering the deal which could influence other transport bosses, The Sunday Times reports. UK Hospitality Chief executive Kate Nicholls said: 'There's no doubt that Fridays have suffered as a result of changes to working patterns since the pandemic and hospitality businesses have felt that loss of commuter trade. 'Responding to these challenges with innovative trials like off-peak Fridays is exactly the type of flexible approach needed to boost journey numbers an stimulate footfall in our venues. I hope we'll see positive results from the trial, for hospitality businesses, commuters and the wider economy.' Sadiq Khan has previously been accused of using Londoners as his 'personal cash machine' after it was revealed the mayor is in talks to overhaul Tube fares Transport for London plans to offer cheaper rail and Tube fares on Fridays in order to entice home workers back to the city, it has been revealed Khan is pursuing the trial amid warnings from the Centre for Cities think tank, which states that home working is risks destroying London's unique position as Britain's growth capital. London is currently the only city where over half of employees are hybrid or home workers. EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: How I won my battle against Sadiq Khan's ULEZ enforcers Advertisement The institute warned: 'If a temporary scrapping of morning peak fares on a Friday the least popular day for office work caused a substantial increase in commuting, it could see an overall increase in revenues.' Since the end of lockdown, the average city worker is reported to spend 2.3 days in the office, chiefly from Tuesday to Thursdays. Data provided by TfL shows midweek travel is matching 80 per cent of pre-pandemic levels and is steadily rising, but Friday is flagging at 73 per cent. Talks are underway between the mayor, TfL and rail bosses about how to counter the dilemma. Travelling from zone six to the central zone would cost 3.60 under than plans, instead of the current 5.60. Similarly, travelling from Richmond to Hammersmith would come down to 1.90 from 2.80. Khan previously announced plans to freeze TfL fares for another year from March, taking inspiration from the C40 global network of which he is a part - made up of political leaders in New York, Paris, Barcelona and Rome. Khan is understood to have held talks with transport providers around the world about the impact of the pandemic, and ways commuters might be tempted back. Earlier this month, it was reported Khan might adopt a 'dynamic pricing' model for the capital's transport system if existing peak and off-peak fares are deemed not fit for purpose due to post-pandemic changes in working patterns. But the Tories claimed Mr Khan was seeking to 'take more money from Londoners'. They warned a shake-up of pricing would give the London mayor a greater ability to put up fares 'whenever he needs to fill a hole in his budget'. Mr Khan remains under pressure from the Government to explain where he found a 'mystery' 30million to prevent this week's planned Tube strikes. Transport for London ( TfL ) and the capital's mayor are discussing a shake-up of pricing as workers continue to shun offices on certain days after the Covid crisis Mr Khan remains under pressure from the Government to explain where he found a 'mystery' 30million to prevent this week's planned Tube strikes Many who work in London have continued work-from-home habits following the Covid pandemic and only travel to their offices in the middle of the week. Across 2022/23, travel on public transport in London was at 87 per cent of the pre-Covid level from 2019/20, according to TfL data. But it was noted how demand continues to be higher between Tuesday to Thursday, than on Mondays and Fridays. There are 13 per cent fewer passengers on the Tube and London Overground on Mondays than on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. A recent analysis also found, on the Northern line, Monday mornings were 17 per cent quieter than similar times later in the week. The Friday morning peak on the line was 32 per cent quieter than midweek. Those who only travel to the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays have commonly become known as TWaTs. After it was revealed Mr Khan is considering adopting 'dynamic pricing' for TfL services, Tory mayoral candidate Susan Hall told MailOnline: 'Make no mistake, every time Sadiq Khan introduces new charges like this, it is to take more money from Londoners. 'Dynamic pricing under Sadiq Khan means Londoners will continue to be his personal cash machine, allowing him to twiddle a few knobs to up the charges whenever he needs to fill a hole in his budget. 'He cannot be trusted with another four years in charge of our city. 'As Mayor, I will get a grip of TfL's finances to get more value for money for Londoners and scrap his Ulez expansion tax on day one.' The London mayor is also under pressure from Transport Secretary Mark Harper after he struck a deal with RMT union bosses to suspend a planned Tube strike between Sunday evening to Friday morning. The Government has supported TfL with almost 6.4billion of funding since March 2020, when the Covid pandemic decimated the network's finances. Mr Harper said: 'The mayor has now reportedly promised 30million to buy off one trade union without explaining where this money is coming from. 'When the Government oversaw fair and reasonable deals with the RMT, it was at no extra cost to the taxpayer Sadiq Khan must urgently explain where he has found this mystery pile of money for the RMT and how he will prevent other disgruntled unions from striking in protest.' Strip club owner Peter Gerace Jr. and a co-defendant in the death of a federal witness want more lawyers at their side the kind who specialize in death penalty defense work. Prosecutors have laid out allegations in last summers overdose death of Crystal Quinn that could be the basis to pursue the death penalty, said attorney Mark Foti, who has been retained by Gerace. Foti said Gerace and three other defendants are entitled to the court-appointed counsel. Attorneys versed in death penalty defense are called learned counsel, and only a handful work in Western New York. The government is not willing to say that they dont intend to pursue an indictment or charges that ultimately involve a death penalty-eligible component to it, Foti said at a recent court proceeding. That seems to me, at least initially, to satisfy the possibility that (it could happen) and that would require the appointment of learned counsel and other capital resources in the defense on this matter for Mr. Gerace as well as all of the other co-defendants. A 28-count superseding indictment unsealed earlier this month accused four people including Gerace, the Pharaohs Gentlemens Club owner, and Wellsville resident Howard Hinkle Jr. of participating in a witness-tampering and retaliation conspiracy targeting the federal witness. Quinn, a former exotic dancer, had agreed to cooperate in the federal governments sex- and drug-trafficking case against Gerace, federal prosecutors have said. Also accused of witness tampering and retaliation are Simon Gogolack, who called 911 to report Quinns death in his home, and Outlaws Motorcycle Club national leader John Ermin. Frank Bogulski, who has been appointed by the court to represent Hinkle, asked the court to appoint a learned counsel or a second attorney to assist in Hinkles defense. From a personal perspective, given the complexities of this case and the significant resources that the government has devoted to prosecuting it, it would appear that a second attorney would actually be even more valuable to assist with Mr. Hinkles defense than learned counsel, Bogulski said in a court filing. This is because of the amount of investigation, the amount of expected voluminous discovery and the amount of information that must be analyzed to assist in preparing proper defense. In a court filing Friday, federal prosecutors reinforced their stance against the appointment of learned counsel, a position they took before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy when the defendants were arraigned on the obstruction of justice indictment. McCarthy asked the prosecutors at the arraignment if they could commit the U.S. Justice Department would not seek the death penalty against Gerace and the others. No, Your Honor, we cannot commit at this time, Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Tripi replied. That will have to go through a department process. But the indictment, as currently written, does not include the statutory factors needed to make it a death penalty-eligible case, Tripi told the judge. All of the defendants, if they wanted to today, could plead guilty. We could not seek the death penalty, Tripi said. There is no possibility on this indictment of a death penalty, therefore, the right to learned counsel ceases to exist. As currently charged, the witness tampering and retaliation charges each carries a possible lifetime prison sentence, prosecutors said. The tampering count alleges that from March 2023 to Aug. 1, 2023, they conspired to kill Quinn to prevent her testimony in the Pharaohs sex- and drug-trafficking case. The retaliation count alleges they conspired to retaliate against Quinn for her participation in grand jury proceedings related to Geraces charges. Gerace had pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial on the Pharaohs charges. Prosecutors believe Gogolack intentionally gave Quinn fentanyl, which resulted in her death. Prosecutors have said she was found to have 400 times a lethal dose of the potent opioid drug. Gogolack faces distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, among his other grand jury charges. I dont think that this is as simple as saying its not charged in that particular way at this time, so its a nonissue, Foti said. I think it is an issue, given the fact the government was noncommittal when the court inquired as to what its intention is at this point. Lawyers in the case submitted their written memorandums spelling out their arguments at McCarthys request. I think its in everybodys interest to get clarity on this issue before we get too far down the road, McCarthy said at the recent hearing. On whether the case needs the additional lawyers, Im not saying it does or doesnt, McCarthy said. I want to think about it. During recent court hearings and in court filings, Tripi and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey Chalbeck and Nicholas Cooper have described what they called a nexus between Gerace and Pharaohs with the Outlaws and Rare Breed motorcycle clubs in Buffalo and Wellsville, as well as the links among the motorcycle clubs and Gogolack and Hinkle. The prosecutors believe Quinn was murdered, and her death was staged to look like an accidental overdose or suicide. On Feb. 25, 2021, Gerace was indicted on five counts including drug- and sex-trafficking and bribery. The government contends Gerace and his associates groomed vulnerable and drug-addicted women into a life of daily drug use and coerced and manipulated them into engaging in commercial sex acts. Prosecutors have charged now-retired DEA agent Joseph Bongiovanni with accepting $250,000 in bribes from Gerace and drug dealers whom he thought were associated with organized crime and shielding them from arrest, as well as providing them with information about investigations and cooperating sources. Bongiovannis name does not appear in the superseding indictment related to Quinns death. READ MORE: Parents of dad shot by police make claim about bodycam footage A 26-year-old north Queensland man was shot dead by police during an apparent mental health episode. Emergency services were called to a home on Payne St in Mount Louisa, northwest Townsville, about 1.15am on Sunday. Officers claim they found the man armed with a knife inside the property. Superintendent Chris Lawson said the man was known to police but with 'minimal interactions'. 'As a result of an altercation that occurred at that residence a man has been identified carrying a knife and advancing on police,' he said. 'At which point police attempted to utilise a taser to disarm this man, however that was ineffective and as a result he was shot.' A 26-year-old man was shot and killed by police at Mount Louisa, northwest Townsville (pictured, officers at the scene) Police immediately rendered first aid but the man died at the scene. It's understood six officers of varying ranks were on the scene at the time of the shooting. Queensland Police are working to support the officers involved and the family of the deceased man. 'We do have welfare teams provide support,' Supt Lawson said. 'We're also speaking with the relatives of the person who was shot because obviously it's a very traumatic time for them as well. 'We want to make sure that both the police and the family are kept up with all the support options that's available to them.' Neighbours of the home told the Courier Mail they were woken by multiple gunshots around 1.30am. 'There was a lot of yelling from him and then the (police) telling him to get down on the ground,' one said. 'Then I just saw him start to walk then he stopped for a moment and then went for a run towards a cop and that's when I heard the shots.' Another described people living at the property as 'generally good neighbours and good people'. 'My daughter woke up and then I was like, 'Oh god what is happening'. I believe he ran at the cops with a knife and then they shot him,' she said. A crime scene has been declared at the home. Officers claim the man 'advanced' on police while holding a knife, resulting in officers shooting him (pictured, police at the scene) Supt Lawson said The Ethical Standards Command, overseen by the Crime and Corruption Commission, will investigate the circumstances of the shooting. 'The circumstances around exactly what happened with the taser aren't actually known at the moment,' he said. 'Once we've conducted the investigation (and) identified through the body-worn footage what exactly happened, we'll be able to provide that information through to the coroner.' New York's American Museum of Natural History intends to wall off its former Native American relics exhibit halls after announcing their closure due to a new federal law. The museum, which draws 4.5 million visitors a year, will close displays dedicated to the Eastern Woodlands and the Great Plains tribes this weekend to comply with new federal regulations that require consent from native tribes to display their cultural items and artifacts. The Biden administration introduced the new regulations under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) in order to speed up the process of repatriating Native American remains, funerary objects and other sacred items. To cover up two of its major exhibitions, the museum placed paper sheets all over the display windows and is set to wall off the area, according to the New York Post. A sign that reads: 'The artifacts in this case have been removed from view because the Museum does not have consent to display them,' has also been placed near the exhibits. The museum has now placed paper sheets over the Native American relic displays and a wall will be placed at the entrance to restrict the public The museum, which draws 4.5 million visitors a year, will close displays dedicated to the Eastern Woodlands and the Great Plains tribes this weekend The closures will leave nearly 10,000 square feet of exhibition space off-limits to visitors The museum plans to cover a number of other display cases featuring Native American cultural items as it reviews its large catalog to assess what is in compliance with the new federal rules, which took effect earlier this month. After the announcement, a tribal leader said that the shut down could have been avoided if the institution had attempted to 'reconcile and work with tribes'. Sunshine Bear-Thomas, the tribal historic preservation officer for the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska told the Post: 'These big institutions that are shutting down this many square feet could have taken preemptive steps to try to reconcile and work with tribes and it took a change in NAGPRA regulations to take them down. 'It should always be up to the tribe what they want to do as sovereign nations.' Thomas added that she was not aware if any Winnebago artifacts were at the Museum and 'wanted to bring our items home' wherever they may be. After the announcement, a tribal leader said that the shut down could have been avoided if the institution had attempted to 'reconcile and work with tribes' The exhibit features were first removed from their assigned settings as new federal rules were announced Thomas added that she was not aware if any Winnebago artifacts were at the Museum and 'wanted to bring our items home' wherever they may be The museum plans to cover a number of other display cases featuring Native American cultural items as it reviews its large catalog to assess what is in compliance with the new federal rules, which took effect earlier this month Parts of the collection once used to teach students about the Iroquois, Mohegans, Cheyenne, Arapaho and other groups will also now be temporarily inaccessible. The closures will leave nearly 10,000 square feet of exhibition space off-limits to visitors. The museum has repatriated the remains of approximately 1,000 individuals to tribal groups over the last thirty years but still holds the remains of about 2,200 Native Americans and thousands of funerary objects. 'The halls we are closing are artifacts of an era when museums such as ours did not respect the values, perspectives and indeed shared humanity of Indigenous peoples,' Sean Decatur, the museum's president, wrote in a letter to the museum's staff on Friday morning. 'Actions that may feel sudden to some may seem long overdue to others' he explained. The process began with the passage of NAGPRA in 1990 during the presidency of George H.W. Bush, but progress stalled for decades leading to heavy criticism from tribal representatives. The government has now given institutions until 2029 to prepare human remains and their burial belongings for repatriation. Parts of the collection once used to teach students about the Iroquois, Mohegans, Cheyenne, Arapaho and other groups will also be temporarily inaccessible The government has now given institutions until 2029 to prepare human remains and their burial belongings for repatriation The Biden administration introduced the new regulations under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) in order to speed up the process of repatriating Native American remains, funerary objects and other sacred items The American Museum of Natural History has made strides in recent years in attempting to confront its relationship with different ethnic groups and how they are represented. In 2020 the bronze statue of Theodore Roosevelt was removed from its plinth outside the museum's facade. The statue showed the former president on horseback and flanked by a Native American man and an African man. Activists have long drawn attention to the monuments symbolism of colonial expansion and racial discrimination since its erection in 1940. In the wake of the racial justice protests triggered by the murder of George Floyd in 2020 the statue was finally removed. Police are interviewing an 18-year-old found in the unit where a women, 29, was shot and killed overnight as detectives rule out domestic violence. Emergency services were called to a unit on Grant Road in Morayfield, north Brisbane, shortly after midnight on Sunday after a neighbour in the same complex heard a gunshot. A 29-year-old woman was found with a gunshot wound in the downstairs of the unit and died at the scene. Detective Inspector David Harbison said on Sunday a teenager was also located inside the unit complex by first responders. 'It appears the victim and the male are known to each other,' he said. 'It's not considered, at this stage, to be a domestic violence incident.' An 18-year-old male was found inside the unit complex (above) where a 29-year-old woman was shot and killed on Sunday Detective Inspector David Harbison said the pair knew each other but did not live in the unit (pictured, a car on the property) He said police were investigating why the pair was at the address, why there was a firearm on the property, and how it was discharged. 'The victim certainly didn't live at that address and our investigators are trying to uncover why these persons were at this address,' Insp Harbison said. 'There was no one else at this address at the time and we haven't heard of any disturbances that occurred there prior to the gunshot.' Queensland Police are still completing a forensic sweep of the unit with Insp Harbison adding detectives weren't likely to attend until later Sunday or Monday. The firearm has not been found. When questioned why officers were seen searching through bins at a childcare centre across the street from the unit, Insp Harbison said it was standard practice. 'We're looking for evidence, including firearms,' he said. Police are still searching for the firearm that was used to kill the woman (pictured, police at the unit) Detective Inspector Harbison said police are investigating why the pair was at the address, why there was a firearm on the property, and how it was discharged Police have also seized a car that was found a short distance from the property. Insp Harbison said officers had not found evidence of any other illegal activity in the unit and no one else is being sought in connection with the shooting. Police have appealed for anyone who witnessed or has CCTV or dashcam footage of the incident to contact Crime Stoppers. An expectant mother-to-be has been flown to hospital after she was trapped in flood waters while in labour. The Toowoomba-based RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter crew was called to the Lockyer Valley region west of Brisbane after reports a woman in labour became trapped in her home by rising floodwaters on Sunday. RACQ LifeFlight Rescue airlifts woman in labour trapped by floodwaters (pictured) Queensland Ambulance Service paramedics were unable to reach the woman safely by road due to flooding in the Lockyer Valley Region (pictured) Queensland Ambulance Service paramedics were unable to reach the woman safely by road due to flooding in the Lockyer Valley Region. Thankfully, the woman's neighbour, who is a veterinarian, was able to provide initial care until the helicopter could land at the property at 11am on Sunday. She was then stabilised by the crew for her flight to Toowoomba. However, due to weather conditions, the woman was flown to the Toowoomba RACQ LifeFlight Rescue base, where she was met by paramedics who then took her to Toowoomba Hospital. It comes after two demonstrations in 24 hours NSW Premier Chris Minns has warned he is prepared to unmask people involved in the latest neo-Nazi gatherings in Sydney after police halted three demonstrations within 48 hours. After police stopped a group of men wearing black clothing and balaclavas associated with the National Socialist Network on a train at North Sydney Station on Australia Day, police again broke up meetings of the far-right group at North Turramurra on Saturday evening and Artarmon on Sunday morning. Premier Chris Minns labelled the group as 'pathetic' and their behaviour as 'fascist' and 'ridiculous'. 'Those who are attempting to menace people in an anonymous way in NSW, the police have the ability to unmask you,' he said. NSW Premier Chris Minns (pictured) labelled the neo-Nazis as 'pathetic' and their behaviour as 'fascist' and 'ridiculous' Police arrested six members of the group (pictured) on Friday morning and issued 61 infringement notices for offensive behaviour 'So, in front of your family, your friends, your employers, your co-workers, you will be exposed as a massive racist.' The Premier has said he would be open to strengthening laws against 'White Power salutes'. 'We are looking at the laws and examining them to make sure that overt Nazi gestures and symbols are outlawed in New South Wales, and we'll make sure that the people of New South Wales are safe and we protect the tenants of our multicultural, harmonious community,' he said. It is the third day in a row that a group of masked men wearing all back have gathered in Sydney. At North Turramurra on Sydney's upper north shore on Saturday evening, the group's leader Thomas Sewell was given a public safety order extension, banning him from several parts of Sydney until midnight on Sunday. 'Police have served a 31-year-old man with a Public Safety Order extension, prohibiting him from entering a number of local government areas in Sydney until midnight (on Sunday),' NSW Police said in a statement. 'The order extension was served (on Saturday) evening at North Turramurra.' At North Turramurra on Sydney's upper north shore on Saturday evening, the group's leader Thomas Sewell (pictured, right) was given a public safety order extension, banning him from several parts of Sydney until midnight on Sunday More than 20 officers boarded the train and dozens more stood on the platform to remove the neo-Nazi group from North Sydney station (pictured above) on Friday On Saturday night, police descended on North Turramurra where dozens of members of the neo-Nazi group were meeting. One local witness, who asked to remain anonymous, said the group began assembling around the local scout hall in the afternoon. 'There were a large number of young men in attendance, but also some young women, mostly wearing black clothing, and the scout hall was definitely open and ostensibly being used by the group,' the resident told NCA Newswire. A large police presence was seen around the hall, including about 10 police cars. Neo-nazis are apparently gathering again in an Artarmon reserve. #auspol pic.twitter.com/Qp2R5b0kpl Denise Shrivell (@deniseshrivell) January 27, 2024 BREAKING LIVE: Them North Shore Neo Nazis are gathering at Artarmon Reserve right atm. With about a dozen police watching pic.twitter.com/odXJzyzHtb Finnigans (@Thefinnigans) January 27, 2024 In a separate incident on Sunday morning, there was a heavy police presence at Artarmon Reserve as the members group once again gathered in public. Pictures from the scene showed police watching on as a group of black-clad men congregated at the suburban park. NSW Police said on Sunday morning that a police operation had concluded with no arrests after the group moved on without incident. Police, including officers from the Raptor Squad and Public Order and Riot Squad, were called out to the reserve after the group of approximately 30 men began to gather around 8.30am. 'The group ... was verbally served an updated Public Safety Order prohibiting them from entering further Sydney local government areas,' NSW Police said. 'The group dispersed and there were no arrests.' Following the public incidents involving the National Socialist Network, Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin said he was 'heartbroken and alarmed by the return of genocidal antisemitism'. He said recent public displays of antisemitism should be a 'source of shame' for society and were a 'deep collective reflection on how little we have learned'. 'We are reminded that the desire to destroy the Jews has not diminished, only the means to carry this out has been temporarily suppressed,' Mr Ryvchin said. The group of men can be seen boarding a train dressed entirely in black, one carrying an Australian flag NSW Police intercepted a train carrying the neo-Nazi group at North Sydney station (above) on Friday, Australia Day 'The audacity of anti-Semites in Australia, the freedom of mainstream online influencers, Neo-Nazi cells and supporters of jihadist terror to incite against our community with virtually no consequences, is particularly chilling.' Police stormed North Sydney train station on Australia Day following reports a group of about 60 men were boarding a train into the city wearing balaclavas and all-black outfits. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured)said he was 'horrified' by the images of black-clad men patrolling the streets The men are affiliated with the National Socialist Network, which is led by convicted criminal Thomas Sewell. Police arrested six members of the group on Friday morning and issued 61 infringement notices for offensive behaviour. Two members have since been released without charge. It follows the NSW government's recent announcement that it will be conducting a review into section 93Z of the Crimes Act, which legislates laws against publicly threatening or inciting violence against someone based on the grounds of race, or religious belief or affiliation. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Saturday joined in the condemnation of the group's behaviour. He said he was 'horrified' by the images. 'I don't want to see people in balaclavas, dressed in black from head to toe, who are engaged in neo-Nazi activity in this country,' he said. 'It has no place and it has rightly been condemned by all decent people'. Nemesis, an ABC documentary on the turbulent 2013-2022 Coalition government, is set to reopen some old wounds with the participants' views of each other - and Donald Trump - openly expressed in shockingly foul language. The nine-year period of government began with Tony Abbott as prime minister, before he was deposed by Malcolm Turnbull in an internal Liberal Party coup. Mr Turnbull was himself then forced to step aside after being challenged by Peter Dutton, who in turn lost the follow up vote to Scott Morrison. Though two of the former Liberal leaders gave long interviews, Mr Abbott and Peter Dutton refused to go on camera. ABC said Mr Abbott 'politely' turned them down, though he was less polite in telling Mr Turnbull to 'f*** off', as the latter recalled. Mr Turnbull also gets called a 't***' during the show, while Mr Morrison is labelled 'smug' and an 'arrogant a*******'. Scott Morrison (pictured) is labelled 'smug' and an 'arrogant a*******' in a new ABC documentary Mr Turnbull joked that Mr Abbott used the word 'f***' so often that he was 'a skilful orator when it came to (its) use'. There is also no love lost between him and his former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce, who was forced to step aside when his affair with a staffer - who later became his wife - was revealed. In an infamous press conference in February 2018, Mr Turnbull slammed Mr Joyce, saying 'Barnaby made a shocking error of judgement in having an affair with a young woman working in his office... 'In doing so, he has set off a world of woe for those women and appalled all of us.' Six years on, Mr Joyce said it still 'hurts' that his leader said that about him and uses what ABC coyly describe as 'a four-letter word, connected to another four-letter word' to describe Mr Turnbull. The insults keep coming, with a former Coalition saying government of Mr Morrison operated under 'megalomania'. But there are also some elements of regret about what when on, with Mr Morrison saying Mr Turnbull 'was a friend. Maybe one day we will be again.' The show also has some compliments, though they can also come as a double-edged sword, such as how Mr Joyce describes his longtime cabinet colleague Christopher Pyne. 'I find him incredibly entertaining and incredibly dangerous. Be very, very careful of Christopher Pyne.' Mr Pyne said the Liberal Party's leadership changes during their three terms in power were 'deeply traumatising and leave serious scar tissue'. 'Friendships are broken people tell each other lies.' Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull (pictured) gets called a 't***' during a new ABC documentary Mr Turnbull joked that Tony Abbott (pictured) used the word 'f***' so often that he was 'a skilful orator when it came to (its) use' Despite that, some are still very keen to settle old scores and right what they see as being wronged, such as Victorian Liberal Michael Sukkar. 'There were a lot of panicky backbenchers who bought the idea that Malcolm Turnbull was the Messiah,' he says. 'Malcolm Turnbull saw the prime ministership as fulfilling a preordained destiny that he had to fill some kind of gaping hole in his soul. 'And I suspect once he got there, he realised maybe that gaping hole wasn't filled by the prime ministership.' It isn't just internal Coalition battles that get aired in Nemesis, some international affairs do too, such as the call from a furious Donald Trump, when he was US president, to Mr Turnbull. 'Big bullying billionaires, they all think they're God's gift to humanity,' Mr Turnbull says his call from Mr Trump over a refugee swap deal with the US. Malcolm Turnbull called Donald Trump (pictured) a 'big, bullying billionaire' in a new ABC series As well as Mr Abbott and Mr Dutton, former Finance Minister Mathias Cormann and former Foreign Minister Julie Bishop also declined to take part. Ms Bishop was not alone among Liberal women who were not willing to go on record, possibly in fear of repercussions. 'I think women are punished differently,' former cabinet minister Karen Andrews told the show. 'And maybe we need to get better at really fighting it out, much more than we do.' Tasmanian Liberal MP Bridget Archer said Mr Morrison's clumsy handling of women's issues was a key factor in the Coalition's loss to Labor in the 2022 federal election. 'Women of all ages didn't have any confidence in him. They were upset about the way that all of these issues had been dealt with around women (such as) Brittany Higgins,' she said. Former Coalition minister Karen Andrews (pictured centre) said 'I think women are punished differently' 'Overwhelmingly, people were reflecting that they didn't trust him anymore.' Mr Morrison, though, said 'The documentary will become ... a record of that period of time in which I've had a great involvement in'. 'It's really for history and I'm always happy to cooperate with those types of projects.' The first episode of the ABC series Nemesis airs on Monday at 8pm on ABC TV and iview. As Donald Trump cruises to the GOP presidential nomination after winning the first two Republican primaries, speculation has turned to who he may pick as his running mate. But those in the former president's orbit reportedly made 'early on' attempts to recruit a surprising contender - former Democratic candidate RFK Jr. The now-Independant presidential candidate caught the Trump campaign's eye 'right out of the box when Bobby announced' his run for the White House in April 2023, insiders told the New York Post. 'Trump operatives expressed an interest in Kennedy early on, but it was all premature,' they said. Despite the unlikely combination, the source clarified: 'Anything's possible. I wouldn't write it off by any means.' While Kennedy may not be out of the running, Trump cryptically told voters earlier this month that he has already picked his running mate - but refused to name names. Robert F Kennedy Jr. was reportedly approached by Trump's campaign 'early on' in the election cycle, with an insider saying they 'wouldn't rule it out' Trump teased earlier this month that he has already decided who he will choose as his running mate, but declined to name names amid fervent speculation Kennedy initially ran for the Democratic nomination in the spring of last year, but dropped out and ran as an independent in October as he argued the system was rigged to automatically nominate President Biden. While a political outsider that has never held public office, Kennedy's campaign has surprised analysts as he increasingly looks to become a 'spoiler' candidate to the two-party system. Recent polls have found Kennedy pulls upwards of 20 percent support nationwide in a hypothetical general election. However, as pollsters found that his Libertarian platform would pull more from Trump's base than Biden's in a close race, it is no great surprise Trump's team may look to recruit him. A significant donor who has funded both Trump and Kennedy's campaign told the Post that the possibility of a Trump - RFJ Jr. ticket remains on the table. 'Its very much behind the scenes at this stage. As we progress you might see it bubble up a little bit more,' the donor said. 'Bobby can bring new people to the polls.' Timothy Mellon, a megadonor who has funneled at least $5 million to Kennedy's SuperPAC, added: 'I've heard the concept. It's not surprising.' The idea of Kennedy appearing on the ballot with Trump was previously floated by former White House strategist Steve Bannon, who chimed in in August that the hypothetical ticket would end in a 'massive landslide' for Trump. While Kennedy may remain a far-fetched running mate candidate, a slew of other names have been floated as potential VPs. Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy (left) has been floated as a potential Trump running mate after he dropped out of the Republican primaries North Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has frequently been seen as a potential option, although an alleged cheating scandal revealed by DailyMail.com may have hurt her chances Trump's former press secretary and current Governor of Arkansas Sarah Huckabee Sanders has been a loyal ally of the former president Following businessman Vivek Ramaswamy's exit from the Republican primaries, the firebrand conservative emerged as a potential option for the former president. As Trump won the New Hampshire primary, Ramaswamy's speech praising the frontrunner was met with chants of 'VP, VP, VP' from Trump's crowd. 'He's going to be working with us for a long time,' Trump responded to the reception. Another name that has frequently been floated is Trump's former White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Now the Governor of Arkansas, Huckabee Sanders has remained a loyal Trump ally during his time out of office - and fits the bill as many analysts believe Trump needs to recruit a female running mate to help his numbers with female voters. North Dakota Governor Kristi Noem's chances took a hit late last year, however, as DailyMail.com exclusively revealed her affair with Trump's former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. The married governor, 51, was seen as a prime VP pick due to her 'family values' platform - but may have dropped down the running mate rankings after the bombshell report. North Korea has launched multiple cruise missiles in its latest provocative weapons test as tyrant Kim Jong-un rattles the sabre. The missiles were launched at around 8am local time (11pm UK time on Saturday) and were being analysed by South Korean and US intelligence, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), which is comprised of US military leaders. The launch comes just days after Pyongyang fired multiple cruise missiles toward the Yellow Sea, which it said was a first test of a new generation of strategic cruise missiles. Pyongyang has accelerated weapons testing in the new year, including tests of what it called an 'underwater nuclear weapon system' and a solid-fuelled hypersonic ballistic missile. 'Our military detected several unidentified cruise missiles fired near waters around North Korea's Sinpo area at 8am local time (11pm UK time) today,' the JCS said in a statement. Pyongyang, led by tyrant Kim Jong Un (pictured), has accelerated weapons testing in the new year, including tests of what it called an 'underwater nuclear weapon system' and a solid-fuelled hypersonic ballistic missile The missiles were launched at around 8am (11pm UK time on Saturday) and were being analysed by South Korean and US intelligence (pictured: people watching a news broadcast about the launch in Seoul) This picture taken on January 24, 2024 and released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on January 25, 2024 shows North Korea conducting its first test firing of a new strategic cruise missile 'Pulhwasal-3-31', at an undisclosed location in North Korea The JCS said the launch was under analysis by South Korean and US intelligence authorities, adding it was 'closely monitoring North Korea's additional movements and activities'. Unlike their ballistic counterparts, the testing of cruise missiles is not banned under current UN sanctions against Pyongyang. READ MORE: North Korea fires cruise missiles towards the Yellow Sea in latest tension-raising move by Pyongyang Advertisement Cruise missiles tend to be jet-propelled and fly at a lower altitude than more sophisticated ballistic missiles, making them harder to detect and intercept. On Thursday, North Korea said it had carried out its first test of a new generation of strategic cruise missiles it is developing, the Pulhwasal-3-31 a day earlier. The test was 'a process of constant updating of the weapon system and a regular and obligatory activity,' the state news agency KCNA said. It did not specify how many missiles were fired. 'The test-fire had no impact on the security of neighboring countries and has nothing to do with the regional situation,' the agency said. Recent months have seen a sharp deterioration in ties between the two Koreas, with both sides jettisoning key tension-reducing agreements, ramping up frontier security, and conducting live-fire drills along the border. Earlier this month, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared the South his country's 'principal enemy', jettisoned agencies dedicated to reunification and outreach and threatened war over 'even 0.001 mm' of territorial infringement. A photo released by the official North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on January 15 shows a test fire of an intermediate-range solid-fuel ballistic missile loaded with a hypersonic manoeuvrable controlled warhead in North Korea, January 14 North Korea said last week that it conducted a test of a purported nuclear-capable underwater attack drone (seen here in the South China Sea in March 2023) North Korean state media published these images of their 'underwater nuclear system' in April 2023 North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (left) and his daughter watching the test launch of a Hwasongpho-18 intercontinental ballistic missile. The undated picture was released on December 19, 2023 In Seoul, President Yoon Suk Yeol told his cabinet that should the nuclear-armed North carry out a provocation, South Korea would hit back with a response 'multiple times stronger', pointing to his military's 'overwhelming response capabilities'. At Pyongyang's year-end policy meetings, Kim threatened a nuclear attack on the South and called for a build-up of his country's military arsenal ahead of armed conflict he warned could 'break out any time'. In January, the North launched a solid-fuel hypersonic missile, just days after Pyongyang staged live-fire exercises near the country's tense maritime border with South Korea, which prompted counter-exercises and evacuation orders for some border islands belonging to the South. 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 Moscow's war in Ukraine. A five-year-old girl was among migrants caught being smuggled out of Britain in the back of a HGV by a Russian lorry driver. Nikolai Kuznetsov, 39, was found by UK Border Force officers to be carrying 22 migrants in his trailer, including the girl and her parents. All of the migrants, who were of North African origin, were attempting to avoid French border controls. Kuznetsov was arrested after his vehicle was stopped at Dover Docks on August 17 2023. He was sentenced on Friday to four years and four months imprisonment after pleading guilty at the first opportunity to facilitating illegal entry to an EU member state. Nikolai Kuznetsov, 39, was found to be carrying 22 migrants in the trailer of his HGV when he was stopped by Border Force officers at Dover Docks in August last year Trucks queuing at Dover docks for ferry crossings (file photo) READ MORE: ISIS fanatic who snuck into Britain illegally is given UK citizenship despite security service terror threat warning Advertisement People smuggling into and out of the country is used by criminal gangs as a means to increasing their profit and is also a method used by wanted criminals to slip out of the country. A notable example was Islamic State executioner Mohammed Emwazi, also known as Jihadi John, who hid in the back of a HGV in order to cross the Channel while fleeing to Syria. John Turner, operations manager at the National Crime Agency said: 'Kuznetsov was complicit with the people smugglers whose only concern was making money, rather than the wellbeing of those individuals found in his trailer. 'Thankfully they were found and safeguarded, but we know organised crime groups will continue in their attempts to use migrants to make money. 'The NCA works closely with a range of partners both here in the UK and overseas - to ensure all people who enter or leave the UK do so legally, and are in possession of lawfully obtained identity documents and the correct visa requirements. 'This sentencing sends a clear message to anyone concerned in facilitating illegal migration, to or from the UK, that they will be caught and will receive a custodial sentence.' The Campaign Against Anti-Semitism branded the incident a 'disgrace to TfL' A suspended Tube driver who led an anti-Israel 'free Palestine' chant on an Underground train has issued an apology, as anti-semitisim campaigners demand he gets the sack. In footage posted online, the driver can be heard saying 'free free' eight times over the train's speaker system, prompting passengers to respond with 'Palestine' - which is a popular chant at demonstrations. Many of the passengers travelling on the Central line are believed to have been heading to an an anti-Israel march in London on October 21, when the chant took place. The driver told passengers: 'So, as I feel part of it, kindly join me as we proceed to Bond Street,' before urging for the passengers' responses to be 'louder, please, louder!' The incident has sparked fury amongst Jewish campaigners who have demanded that the unidentified driver be laid off for his 'grossly unprofessional' behavior. Free Free Palestine @TfL London Underground Tubes driver lead the passengers in a chant, he said I wanted to join the protest but couldnt get the day off. #LondonStandsWithPalestine #Palestine #Israel #_ #_ pic.twitter.com/62jx8xLtyz Farid Ahmed (Qureshi) (@FaridQureshi_UK) October 21, 2023 British Transport Police detectives launched a probe following public outcry over the chant, resulting in Transport for London to suspend the driver. In an apology letter which has been passed on to Jewish groups by TfL, the driver said: 'I would like to express my apology for the effect that my actions has on my customers and the wider community that day. 'It was never my intention to make anybody feel uncomfortable and i give you my unreserved apology for any offence that may have been caused. 'I'm committed to learning from this experience'. But the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism have felt the apology does not go far enough, branding the incident a 'disgrace to TfL'. Pro-Palastine Demonstrations have been marred in controversy with some protesters holding vile signs with the Nazi symbol and photos of Hitler. Numerous arrests have taken place against those accused of holding offensive signs. In footage posted online, the driver can be heard saying 'free free' eight times over the train's speaker system, prompting passengers to respond with 'Palestine' Many of the passengers travelling on the Central line are believed to have been heading to an an anti-Israel march in London on October 21, when the chant took place Responding to the apology letter, the campaign group told The Sun: 'His conduct was grossly unprofessional. 'Imagine being a Jewish person that train, not only intimidated by demonstrators around you, but also in the knowledge that you might not be able to rely on the very TfL staff tasked with your safety. This incident was a disgrace to TfL, and coming at a time of heightened tension, it was downright dangerous'. Conservative candidate for London mayor Susan Hall also supported calls for the driver to be sacked for his 'outrageous' behaviour. But the apology was accepted by Andrew Gilbert, from the London Jewish Forum, who said the letter showed 'genuine remorse,' adding that he was 'very satisfied' with the way British transport Police and TfL handled the situation. Antisemitic hate crimes recorded by the Metropolitan Police in the wake of Hamas's October attack on Israel have soared to more than 13 times the number for the same period in 2022, new figures have revealed. A total of 679 antisemitic offences were recorded by the force from October 7 to November 7 2023 inclusive, compared with 50 in the equivalent period the previous year and 81 in 2021. Hundreds of pro-Palestine demonstrators descended on Barclays' branches across the UK yesterday to protest its alleged funding of Israel's attacks. Demonstrators have organised a 'day of action' where they will protest outside 54 branches of the bank, demanding an end to what they claim is Barclays 'bankrolling' Israel's attacks on Palestine. The orange-clad inmate was about to leave the Erie County Holding Center visitation room when he dropped a small, white packet. With subtle footwork and a bare glance downward, he slid the drugs under a counter where visitation stalls meet. He was busted. Jail supervisors expected that a fellow inmate planned to tie his shoes in the same spot later that day to pick up the drugs, encased in a plastic soap wrapper. Another Holding Center resident tried to trade fentanyl-laced powder with a fellow inmate for food. A female visitor transferred drugs into an inmates mouth through a French kiss. And officers at the Erie County Correctional Facility in Alden pulled suspected, synthetic marijuana out of an incarcerated mans prosthetic leg. Thats just what was caught in the first two weeks of January a short stretch in a long contraband war. County jail administrators say they are experiencing an unprecedented rise in drug contraband inside the jails. While smuggling in illegal material is not new, the potential for deadly drugs like fentanyl to cause harm or death to jail residents has sheriffs officials more concerned than ever. Video from the Holding Center visitation room shows Juan Rodriguez dropping a small, white packet and pushing it into a corner with his feet on Jan. 3, 2024. The Erie County jails have seen a 66% increase in the number of incidents of intercepted contraband, and a doubling of contraband arrests, from 2022 to 2023. Jail supervisors are certain that number will climb even further this year, based on what theyve seen in the past few weeks. They said other similar counties in New York, like Monroe and Suffolk, are also experiencing year-over-year growth in intercepted contraband. You could say, Oh, theyre just trying to combat drugs theyre a bunch of cops. Its not that, said Jeff Hartman, chief of operations for the Holding Center. Were looking at it as poison. Its poisoning our people. Its deadly. The amount of fentanyl it takes to kill somebody and God forbid, carfentanil is so small. Sheriffs administrators say they are anxious about the health risks to both inmates and to staff, who could be sickened through fentanyl exposure. To address the alarming trend, the Sheriffs Office has allocated more staff and equipment to intercepting drugs. But officials says they often feel like theyre fighting an uphill battle, especially when struggling to balance jailed individuals right to have contact with family members during visitation hours against the realities of contraband smuggling. We dont want to deprive people of their visitation and peoples need to see their families, said Undersheriff William Cooley. But we need to, at the same time, keep this poison out of here. Sometimes, you wonder if the rules arent stacked against us, with respect to that endeavor. In-person visitation is not the only way contraband is introduced to jails, though jail administrators consider it a primary vehicle. Criminal ingenuity has managed to exploit weaknesses in jail layouts, modern technology and bail reform. Several corrections officers have also been arrested on contraband smuggling charges in recent years. Drug contraband is more dangerous now than it was five years ago, when street fentanyl was less prevalent, jail supervisors said. Before, cocaine, tobacco, pot and synthetic marijuana known as K2 and Spice were the bigger problems, said Hartman and Christine Green, chief of operations for the Correctional Facility. But over the last two years, 16 inmates were treated with Narcan after suffering opioid-related overdoses in Erie County jails, according to Sheriffs Office data. The rescue agent is now mounted in every housing unit. Trafficking drugs in jail is a lucrative enterprise. Jail administrators said inmates illicitly use financial transaction applications like Cash App to exchange money for drugs. Our challenge is to remain a step ahead of the ever-evolving criminal tactics devised to bring contraband into our facility, said Sheriff John Garcia. How drugs are smuggled in Erie County jail officials described the four main ways drugs infiltrate their facilities. 1. Visitation rooms New York State requires that jails permit human contact during family visitation time. That means permitting a hug and kiss in the nicknamed mistletoe area of the visitation rooms and face-to-face, barrier-free interaction across a table between an incarcerated individual and up to two visitors, excluding young children. Prison reform advocates have pointed to the psychological and behavioral benefits of permitting such contact. However, from 2020 until the fall of 2022, county jails were allowed to erect clear barriers in the visitation room between inmates and family members to prevent the spread of Covid-19. At some points, in-person visitation was banned and only phone and video calls were allowed. The number of contraband incidents fell during that period. But when the Covid crisis waned, jails were required to take down barriers, leaving only a short divider between visitors and jail residents. Subsequently, Erie County jail visitation swelled from less than 4,000 visitors in 2022 to more than 15,000 last year. County jail administrators point to data that shows a correlation between higher visitation levels and higher contraband findings. County requests to keep the barriers up were denied by the state Commission of Correction, a sore spot for jail administrators. Until theyre willing to look at their own policies, their mandates against the counties, what are they going to do to help us to keep these people safe? Green said. Commission spokeswoman Kirstan Conley said jails can screen, monitor and search jailed individuals, but the right to contact visitation for individuals incarcerated in local jails is guaranteed by the New York State Constitution and state regulations. 2. New inmate drug mules New inmates often bring in their own drugs. Before New Yorks bail reform laws took effect, Cooley said, offenders arrested on the street were more successfully searched for contraband prior to booking. Intake guys would almost invariably find what they had, because they didnt leave the house knowing they were going to be arrested, Cooley said. But now that many lower-level offenders are released on court appearance tickets, these individuals do advance drug prep prior to appearing before a judge, if they think its likely they will be sent to jail. That means swallowing bags of drugs and drug paraphernalia or hiding it in body cavities prior to going to court. In 2022, a woman confessed to Holding Center investigators that she had swallowed 10 baggies of heroin, one 8 ball of crack cocaine, a lighter and a glass pipe. She threw up the items but swallowed them again a few days later. The lighter passed through her system, but the rest had to be removed at Erie County Medical Center. Ingestion of these drugs is perilous if the drug-filled rubber or plastic bags break inside a persons body. Last year, for instance, a man who was in the midst of being booked suddenly started slurring his speech and became unresponsive. He was revived with Narcan and found to have benzodiazepines and opiates in his system. 3. Exploiting the jail perimeter Sometimes, contraband is passed into jails by someone who doesnt even go inside. The downtown Holding Center location enables individuals to walk up to the building and attempt to pass contraband through open windows. Incarcerated individuals have repurposed sheet threads and fished the line through compromised screens. Once the thread makes it to the ground, an accomplice on the outside can affix drugs to the line. The Correctional Facility has single-level housing units that each have their own outdoor exercise yards. At night, drones have been used to drop drugs in the yards, Green said. Its happened at the Wende state prison, as well. The only way we have seen them is by an officer being very astute on the midnight watch, Green said. 4. Unscrupulous employees Inmates and detainees arent the only people who enter the Holding Center. So do contractors, human services personnel, corrections officers and deputies, all of whom are capable of passing drugs. Cooley said most sworn personnel work with integrity but there have been a few arrests that have led to more routine searches of personnel. In 2022, corrections officer Jason C. Stachowski was arrested for passing a cellphone, charger and marijuana into the Correctional Facility. Last year, jail deputy Niko J. Carter was charged with felony counts of promoting prison contraband, and corrections officer Jason R. Cross was charged with misdemeanors for passing a vape, lighter and cellphone into the Correctional Facility. Changes to curb contraband Since Garcia has become sheriff, changes have been made to deter jailhouse drug smuggling, administrators said. More officers and deputies monitor the visitation areas, and the Sheriffs Office has increased the number of drug detection dogs in the jails. Each jail now has three K9s who sniff visitors and incarcerated individuals for drugs and are used to search housing areas. The Sheriffs Office has also made high-cost investments in body scanning technology, aimed at detecting the presence of drug packages inside a persons body, said Michael Phillips, superintendent of the Jail Management Division. But that equipment costs $85,000 per scanner, requires routine updates, and cant catch everything. Phillips said Garcia has asked him to research other technology that could curb the contraband problem. Were constantly thinking of ways to fight this, he said. For instance, the mail used to be a major way drugs were smuggled into the jails, with substances melted or liquified and sprayed on paper or infused in crayons, ink or envelope and stamp adhesives. But that came to an end several years ago when the Sheriffs Office began giving incarcerated individuals photocopies of their mail. After that, some lawyers began unwittingly bringing contraband into the jails. Family members would ask lawyers representing detainees to carry documents for them, saying they had papers that their loved ones should review to aid their legal defense. But some pages would be laced with synthetic drugs. Legal paperwork now gets photocopied before it is given to jail residents. Finally, Cooley said hes interested in working with the District Attorneys Office to raise criminal penalties for passing drugs in jails. Police are spending at least 2.2million to house XL Bullys as a ban on owning dangerous dogs comes into effect next week. Forces across Britain are expecting a surge in demand for kennels ahead of the ban on owning the animal in England and Wales from Thursday, February 1. According to contract details obtained by the Sun, the bulk of this amount comes from the 1.2million deal Leicestershire Police signed last year for the collection and kenneling of the dogs under the Dangerous Dogs Act. Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire police will also be spending 450,000 to cage the dog breed. Lincolnshire Police predicts it will spend 350,000, while the North Yorkshire force has agreed a 240,000 deal. The ban follows multiple dog attacks in recent months involving the breed. From next Thursday, owners must either have their pet euthanised or apply for a valid Certificate of Exemption which costs 92.40. Since December 31 it has been an offence to sell, breed or abandon an XL Bully. Owners of the breed have also had to walk their dogs on leads and with a muzzle. Since December 31 it has been an offence to sell, breed or abandon an XL Bully (stock image) Owners of the breed have had to walk their dogs on leads and with a muzzle since the turn of the year From next Thursday, owners must either have their pet euthanised or apply for a valid Certificate of Exemption which costs 92.40 (Picture taken from Facebook) With registration due to close at noon on January 31, the UK's chief veterinary officer, Christine Middlemiss, is urging XL Bully owners not to wait till the deadline to register their dogs. The government says over 30,000 XL Bully dogs have been registered to the scheme. More than 100 claims have been made towards the government's compensation scheme which helps with the cost of euthanasia. EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: Dozens of XL Bully owners gather on seafront to walk their dogs unmuzzled for the last time before new restrictions come into force TODAY Advertisement This is to help owners whose applications are rejected or choose not to keep their dogs. In September last year, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the breed would be banned following a string of high profile dog attacks. However, the dog remained legal in Scotland until January 18 when First Minister Humza Yousef announced the Scottish Government planned to replicate the ban. This followed a string of attacks in Scotland including a man who had to flee to safety inside a local shop after an XL Bully-type dog attacked him. The dog was only put down when police shot the beast four times. Scottish community safety minister Siobhian Brown said the move is 'right and proper' amid concern over an influx of dogs being abandoned in Scotland. The ban follows a number of reports of attacks in the last 12 months, both north and south of the border. Last week, locals in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, witnessed an XL Bully-type dog attack his owner and another man in the street before being shot dead by police. The 'huge' animal, thought to be called Zeus, was stabbed by its own owner, named locally as William Hunter, several times. The attack happened days after the dog was reportedly rescued from England as new laws on the breed came into effect down south. 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, January 23. Owners wanting to keep their XL bully will have to pay an unconfirmed fee to register the pet (stock image) Scottish community safety minister Siobhian Brown said the move is 'right and proper' amid concern over an influx of dogs being abandoned in Scotland XL Bully owners are pictured protesting in central London in September last year William Hunter with the dog, Zeus, which is believed to have attacked him and another man 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. Police were called to the scene and the beast is then said to have attempted to sink its teeth into one of the officers attending. Armed response cops then shot the animal dead after a Taser failed to quell its temper. Witnesses said the animal was 'huge' and believe that police had been left with no option but to shoot it after it was reportedly stabbed and refused to stop its attack. A fugitive rapist who attacked a woman leaving a nightclub at Christmas has been jailed for 10 years. Police are still hunting for Muarug Gebremcal, 34, who was convicted at Exeter Crown Court in September 2023, but has gone missing from his bail address in Plymouth. The hotel worker, originally from Eritrea, befriended his victim as she sat on a wall trying to call her boyfriend after leaving a Torquay nightclub at about 3.30am in December 2021. The court heard how Gebremcal posed as a Good Samaritan who was helping her get home safely, but instead took her to his bedsit on Warren Road, where he raped her. Convicted rapist Muarug Abraham Gebremcal, 34 (pictured), who is wanted by police for breaching his court bail conditions by failing to report to police The woman escaped the bedsit and raised the alarm after seeking refuge at a neighbour's home. Gebremcal surrendered his passport on conviction, so he is not thought to have fled the country. Sentencing Muarug Gebremcal, Judge Anna Richardson said: 'There was significant pre-planning Gebremcal went to a club and waited to identify a lone vulnerable victim. 'The victim was particularly vulnerable because of her intoxication and solitude.' When caught, Gebremcal will face a charge of breaching his bail conditions. Devon and Cornwall Police said Gebremcal had family links to Plymouth, Birmingham and London, but could be anywhere in the UK. Kemi Badenoch has hinted there could be more sackings at the Post Office after former chairman Henry Staunton was sacked following a row with the government over the Horizon scandal. Mr Staunton, who had been in the 150,000-a-year-role for a little over a year, received a call from the Business Secretary yesterday afternoon in which she told him he would be replaced. They agreed to 'part ways with mutual consent' and an interim will be appointed 'shortly', the Department for Business and Trade said. Ms Badenoch has not ruled out more people being removed from their jobs at the scandal-hit Post Office. Asked on Sky's Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips whether there will be further resignations from the board of directors, she said: 'I won't be making any further comments around personnel changes. I think we need to do this in a civilised way.' Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch appeared on Sky's Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips where she hinted there could be further sackings at the Post Office The chairman of the Post Office, Henry Staunton, was sacked yesterday following a row with the government over the Horizon scandal There had been tension between Mr Staunton and the government over plans to force through legislation to compensate the wrongly convicted sub-postmasters quickly, The Sun reports. Hundreds of subpostmasters are awaiting compensation despite the Government announcing that those who have had convictions quashed are eligible for 600,000 payouts. Ms Badenoch said today: 'It just wasn't working' when asked why Henry Staunton could not carry on as chairman of the Post Office. Speaking to BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme and asked about what her concerns were over Mr Staunton as chairman of the Post Office, Ms Badenoch said in taking up her role she was focused on three things: 'get the money out of the door', 'making sure that it was fair', and 'looking at the governance around the Post Office'. On the latter, she said: 'That is where my deciding that we needed a new chair of the organisation was important. It just wasn't working.' She added: 'There were various disagreements within the board. And when I looked at it I thought that a change of personnel was what was required. 'I don't want to do HR on live TV, these are human beings that we're talking about. It is very difficult to be asked to stand down from a position. 'But I decided that given all of the difficulties the Post Office is having, it's not just about Horizon, it's about the entire business model, how we make it work, that we needed someone who could chair a board that was able to deal with these things effectively.' Mr Staunton only took up the post at the state-owned company in December 2022, following nine years as chairman of WH Smith. Ms Badenoch said yesterday she 'felt there was a need for new leadership' at the Post Office as it was announced outgoing chairman Henry Staunton was stepping down. The Business Secretary said: 'The Post Office is rightfully under a heightened level of scrutiny at this time. With that in mind, I felt there was a need for new leadership, and we have parted ways with mutual consent.' One insider is said to have claimed there have been a number of tensions between the Post Office chairman and the government in recent months. The search for a new chairman will come as the government aims to force through legislation that will compensate hundreds of sub-postmasters who were wrongly convicted of offences such as fraud. The government is believed to want to give the role to a Whitehall insider in a bid to strengthen the Post Office's corporate governance. Analysis by The Mail on Sunday of 101 taxpayer-funded contracts reveals that more than 40 government departments, quangos and local councils have together struck 2 billion worth of deals with Fujitsu even after a High Court ruling that its Post Office software was riddled with bugs. Staunton received a call from Ms Badenoch in which she told him he would be replaced Ms Badenoch was doing the media rounds this morning and was also on BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme Ms Badenoch said she 'felt there was a need for new leadership' at the Post Office as it was announced outgoing chairman Henry Staunton was stepping down 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 Since December 2019, when Mr Justice Fraser found that 'bugs errors and defects' posed a 'significant and material risk' to sub-post offices, its software packages have been snapped up across the public sector. And Kemi Badenoch said she 'certainly' expects Fujitsu to pay compensation over the Horizon IT scandal. The Business Secretary said she had written to the chairman of the company asking for meetings but he is based in Japan, so 'it's not that straightforward'. She told Sky News' Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips: 'I certainly expect that that will happen in due course ... Previously we've been waiting till the end of the inquiry and it is important that we get to the end of that inquiry to know what should happen. 'But Fujitsu is a part of this, they are very much a part of this story, it's not just Post Office management, and I hope that they will do the right thing.' 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. Hundreds of subpostmasters are awaiting compensation despite the Government announcing that those who have had convictions quashed are eligible for 600,000 payouts. Mr Staunton's departure comes amid frustration in Whitehall over the company's governance, including a row over the prospective appointment of a new senior independent director, Sky News reported. The Government reportedly wants to hire a Whitehall insider to the role while Mr Staunton and a number of colleagues are said to have favoured Andrew Darfoor, one of the company's existing non-executive directors. Insiders told the outlet that Mr Staunton's exit was not directly related to the Horizon scandal itself. A Government spokesperson said yesterday: 'In a phone call earlier today, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade and Henry Staunton, chair of Post Office Limited (POL), agreed to part ways with mutual consent. 'An interim will be appointed shortly and a recruitment process for a new chair will be launched in due course, in accordance with the Governance Code for Public Appointments.' Jack Shepherd has been blasted by locals from the village where he abandoned his wife when he fled Britain after killing his Tinder date in a horrific speedboat crash. Shepherd, 35, took Charlotte Brown, 24, on a high speed ride past the Houses of Parliament in his defective speedboat on a Tinder date in December 2015. The boat crashed and Ms Brown died. Just nine weeks later, on December 8, 2015, he married a woman in the small Welsh town of Abergavenny, where they settled down and had a child. The cowardly killer then fled to Georgia, but was jailed for six years for manslaughter by gross negligence in 2018 and received a further four years in prison added on top in 2019 for hitting a barman over the head with a vodka bottle in a hotel in Devon before fleeing abroad. After he was released from prison this week, it is unclear where Shepherd went, although locals in Abergavenny hope he won't be returning to their quaint Welsh town. One resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said that Shepherd would be 'run out of town' if he ever came back. The source added that Shepherd was 'very arrogant and dismissive towards anyone who wasn't useful to him'. Shepherd (pictured), 35, took Charlotte Brown, 24, on a high speed ride past the Houses of Parliament in his defective speedboat on a Tinder date in December 2015. The boat crashed and Ms Brown died Charlotte Brown was thrown from the boat when it capsized on the River Thames After he was released from prison this week, it is unclear where Shepherd went, although locals in Abergavenny (pictured) hope he won't be returning to their quaint Welsh town They said that the killer had a 'cold heart' as he moved on to the Welsh town and married shortly after causing the death of Ms Brown 'as if nothing had happened'. 'One thing's for sure - if he ever has the nerve to come back to Abergavenny, he'll be run out of town,' the source told the Sun. Shepherd could find a new home in Georgia after his glamorous lawyer Mariam Kublashvili, 38, invited him to come back as she said 'people love you' in the country, adding that he had been 'vilified' at home. On Wednesday, a day after his release, Shepherd's lawyer wrote a nauseating message of congratulations to her client. She said: 'Dear Jack, I'm so happy to hear you are a free man. You paid a very high price, but did so with dignity and your head held high. 'You were vilified in Britain and I am afraid you will always be known as ''the speedboat killer'', but you are very welcome to return to Georgia, where you have friends who would welcome you. 'One youthful mistake does not have to define you for the rest of your life.' Released under strict licence conditions, Shepherd would have to seek permission to travel abroad. Later a Ministry of Justice spokesman said: 'Offenders released on licence are kept under close supervision and subject to strict conditions for the remainder of their sentence. They face recall to prison if they breach them.' After Shepherd was released after just serving half of his sentence, Ms Brown's family was devastated, with her father saying his daughter's killer has not served enough time behind bars for the crime. Graham Brown also claimed the 31-year-old had never told the truth about what actually happened. Shepherd had insisted that Charlotte was at the wheel when his boat hit a log and capsized near Wandsworth Bridge, implying that she was partly to blame. But a witness on the balcony of a riverside flat challenged his story by saying she saw a single figure at the helm looking into the water, before the boat hit a pier. Undated handout photo issued by the Metropolitan Police of the speedboat Jack's high-profile lawyer Mariam Kublashvili (pictured) wrote a nauseating message of congratulations to her client following his release from prison Shepherd sits behind his lawyer Mariam Kublashvili (left) at Tbilisi Central Court Mr Brown told Sky News this week: 'He's never said what really happened and what he has said conflicts with what we do know and what came out the trial. 'The pure fact he took my daughter out on a speed boat at 10pm, without any life jackets, on a very dangerous stretch of the River Thames and accelerated up to 30 knots and then say it was her fault. 'This is his pattern of behaviour. This is what Shepherd did. Nothing what he said can be believed.' Charlotte apparently fell out of the 14ft speedboat and drowned after being swept away late at night in December 2015, while Shepherd was rescued from the water. EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: Grieving mother of speedboat killer Jack Shepherd's victim fears he will never tell the truth about Thames first date crash Advertisement He fled to Georgia and was jailed for six years for manslaughter by gross negligence at the Old Bailey in his absence in July 2018. Shepherd gave himself up 10 months later, and was returned to the UK to start his sentence, before being given a further four years in prison for hitting a barman over the head with a vodka bottle in a hotel in Devon. Shepherd had insisted that Charlotte was at the wheel when his boat hit a log, but a witness on the balcony of a riverside flat challenged his story by saying she saw a single figure at the helm looking into the water, before the boat hit a pier. Charlotte who lived in London, but grew up in Welling, Kent, was found to be only slightly over the drink-drive limit for alcohol after her body was recovered while rescuers said website designer Shepherd appeared drunk. His trial heard how he had bought vodka, before sharing two bottles of wine with Charlotte at the Shard and downing champagne on his boat which he had bought on Gumtree. Mr Brown, 60, warned last month that Shepherd should not be freed. Speaking to Good Morning Britian, he said: 'She was a wonderful daughter so full of life. She had just gotten a promotion and was looking forward to doing her driving test. She was 24 years old - she had her life robbed from her. 'For the family the heartache is the main thing. Nothing will replace losing Charlotte but mostly for us we still don't know what happened because Shepherd absconded from his trial.' Charlotte and her mother Roz at a wedding in June 2015 Shepherd led away in handcuffs by Georgian police in 2019 Mother Roz Wickens, 58, spoke to MailOnline at the start of this month about her continuing anguish over the loss of her daughter. She said: 'I will continue to want to know what happened on the fateful night Charlotte was taken away from us, but I don't think I ever will. 'Only he knows what really happened as Charlotte cannot speak for herself. But if he came out with anything now, I wouldn't know if it was true because of all the stories he has told. 'JS will never tell the truth and I feel that the truth may implicate him further. He will never know or fully understand the true devastation he has caused me and my family.' Roz added: 'My heart will always ache for the loss of Charlotte, but no matter what happens with the release of JS, nothing will bring her back.' Shepherd a self-styled Casanova who bought his speedboat to 'pull women' got married to someone else just a day after police quizzed him about the accident that killed Miss Brown, from Clacton, Essex. The 31-year-old, originally from Essex, was rescued when Charlotte died. He was heard crying to rescuers 'help me' rather than 'us'. In an ITV documentary about the case, Detective Superintendent Chris Davis revealed a witness saw the boat before the crash. He said: 'She remembered looking down from her flat, and she had only seen Jack Shepherd in the boat. She believed he was looking over [the] side of the boat. She couldn't see Charlotte.' The day after Shepherd's second police interview on February 8, 2016, and nine weeks after the crash, he got married to his childhood sweetheart. The killer and his wife had a baby, born less than a year after the death of business consultant Charlotte. He had insisted that Charlotte was at the wheel when his boat hit a log and capsized near Wandsworth Bridge, implying that she was partly to blame. Roz is certain that her daughter would never have driven a boat recklessly and believes that she was thrown out while he was showing off by performing a high speed manoeuvre. Jack Shepherd has been released from prison after serving just half of his sentence Shepherd, 36, was freed halfway through a ten-year sentence for the manslaughter of Charlotte Brown in his boat and later attacking a barman Part time delivery driver Roz of Sittingbourne, Kent, believes that he would have drunk far more than her daughter due to her relatively low alcohol reading, although police failed to breathalyse him on the night of the tragedy. She said: 'We don't really know for sure what happened. I have got my gut feeling, but I don't know for certain. My feeling all along is that she fell out of the boat while he was driving, and he was left there. 'He was seen alone in the boat by a witness when he seemed to be looking round for her in the water.' Roz added: 'It has not been easy. I miss her tremendously. Words cannot explain. For the sake of my other daughters Vicky and Katie and my grandsons, I try to put on a brave face, and be as normal as I can. 'When people say that time heals in bereavement, it is one million per cent incorrect. Time doesn't heal. That statement is the opposite to how I feel. 'I always knew the release of JS [Shepherd] was going to happen in January because Victim Support have kept us updated, but it doesn't make it any easier.' A British base jumper has died after his parachute failed to open as he plunged to the ground from a tower block in Thailand. Nathy Odinson, 33, from Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, illegally climbed to the top of the 29th floor in an apartment building in the coastal resort of Pattaya, on Saturday night before falling to his death. Horrifying footage shows the tattooed daredevil counting down 'three, two, one, see ya' before leaping into the night sky - only to go into a deadly tailspin with the small parachute flailing through the air. Mr Odinson can then be heard landing in a tree before hitting the ground with a sickening thud. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene. Tourist police in Pattaya were alerted to the accident at 7.30pm and rushed to the condo building in Tambon Na Klua in Bang Lamung district of Chonburi province and found Odinsons body on the ground. Nathy Odinson, 33, from Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, climbed to the 29th floor in an apartment block in the coastal resort of Pattaya, on Saturday night before falling to his death (Pictured: moments before his death) Horrifying footage shows the tattooed daredevil counting down 'three, two, one, see ya' before leaping into the night sky Terrifying images show the brutal aftermath of the fall Tourist police in Pattaya were alerted to the accident at 7.30pm and rushed to the condo building to find Odinsons body on the ground A round blue parachute was found on his body and was not fully deployed. Traumatised security guard Kanet Chansong, 33, said: 'I heard the sound of the tree and I thought it was a fallen branch hitting the ground. 'A woman screamed so I walked over and realised it was person. They were dead. I saw that they had jumped from the building.' In the video, Mr Odinson asks the person recording him from the other side of a security wall if his helmet camera has the red light flashing to indicate it is recording. When he realises it was not recording, Nathy removes his helmet and presses the button before briefly checking his parachute. His friend, a Thai local, exclaims 'oh f***' when he hears Mr Odinson hit the ground. The emergency services were called shortly after. Staff at the Lumpini Ville Naklua condo checked CCTV and saw that Mr Odinson and a friend had parked outside then waited for a time when it was quiet before sneaking into the building. They then illegally trespassed onto the roof of the building, with Mr Odison clambering over a small concrete wall on the roof of the building into order to reach the edge. The security guard said that he had jumped from the building several times before, which posed a risk for pedestrians walking below. Mr Odinson was a regular daredevil and had performed skydives and base jumps around the world The security guard said that he had jumped from the building several times before, which posed a risk for pedestrians walking below Police have informed the British Embassy in Bangkok, which is contacting Mr Odinson's relatives in the United Kingdom He added: 'They were making video content for social media. They had done this before and they knew it was not allowed.' Police and paramedics arrived at the scene shortly after 7:30pm local time. However, Mr Odinson could not be saved. Police Lieutenant Kamolporn Nadee, Deputy Inspector of Investigations at the Bang Lamung district police station, said there were no initial signs that Mr Odinson had been attacked. The policeman said: 'The parachute that the deceased used to jump malfunctioned and was not centered as expected. He was in a terrible state when we arrived. 'The friend who recorded the video of him jumping was questioned and the video was examined as evidence. 'Forensics officers are investigating the case further. They are examining the parachute.' Mr Odinson was a regular daredevil and had performed skydives and base jumps around the world. He ran a 'sky photography' company and took customers on private skydives. Police have informed the British Embassy in Bangkok, which is contacting Mr Odinson's relatives in the United Kingdom. This is the dramatic moment a Russian ammunition depot in Kremlin-occupied southern Ukraine explodes. Footage shared on Telegram shows a building hidden behind trees which suddenly burst into a terrifying fireball, lighting up the area. The local who filmed the explosion at the alleged ammunition depot in Krynky, in the occupied Kherson region of Ukraine, said: 'Worms will have no ammo to shoot tonight.' He said the warehouse was 'burning nicely' yesterday after allegedly being hit by a Ukrainian drone. This comes as Russia carried out overnight drone and missile attacks on four regions of Ukraine, wounding at least three people, the Ukrainian armed forces said today. Footage shared on social media shows a building hidden behind trees which suddenly burst into a terrifying fireball (pictured above) lighting up the area This comes as Russia under president Putin (pictured) carried out overnight drone and missile attacks on four regions of Ukraine, wounding at least three people, the Ukrainian armed forces said today The local who filmed the explosion at the ammunition depot in Krynky, in the occupied Kherson region of Ukraine, said: 'Worms will have no ammo to shoot tonight.' He said the warehouse was 'burning nicely' yesterday after allegedly being hit by a Ukrainian drone According to the air force, eight Shahed-type explosive drones, two Iskander missiles and three S-300 missiles were launched, four of which were shot down. The air force said that civilian sites and 'critical infrastructure' were attacked in central Poltava, eastern Donetsk, southeastern Zaporizhzhia and central Dnipropetrovsk. It gave no further details. The prosecutor's office for Donetsk said one missile had fallen on a residential area in the city, causing injuries. It said a 15-year-old boy and a 35-year-old man had suffered cuts and bruises, while in a neighbouring house a 30-year-old resident had head trauma. Cities and towns close to the sprawling frontline in the east and south have been subject to daily shelling in the near two years since Russia invaded, although Moscow has repeatedly denied targeting residential areas. According to the United Nations, at least 10,000 civilians - likely many more - have been killed in Ukraine since February 2022. To counter Russian attacks, Ukraine is heavily dependent on weapons and ammunition supplied by the West. Aid from the United States and the European Union, however, is currently at a standstill. This comes after Vladimir Putin 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 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. Russia claims around 74 people were on board, including more than 60 Ukrainian prisoners of war as well as Russian air crew Vladimir Putin has accused Kyiv of downing a Russian transport plane that had dozens of Ukrainian prisoners of war on board 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. 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. It is understood that 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 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 school worker who claims she was sacked because of her Christian beliefs has won the right for her appeal against her dismissal to be heard by senior judges. Kristie Higgs, 47, was dismissed for gross misconduct by Farmor's School in Fairford, Gloucestershire, in 2019 after sharing Facebook posts criticising plans to teach LGBT+ relationships in primary schools. Mrs Higgs, supported by the Christian Legal Centre, took the school to an employment tribunal, arguing she had been unlawfully discriminated against because of her Christian beliefs. The school had denied dismissing the mother-of-two because of her religious beliefs and said she was sacked because of the language used in the posts. Kristie Higgs, 47 (pictured), who was dismissed for gross misconduct by Farmor's School in Gloucestershire last year Farmor's School (pictured) in Fairford, Gloucestershire In its ruling in 2020, the tribunal concluded her religion is a 'protected characteristic' as defined by the Equality Act but the school lawfully dismissed her. Mrs Higgs appealed against that judgment to the Employment Appeal Tribunal in London, which ruled in her favour and remitted the case back to an employment tribunal for a fresh determination. Mrs Higgs's lawyers appealed the decision to order a fresh employment tribunal hearing and have now won the right to have her case heard by Court of Appeal judges. The hearing is likely to take place later this year. Mrs Higgs welcomed the fresh hearing and said: 'From the beginning, despite the many attempts by the school to suggest otherwise, this has always been about my Christian beliefs and me being discriminated against for expressing them in my own time. A Facebook post shared by Kristie Higgs who was dismissed for gross misconduct by Farmor's School in Gloucestershire last year. Ms Higgs claims she was sacked because of her Christian beliefs, but the school has said it was due to the language used in the posts Mrs Higgs appealed against that judgment to the Employment Appeal Tribunal in London, which ruled in her favour and remitted the case back to an employment tribunal for a fresh determination. The hearing is likely to take place later this year 'I was, and still am, appalled by the sexual ideology that was being introduced to my son's Church of England primary school. 'What has happened since in schools with extreme RSE (relationships and sex education) and transgender ideology shows that I was right to be concerned as a parent.' Mrs Higgs, from Fairford, Gloucestershire, shared and commented on posts which raised concerns about relationship education at her son's Church of England primary school. Pupils were to learn about the No Outsiders In Our School programme, which is a series of books teaching the Equality Act in primary schools. Mrs Higgs, who was posting on Facebook under her maiden name, shared two posts in October 2018 to about 100 friends. One of the posts referred to 'brainwashing our children'. An anonymous complaint was made to the school and Mrs Higgs was suspended and, after a disciplinary hearing, dismissed for gross misconduct. Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said: 'The previous judgment that upheld her sacking could not stand. 'In what should have been a cut and dry case of discrimination, however, it has been unnerving to encounter the series of obstacles blocking Kristie securing justice. 'We now press on in this important case. 'For Kristie's case to be heard at the Court of Appeal is a huge moment for Christian freedoms and the freedom of any employee to be able to express opposition to LGBT+ ideology without fear of losing their jobs.' A woman grieving the loss of her mother was heartbroken after finding her stepfather squandered a 200,000 life insurance payout - on luxury holidays for his new girlfriend. Patrycja Miszczuk, 33, was horrified to discover her stepfather, Krzysztof Baczynski, 40, had spent all the money she was due to inherit. Her mother, Anna Miszczuk, 45, had died just two months after being diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2017. Anna's 200,000 life insurance money was due to go her youngest son when he turned 25, and be shared with his sister, Patrycja. But a month after Anna's death, husband Baczynski fooled Patrycja - who was the trustee of her insurance policies - into signing it over to him. Anna Miszczuk, 45 (pictured), had died just two months after being diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2017. Anna's 200k life insurance money was due to go her youngest son when he turned 25, and be shared with his sister, Patrycja Krzysztof Baczynski, 40 (pictured), spent all the money his stepchildren were due to inherit, on luxury holidays and business ventures Baczynski spent the money 'as if it was his own', a court heard - even spending the critical illness part of the payout while his wife was still alive. After her death, he splashed the cash on luxury holidays, jetting off to Tenerife, Poland and Russia with his new girlfriend. The brazen fraudster invited Patrycja on multiple holidays - pretending his business was flourishing and footing the bill for the trips. He also invested in a shop and used some money to prop up his failing business, which was part of a cosmetics pyramid scheme. Baczynski burned through his wife's money in just nine months - leaving Patrycja and her sibling completely out of pocket. Patrycja grew suspicious when she suggested they dip into the money for rent, but Baczynski made 'excuses' not to use it. He was caught out after he took photos of himself and his new partner 'living it up' at fancy restaurants and enjoying a new hot tub. Krzysztof Baczynski, of Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, was found guilty of one count of fraud at Northampton Crown Court in December 2023. He was jailed for four years and told he would be subject to a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing in a bid to claw back some of the money. Patrycja said the revelation had 'torn' her family apart. The administrator, from Corby, Northamptonshire, said: 'I don't know how he could do something like this to us. 'It's torn our family apart. I have known him for most of my life - I never thought he was capable of this. Patrycja Miszczuk (right) and her mother Anna Miszczuk (left) Patrycja Miszczuk (left) and her mother Anna Miszczuk (right) 'Mum would have been so devastated if she knew. 'This money was for our future and now we have nothing left from it. 'It's not just a couple hundred pounds he took from us - it was everything.' Patrycja was 16 years old when her mother married Baczynski, and they lived together as a family in Poland. The couple moved to Corby, Northamptonshire, in 2008, and after finishing school, Patrycja joined them in the UK. She said: 'After my parents got divorced, I wasn't sure about Krzysztof to begin with, but I could see how happy he made my mum, so I accepted him. 'We were just a normal, happy family, who would do nice things together.' In 2017, Anna started feeling tired all the time, and began going to the GP. In August 2017, the family took a trip to Poland to see relatives, and Anna visited a doctor while there. After several tests, Patrycja was heartbroken to learn her mum had stage four lymphoma - a type of blood cancer. By the time she was diagnosed, the disease had spread and was incurable. Patrycja said: 'They said the cancer was covering 80 to 90 per cent of her liver. 'I was in so much shock. 'She wanted to fight and have chemotherapy, but it was too far along. Patrycja Miszczuk (pictured right), and her mother Anna Miszczuk (left) Anna Miszczuk ( in front) and Krzysztof Baczynski (pictured behind) 'I felt so guilty for a long time, I should have known.' The family returned to the UK, and after a short, two-month battle, Anna sadly passed away on September 19, 2017. Patrycja and her younger brother - who does not wish to be named - were reassured by their mother that she had taken out a life insurance policy to ensure their future was secure. The policy paid out 200k which was due to go to Anna's son when he turned 25 and be shared with his sister. However, a month after his wife's death, Baczynski drained every penny into his own account. Patrycja said: 'I don't really remember or know how he managed to get the money. 'A lot was going on after mum died, lots of paperwork. 'I never remember signing anything - maybe he hid it with other papers. 'I can't believe all it took was one signature to take all of it out the account, no ID, just that. 'I thought the money was sitting there, waiting for when we needed it.' Baczynski spent the money on various holidays around Europe, a car, and invested significant sums in his own business. He even gifted some to his girlfriend at the time. Patrycja said: 'He invited me and my brother on holiday too, we met his new girlfriend for the first time in Russia. 'I just thought it business was doing well, he told us they were paying everything, and I believed him. 'He wasn't very smart, the way he spent that money. 'I think he thought it would never run out.' The truth came to light when Patrycja became suspicious of Baczynski, making excuses as to why they couldn't access the cash. Her brother eventually called the financial advisor himself and found out the money was all gone. Patrycja said: 'We told Krzysztof we should use the money - mum left it for times like this. 'He kept making excuses not to talk to us about it saying things like 'I don't have time right now' and 'we'll do it another time'. 'My brother called the advisor himself, and we found out what happened. 'I was so shocked to find out every penny was gone. 'I called Krzysztof and he answered the phone, and when I asked him, he went silent. He just hung up the phone. 'My friends convinced me to call the police. I didn't want to at first, I didn't want to believe what he'd done.' After a trial, Judge David Herbert KC told the court: 'You don't seem to be able to accept that was Anna's children's inheritance. 'It was her dying wish they received it to set them up for life. 'Your reckless attitude to the money is well summed-up by photographs of you living it up in restaurants and relaxing in hot tubs.' Baczynski was jailed for four years. Patrycia said: 'My mum used to say, if you have problems you have to solve them, not just live with them. 'We won't just sit around and cry about what happened. 'My brother suffered the most after what happened, but I think he's doing better. 'The court case isn't the outcome I wanted, he should have got longer. 'But we are doing out best to move on.' Investigations are underway after a four-year-old girl was snatched by a couple at a popular swimming spot on Australia Day. Witnesses reported a woman and a man had made a 'suspicious approach' towards the little girl before grabbing her near the Point Walter jetty in Bicton, south-east Perth, about 5.25pm on Friday. The daylight abduction was only thwarted after two teenage girls alerted the child's father as the couple walked towards a car park. Soon after the couple were seen near an ice-cream van with another man, all of whom were described as possibly being of Asian descent. Police said the couple's intentions were 'very much unclear' and urged them to come forward to explain. The child is now safe and was not injured. Witnesses reported a woman and a man had made a 'suspicious approach' towards the little girl before grabbing her near the Point Walter jetty in Bicton, south-east Perth (pictured), about 5.25pm on Friday The girl's father was able to grab her from the couple who were then seen with another man near an ice-cream van (stock image) Detective Sergeant Sam Harris said the group's behaviour was 'odd', adding 'you can't do that to someone's child'. The woman is described as being aged in her 30s, wearing heavy make-up and a long khaki-coloured skirt. One male was aged in his 30's wearing dark-coloured shorts and another male was wearing white Crocs and had a missing tooth. Detective Harris urged the two teenagers or anyone else who saw the group to speak to police. 'A lot of people were here in groups, and maybe it was someone in their group a group near tham and has spoken to them can help identify these people,' he said. 'There were lots of people around, which is why it's so important to get this out so we can speak to anybody who may have seen this or have seen them in the background of footage because it was during a big event.' Anyone with information have been urged to contact Crime Stoppers. The four-year-old is now safe and uninjured (stock image), however police wish to speak to the group so they can explain their 'odd' actions A majority of Scots do not trust Nicola Sturgeon as the ex-first minister continues to face scandals over the SNP's finances and her Covid WhatsApps, a new poll showed. A survey by Norstat found that 51 per cent of Scottish voters do not trust Ms Sturgeon, with just under one-third (32 per cent) having trust in the former SNP leader. Her net trust rating of -19 represents a huge drop from when she led Scotland's response to the Covid pandemic and enjoyed a peak score of +18 on trustworthiness in February 2021. It comes after a series of scandals have tarnished Ms Sturgeon's reputation since she quit as first minister last year. The 53-year-old, who continues to serve in the Scottish Parliament as MSP for Glasgow Southside, was arrested in June as part of an ongoing police probe into the SNP's finances. Ms Sturgeon, who weeks earlier had seen officers conduct a high-profile search of the home she shares with her husband and ex-SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, was released without charge. This month, Ms Sturgeon was accused of a 'shameful cover-up' after the UK's official inquiry into the Covid crisis was told all her WhatsApp messages from the pandemic have been deleted. This was despite the ex-first minister having given a public guarantee, during a press conference in 2021, that she would submit all messages to the pandemic probe. A majority of Scots do not trust Nicola Sturgeon as the ex-first minister continues to face scandals over the SNP's finances and her Covid WhatsApps, a new poll showed A survey by Norstat found that 51 per cent of Scottish voters do not trust Ms Sturgeon, with just under one-third (32 per cent) having trust in the former SNP leader The survey also showed half (50 per cent) of all Scots held no trust in Ms Sturgeon's successor Humza Yousaf, with only a quarter of Scottish voters (25 per cent) trusting the First Minister The poll suggested Sir Keir Starmer would see Labour win 28 seats in Scotland at the general election - 10 more than the SNP The Norstat poll for the Sunday Times revealed almost a quarter (24 per cent) of SNP voters do not trust Ms Sturgeon. It also showed half (50 per cent) of all Scots held no trust in Ms Sturgeon's successor Humza Yousaf, with only a quarter of Scottish voters (25 per cent) trusting the First Minister. Mr Yousaf's net trust rating of -25 compared to Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar's net trust rating of -17, and Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross's rating of -38 per cent. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had a net trust rating of -48 and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer had a net trust rating of -24, according to the survey. When asked who they would vote for at a Westminster general election, 36 per cent said they would back Labour, 33 per cent supported the SNP and 16 per cent chose the Tories. It was suggested, if these numbers were repeated when Scottish voters go to the polls later this year, Sir Keir would see Labour win 28 seats in Scotland. This would be 10 more than the SNP, who it is suggested would win 18 Scottish constituencies, with the Tories winning six seats and the Lib Dems five seats. At the 2019 general election, the SNP won 48 out of 59 seats in Scotland, with the Tories winning six, the Lib Dems four and Labour picking up just one Scottish constituency. Sir John Curtice, professor of politics at Strathclyde University, said that voters who backed Scottish independence were continuing to switch to Labour. 'Whereas at the end of 2022, shortly before Nicola Sturgeons resignation, 80 per cent of current "yes" supporters were saying that they would vote SNP in a UK general election, now that figure has fallen to a new low of just 63 per cent,' he told the newspaper. 'The SNP need to overcome two key problems. The first is the relative unpopularity of Humza Yousaf. Around one in four [26 per cent] of those who voted SNP at the last Westminster election in 2019 believe that he is doing a bad job as first minister, and they appear especially likely to be unwilling to vote SNP again.' Last year, Catholic Charities of Buffalo celebrated 100 years of serving the Western New York community. This year marks something equally special our 100th annual appeal. The backbone of stability for our organization, the annual appeal has allowed us to continue our mission of providing HOPE for all seasons for the last century. Almost half a billion dollars has been raised throughout the past 99 appeals to help millions of people across eight counties, further demonstrating the impact that the annual appeal has on our community. We are so very proud of and yet humbled by this legacy. The very first appeal in 1924 served about 12,500 people. Today, Catholic Charities supports more than 145,000 individuals and families of all ages and of all faiths, illustrating the continued need for these critical programs and services. While we live in a dynamic and vibrant community, our community also experiences significant poverty and increasing needs for the most vulnerable among us. This is not just the homeless and underprivileged but includes the working poor and even children. The need today is very real and Catholic Charities is, as it has been for the last century, here to meet the challenge. The annual appeal helps fund more than 50 programs and services administered by Catholic Charities along with several ministries through the Fund for the Faith. As the most comprehensive human services provider serving all of Western New York, our services include basic emergency assistance for nearly 25,000 people, food and nutrition for nearly 100,000 individuals and families who might otherwise go hungry, behavioral health services for more than 8,000, education and workforce training to more than 1,000, safety and stabilization services for more than 4,000 people, support to more than 1,000 fleeing violence, oppression and poverty, in-school counseling services for more than 6,000 children, and support for more than 1,100 frail elderly. And these were over the past year alone. Everything we do starts with hope. We know that the success of the appeal has always depended on the continued generosity of those who are able to and who choose to give. We also know that this support directly translates into hope for those struggling with lifes challenges. We see it every day on the faces of too many of our neighbors. Thanks to ongoing support of the annual appeal, hope can be restored when success doesnt seem possible. When you donate, you play a vital role in helping your neighbors. Your gift is providing more than just a hot meal for a family, or counseling for someone who is troubled. It gives them hope. Appeal 2024, with a need of $9.5 million, runs through June 30. Deacon Steve Schumer is president and CEO of Catholic Charities of Buffalo. An investigation has been launched into the cause of a huge fire which ripped through a four-storey building in Liverpool yesterday. The building was said to be 'showing signs of collapse' after firefighters were called to blaze on Fox Street at 2.18pm. Thick clouds of black smoke were spotted over the city centre yesterday afternoon and could be seen from Goodison Park as Everton took on Luton in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS) crews and police proceeded to evacuate nearby buildings and declared the blaze a major incident at 4pm. Later that afternoon, the fire service said the flames had been reduced and nearby residents were allowed to return home. Throughout the night, firefighters used main jet and high pressure hose reels, with relief crews checking for hot spots with the aid of lighting rigs. An investigation is now underway into the cause of what one local resident described as the 'the biggest fire I have seen in Liverpool'. A huge fire which ripped through a four-storey building in Fox Street, Liverpool at 2.18pm on Saturday The building was said to be 'showing signs of collapse' as crews and police proceeded to evacuate nearby buildings The building today still has an outer cordon maintained by Merseyside Police with one fire engine in attendance MRFS divided the inferno into four sectors and firefighters were seen wearing breathing apparatus to fight the fire with main branch hoses. Lara Buchanan, a trainee teacher from Liverpool, was driving through Kingsway Tunnel from the Wirral when she noticed a 'dark rolling cloud' of smoke. She said she could 'feel the heat' of the blaze from her car and was shocked when she saw the extent of the fire. Ms Buchanan, 23, told the PA news agency: 'I could see the fire before entering the tunnel but didn't know where it was coming from. 'As I came out of the tunnel into Liverpool, the sky was dark and all I could see was a black rolling cloud. 'The building was blazing alight and I could feel the heat from the car driving past. 'I was shocked to see the cloud and scared for whoever may be affected.' Jose Garcia, 41, who is originally from Spain but has lived in Liverpool for 20 years, described the blaze as 'the biggest fire I have seen in Liverpool'. Mr Garcia, a secondary school teacher, said: 'It was scary. I only noticed the fire when it had already started and (was) going strong. 'It was a relief to check it was a warehouse or building site, not a block of flats, it could have been devastating. '(It is) the biggest fire I have seen in Liverpool, with huge, thick, black smoke going up into the city.' The fire service say there are now no visible hot spots or smoke in the area (picture of the building on Sunday) The fire belched thick black smoke into the sky and could be seen for miles around in the Merseyside city Huge plumes of smoke could be seen erupting from the fire from a four-storey building on Fox Street in Liverpool Firefighters were called to the scene shortly after 2pm on Saturday to find the building 'well alight' The smoke can even be seen from Everton's ground, Goodison Park, as the Toffees face off against Luton Town in the FA Cup A Liverpool resident, who did not wish to be named, said smoke 'pretty much covered half of the skyline'. He added: 'As soon as I got out the car I could smell what I can only describe as burning plastic, it was pretty strong and I'm over the water in New Ferry.' By 6.30pm, nearby residents who had been evacuated were allowed back inside their homes. In a later evening update, MRFS said crews were still dealing with 'hot spots and small pockets of fire'. Throughout the night, firefighters used main jet and high pressure hose reels, with relief crews checking for hot spots with the aid of lighting rigs. One fire engine has remained, with firefighters hotspotting and using Thermal Imaging Cameras to check the area and damp down as necessary. There are now no visible hot spots or smoke in the area, the service said. Merseyside Police are still maintaining an outer cordon. The site was most recently the subject of a planning application to build 138 apartments, retaining the existing building. Works had commenced to prepare the building before the original developer fell into administration in June 2019. Kemi Badenoch today warned Tory plotters to 'stop messing around' as she insisted those touting her as Rishi Sunak's replacement in No10 'are not my friends'. The Business Secretary hit out at those who are 'just stirring' as she pledged her support to the Prime Minister and distanced herself from Tory leadership speculation. She also told Conservative MPs they 'can't just keep treating prime ministers as if they are disposable' amid feverish talk at Westminster about efforts to oust Mr Sunak. Last week a senior Tory MP - ex-Cabinet minister Sir Simon Clarke - called for a new Conservative leader ahead of the general election as he warned the party is headed for a 'massacre'. A former Downing Street aide, who conducted polling in No10, has also gone public to warn Britain is 'on course for at least a decade of Labour rule' as it emerged he had joined a rebel camp trying to bring down the PM. There is also intrigue about a unknown group of Tory donors who have funded polling that suggests the Conservatives are set for a 1997-style wipeout at the ballot box. It was claimed today that Tory rebels want to crown Mrs Badenoch as Conservative leader in May in a bid to make her 'the next Mrs Thatcher'. Kemi Badenoch warned Tory plotters to 'stop messing around' as she insisted those touting her as Rishi Sunak 's replacement in No10 'are not my friends' It was claimed today that Tory rebels want to crown Mrs Badenoch as Conservative leader in May - as Mr Sunak's successor - in a bid to make her 'the next Mrs Thatcher' Ex-Cabinet minister Sir Simon Clarke has called for a new Conservative leader ahead of the general election and warned the party is headed for a 'massacre' Tory anxiety is growing as polls continue to show Labour far ahead, with Reform UK's numbers rising Nadine Dorries: Kemi Badenoch 'wants to be PM and Tory leader' Ex-culture secretary Nadine Dorries Conservative former cabinet minister Nadine Dorries today accused Kemi Badenoch of pursuing leadership ambitions despite the Business Secretary's plea for Tory unity. Ms Dorries, the former culture secretary, claimed Mrs Badenoch herself was among those 'stirring the pot' against Rishi Sunak's leadership. 'She is one of those people, so I would suggest that she takes her own advice,' Ms Dorries told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg show. 'Kemi Badenoch launched as reported in the media, a botched leadership bid against Rishi Sunak last December. 'Her mentor, the people that she works with, are the same people who removed Boris Johnson. These people, like Kemi and others, these rebels, they should actually, although Rishi Sunak was a key part of removing Boris Johnson they should get behind Rishi Sunak.' She added: 'Kemi Badenoch and others, Robert Jenrick and others, what they are out for are themselves. They are not out for the benefit of the individuals in the country and the citizens.' Ms Dorries said there has been 'years of chaos' after Mr Johnson was ousted from No10, adding: 'Theres been a moral and professional dereliction of their duty to do what they were elected to do as public servants, that is to serve the people. 'They are serving themselves and Kemi Badenoch is one of those people, because they want to be both prime minister and leader of the Conservative Party.' Advertisement But, asked on Sky News about reports some Tory MPs want her to be installed as Mr Sunak's replacement, Mrs Badenoch said: 'A lot of people who are going around doing this are creating problems and difficulties that the party, and more importantly the country, does not need. 'I fully support the PM and I have said many times that I stood to be leader and lost, and the last time we had a contest after Liz Truss resigned I said that the right person to lead the country was Rishi Sunak, and I still believe that to be the case.' She also insisted those who are putting her name forward as the next Tory leader are 'not my friends' and 'don't care about my family or what this would entail'. 'They need to stop messing around and get behind the leader,' the Business Secretary added. 'The fact of the matter is most people in the country are not interested in all of this Westminster tittle-tattle. 'Quite frankly, the people who keep putting my name in there are not my friends. They don't care about me. 'They don't care about my family or what this would entail. They are just stirring. 'We have 350 MPs, this is a small number of people who are doing this. The vast majority of Conservative MPs support the PM.' When shown polling of Tory members that showed her as the most popular Cabinet minister, Mrs Badenoch added: 'This is not a popularity contest. This is about running the country. 'We can't just keep treating prime ministers as if they are disposable. 'Oh, the polls aren't doing so well, so let's toss someone else and find another person' that's quite wrong.' She continued: 'We should not be trying to drag out PMs on the basis of a popularity contest and polling on websites.' But, in a later TV interview, the Business Secretary did not deny she continued to harbour Tory leadership ambitions - having unsuccessfully stood to replace Boris Johnson in July 2022. Asked on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme if she still held hopes of becoming Tory leader, she replied: 'I did in July 2022, I did stand and I lost. 'If you'd asked me two years ago in January 2022 I would have laughed it off and said it was a completely crazy idea. 'You never really know these things until you're in the moment.' Mrs Badenoch also revealed she had called Sir Simon after he penned a Telegraph article calling for Mr Sunak to go as PM. 'I called him after that and asked him what on earth he was doing because this is exactly the sort of thing that we have to stop doing in public,' she said. 'We can have private discussions about what is going wrong, and I actually think it is healthy for us to have a debate. 'For there not to be a debate is unhealthy, but to put all that in front of the public is contributing to the belief that we are more focused on internal matters than external matters, and that is not true.' According to The Sun on Sunday, Tory rebels believe Mrs Badenoch is in 'pole position' to succeed Mr Sunak if he is toppled as PM before the general election. A source close to the rebel camp told the newspaper: 'Kemi is in pole position with the rebels. They think she can shake things up and beat [Sir Keir] Starmer. 'As [Margaret] Thatcher said, if you want something said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman. You never know, Kemi could be our next Thatcher. 'But Penny Mordaunt is on manoeuvres too. Rishi has until the May local elections to turn things around or hell be shown the door. 'Then it looks like it will be a battle of the women for who leads the Tory party.' Two masked gunmen have opened fire at a church in Turkey during Sunday Mass in a suspected terror attack, leaving one person dead. The attack occurred at around 11.40am (8.40am UK time) at the Santa Maria church in the Sariyer district of Istanbul and was carried out by two masked men, Turkey's interior minister Ali Yerlikaya said on social media. Turkish officials said it looked like a targeted attack against one person rather than against the Catholic church. An investigation has been launched after an individual identified only as C.T. - who was among those attending Sunday's service - had died after the armed attack. Local officials said around 40 people attended the mass. 'We strongly condemn this vile attack,' Yerlikaya said. Television images showed police and an ambulance outside the ornate Italian church. The Italian Santa Maria Catholic Church is pictured after two masked gunmen were shooting during Sunday service, in Istanbul, Turkey January 28 The attack occurred at around 11.40am (8.40am UK time) at the Santa Maria church in the Sariyer district of Istanbul and was carried out by two masked men, Turkey's interior minister Ali Yerlikaya said on social media Relatives of the victim of an attack by two assailants react outside Santa Maria Church, in Istanbul, Turkey, 28 January 2024 Security footage ahead of the attack showed a pair of men wearing black snow masks with their hands in their pockets and one was seen wearing black sunglasses. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed condolences over the attack and announced 'necessary steps' were taken to hunt down killers, his office said. Erdogan, who spoke on the phone with local officials as well as priest of Italian church, said that 'necessary steps are being taken to catch the perpetrators as soon as possible'. READ MORE: Terrifying moment military jet skims just yards over busy road with its engines failing before crash landing in Turkey Advertisement Pope Francis expressed his support for the Catholic church after the attack. 'I express my closeness to the community of the Santa Maria' church in Istanbul, the Argentinian pope said at the end of his weekly Angelus prayer in St Peter's Square at the Vatican. Istanbul governor Davut Gul told reporters at the scene that there were no injuries. The motive for the attack was also not immediately clear, but rumours on social media allege it was a terror attack. Eyewitnesses said that panicked church goers threw themselves to the ground during the attack, after which the assailants fled the scene on foot, according to local newspaper Gazeta Duvar. Several police officers were dispatched to the church following the attack and set up secure areas around the church. Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu also took to social media to condemn the attack, writing: 'I condemn the armed attack on the Sunday mass held at the Santa Maria Church in Sariyer. 'I wish God's mercy to C.T. who lost his life and recovery to the injured. We will never allow those who try to destroy our unity and peace by attacking the religious places of our city.' Media members report from outside the Italian Santa Maria Catholic Church after two masked gunmen were shooting during Sunday service, in Istanbul, Turkey January 28 Turkish forensic police officers walk near Santa Maria church after an attack, in Istanbul, on January 28 A Turkish police armoured vehicle drives outside the Italian Santa Maria Catholic Church after two masked gunmen were shooting during Sunday service, in Istanbul, Turkey Turkish police stand guard outside the Italian Santa Maria Catholic Church after two masked gunmen shot one person dead during Sunday service, in Istanbul, Turkey January 28 Istanbul Governor Davut Gul speaks to reporters about the incident after two unidentified armed men opened fire on people attending Sunday service at Santa Maria Church and killing one, in Istanbul's Sariyer district Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also expressed his 'condolences and firm condemnation' over the attack, and backed the Turkish authorities to find the killers. The incident comes more than a week after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met with Erdogan in Istanbul. Turkey's ruling AKP party spokesman Omer Celik said the attackers took aim at a citizen during the mass. 'Our security forces are conducting a large-scale investigation into the matter,' he said. 'Those who threaten the peace and security of our citizens will never achieve their goals.' In December, Turkish security forces detained 32 suspects over alleged links with Islamic State jihadists who were planning attacks on churches and synagogues, as well as the Iraqi embassy. IS extremists have carried out a string of attacks on Turkish soil, including against a nightclub in Istanbul in 2017 that left 39 people dead. Police helicopter footage has captured the dramatic moment a suspect was tracked down and arrested following a wild car chase after three people were shot. The Polair camera filmed a car travelling at high speed in a night of violence in Brisbane which ended with two men arrested and charged with attempted murder and other offences, and a third man still on the run. Police were called at 10.40pm on Saturday after reports of gun shots in Brisbane CBD, in what investigators said appeared to be a 'targeted attack'. The alleged offenders fled the scene and travelled to the south-western suburb of Darra in a getaway car that was set on fire just after midnight. The Dog Squad, Polair and specialist police assisted local officers in capturing two suspects in Darra and recovering one firearm. Police helicopter footage has captured the dramatic moment a suspect (pictured) was tracked down and arrested following a wild car chase after three people were shot A 19-year-old Redbank Plains man and a 20-year-old Goodna man have been charged with a total of 30 offences, including attempted murder, wounding, discharging a weapon, unlawful possession of weapons and arson. At 11pm two women - one in her 20s and the other in her late teens - walked into the Sheraton Hotel on Mary St in Brisbane city centre, with injuries to their legs that appeared to be from bullets. They were taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in a stable condition. At around the same time, a man in his 30s walked into the Fortitude Valley police station with similar injuries. He was also taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in a stable condition. The manager of the Turquoise Kebab and Pizza shop that was shot at said staff ran for their lives. Shaban Kousa said customers were ordering food when a car came along and suddenly started shooting. 'Some of our customers got hurt but not seriously hurt,' he told the Courier Mail. 'We all started running inside (to the back of the shop), with all the customers inside the shop.' Police came shortly after and interviewed the staff and customers. Detective Acting Inspector, Michael Hogan, told reporters that police were called to a shooting along Mary Street in Brisbane. The Polair camera filmed a car (pictured) travelling at high speed in a night of violence in Brisbane 'A vehicle containing three men attended that location where they confronted a male that was known to them,' he said. 'These men have been armed with a firearm, they've discharged that firearm, which has resulted in three people receiving injuries that we will consider non life threatening.' He said the men then allegedly drove to Darra where they set the car on fire and fled on foot. Two men were arrested a short time later, but another allegedly escaped. 'It was a very targeted attack on one individual. The motivation will probably become clearer over the next few days for the investigation,' Det Hogan said. He said there is nothing to suggest the incident is gang related and there was no connection to the Sheraton Hotel. The two women who were shot were not known to the three men police allege were involved. Both men have who were arrested were refused bail refused and are due to appear at Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday. A police spokesman told Daily Mail Australia that the third suspect is still at large and that anyone with information about his whereabouts should contact the police. Investigators believe a 22-year-old man from an address in the south-western Brisbane suburb of Goodna can assist with their inquiries. Det Hogan said while it was concerning that such a brazen attack happened, it was not random. 'There's really no need for the rest of the public to be concerned about their welfare,' he said. The incident was one of two shooting incidents overnight in Brisbane and three overall in Queensland. Emergency services were called to a unit on Grant Road in Morayfield in Brisbane's north shortly after midnight on Sunday after a neighbour in the same complex heard a gunshot. A 29-year-old woman was found with a gunshot wound in the downstairs of the unit and died at the scene. And in Townsville, police shot a man dead at Mount Louisa during an apparent mental health episode. Voters in Finland are casting their votes today as they prepare to elect a new president amid soaring tensions with Russia. It's an unprecedented time for the Nordic nation which is not only now a Nato member, but also has its eastern border to Russia closed - two things almost unthinkable a few years ago. Polls across the country opened at 9am this morning and will close at 8pm tonight. 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. Some 4.5 million citizens are eligible to vote for Finland's new head of state from an array of nine candidates - six men and three women. Voters in Finland are casting their votes today as they prepare to elect a new president amid soaring tensions with Russia It's an unprecedented time for the Nordic nation which is not only now a Nato member, but also has its eastern border to Russia closed Polls across the country opened at 9am on this morning and will close at 8pm tonight They are choosing a successor to hugely popular President Sauli Niinisto, whose second six-year term expires in March. He is not eligible for re-election. No candidate is expected get more than 50% of the vote in Sunday's first round of voting, pushing the race into a run-off in February. Recent polls suggest that former prime minister Alexander Stubb, 55, and ex-foreign minister Pekka Haavisto, 65, are the leading contenders. Mr Stubb, who represents the conservative National Coalition Party and headed the Finnish government in 2014-2015, and veteran politician Mr Haavisto, an ex-United Nations diplomat running for the post for the third time, are each estimated to garner 23 per cent to 27 per cent of the votes. Finland's new head of state will start a six-year term in March in a markedly different geopolitical and security situation in Europe than incumbent Mr Niinisto did after the 2018 election. Abandoning decades of military non-alignment in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Finland became Nato's 31st member in April. This was much to the annoyance of President Vladimir Putin, whose country shares an 832-mile (1,340km) border with the Nordic nation. Recent polls suggest that former prime minister Alexander Stubb, 55 (pictured) and ex-foreign minister Pekka Haavisto, 65, are the leading contenders Finland became Nato's 31st member in April, much to the annoyance of President Vladimir Putin, whose country shares an 832-mile (1,340km) border with the Nordic nation Voters queue to register to vote during the presidential elections at the Friisila school in Espoo, Finland, on the morning of election day Nato membership, which has made Finland the Western military alliance's frontline country towards Russia, and the war raging in Ukraine, a mere 600 miles (1,000km) away from Finland's border, have boosted the president's status as a security policy leader. In line with consensus-prone Finnish politics, months of campaigning have proceeded smoothly among the candidates. They all agree on major foreign policy issues like Finland's future policies toward Russia, enhancing security co-operation with the United States, and the need to continue helping Ukraine both militarily and with humanitarian assistance. 'I think (campaigning) has been done in a civilised mode because of the security situation,' Mr Haavisto said during his last campaign event at a music bar just outside the capital, Helsinki, late on Saturday. 'We (candidates) don't disagree on basic questions. But it's a question of the credibility of the new president and his previous experience in foreign and security policy,' added Mr Haavisto, who as foreign minister signed Finland's historic accession treaty to Nato last year and played a key role in the membership process. Advance vote results will be confirmed soon after polls close and initial results from Sunday's voting are expected by around midnight (2200 GMT). The first round results will be officially confirmed on Tuesday. The likely second round of voting between the two candidates with the most votes is set for February 11. The Hamas tunnel network in Gaza is still around 80 per cent intact, despite extensive Israeli efforts to dismantle the underground system, US and Israeli sources estimated. Since launching a ground offensive in the wake of the October 7 massacre, in which Hamas-led terrorists killed some 1,200 people and took 253 hostages, Israeli forces have worked tirelessly to destroy the elaborate tunnel network underneath Gaza. Israeli forces believe that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and other terror commanders are hiding underground. Some of the tunnels have been bombed, while others have been flooded. However, progress is slow as underground passages must be mapped and checked for booby traps and hostages before Israeli forces can destroy them. Israeli and US officials estimated that 20 per cent to 40 per cent of the subterranean labyrinth has been damaged or rendered unusable, The Wall Street Journal reported. Israeli soldiers show the media an underground tunnel found beneath Shifa Hospital in Gaza Israeli soldiers operate in the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing conflict Israeli forces believe that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and other terror commanders are hiding underground A senior Israeli military official told the Journal that the IDF was focused on eliminating 'nodes' within the tunnels where Hamas operatives are hiding, instead of demolishing entire networks. 'It's a very hard mission. It's done slowly, very carefully. It's urban warfare unseen globally,' the official said. It comes as heavy fighting raged in Gaza Sunday amid a fierce row over the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees that has called its future into question. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on donor states to guarantee the flow of vital aid to Gaza after several halted funding to the agency, UNRWA, over Israeli claims that some of its staff participated in the October 7 attacks. The Israeli army on Sunday said special forces were continuing to engage in 'intensive battles' in Gaza's main southern city of Khan Yunis, where it said troops eliminated 'terrorists and located large quantities of weapons'. Strikes were also carried out in central and northern Gaza, it added. As heavy fighting sent more people fleeing south towards the Egyptian border, the row over the UNRWA aid agency for Palestinian refugees deepened. UNRWA said on Friday it had fired several employees over Israel's accusations about the involvement of some of its staff in Hamas's October 7 attack. The network of tunnels were built after Hamas took power in the Gaza Strip in 2007 and have since been used to launch several attacks on Israel (pictured, Palestinian militants in the tunnels) Israel has struggled to destroy the tunnels because they are extremely difficult to detect from the air (file image: an IDF officer inspects a tunnel in Gaza) A member of the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, walks inside a tunnel used for military exercises during a weapon exhibition at a Hamas-run youth summer camp, in Gaza City Donors including Germany, Britain, Italy, Australia and Finland on Saturday followed the lead of the United States, which said it had suspended additional funding to the agency over the accusations. 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. 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. 'While I understand their concerns - I was myself horrified by these accusations - I strongly appeal to the governments that have suspended their contributions to, at least, guarantee the continuity of UNRWA's operations,' Guterres said late Saturday. 'The dire needs of the desperate populations they serve must be met,' he said. A picture taken on January 18, 2018 from the Israeli side of the border with the Gaza Strip shows an Israeli army officer walking near the entrance of a tunnel Smoke plumes billow during Israeli air strikes in Gaza City on October 12 Israel's envoy to the UN slammed Guterres, saying the UN chief had repeatedly ignored 'evidence' presented to him regarding UNRWA's involvement in 'incitement and terrorism'. 'Any country that continues to fund UNRWA before a comprehensive investigation of the organisation should know that its money will be used for terrorism,' Gilad Erdan said Sunday. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz called on UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini to quit after saying earlier the body 'must be replaced with agencies dedicated to genuine peace and development'. 'Mr Lazzarini please resign,' Katz said on X, formerly Twitter, late on Saturday, in response to a post by the UNRWA chief warning that the funding cuts meant the agency's operation in Gaza was close to collapse. Labour's shadow business secretary has doused hopes of a US-UK free trade agreement even if Donald Trump is elected American president again. Jonathan Reynolds suggested, if his party wins power at the general election and Mr Trump returns to the White House, there would still be 'tensions' preventing a deal. He said negotiating a 'comprehensive' free trade deal would be 'difficult' as Labour had 'no appetite' to weaken UK food standards. Mr Trump was an enthusiastic supporter of a post-Brexit free trade agreement between Britain and America when he was US president. But his successor Joe Biden has been cooler on doing a transatlantic deal since entering the White House. Mr Trump is currently the heavy favourite to become the Republican nominee to stand again as president in November's US election, in a re-run of his 2020 contest with Mr Biden. This has fuelled hopes among Government ministers that a UK-US free trade agreement could be back on the table, should Mr Trump return to power. But, with an expectation that Britain's general election will be held shortly after the US contest, Mr Reynolds poured cold water on the prospect of an incoming Labour administration under Sir Keir Starmer doing a deal with Mr Trump. Labour shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds suggested, if his party wins power and Donald Trump returns to the White House, there would still be 'tensions' preventing a deal Mr Trump was an enthusiastic supporter of a post-Brexit free trade agreement between Britain and America when he was US president. Kemi Badenoch, the Business and Trade Secretary, expressed her hope - once the US election is over - there could be a revival of trade negotiations between Britain and America The shadow business and trade secretary told the Telegraph: 'Obviously the present position is the US is not seeking comprehensive free trade agreements, and that is just the reality. 'There are some well-known issues in terms of what the national interests are on either side that make a comprehensive deal difficult.' He added that US demands to open up Britain to food products such as chlorinated chicken were a major barrier to a post-Brexit deal. 'There's no appetite on our side, excuse the pun, for lower food standards,' Mr Reynolds told the newspaper. 'Historically with the US, there's been a lot of focus on that, and that would be an issue.' Asked how Labour would respond to overtures from a new Trump administration, the Labour frontbencher said: 'Any trade agreement is not between the political leaders at any given time. 'It's about the national interest of those two economies that should clearly be a longer-term thing than the relatively short-term tenures of political leaders.' He added: 'Some of the well-known tensions that we talked about food standards would be the same whoever's in charge.' His comments came as Kemi Badenoch, the Business and Trade Secretary, expressed her hope - once the US election is over - there could be a revival of trade negotiations between Britain and America. 'It is a shame that the US currently is not signing any free trade agreements with any country,' she told Sky News. 'We had gone quite a long way in terms of negotiating a US-UK free trade agreement as I was made to understand. 'So we hope that whoever it is who wins the US election, I have no idea who that will be, will be somebody who will look again at the work that had been done. And hopefully we pick up where we left off.' Asked if she was suggesting Mr Trump's return to the White House would represent a good opportunity for Britain, Mrs Badenoch replied: 'Thats not what I said at all. She added: 'It is very dangerous to speculate on which particular president or prime minister of another country you would like to see. 'You look at what's been happening in the Red Sea. You look at the Houthi attacks, we cooperate very closely with the US and the relationship is between the two countries and the peoples of both countries. 'Not any individual, who might be leading at a specific time.' Tigers have gone on a rampage in Russia killing people and eating dogs after Vladimir Putin has saved the species from extinction. Giant Amur tigers - considered the world's largest cats - are thought to be behind a series of attacks over the last year, which saw two people get killed by the beasts and several more injured. In December, Viktor S was viciously mauled and killed in the Khabarovsk region in eastern Russia while he was looking for 'the place where his dog was killed', likely by the same animal. Local fisherman Sergey Kyalundzyuga, 19, was seriously injured last year after a wild tiger jumped through his window and attacked him. He survived after the big cat was shot dead by his cousin. This comes after Putin supported the rehabilitation of Amur tigers in its natural habitat in the east of the country. Giant Amur tigers (pictured) - considered to be the world's largest cats - are thought to be behind a series of attacks over the last year, which saw two people get killed by the beasts and several more injured An Amur tiger, captured by a house CCTV camera, is seen carrying away a guard dog it had killed Now numbers of the endangered species have rapidly risen to over 750 in the wild - and they are proving a threat to villagers. One man's remains were found near the Khabarovsk region after he was reported missing. Investigators said there were clear traces that he was attacked and devoured by a tiger. Also last year, Darya Ulyanova, 26, suffered 'severe lacerations' to her shoulder and both arms when a tiger attacked her as she reportedly 'went to the toilet in the bushes' on a holiday trip. Her husband used his truck to ram it, saving her life. Shocking videos show a spate of attacks on guard dogs by prowling Amur tigers. In one case, a tiger killed a trained guard dog at a Russian border post with China in the Khabarovsk region. Just this weekend a tiger killed a guard dog in the village of Kutuzovka, south of Khabarovsk city, then another was eaten, likely by the same big cat in the Srednekhorskii village, some 25 miles away. An Amur tiger, captured by a house CCTV camera, is seen entering a yard of a private house in eastern Russia One of the Amur tigers that reportedly killed ten house guard dogs in the Far East of Russia was sedated and caught by Russian hunting authorities An Amur tiger, the world's biggest cat, is seen moments before killing a guard dog in eastern Russia An Amur tiger, captured by a house CCTV camera, is seen carrying away a guard dog it had killed in the Khabarovsk region A tiger spotted by a CCTV camera as it was carrying away the body of a guard dog it had killed In the neighbouring Primorsky region, a house guard dog was savaged in Kuguki, north of Vladivostok. Earlier this month a heavyweight 60kg guard dog was killed in the Anuchinsky district of Primorsky region - likely by a tiger of the Amur species, where the males can weigh up to 190kg. Last month there were tiger attacks on dogs in at least three villages. One theory for the killings is that the natural habitat of the tigers is being destroyed by man, meaning the beasts cannot find their usual prey. Poaching remains a threat to the tigers, and almost drove them to extinction in the wild in Soviet times. 'In my view, [increased tiger attacks are] associated with the destruction of the predator's habitats due to logging, excessive hunting of [the tiger's prey] and African swine fever, which has decimated the remaining wild boar population,' said zoologist Sergei Kolchin in environmental news outlet Kedr. The BBC veteran broadcaster John Simpson was 'terribly upset' to learn his former lover was a Communist spy during the Cold War. Terezia Javorska, a BBC broadcaster, was exposed in The Mail a couple of weeks ago as a spy for communist Czechoslovakia in the 1980s. The London-based director of the BBC World Service's Slovak section supplied handlers with intelligence about journalists' sources and the broadcaster's methods of reporting 'developments in the USSR' and other Eastern Bloc countries, including Communist Party conferences. She also spied on political refugees who had fled persecution behind the Iron Curtain, many of whom worked for or contributed to the BBC. Mr Simpson's two-year relationship 40 years ago with the voluptuous beauty, who bared a remarkable resemblance to Cilla Black, ended years before she betrayed the UK. Today, the 79-year-old told The Sunday Times of how he was left 'very shocked and terribly upset' when he learned about her double-life after the Mail uncovered the details in the archives of the Czech StB. John Simpson had a two-year relationship with Terezia Javorska, which ended years before she betrayed the UK (Pictured: John Simpson in 2018) Javorska worked as a communist spy while the London based director of the BBC World Service's Slovak section during the 1980s '[Spyings] not the sort of thing you want to associate with someone you were fond of - and I was very fond of her,' he said. Javorska was 29 when Mr Simpson, then political editor, first met the 'beautiful and intelligent' in October 1980 while the pair were reporting on the Conservative Party Conference. READ MORE: My relationship with the only known Soviet Bloc agent to have worked inside the BBC World Service throughout the Cold War, writes JOHN SIMPSON Advertisement Their romantic relationship came to a 'sharp' and 'unhappy' end in 1982 and Mr Simpson never spoke to her again. In 1985, three years after their break-up, Javorska met with an StB agent at a cocktail party in London. Mr Simpson believes threats were made to her family as she was 'brave, and reasonably well-off, so neither warnings nor offers of money would have had much effect'. He wrote in the Mail: 'But the threat that the StB could destroy the lives of her parents or brothers might well have caused her to give way.' The daughter of a Slovak farmer, Javorska moved to the UK in August 1969, initially as an au pair before taking a social sciences degree at the University of London. She joined the BBC on graduation in 1976 and later became head of the Slovak section which worked alongside the Czech department. Former colleagues described her as 'attractive and voluptuous' but said her fierce Slovak nationalism and strident manner made her unpopular with many in the newsroom. Codenamed Agent Vora, Czechoslovak born Javorska agreed to betray her new country and colleagues for 'ideological motive and patriotic sentiment' Despite enjoying a 'very good' financial situation in Britain, she remained secretly sympathetic to Czechoslovak's communist regime believing its social system was 'far fairer than that in capitalist countries', the files say. M&S carrier bags were used as secret signals BBC spy Terezia Javorska excelled at 'secret signals' to keep her collaboration with her handler hidden. She sometimes met him at the foyer of the National Film Theatre in London's South Bank carrying an M&S bag in her right hand if it was safe to proceed or left hand if there was potential danger. The pair also exchanged codewords the agent would ask if there was anything on by the Czech director Jiri Menzel, she would respond: 'I doubt it but there might be something on by Forman ' and he would reply: 'I've seen his film Amadeus.' She also organised overseas meetings at the Budapest city opera house and Breitenfeld church in Vienna by sending coded postcards showing a scene of daytime London to an address in Prague run by the StB spy agency and signed 'Libuse.' The date she wanted to meet was hidden was in the number of letters in her final greeting which indicated the number of weeks later when she would arrive. Spy chiefs praised her 'strong intelligent character' and 'aptitude for fulfilling intelligence tasks.' The files note: 'At meetings with her handling officer, she fully adopted a conspiratorial way of communication including alternative meeting dates and secret signals.' Advertisement An agent for the ruthless Czech StB or State Security Service posted to London recruited her after meeting her at a cocktail party in the mid Eighties. A secret cable sent back to his bosses in Prague noted: 'She has access to internal information regarding the British mass media coverage against the socialist Eastern Bloc countries, and political news. 'She has good openings when it comes to spotting and suitability assessment of individuals thanks to her contact with objects of interest.' Initially Javorska had an 'inner conflict' over whether to collaborate, torn between wanting to serve her homeland and her 'rational justification of the risks', especially because of 'spy mania' in the British media after the expulsion of two Czechoslovak agents from the UK in 1984. But a file from December 1985 noted that after being persuaded by her handler she was proving 'willing to fulfil our tasks'. It added: 'To date we have held 13 meetings with her during which she handed over information about Czechoslovak adversary emigres in the country and their activities and also the state of affairs in the Czech and Slovak sections of the BBC. 'She also handed over information which was used by the [Czechoslovak Department of Foreign Counterintelligence] and evaluated as very interesting.' Javorska was also taught what to say to avoid suspicion when interviewed by British intelligence agents about her contact with the Czechoslovak Embassy in London, where her handlers were based under diplomatic cover. The files said: 'When questioned, Javorska followed her handling officer's instructions and mentioned only those individuals who she had contact with at the official events organised by the Embassy. 'She had no contact with her handling officer at any of those events.' Spymasters promoted her to full agent in August 1987 at a meeting where she was 'praised for her approach to covert communication, her prerequisites for intelligence work and the intelligence supplied so far'. She 'verbally signed up to conscious collaboration with Czechoslovak intelligence' for at least three more years and 'promised she would treat her role seriously and follow the principles of covert communication'. With her secret still hidden from colleagues, she continued to run the BBC's Slovak section until it closed in 2005. Javorska remained in her Kensington flat, now worth 1.5million, until three years ago when she was injured in a car accident and is now in a care home. Her family declined to comment. Frightening footage shows how a walk to school turned terrifying for one fifth-grade student - when she was nearly kidnapped in broad daylight by a suspect who is now behind bars. The attempted kidnapping happened just before 8am Friday in Glendale, Arizona, and saw 37-year-old Joseph Ruiz taken into custody on kidnapping and custodial interference charges. A video clip from the scene begins with the accused creep's silver sedan apparently waiting for the young girl, after she left her family's apartment at 43rd Avenue and Onyx Avenue. Thats when cops say Ruiz, a convicted violent criminal, gets out of the car and tries to grab her, but she is able to run off. After she gets away, neighbors say three students, noticing she was in distress, came to her aid - as the man believed to be Ruiz is seen sulking back to his car, before eventually being cuffed. It does not appear Ruiz knew the victim before allegedly trying to grab her off the street. Scroll down for video: Footage shows how a walk to school turned terrifying for a fifth-grade student in Glendale, Arizona - when she was nearly kidnapped by a suspect who is now behind bars The attempted kidnapping happened just before 8am Friday, and saw 37-year-old Joseph Ruiz (pictured) taken into custody on kidnapping and custodial interference charges. Cops this week revealed he already has a criminal history 'No!' the girl can be heard shouting as the man chased her, according to a KPHO reporter who viewed the raw video captured by a neighbor's surveillance camera. Glendale cops responded to the call from the girl and obtained the neighbors security footage, which showed the man make a U-turn before hopping out of his car and chasing the girl. The girl - who has not been named - told officers 'that [the] unknown adult male had attempted to grab her as she walked to school,' cops said. Police in the small city outside of Phoenix said they identified the vehicle and the suspect - tracking him down elsewhere in the city later in the day. 'I would note that he has a history of violence,' said the states attorney in Ruizs court appearance video, according to KPHO. 'He was convicted of an aggravated assault, a class 3 dangerous felony,' the official added - before stating the charge came 'after [Ruiz] stabbed his mother in the neck. A date for the offense was not immediately provided - but cops did say they believe the girl caught the suspect's attention when she left her apartment. As Ruiz remained jailed Sunday, cops said more information would be coming to light Monday. Glendale cops responded to the call from the girl and obtained the neighbors security footage, which showed the man make a U-turn before hopping out of his car and chasing the girl The girl - who has not been named - told officers 'that [the] unknown adult male had attempted to grab her as she walked to school,' cops said A clip from the scene begins with the accused creep's silver sedan apparently waiting for the young girl, after she left her family's apartment at 43rd Avenue and Onyx Avenue. Thats when cops say Ruiz gets out of the car and tries to grab her, but she is able to run off. 'No!' the girl can be heard shouting as the man chased her, according to a KPHO reporter who viewed the raw video captured by a neighbor's surveillance camera The perp ultimately gives up, after the girl was able to quickly sprint away He is seen sulking back to his car, which cops used to ID and track him down Residents are hailing three other minors who had been in the area that morning for their quick thinking and used their bodies to huddle around the victim. 'They hid her because the man was chasing her,' said Amcy Borquez, whose younger sister and two younger cousins are seen helping the girl in another clip taken by a neighbor's security camera. 'I think they were very brave for their age, said Borquez, adding that the trio were friends with the young girl. 'Im telling them all day, like youre heroes.' Of cops' revelation the victim had noticed the suspect following her from the time she left her apartment, the Glendale resident added: 'I told my mom like I dont care if I get late for my school, Im going to walk them every day.' As of Sunday, the child has yet to be identified, but in a note to parents at nearby Sunset Elementary, district officials warned students to stay alert and off their cell phones when walking to and from campus. As Ruiz remained jailed Sunday, cops said more information would be coming to light Monday Residents are hailing three other minors who had been in the area that morning for their quick thinking and used their bodies to huddle around the victim 'They hid her because the man was chasing her,' said Amcy Borquez, whose younger sister and two younger cousins are seen helping the girl in another clip taken by a neighbor's security camera 'I think they were very brave for their age,' said Borquez, adding the trio were friends with the young girl. 'Im telling them all day, like youre heroes' 'Its very scary knowing that it happened right in front of my house, knowing that my kid, my son goes to that school,' said Nayeli Martinez, whose camera captured the failed abduction 'Travel to and from school in groups. DO NOT TRAVEL ALONE,' the bulletin on Friday warned. Parents in the normally safe neighborhood are fearing for their childrens safety, including Nayeli Martinez, whose homes security camera captured the failed abduction. In an emotional interview, she revealed her 11-year-old son attends school with the victim. 'Its very scary knowing that it happened right in front of my house, knowing that my kid, my son goes to that school,' Martinez said of her son, Nico. 'It gave me goosebumps.' Cops, as of Sunday, are still vetting the attempted abduction. In a statement, they said more information would be provided about their probe on Monday. A bail amount for Ruiz was not immediately provided. In his own statement, Nico also expressed awe over the incident. 'Thank God Im safe,' the 11-year-old said. A Labour MP is set for a dressing down by party whips after marking Holocaust Memorial Day by calling for Israeli action in Gaza to be remembered as 'genocide'. Kate Osamor, in a message to local Labour members, said Gaza should be added to a list of 'recent genocides' to be remembered alongside the Nazi murder of six million Jews. The Edmonton MP, who served in Jeremy Corbyn's shadow cabinet, shared a photograph of herself signing the Holocaust Education Trust's commemoration book in Westminster. She also wrote there was an 'international duty' to remember the victims of the Holocaust as well as 'more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and now Gaza'. Her comments provoked fury among Jewish groups and a party frontbencher today revealed she is set to be hauled before Labour bosses. Kate Osamor (pictured) said that 'Gaza' should be added to a list of 'recent genocides' to be remembered alongside the murder of six million Jews Shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds told Sky News it was not acceptable for Ms Osamor to bracket the Holocaust alongside current events in Gaza Ms Osamor, the Edmonton MP, issued an apology for her remarks on social media late on Friday night Holocaust Memorial Day is held annually on January 27 to commemorate the victims of the Nazi genocide (Pictured: the entry to the concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland) Shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds told Sky News it was not acceptable for Ms Osamor to bracket the Holocaust alongside current events in Gaza. 'What is happening in Gaza is clearly a humanitarian catastrophe that is recognised,' he said. 'But there are specific reasons why the Holocaust is considered as it is. It's important on Holocaust Remembrance Day to remember that. 'And I understand Kate has apologised. There's been a conversation with the Chief Whip [Alan Campbell]. 'There'll be further conversations next week, but of course we take anything in this space extremely seriously.' Asked if Ms Osamor was likely to be disciplined, Mr Reynolds added: 'There will be those conversations, and I can tell you that they have already been scheduled for the week ahead. 'Of course, that whenever we have a situation like this, we take it extremely seriously. 'I think our record on these matters is absolutely clear. I'm always willing to give people a chance to give their account of it. 'You know, it's important that we use something like a Holocaust Remembrance Day as a chance to educate some people who do need that. 'I've encountered that at times as a politician myself, but we will take it seriously. And of course, it'll be those conversations with the Chief Whip in the week ahead.' Ms Osamor issued an apology on social media on Friday night, posting on Twitter/X: 'Holocaust Memorial Day is a day to remember the 6 million Jews killed in the Holocaust and the genocides that have occurred since. 'I apologise for any offence caused by my reference to the ongoing humanitarian disaster in Gaza as part of that period of remembrance.' It followed outrage at her weekly mailout to local Labour members in her north London constituency. Karen Pollock, the chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, told Jewish News that the 'disgusting post', sent by Ms Osamor on Friday, was 'a malicious distortion of the truth, a painful insult to survivors of the Holocaust and particularly distressing to see on the eve of Holocaust Memorial Day'. A Jewish Labour Movement spokesperson added: 'This is wholly inappropriate. This week we have been commemorating the murder of six million Jews in the Holocaust and those who perished in subsequent genocides, as listed by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust. 'Unilaterally co-opting the war in Gaza, despite the horrific suffering there, on to that list is wrong and offensive.' Mr Corbyn has addressed the series of pro-Palestine marches that have taken place in London since the attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel triggered the regional conflict last year. Ms Osamor invited Mr Corbyn to address students at a 'political summer school' last year, after which she said: 'Without exception the students remain inspired and excited by Jeremy and the politics of hope he represents.' Ms Osamor, who was shadow international development secretary when Mr Corbyn was Labour leader, has been dogged by controversy. In 2019 it was revealed that she had used House of Commons notepaper to write to a judge pleading with him not to jail her son. Ishmael Osamor, then 29, resigned as a Labour councillor after admitting to having 2,500 worth of drugs, including cocaine and ecstasy, at the Bestival festival in 2017. He was ordered to do 200 hours of community work. When confronted by a reporter from The Times about the issue, she threw a bucket of water, and shouted: 'I should have come down here with a... bat and smashed your face open.' The Standards Commissioner found her guilty of two breaches of parliamentary rules, but she later claimed she had been the target of a 'witch-hunt'. One Labour member in her constituency said: 'There is nothing more offensive than equating the murder of six million Jews with the current conflict in Gaza. 'This is not the first problem we have had with Kate Osamor. It's time the party took action and removed the whip. She really is a disgrace.' This is the shocking moment a mass brawl broke out on a London Underground train. Ugly scenes were recorded by a tube passenger on Saturday night, as four men threw punches and kicks at one another whilst the train was sitting at the station. During the mobile phone footage, a white man from inside the train is seen being dragged onto the floor of the platform by three other white males. The three men then begin to unload a number of kicks and punches onto the man, before he starts to throw back himself whilst lying on the ground. The man pushes himself back onto his feet and inside the train, as the brawl continues until a Transport for London (TfL) staff member separates them. They are heard calling each other a number of vile insults, whilst members of the public scream for them to stop. Ugly scenes were recorded by a tube passenger on Saturday night, as four men threw punches and kicks at one another whilst the train was sitting at the station One man falls onto his back during the fight and has three other men attempt to kick and punch him while he fights back to his feet MailOnline have asked the British Transport Police (BTP) to the confirm when and where the brawl took place. The BTP said they were aware of the incident and enquires were ongoing. In a statement, the force said: 'We urge anyone who was involved in this incident or saw it happening to contact us by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 279 of 28/01/24.' The video has gone viral after been posted on social media today. One person commented: 'I do not miss the underground one tiny bit.' Another said: 'Come to London they said. It'll be fun they said.' Others made light of the situation, with one writing: ''What is this wrestlemania', while someone else added: 'Average day in London.' A fifth person simply put: 'Avoid all public transport seems to be the best advice these days.' Bumbling Joe Biden said Donald Trump is the 'sitting President' as the confused 81-year-old stumbled through an economic speech in South Carolina over the weekend. The President tried to shore up support for another term as he tore into the former president during a dinner on Saturday that celebrated the state and its large base of black voters. Along with bashing Trump about his view on the US economy, Biden also said his Republican rival failed to support the rights of black citizens was a threat to democracy. 'The American consumers are facing real confidence in the economy we're building. Let me tell you who else is noticing that- Donald Trump,' Biden said in his speech. The President then started to fumble his words as he tried to collect his thoughts and said: 'Did you see what he recently said about- he want's to, he wants to see the economy crash this year? The Sitting President.' During a speech in South Carolina on Saturday, President Joe Biden stumbled his words as he attacked Donald Trump and called him a 'sitting president' Biden also branded Trump as a 'loser' as he brought that his Republican rival 'refused' to visit a cemetery in France in honor of fallen US soldiers Biden also branded Trump as a 'loser' as he brought that his Republican rival 'refused' to visit a cemetery in France in honor of fallen US soldiers. 'And referred to those heroes, and I quote, as "suckers and losers." He actually said that! How dare he say that!' 'The only loser I see is Donald Trump,' Biden said. The President added Trump 'knows' that the US economy is 'good and strong, and getting stronger.' 'He knows that while it's good for America, it's bad for him politically.' Biden's newest gaffe came just after he stumbled during another speech at a Wisconsin Brewery where he called Trump a 'professor' rather than 'predecessor,' before correcting himself. During his remarks, the President seemed to speak nonsensically as he said: 'The beer brewed here. It is used to make the brewed beer. During it define, of, Earth Rider.' 'Thanks for the Great Lakes. I wonder why,' he added. Biden is pictured with Democratic Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar and yellow-vested workers at a bar as he donned a construction hat backward 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 backward. Klobuchar held a beer in her hand with yellow-vested workers while Biden, who doesn't drink, gathered around them and smiled. Democratic presidential candidate Dean Phillips slammed Biden just hours after he made his confusing speech. Phillips said Biden displayed 'physical and communication decline' and that the issues are 'self-evident' as concerns about the President's age have loomed over his re-election bid. '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 went on to add that he still has 'respect' for Biden, but throughout his campaign for president, he has made it clear that the country doesn't want either Trump or Biden on the ticket. Just before that blunder, Biden had another baffling moment during a speech he gave in Raleigh, North Carolina where he touted the plan to connect thousands of homes to high-speed internet. Democratic presidential candidate Dean Phillips slammed Biden just hours after his gaffe in Wisconsin and said that the president displayed 'physical and communication decline' Biden is seen at a drive-thru at a Cook Out restaurant after his speech mix-up. He is seen shoveling a 'triple thick' black and white milkshake into his mouth as he speaks to employees As he spoke, he briefly got mixed up when he was looking to praise the state's Democratic Rep. Deborah Ross. 'Where's Deborah? I just had my picture taken with her. Thats probably why she left,' he joked at first. 'Oh, she couldn't be here, actually. That's not true. I got it mixed up,' he said, awkwardly. 'You know, she fights very hard for the people of this district and shes up in Washington right now.' He carried on and explained the White House goal to 'connect everyone' in America to high-speed internet 'just like Franklin Roosevelt did a generation ago with electricity'. 'I promised to be president for all America, whether you voted for me or not. These investments help all Americans in red states and blue states as well. Were not leaving anybody behind.' North Carolina is a state Biden's campaign is targeting as a potential pickup in the 2024 race. After his speech mix-up, Biden then stopped for a sweet treat at a Cook Out restaurant where ordered a 'triple thick' black and white milkshake. He went on to to take selfies and talk to the restaurant workers as he was seen in pictures standing at the drive-thru as he shoveled the milkshake into his mouth. A new survey revealed that Trump grabbed a six point lead over Biden, as the 2024 election has moved toward a potential rematch after both men prevailed in New Hampshire primaries. Trump leads Biden by 40 to 34 percentage points in the new Reuters/Ipsos poll of 1,250 adults. A total of 70 percent of respondents said Biden should not seek re-election while 56 percent said that Trump should not run for office. Planes parked overnight at hubs in the Northeast may need de-icing before taking off Monday morning, triggering delays Higher-elevation regions may see up to 17 inches of accumulation Travelers should expect low visibility and snowy roads during their Monday morning commute Millions of people in the Northeast are under a new winter weather threat, as forecasts anticipate snowfall totals in the double digits through Monday afternoon. As temperatures drop across the country, a storm will move north along the East Coast, bringing with it the potential for wintry precipitation. Snow is anticipated to fall near and north of Interstate 80 from the Appalachians into Pennsylvania and cover much of upstate New York and central New England. 'Enough snow may fall to bring a small accumulation on non-paved surfaces, especially to areas outside of the immediate New York City metro area,' AccuWeather Meteorologist Dean DeVore said. AccuWeather forecasters predict a maximum of 17 inches, mostly in higher-elevation areas. A storm rolling north along the East Coast is anticipated to trigger snowfall and complicate Monday morning travel (pictured: A person uses a snowblower to clear snow in front of a home in Methuen, Massachusetts on January 7) AccuWeather forecasters predict a maximum accumulation of 17 inches, mostly in higher-elevation areas (pictured: suburbs outside Boston covered in snow) Pennsylvania, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine and Massachusetts are among the cities that could see accumulations One to six inches of snow is expected to fall outside of the Catskills and Berkshires in New York. Scranton, Pennsylvania; Albany, New York; Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Rutland, Vermont; Portland, Maine; and Boston are among the cities that could see accumulations. The National Weather Service issued winter weather advisories and warnings for much of the Northeast. Total accumulations between three and five inches, with coastal winds gusts up to 35 miles per hour, are anticipated for portions of Cumberland and York Counties in Maine. Regions in Massachusetts, upstate New York and Vermont may register totals between four and eight inches. Unlike the powdery flurries of weeks past, locals should expect wet, clinging precipitation. However, gusts in eastern New England may trigger some blowing snow. Travel problems may loom on the horizon, with the NWS warning of a messy commute through Monday afternoon. Snow is anticipated to fall near and north of Interstate 80 from the Appalachians into Pennsylvania (pictured: a dog walks through the snow in Pennsylvania) Regions in Massachusetts, upstate New York and Vermont may register totals between four and eight inches (pictured: snow tree branches in Massachusetts) Unlike the powdery flurries of weeks past, locals should expect wet, clinging precipitation. However, gusts in eastern New England may trigger some blowing snow (pictured: firefighters practice cold water rescues in Bellows Falls, Vermont) Rain and fog along Interstate 95 in the mid-Atlantic and Interstate 81 from central Pennsylvania and southward may impact visibility (pictured: customers inside a snowy shop in Philadelphia) Travel problems may loom on the horizon, with the NWS warning of a messy commute through Monday afternoon (pictured: a voting station in New Hampshire was snowy head of the primary election) The agency cautions of reduced visibility and snow-covered roadways throughout the Northeast. In Pike County, Pennsylvania, total snow accumulations of up to three inches and a light glaze of ice may threaten Monday morning travel. Furthermore, rain and fog along Interstate 95 in the mid-Atlantic and Interstate 81 from central Pennsylvania and southward may impact visibility through Sunday evening, DeVore said. Motorists traveling through higher-elevation regions in the Poconos, Alleghenies, Catskills and Berkshires should take caution from Sunday afternoon to early Monday. Even in lower terrain, bridges and overpasses may see some slushy buildup. Flights may experience delays through Sunday night, as aircraft parked at the major or regional hubs on the East Coast may need to be de-iced before early Monday morning. Other types of adverse weather, including flooding, are possible as heavy rain builds on top of snow and ice melts. Allegheny County in Pennsylvania is under an advisory through Thursday afternoon as runoff from recent rainfall continues to trigger elevated levels along the Ohio River at Pittsburgh. House Republicans have unveiled two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas as they vowed to swiftly push forward to oust the Cabinet member over his failure to secure the U.S.-Mexico border. Mayorkas has been accused of 'willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law' as hundreds of migrants continue to flood into the US every day. New videos show dozens of migrants running across the border into the country amid record counts of monthly migrant encounters. Democrats and the agency slammed the impeachment push as a politically motivated stunt lacking the constitutional basis to remove him from office. Republicans contend Mayorkas is guilty of 'high crimes and misdemeanors' that amount to a 'refusal to comply with the law' on immigration and a 'breach of the public trust.' Impeachment, they say, is 'Congress's only viable option.' House Republicans on Sunday released two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Democrats and the agency slammed the move as a politically motivated stunt lacking the constitutional basis to remove him from office Alejandro Mayorkas, United States Secretary of Homeland Security, shakes hands along a section of the border wall on May 17, 2022, in La Joya, Texas The impeachment resolution stated: 'Alejandro N. Mayorkas willfully and systemically refused to comply with the immigration laws, failed to control the border to the detriment of national security, compromised public safety, and violated the rule of law and separation of powers in the Constitution, to the manifest injury of the people of the United States.' Since taking control of the House in 2023, Republicans have pushed to impeach Mayorkas. Sundays announcement comes as their other impeachment drive - to impeach Democratic President Joe Biden in relation to his son Hunter's business dealings - has struggled to advance. But Republicans have moved with rapid speed against Mayorkas after a series of hearings in recent weeks. It all comes at a time when border security and immigration are key issues in the 2024 campaign and as Donald Trump, the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, is promising to launch the 'largest deportation operation' in U.S. history if he returns to the White House. The GOP push also comes at a curious time for Mayorkas. Even as the House is taking steps to try remove him from office, Mayorkas has been engaged in arduous negotiations with senators seeking to reach a bipartisan deal on border policy. He has won praise from senators for his engagement in the process. As seen from an aerial view immigrants climb through razor wire after crossing the Rio Grande from Mexico on December 18 in Eagle Pass, Texas President Biden stands next to Alejandro Mayorkas Hundreds of migrants are seen running near the border near Lukeville, Arizona The Republican-controlled House Homeland Security Committee is set to vote Tuesday on the articles of impeachment, aiming to send them to the full House for consideration. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has said the House will move forward as soon as possible with a vote. Passage requires only a House majority. The Senate would hold a trial, and a two-thirds vote is required for conviction, an exceedingly unlikely outcome in the Democratic-run Senate. Democrats say Republicans have held a sham of an impeachment process against Mayorkas and lack the constitutional grounds to impeach the secretary. They also say Republicans are part of the problems at the border, with Republicans attacking Mayorkas even as they have failed to give his department the tools it needs to manage the situation. 'They dont want to fix the problem; they want to campaign on it. Thats why they have undermined efforts to achieve bipartisan solutions and ignored the facts, legal scholars and experts, and even the Constitution itself in their quest to baselessly impeach Secretary Mayorkas,' the department said in a statement Sunday. The two articles mark the culmination of a roughly yearlong examination by Republicans of the secretary's handling of the border and what they describe as a crisis of the administration's own making. Republicans contend that the administration and Mayorkas specifically either got rid of policies in place under Trump that had controlled migration or enacted policies of their own that encouraged migrants from around the world to come to the U.S. illegally via the southern border. They cite growing numbers of migrants who have overwhelmed the capacity of Customs and Border Protection authorities to care and process them. Mayorkas has been accused of 'willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law' as hundreds migrants continue to flood over into the US everyday AZ: This is video from Lukeville which is in the Tucson sectorMore than 80k people were encountered in December in this sector according to CBP sources: https://t.co/3SxK0Hs8Yp pic.twitter.com/WGRlUvVW7y Ali Bradley (@AliBradleyTV) January 1, 2024 Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, left, listens to Deputy patrol agent in charge of the US Border Patrol Anthony Crane as he tours the section of the border wall on May 17, 2022, in Hidalgo, Texas In an aerial view, immigrants wade across the Rio Grande while crossing from Mexico into the United States on January 7 in Eagle Pass, Texas. According the a new report released by U.S. Department of Homeland Security, some 2.3 million migrants, mostly from families seeking asylum, have been released into the U.S. under the Biden Administration since 2021 Arrests for illegal crossings topped two million in each of the U.S. governments past two budget years. In December, arrests for illegal border crossings from Mexico reached an all-time high since figures have been released. The backlog of people in immigration court has grown by one million over the past budget year. In the articles, Republicans argue that Mayorkas is deliberately violating immigration laws passed by Congress, such as those requiring detention of migrants, and that through his policies, a crisis has arisen at the border. They accuse him of releasing migrants without effective ways to make sure they show up for court or are removed from the country. They cited an Immigration and Customs Enforcement memo written by Mayorkas that sets priorities for whom the agency should target for enforcement proceedings as proof that he is letting people stay in the country who don't have the right to do so. They also attacked the administrations use of the humanitarian parole authority, which allows the DHS secretary to admit certain migrants into the country. Republicans said the Biden administration has essentially created a mass parole program that bypasses Congress. They cited cities such as New York that have struggled with high numbers of migrants, taxing housing and education systems, as proof of the financial costs immigration is taking. Democrats say Republicans simply disagree with the administrations policies and that policy differences arent grounds for impeachment. They have lambasted the proceedings, calling them a waste of time when lawmakers should be working together to solve the problems. U.S. President Joe Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas join in the Pledge of Allegiance during a naturalization ceremony at the White House in Washington, U.S., July 2, 2021 Immigrants from Venezuela pass Texas National Guard soldiers after crossing the Rio Grande into the United States on January 8 in Eagle Pass, Texas US Border Patrol agents sit on horses near the banks of the Rio Grande river Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas speaks about immigration in May 2023 in Brownsville, Texas Migrants, many from Haiti, wade across the Rio Grande river from Del Rio Democrats, as well as Mayorkas, have argued that its not the administrations policies that are causing people to attempt to migrate to America but that the movement is part of a global mass migration of people fleeing wars, economic instability and political repression. They have argued that Mayorkas is doing the best he can to manage border security but with a system that hasnt been updated in decades and is chronically underfunded. The department on Sunday cited high numbers of people being removed from the country, especially over roughly the last six months and its efforts to tackle fentanyl smuggling as proof that DHS is not shirking its border duties. And, they said, no administration has been able to detain every person who crosses the border illegally, citing space capacities. Instead, they focus on those who pose security threats. 'A standard requiring 100% detention would mean that Congress should have impeached every DHS Secretary since the Department was founded,' the agency said in the statement. The last Cabinet secretary to be impeached was William Belknap, the war secretary under President Ulysses Grant, over corruption issues. The House voted unanimously March 2, 1876, to impeach Belknap on five articles of impeachment that hed criminally disregarded his Cabinet duties and used his office for private gain. Belknap had resigned earlier that same day. After a trial in the Senate, a majority of senators vote to convict him but they didnt have enough votes to hit the the necessary two-thirds majority and Belknap was acquitted. President Joe Biden is reportedly considering using weapons sales as a means to convince Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to scale back their attack on the Gaza Strip. Sources told NBC News that the Pentagon has been directed by the Biden administration to review what weaponry Israel has requested that could be used as leverage to scale down their military attack on Gaza. At least 26,422 Palestinians have been killed and 65,087 injured by Israeli counterstrikes since October 7, the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry said Sunday. Biden has been facing mounting pressure to call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war that started on October 7 when Hamas launched a terror attack that killed some 1,200 people and took 253 hostages. Several of the president's speeches have been interrupted by protestors demanding a ceasefire. The Biden administration is reportedly considering using weapons sales as a means to convince Israel 's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to scale back their attack in Gaza President Joe Biden has been facing mounting pressure to call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas and several of his recent speeches have been interrupted by protestors Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to 'continue to do what is necessary' in Gaza after the UN's top court told Israel to prevent genocide Sources said Israel is asking the United States for more weapons including large aerial bombs, ammunition and air defenses. The weaponry has reportedly been discussed using as leverage are 155 mm artillery rounds and joint direct attack munitions, which are guidance kits that convert dumb bombs into precision-guided munitions. The administration is focusing on withholding or delaying offensive military equipment and is likely to continue to send defense systems, sources said. Biden has privately told Netanyahu that he won't support Israel's war in Gaza lasting a year and 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. A senior administration official anonymously told NBC News, 'Theres a lot more that needs to be done and they need to be more careful about.' A spokesperson for the White House National Security Council told Reuters, 'There has not been a change in our policy.' 'Israel has a right and obligation to defend themselves against the threat of Hamas, while abiding by international humanitarian law and protecting civilian lives, and we remain committed to support Israel in its fight against Hamas. We have done so since Oct. 7, and will continue to.' 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 center.' '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 ceasefire. Sources said Israel is asking the United States for more weapons including large aerial bombs, ammunition and air defenses The administration is focusing on withholding or delaying offensive military equipment and is likely to continue to send defense systems. Israeli soldiers pictured on top their tanks returning from a mission At least 26,422 Palestinians have been killed and 65,087 injured by Israeli counterstrikes since October 7, the Hamas-run Gaza healthy ministry said on Sunday. A Palestinian child pictured walking amidst rubble in Rafah on Sunday Makeshift tents for Palestinian refugees in Rafah is pictured. On Thursday, the U.S. took the rare step of condemning an attack on a UN facility in Khan Younis that was housing an estimated 30,000 refugees 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 on Friday. 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.' 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. The Met Office has warned that blood rain will shock Brits as a Saharan dust plume hits the UK next week. The dust, known as blood rain due to the red stains it leaves on windows and cars, is set to fall in showers from tomorrow - less than a fortnight after Britain was hit by an Arctic blast followed by severe stormy weather. Last year, a similar phenomenon produced spectacular sunsets but vehicles were left covered in a fine dust that had travelled nearly 3,000 miles from the Sahara Desert. Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said: 'Saharan dust is being drawn north to affect the UK in the coming days, following recent dust storms in north Africa. 'You might want to hold off washing the car just yet. And watch out for some colourful sunrise and sunsets.' The Met Office has warned that blood rain will shock Brits as a Saharan dust plume hits the UK. The Saharan dust can often produce stunning sunsets like this one in Edinburgh last September A Saharan dust cloud seen from Waterloo Bridge in London in March 2022 The Met Office has shared satellite images this week of a plume of Saharan dust moving out of Africa and into the Atlantic Experts say the phenomenon is fairly common in the UK as it can occur several times a year, happening when big storms in the desert coincide with southerly winds. The Met Office explains that strong winds over deserts can whip up dust and sand high into the sky. 'If the winds in the upper part of the atmosphere are blowing north, the dust can be carried as far as the UK,' a statement on its website adds. 'Once it is lifted from the ground by strong winds, clouds of dust can reach very high altitudes and be transported worldwide, covering thousands of miles. 'In order for the dust to get from up in the sky down to the ground, you need something to wash it out of the sky - rain. As raindrops fall, they collect particles of dust on the way down. Then when the raindrops land on something and eventually evaporate, they leave behind a layer of dust.' Parts of the UK were hit by a Saharan dust cloud in back in September. It produced hazy skies and a thin layer of orange dust covering many things outside. It comes after the Met Office revealed that today was hottest January day on record, with temperatures reaching 19.6C in the Scottish Highlands. The mercury hit a record high in Kinlochewe village, Wester Ross, the agency said. It beats past records set in 2003, 1971, and 1958. In a post on X, the Met Office said: 'There has provisionally been a new UK January daily max temperature record set today at Kinlochewe where the temperature reached 19.6C. 'This beats the previous January UK record of 18.3C set at Inchmarlo and Aboyne in 2003 and Aber in 1958 and 1971.' The warmer weather is being caused by southern winds bringing mild air from Africa. Sunrise over the River Thames and Tower Bridge in London today. The Met Office has revealed today is the hottest January day on record with temperatures reaching 19.6C in the Scottish Highlands The Met Office wrote on X the reading beats past records set in 2003, 1971, and 1958 The Met Office has issued three separate yellow weather warnings for wind in Northern Ireland and central and southern Scotland The skies were more orange than normal in Cambridgeshire as a Sahara dust cloud arrives As well as potentially setting the record, Kinlochewe was also covered by a yellow weather warning for wind and there were reports of wildfires. Kinlochewe resident Lou Taylor told Sky News: 'I was digging the car out the driveway two days ago and its cocktail weather today.' She added: 'We've been in the weather for 10 years and I've never seen anything like this. 64mph gusts with 19C heat, it was a strange one. It was so warm on skin, it was warmer outside than it was inside. 'I've never heard of wildfires in January, not unheard of but it took us by surprise. The winds have certainly fuelled it. We got sand on the car, the Saharan dust.' Fellow Kinlochewe resident Andy Jackson said: 'Very strange to wake up this morning, it felt really mild, and you could hear wind roaring.' A yellow warning is in place for places in Northern Ireland and Scotland with powerful gusts of 60mph to 70mph expected in some areas. It is in place until 8pm in southwest Scotland with people warned journey times for bus and train services could be longer. It comes as Britain is still feeling the effects of Storm Isha and Storm Jocelyn, which battered the country with 80mph winds, causing major rail chaos, power blackouts, school closures, flight cancellations and flooding. It comes just days after the UK was hit by an Arctic blast. Pictured is heavy snow in Lairg, Scotland, on January 18 Then Britain was hit by more storms. A fallen tree following the bursting of the banks of the River Ouse after Storm Jocelyn on January 24 A yellow 44 pick-up was washed downstream at Bishopdale Beck, near Thoralby on January 24 Waves crashing at New Brighton beach, Wirral, amid Storm Jocelyn on January 24. Strong winds are expected in Northern Ireland and Scotland today, with coastal communities seeing gusts of 70mph The 70mph winds are likely to affect bus and train services today, with journeys taking longer, as well as delays to road, rail and ferry transport. Coastal communities will see crushing waves on the UK's shores, while temporary loss of power and other services are to be expected. A Met Office spokesperson said: 'We are going to see wind gusts of 60 perhaps in some of the most exposed spots of the north west coast, 70mph wind gusts. 'That combined with outbreaks of rain, increasingly persistent rain in the far north and north west.' Temperatures will remain mild across most of the UK today, remaining in double figures, with many experiencing sunny spells with intermittent cloud this afternoon. The UK has experienced three storms already this year already Henk, Isha and Jocelyn. The Met Office said the primary cause of the recent storms is the jet stream a fast moving strip of air around five to seven miles above the Earth's surface. The jet stream blows from west to east at more than 100 miles per hour. Met Office meteorologist Annie Shuttleworth said: 'The jet stream greatly influences the weather we experience in the UK and during recent months this has largely been directed towards the UK and Ireland. 'These systems have been directed towards the UK and have eventually become named storms due to the strong winds and heavy rain they bring.' Police have arrested two people after eco activists threw soup at the Mona Lisa before shouting climate slogans at the gathered crowd at the Louvre Museum in Paris. Protesters from French organisation Riposte Alimentaire, meaning 'food response', sprayed the 16th-century masterpiece by Leonardo Da Vinci with pumpkin soup as they demanded the right to 'healthy and sustainable food'. A statement from the Louvre said that the Salle des Etats, where the Mona Lisa is displayed, was evacuated after the demonstration and closed for an hour while cleaning was carried out, before being reopened to visitors around midday. The Paris museum confirmed no damage was done to the world-famous painting, which is on display behind protective armoured glass, but said that it would lodge a complaint. Following the incident, police said this afternoon that they have arrested two people. Eco-morons hurl soup at the bullet-proof glass protecting Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa painting at the Louvre in Paris The duo stand in front of the splattered artwork with one revealing a white t-shirt with the words 'Riposte Alimentaire' The Mona Lisa is one of the most valuable paintings in the world and holds the Guinness World Record for the highest insurance valuation of $100 million in 1962 - around $1 billion today. Video of the protest shows two people clambering under the barrier after hurling the orange liquid at the world famous painting. They stand in front of the splattered artwork as museum staff rush into view carrying protective screens. One of the activists then takes off her jacket to reveal a white T-shirt with eco-group 'Riposte Alimentaire' written in black capital letters. The eco activists are part of the so-called A22 network movement - a collection of protest groups in 12 countries across the world, which includes Just Stop Oil in the UK. Riposte Alimentaire claimed responsibility for the attack, which happened at about 10am, and identified the activists as 24-year-old Sasha and Marie-Juliette, 63. The group told MailOnline the two women had thrown tomato soup at the painting. 'What is more important? Art or the right to healthy and sustainable food,' they asked, standing in front of the painting and speaking in turn. 'Your agricultural system is sick. Our farmers are dying at work.' The Louvre told MailOnline: 'No damage was done to the painting, which has been protected behind this armoured glass since 2005'. 'The Louvre's security staff immediately intervened,' a statement read. 'The Salle des Etats, where the Mona Lisa is displayed, was evacuated calmly. 'Visitor access to the Salle des Etats was then suspended for an hour, while the necessary cleaning was carried out. 'The room was reopened to visitors at 11.30am. 'The museum will lodge a complaint.' The action comes as French farmers have been protesting for days to demand better pay, taxes and regulations. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal on Friday announced several measures, but road blockages have continued in different parts of the country. Today's action follows a series of such stunts by climate activists against world-famous paintings to demand more action to phase out fossil fuels and protect the planet. The eco group said they were demanding 'the establishment of sustainable food social security'. In a long rambling thread on X, shared by Just Stop Oil, Riposte Alimentaire said it wants 'the integration of food into the general social security system' as one in three people skip meals in France. The group said between five and seven million people used food aid in the country in 2022. In a statement, Riposte Alimentaire said people's access to food 'was under attack' and social security food collective would mean each resident would benefit from a food card worth 150. It is the latest attack on the masterpiece in the French capital's Louvre museum, after someone threw a custard pie at it in May 2022, but it's thick glass casing ensured it came to no harm. The duo stoop under the barrier before taking off their jackets to reveal the name of eco group Riposte Alimentaire One of activists was identified as 24-year-old Sasha This is the moment the eco zealots hurl tomato soup at the Mona Lisa The bulletproof protective glass in front of the masterpiece was covered in soup The other eco zealot Marie-Juliette, 63, peers in between protective screenings which were placed around the artwork 'What is more important? Art or the right to healthy and sustainable food,' they asked, standing in front of the painting and speaking in turn Scores of bystanders watched on, snapping pictures of the Mona Lisa which was partially obscured from view by smears of pie crusted on the protective glass Witnesses said a man, who was wearing a wig and dressed as a woman, was rolling past Leonardo da Vinci's famous masterpiece in a wheelchair before suddenly leaping to his feet and launching a pie at the canvas (the man is pictured being led away by security) Visitors to the Louvre art gallery in Paris were left stunned by the incident which happened moments before closing time at the world-famous art gallery A man, who was wearing a wig and dressed as a woman, was rolling past the famous masterpiece in a wheelchair before suddenly leaping to his feet and launching a pie at the canvas. READ MORE: Moment Just Stop Oil eco zealots smash protective glass of Rokeby Venus oil painting as they emulate Suffragette stunt at the National Gallery Advertisement The perpetrator then threw a bouquet of roses into the air and was tackled to the ground by Louvre security guards moments later. No damage was caused to the priceless painting which is protected by a bulletproof screen. Scores of bystanders watched on, snapping pictures of the Mona Lisa which was partially obscured from view by smears of pie crusted on the protective glass. The Louvre said at the time 'the individual was immediately seized and evacuated by the reception and surveillance agents and then handed over to the police, who came to the scene'. France has faced major protests in the last few days by farmers in a bid to pressure the government to give in to their demands that growing food be made easier and more lucrative. The movement has spread across the country with protesters using their tractors to shut down long stretches of road and slow traffic on some major routes. The farmers are seeking better pay for their produce, less red tape, and protection against cheap imports. The artwork had the glass installed in the 1950s to protect it after an acid attack. It was upgraded to armoured glass in 2005. In November Just Stop Oil eco zealots smashed the protective glass on the Rokeby Venus painting at the National Gallery. The activists sparked fury when a video was uploaded showing them hammering the glass of the priceless oil painting, shouting 'it is time for deeds not words'. The 17th-century painting, by Spanish artist Diego Velazquez, is the same artwork slashed by Canadian suffragette Mary Richardson with a butcher's knife more than 100 years ago. In the footage, the protesters repeatedly strike blows down on the painting's protective glass with hammers after hopping over the barrier. Referencing the women's suffrage movement, they then shout: 'Women did not get the vote by voting; it is time for deeds not words. It is time to Just Stop Oil.' The protesters struck the painting using what the gallery has described as 'emergency rescue hammers' Just Stop Oil eco-zealots Hanan and Harrison allegedly smashed the protective glass on a Rokeby Venus oil painting worth an estimated 72.5million at the National Gallery Hanan and Harrison, the activists accused of vandalising the painting, were arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage The pair claim the demonstration came in response to the Government having revealed plans for more oil licenses The painting was previously slashed by suffragette Mary Richardson in March 1914. In a protest against the imprisonment of fellow suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst, Ms Richardson left seven slashes on the painting (pictured) Just Stop Oil sparked further fury when they marched towards the Cenotaph in the centre of Whitehall - just days ahead of Remembrance services. The male activist added: 'Politics is failing us. Politics failed women in 1914. If millions will die due to new oil and gas licences, millions. 'If we love history, if we love art, and if we love our families we must Just Stop Oil.' Met Police swooped in on the National Gallery and arrested the activists, identified by Just Stop Oil as Hanan, 22, and Harrison, 20, on suspicion of criminal damage. 'The glass protecting a painting at the National Gallery has been vandalised,' the force said, adding that more activists were slow marching on Whitehall, the road that hosts many UK government buildings. The gallery said the pair 'appeared to strike' the glass protecting the painting with 'what appeared to be emergency rescue hammers' and that the room was cleared of visitors. This is the tragic last post of a British base jumper - showing him gliding through the air in a photo put out on the same day that he plunged to his death from a Thailand tower block. Nathy Odinson, 33, from Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, illegally climbed to the top of the 29th floor in an apartment building in the coastal resort of Pattaya on Saturday night before unwittingly leaping to his death. Horrifying footage shows the self-professed 'adrenaline junkie' counting down 'three, two, one, see ya' before leaping into the night sky - only to go into a terrifying death spiral with the small parachute flailing through the air. In a final image posted on the tattooed daredevil's Instagram yesterday Mr Odinson can be seen angled forwards with his arms pointed out behind him as he whips through the air in a green helmet. Wearing vans for the audacious stunt, he skims a dusty floor as he is suspended beneath a green parachute. In a final image posted on the tattooed daredevil's Instagram yesterday Mr Odinson can be seen angled forwards with his arms pointed out behind him as he whips through the air in a green helmet Nathy Odinson, 33, from Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, climbed to the 29th floor in an apartment block in the coastal resort of Pattaya, on Saturday night before falling to his death (Pictured: moments before his death) Horrifying footage shows the tattooed daredevil counting down 'three, two, one, see ya' before leaping into the night sky Terrifying images show the brutal aftermath of the fall Tourist police in Pattaya were alerted to the accident at 7.30pm and rushed to the condo building to find Odinsons body on the ground He captioned the post with a run of hashtags - including 'extremesports', 'adrenaline junkie', 'skydiveuk', 'chinesetiktok' and 'thaiskyadventures'. The same picture, which was also posted on Facebook yesterday, has been flooded by followers sending their tributes - as dozens posted 'RIP' underneath. Cornish photographer Jordan Colwill said: 'Love you forever brother, will miss you so f*****g much. Can't believe it.' In the shocking video Mr Odinson can then be heard landing in a tree before hitting the ground with a sickening thud. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene. Tourist police in Pattaya were alerted to the accident at 7.30pm and rushed to the condo building in Tambon Na Klua in Bang Lamung district of Chonburi province and found Odinsons body on the ground. A round blue parachute was found on his body and was not fully deployed. Traumatised security guard Kanet Chansong, 33, said: 'I heard the sound of the tree and I thought it was a fallen branch hitting the ground. 'A woman screamed so I walked over and realised it was person. They were dead. I saw that they had jumped from the building.' In the video, Mr Odinson asks the person recording him from the other side of a security wall if his helmet camera has the red light flashing to indicate it is recording. When he realises it was not recording, Nathy removes his helmet and presses the button before briefly checking his parachute. Mr Odinson was a regular daredevil and had performed skydives and base jumps around the world The security guard said that he had jumped from the building several times before, which posed a risk for pedestrians walking below Police have informed the British Embassy in Bangkok, which is contacting Mr Odinson's relatives in the United Kingdom His friend, a Thai local, exclaims 'oh f***' when he hears Mr Odinson hit the ground. The emergency services were called shortly after. Staff at the Lumpini Ville Naklua condo checked CCTV and saw that Mr Odinson and a friend had parked outside then waited for a time when it was quiet before sneaking into the building. They then headed onto the roof of the building, with Mr Odison clambering over a small concrete wall on the roof of the building into order to reach the edge. The security guard said that he had jumped from the building several times before, which posed a risk for pedestrians walking below. He added: 'They were making video content for social media. They had done this before and they knew it was not allowed.' Police and paramedics arrived at the scene shortly after 7:30pm local time. However, Mr Odinson could not be saved. Police Lieutenant Kamolporn Nadee, Deputy Inspector of Investigations at the Bang Lamung district police station, said there were no initial signs that Mr Odinson had been attacked. The policeman said: 'The parachute that the deceased used to jump malfunctioned and was not centered as expected. He was in a terrible state when we arrived. 'The friend who recorded the video of him jumping was questioned and the video was examined as evidence. 'Forensics officers are investigating the case further. They are examining the parachute.' Mr Odinson was a regular daredevil and had performed skydives and base jumps around the world. He ran a 'sky photography' company and took customers on private skydives. Police have informed the British Embassy in Bangkok, which is contacting Mr Odinson's relatives in the United Kingdom. Nikki Haley says she's 'not going anywhere' in response to reported pressure from Donald Trump to have the Republican National Committee (RNC) name him the presumed nominee before the conventions this summer. The 2024 hopeful said that Trump is 'overstepping' as she insisted it was his team that planted the idea for the RNC to make the move. But Maryland RNC Committee Member David Bossie withdrew the resolution after intense backlash. 'I think that Americans want to be able to make this decision themselves. I don't think this is the place of the RNC to do it,' Haley told NBC Meet the Press host Kristen Welker on Sunday. She also insisted that she doesn't need to win South Carolina's primary next month in order to remain as a viable candidate in the race after coming in third in Iowa's caucuses and second in New Hampshire's primary. She does admit, however, that she needs to better there than in New Hampshire if she's going to see a road toward victory. Nikki Haley said Sunday that the Republican National Committee (RNC) has not acted as an honest broker in the 2024 presidential primary and clearly favors former President Donald Trump WATCH: @NikkiHaley says the RNC is clearly not an honest broker in 2024 race. Haley: Trump overstepped when he pushed them to unify around him.@kwelkernbc: Do you have actual knowledge that he asked the RNC to do that? Haley: The people that pushed it are his people. pic.twitter.com/Q1TDqfN9ur Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) January 28, 2024 Asked if the RNC has remained an 'honest broker' during the Republican presidential primary, Haley said: 'I mean, clearly not.' 'If you're going to go in and basically tell the American people that you're going to go and decide who the nominee is after only two states have voted. I mean, 48 states out there,' Haley said. 'This is a democracy. The American people want to have their say in who is going to be their nominee. We need to give them that. I mean, you can't do that based on just two states.' So far, Trump has 32 delegates and Haley has 17. But after Nevada's caucuses on February 8, Trump is set to walk away with 26 more delegates as he nearly runs unopposed in an abnormal primary contest in the state. Haley is running in Nevada's primary election, meaning she cannot earn any delegates due to the RNC only awarding them through the caucus. She instead is focusing her efforts on South Carolina. After Haley decided to stay in the race following her New Hampshire loss, Bossie was motivated to draft a resolution that would deem the former president the 'presumptive' Republican nominee despite the ongoing primary campaigns. The resolution was likely to come as early as the RNC Winter Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada later this week but Bossie withdrew the proposal last week. Any members of the RNC can bring forward resolutions to Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, who does not herself offer resolutions. A committee then decides whether to bring it for a vote to all 168 RNC members at the annual meeting. The RNC confirmed to DailyMail.com on Sunday that even if the resolution were brought and passed, it would not change the rules of the primary election and whichever candidate earns the most delegates would still become the nominee. 'I think that Trump overstepped when he pushed them to do it, and I think that's why he's had to back down,' Haley told Welker. 'The people that pushed it are his people.' 'And I know that during the debates I mean, he was pushing Ronna McDaniel to stop the debates,' she continued. 'He was calling her every other day. He's been pushing them to pay for his lawsuits and all of these other things, but at the end of the day, this is not about the RNC. This is about the American people.' The RNC is holding its winter meeting in Las Vegas January 30 through February 3, 2024, meaning it will wrap five days before the caucuses. Reports emerged that RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel (pictured with Trump) planned to name the former president the 'presumed nominee', but ditched those plans after intense backlash Haley was governor of South Carolina from 2011-2017 before becoming Trump's Ambassador to the United Nations, where she served for just under two years. 'I think I need to do better than I did in New Hampshire,' Haley said when pushed on if South Carolina is do or die for her campaign. 'What I do think I need to do is I need to show that I'm building momentum. I need to show that I'm stronger in South Carolina than New Hampshire. Does that have to be a win? I don't think that necessarily has to be a win.' 'But it certainly has to be better than what I did in New Hampshire and it certainly has to be close,' she added. 'And so that's what we're focusing on. If we win? Great. If not, we've got to show that we're continuing to narrow that margin along the way.' Reports emerged last week that the RNC was considering a route to declared Trump the presumed Republican presidential nominee despite the vast majority of states not yet voting in the primary. Trump and Haley are the only two remaining serious contenders in the primary along with longshot pastor and businessman Ryan Binkley, who has remained in the race despite having very little support. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis dropped out of the race just days before New Hampshire's primary after finishing second in Iowa, making the contest now a two-person race. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Obituaries Newsletter Sign up to get the most recent local obituaries delivered to your inbox. Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy One witness described the scene as 'graphic,' noting that he saw bloodied airbags Motorists waited five hours for the east and westbound lanes to reopen Two people were taken to the hospital with serious injuries Murky fog eliminated visibility and led to 13 people getting hurt, two seriously, during a 43-car pile-up on Maryland's Bay Bridge. Around 8am Saturday, 23 vehicles were involved in a 'chain-reaction crash' on the westbound span of the bridge, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority Police. The crash triggered a series of 'secondary crashes' involving around 20 other vehicles. Thirteen people were transported to local hospitals, including two with serious injuries. While it is unclear what prompted the initial crash, there was a dense fog advisory in place for areas east of the bridge. A video submitted to WUSA 9 shows blurry taillights through a haze of gray fog. 'I was very nervous, I said to my grandson this is very dangerous you cant even see in front of you and thats why I went slow,' Ruth Hayes told the outlet. Thirteen people were taken to the hospital following a 43-car crash on Maryland's Bay Bridge Around 8am Saturday, 23 vehicles were involved in a 'chain-reaction crash' that prompted a series of 'secondary crashes' involving an additional 20 The east and westbound lanes remained closed for five hours as emergency crews tended to the injured and removed smashed vehicles from the bridge #NEW: This cell phone video shows what the roads looked like this morning along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. This was seconds before the second chain reaction crash involving 20+ vehicles. Hear from this driver who was trapped for 5 hours tonight at 11 p.m. on @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/YF8dIB1fnW Alexis Wainwright (@AWainwrightTV) January 28, 2024 The woman recorded the dismal conditions from inside her vehicle, keeping extra space between herself and other drivers. All of a sudden, she felt her car shake. 'I was hit and then all you could hear is all this crunching of cars because there was a pileup behind us too,' Hayes said. Only after she and her grandson stepped outside did they realize the extent of the crash. Grandson Landen Cahill described the scene as 'graphic.' 'It was pretty bad,' Cahill said, noting that he spotted airbags with blood on them. Aerial footage shows emergency crews in fluorescent vests tending to the scene, walking among shattered glass as some vehicles are loaded onto flatbeds. As rescuers could not drive onto the bridge, Hayes said, they paced up and down with gurneys to carry the injured away. She and her grandson were among the hundreds of drivers who waited five hours for the east and westbound lanes to reopen. Luckily, they made it out only shaken. 'I'm happy to be alive,' Cahill said. At around 2pm, the MDTA announced that all lanes had reopened. One witness described the scene as 'graphic,' adding that he saw bloodied airbags Police continue to investigate the cause of the initial crash, but drivers suspect dense fog may have played a role Another witness said emergency crews loaded victims into gurneys and carried them on foot down the bridge as traffic was dead stop Hundreds of motorists waited hours for the bridge to reopen. Two people were hospitalized with serious injuries, but none were life-threatening The Maryland Transportation Authority announced that all lanes had been reopened at 2pm Police continue to investigate the moments leading up to the crash and request assistance from the public. For many drivers, the culprit is obvious. 'This fog's so dense, people don't pay attention, and that causes a lot of these problems,' motorist Jamie Myrick told WBAL-TV. The National Weather Service urges drivers to reduce speed in low-visibility conditions. Motorists should turn on their low-beam headlights to make themselves visible to others and use fog lights if possible. Never use high-beam lights, the agency says, as this causes glare. A Sussex seaside resort could be twinned with a Palestinian community in Gaza. Councillors in Hastings have said they support a move to twin the East Sussex town with the war-ridden community of Al-Mawasi in Gaza. Refugees fleeing intense fighting in Khan Younis are trapped in Al-Mawasi. Thousands are reported to be crammed into the tiny coastal town to the south of the Gaza strip. Julia Hilton, who became the leader of Hastings Borough Council this month, gave her support to the move at a meeting last Wednesday. Councillors in Hastings, East Sussex have given their support for a move to twin the town with the community of Al-Mawasi in Gaza Pictured: An aerial view of tents set up for displaced Palestinians in Al-Mawasi Asked by a fellow councillor about the 'strong local connection' between Hastings and Al-Mawasi' and what the council intended to do to show 'solidarity and support', The Green Party politician replied that twinning was an 'excellent idea' but admitted she hadn't been briefed on the process. She said: 'I think, in principle, it sounds an excellent idea. 'We've had twinning with all sorts of places all over the world and I understand there is a strong connection already with the group. 'It seems to me like a very good idea but I don't understand the processes yet.' The newly elected Hastings council leader Julia Hilton said the twinning move was an 'excellent idea' Ms Hilton was elected less than two weeks ago to lead a power-sharing agreement at the troubled council, after six Labour councillors resigned from the previous administration, which led the local authority to the brink of bankruptcy. An online petition has been collecting support for the twinning arrangement among locals in the East Sussex town. More than 500 people have signed it so far. The online petition, which was originally started in December 2021, describes Al-Mawasi as a remote, costal, fishing and farming community which has shown immense resilience during many years of hardship under occupation and blockades. Snoop Dogg has said he has 'nothing but love and respect' for Donald Trump - despite hurling a barrage of insults at the former president over the last few years. The iconic Drop It Like It's Hot rapper, 52, said the 2024 Republican hopeful has never done anything wrong to him and sung his praises in a new interview. He did not go as far as endorsing him for the upcoming General Election against Democrat Joe Biden, but Snoop said Trump did 'great things' when he pardoned one of his friends, Michael Harris, from his prison sentence in 2021. This is despite Snoop previously parodying Trump's assassination in his music videos, telling people not to vote for him, calling his fans 'stupid motherf***ers,' and saying he's a 'racist, f**king clown president' during his last tenure. Snoop, born Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., seems to have turned over a new leaf. The iconic Drop It Like It's Hot rapper, 52, said the 2024 Republican hopeful has never done anything wrong to him and sung his praises in a new interview. They are pictured in 2011 Snoop Dogg spoofs a presidential assassination in his video Lavender, fake shooting a clown Donald Trump character in 2017 Speaking to the Sunday Times, Snoop said: 'Donald Trump? He ain't done nothing wrong to me. 'He has done only great things for me. He pardoned Michael Harris. 'So I have nothing but love and respect for Donald Trump.' In 2021, the rap mogul saluted the 'great work' Trump and his administration did 'on the way out' after he learned that cocaine kingpin Michael 'Harry O' Harris was pardoned. Snoop said at the time: 'That's great work for the president and his team on the way out. They did some great work while they was in there and they did some great work on their way out. Let them know that I love what they did.' He continued: 'It is amazing what the work of God can actually bring to life to make people understand that there is a God.' Snoop urged furloughed government workers not to vote for Trump again because 'he doesn't give a f*** about y'all' in a profane rant against the President in 2019 Speaking to the Sunday Times, Snoop said: 'Donald Trump? He ain't done nothing wrong to me. 'He has done only great things for me. He pardoned Michael Harris. So I have nothing but love and respect for Donald Trump' In 2011, Snoop Dogg made a joke about Trump one day running for president after Barack Obama's tenure, saying: 'Why not? It wouldn't be the first time you'd pushed a black family out of their home.' Snoop has had a somewhat fraught public relationship with the former president. He has exclaimed 'f**k Trump' multiple times, and even parodied his assassination. In January 2019, posting a video to his Instagram, the Doggfather urged government employees not to vote for Trump because 'he doesn't give a f*** about y'all.' He also used the profanity-laced message to attack Trump has his supporters directly, saying: 'F*** him too, and f*** everybody down with Donald Trump.' Wearing a blue hat with the slogan Make America Snow Again on the front - a play on Trump's election slogan and the Jeezy song Snow Season - he says: 'I just wanna say this real quick on the political s***. 'All you people for the federal government that are not getting paid right now, ain't no f***ing way in the world you can vote for Donald Trump when he comes back up again. 'If ya'll do vote for him, y'all some stupid motherf***ers, I'm saying that to y'all early.' Somewhat of a fate predictor, Trump has gone on to run again for President - and with his wins in Iowa and New Hampshire, the likelihood that he'll be on the Republican ticket is becoming more and more plausible. In September 2018 during a podcast interview, Snoop made his feelings known, saying a big 'f*** you' to Donald Trump along with a 'f*** you' to his supporter Kanye West. Snoop said of Kanye: 'Well you need to know that a lot of your fans is racist. Ain't no f***** way around it. 'I tell 'em straight up muthaf****. If you like that n**** [Trump] you muthaf*****' racist. F*** you and f*** him. Now what?' the rapper said. 'N**** he drew the lines. He drew the muthaf*****' lines. Before him there were no lines,' Snoop continued. In March 2017, Snoop Dogg parodied a presidential assassination in his new music video for his album Lavender. In the climactic scene the rapper takes out a fake gun and points it towards a clown-like president Donald Trump character with painted orange face. The clip focused on current events at the time, including a parody version of Trump named Ronald Klump. In November 2017, for a second time that year, Snoop Dogg also alluded to the assassination of Donald Trump. The rapper posted an image of the cover of his latest album, Make America Crip Again, on his Instagram account. The image showed Snoop Dogg standing over a dead body covered with an American flag. The body was fitted with a toe tag that reads 'Trump.' Snoop said at the time: 'I feel like it's a lot of people making cool records, having fun, partying, but nobody's dealing with the real issue with this f**king clown as president, and the sh** that we dealing with out here, so I wanted to take time out to push pause on a party record and make one of these records for the time being.' Three American soldiers have been killed in suicide drone strike on a US base in Jordan, The Pentagon has confirmed. 'Today, Americas heart is heavy,' wrote President Joe Biden on Sunday morning from the White House. 'Last night, three U.S. service members were killed - and many wounded - during an unmanned aerial drone attack on our forces stationed in northeast Jordan near the Syria border.' The drone attack late Saturday impacted a base in the northeast part of the country known as Tower 22 near the Syria border, and resulted in at least 34 other injuries. As of Sunday morning, Iran - the main backer of anti-Israel group Hezbollah - and its proxies are the main suspects, officials said. Meanwhile, conflict in the war-torn region continues to escalate, with the war in Gaza still ongoing, and Iran currently exchanging airstrikes with US ally Pakistan.. Three American soldiers have been killed in suicide drone strike on a US base in Jordan, US Central Command said on Sunday. Pictured: Marines talk to their comrades on the ground during military maneuvers in the Middle Eastern Country, which borders Syria and Iraq The drone attack late Saturday night impacted a US outpost located in the northeast part of the country known as Tower 22, near the Syria border, and resulted in at least 34 other injuries The names of those killed have not been released. They are the first American soldiers killed in the Middle East since Oct. 7 when Hamas launched an attack on Israel. 'While we are still gathering the facts of this attack, we know it was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq,' Biden said in his statement. 'Jill and I join the families and friends of our fallen - and Americans across the country - in grieving the loss of these warriors in this despicable and wholly unjust attack.' He added how the three fallen soldiers 'embodied the very best of our nation' - them being 'unwavering in their bravery... unflinching in their duty... [and] unbending in their commitment to our country.' He declared they died 'risking their own safety for the safety of their fellow Americans, and our allies and partners with whom we stand in the fight against terrorism.' 'It is a fight we will not cease,' Biden, 81, proclaimed. As of Sunday morning, Iran - the main backer of anti-Israel group Hezbollah - and its proxies are the main suspects, officials said. Pictured: US Marines monitor Eager Lion multinational military maneuvers in Quweira, a city in Jordan located closer to Israel President Joe Biden on Sunday said the soldiers died 'risking their own safety for the safety of their fellow Americans, and our allies and partners with whom we stand in the fight against terrorism' An outspoken enemy of both the US and Israel, Iran currently trains the Hezbollah militia group (seen here in Baghdad in 2019), which for years has sought to join the Palestinian cause. The group has not been named as responsible for Saturday's attack While not identifying the militants responsible, the statement confirmed the strike was the work of anti-Western jihadists operating somewhere in the region. Both countries, as of Sunday, boast a bevy of Iran-aligned militias, including Hezbollah and several other Shia militant groups. Since the Syrian War in 2011, Iran has also backed multiple Palestinian terror groups based in Gaza, and various terrorist groups in Bahrain and elsewhere across the Middle East. Since the war - which served to intensify Iranian economic, political and religious operations in the country - Iran has openly used its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force to fund these terrorist organizations. In 2019, the nuclear-capable country acknowledged the involvement of the force in the Iraq and Syria conflicts, spurring the US to designate the Iranian army as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. Iran has also been known regional militant and proxy groups to achieve deniability in such strikes, as well as shield it from accountability for its destabilizing policies. The country is also currently embroiled in an artillery-laden game of chicken with its own neighbor in Pakistan, which is one of NATO's main allies in the Middle East. The country is also currently embroiled in an artillery-laden game of chicken with its neighbor Pakistan, which is one of NATO's main allies in the Middle East. Pictured: Smoke billowing over the Iranian city Saravan last Thursday Both countries, as of Sunday, boast a bevy of Iran-aligned militias, including Hezbollah and several other Shia militant groups including the Houthi, seen here as Yemenis recently militarily trained by the movement hold their guns and chant slogans in an armed popular parade before heading to Israel in the Gaza Strip to fight on December 2 Just last week, Pakistan's air force launched retaliatory airstrikes on two alleged militant positions in Iran, days after an Iranian airstrike killed two children in their own country. The air attacks in Sistan and Baluchestan province killed at least seven - and added to tensions already present between the two nations and the region as a whole. They also added to a death toll in the Middle East that is well into the thousands since the conflict in Gaza broke out in October. A few weeks ago, Pakistan recalled its ambassador to Tehran because of Tuesday's strikes by Iran inside Pakistan's southwestern Baluchistan province. Iran claimed it targeted bases for a militant Sunni separatist group. It drew strong condemnation from Pakistan, which denounced the attack as a 'blatant violation' of its airspace and said it killed two children. If Marhamati's account of the casualties is correct, the country duplicated Pakistan's minor-killing offense at least two fold. As Iranians continue to assess the full scope of the attack, the war more than a thousand miles west in Israel continues to rage. Another 1,000 miles southwest, four fresh strikes were carried out by the US on Yemen, targeting anti-ship ballistic missiles used by another rebel group backed by Iran, the Houthi. Earlier in the month, shortly after Iran's attack on Pakistani soil, the group warned that British and American ships in the Red Sea have now become 'legitimate targets', given the state of the greater conflict The Houthis have since targeted ships in the region sporadically, with the attacks ramping up recently. Another 1,000 miles southwest, four fresh strikes were carried out by the US on Yemen , targeting anti-ship ballistic missiles used by the Houthis, another group backed by Iran that is against US involvement in the region Two weeks ago, shortly after Iran's attack on Pakistani soil (seen here), the Iran-backed group warned that British and American ships in the Red Sea have now become 'legitimate targets', following joint strikes against military sites run by another group backed by Iran, the Houthis The string of incidents have fueled concerns about the danger of the Israeli offensive sparking a wider conflict and a simultaneous rise in gas prices, as it is also one of the most important routes for oil and liquefied natural gas shipments in the Middle East In response, the US launched Operation Prosperity Guardian - an international coalition to safeguard the region, with many other countries, including Spain and the UK, taking part. A reported 1,200 commercial ships have passed through the sea since the operation was launched on December, with none hit by drone or missile strikes until the first phase of the Sunday strike, when militants attacked the Hangzhou with several missiles. US Navy Vice Admiral Brad Cooper on Friday had already warned that even with the taskforce, the Houthis do not seem set on ending their 'reckless' attacks, after targeting more than 100 ships in the Red Sea since November. The Sunday attack shows the group's continued resolve to support Hamas, which Israel recently pledged to continue to try to eradicate. The incidents have fueled concerns about the danger of the Israeli offensive sparking a wider conflict and a simultaneous rise in gas prices, as it is also one of the most important routes for oil and liquefied natural gas shipments in the Middle East. On Sunday the official representative of the Jordanian Cabinet of Ministers denied that the Saturday strike occurred in the country at all, saying it instead happened at a well-known US military base at Tanf in Syria, not on Jordanian territory. The US has yet to confirm those claims, but has issued statements citing American intelligence that indicate otherwise. The military branches the soldiers belonged to, as of Sunday, have yet to be specified. This is the terrifying moment masked gunmen storm a church in Istanbul during Sunday Mass before opening fire in an attack that left one dead. Security footage ahead of the attack showed a pair of men wearing black snow masks with their hands in their pockets and one was seen wearing black sunglasses. They entered the Santa Maria church in the Sariyer district of Istanbul and fired shots at around 11.40am (8.40am UK time), killing an individual identified only as C.T., a 52-year-old Turkish citizen, who was among those attending Sunday's service. Ali Yerlikaya, Turkey's interior minister, condemned the 'vile attack' on social media. Turkish officials said it looked like a targeted attack by the two gunmen, both of whom fled the scene, against C.T., who is understood to have been shot in the head, rather than against the Catholic church. Counter-terrorism police have since arrested one man in connection with the attack, without providing further details. But C.T.'s nephew, who identified his body, told the Associated Press that the target was the church, as his uncle had 'no connection to politics or (criminal) organizations.' Security footage ahead of the attack showed a pair of men wearing black snow masks with their hands in their pockets and one was seen wearing black sunglasses They entered the Santa Maria church in the Sariyer district of Istanbul and fired shots at around 11.40am (8.40am UK time), killing an individual identified only as C.T., who was among those attending Sunday's service The Italian Santa Maria Catholic Church is pictured after two masked gunmen were shooting during Sunday service, in Istanbul, Turkey January 28 The attack occurred at around 11.40am (8.40am UK time) at the Santa Maria church in the Sariyer district of Istanbul and was carried out by two masked men, Turkey's interior minister Ali Yerlikaya said on social media He added that his uncle had been invited to attend the church 'and was a victim of fate.' President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was recorded by his director of communications telling the church's priest, Anton Bulai: 'We will find the perpetrators sooner or later, maybe within 24 hours.' Local officials said around 40 people attended the mass, and suggested that there could have been more casualties at the church. run by missionary Franciscan friars from Italy as part of an ongoing mission of ecumenical dialogue. 'After the second shot, the gun didn't work, then they [attackers] ran. At this moment, everyone lied on the floor. There were around 35 to 40 people inside,' Sariyer district's mayor Sukru Genc told reporters. Television images showed police and an ambulance outside the ornate Italian church. READ MORE: Terrifying moment military jet skims just yards over busy road with its engines failing before crash landing in Turkey Advertisement President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was in the central Anatolian province of Eskisehir for his party's rally ahead of March local elections, expressed condolences during a phone call with the priest of the Italian church and other local officials. He assured that 'necessary steps are being taken to catch the perpetrators as soon as possible', according to his office. Pope Francis expressed his support for the Catholic church after the attack. 'I express my closeness to the community of the Santa Maria' church in Istanbul, the Argentinian pope said at the end of his weekly Angelus prayer in St Peter's Square at the Vatican. Istanbul governor Davut Gul told reporters at the scene that there were no further injuries. The motive for the attack was also not immediately clear. Eyewitnesses said that panicked church goers threw themselves to the ground during the attack, after which the assailants fled the scene on foot, according to local newspaper Gazeta Duvar. Several police officers were dispatched to the church following the attack and set up secure areas around the church. Many people covered their eyes as gunshots rang out in the church during Sunday Mass The churchgoers then bend down to seek cover while the two assailants had their guns drawn behind them Relatives of the victim of an attack by two assailants react outside Santa Maria Church, in Istanbul, Turkey, 28 January 2024 Turkish forensic police officers walk near Santa Maria church after an attack, in Istanbul, on January 28 Ali Yerlikaya (centre), Turkey's interior minister, condemned the 'vile attack' on social media An armed attack took place at the Santa Maria Church in Sariyer during Sunday mass on January 28, 2024 in Istanbul, Turkey Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu also took to social media to condemn the attack, writing: 'I condemn the armed attack on the Sunday mass held at the Santa Maria Church in Sariyer. 'I wish God's mercy to C.T. who lost his life and recovery to the injured. 'We will never allow those who try to destroy our unity and peace by attacking the religious places of our city.' Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also expressed his 'condolences and firm condemnation' over the attack, and backed the Turkish authorities to find the killers. The incident comes more than a week after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met with Erdogan in Istanbul. A Turkish police armoured vehicle drives outside the Italian Santa Maria Catholic Church after two masked gunmen were shooting during Sunday service, in Istanbul, Turkey Turkish police stand guard outside the Italian Santa Maria Catholic Church after two masked gunmen shot one person dead during Sunday service, in Istanbul, Turkey January 28 Istanbul Governor Davut Gul speaks to reporters about the incident after two unidentified armed men opened fire on people attending Sunday service at Santa Maria Church and killing one, in Istanbul's Sariyer district Media members report from outside the Italian Santa Maria Catholic Church after two masked gunmen were shooting during Sunday service, in Istanbul, Turkey January 28 A heavily armed officer was among those called to the scene following the attack Turkey's ruling AKP party spokesman Omer Celik said the attackers took aim at a citizen during the mass. 'Our security forces are conducting a large-scale investigation into the matter,' he said. 'Those who threaten the peace and security of our citizens will never achieve their goals.' In December, Turkish security forces detained 32 suspects over alleged links with Islamic State jihadists who were planning attacks on churches and synagogues, as well as the Iraqi embassy. IS extremists have carried out a string of attacks on Turkish soil, including against a nightclub in Istanbul in 2017 that left 39 people dead. Despots Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko have arranged a date to visit Antarctica, amid broiling tensions with the West. The pair, respective leaders of Russia and Belarus, were sat together at a meeting held in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on Sunday, where they spoke with Russian polar scientists from the Vostok research station, located close to the South Pole, via video-chat. The scientists have opened a new wintering facility at the station, the construction of which was described as 'Russia's flagship project in the Antarctic region' by Russian state news agency TASS. During the call, Lukashenko, 69, was apparently so impressed by the new facility that he asked Putin, 71, to join him on a future trip to the base. Lukashenko said: 'Let's go some time? Looks interesting!' Vladimir Putin (pictured, left) and Alexander Lukashenko (pictured, right) met in Saint Petersburg on Sunday During the call, Lukashenko, 69, was apparently so impressed by the new facility that he asked Putin, 71, to join him on a future trip to the base READ MORE: Dramatic moment Russian ammunition depot in Kremlin-occupied southern Ukraine EXPLODES in terrifying fireball blast Advertisement Putin, less enthusiastically, responded: 'Yes, okay.' Though the two despots may be organising catch-up sessions, tensions between Belarus and Russia, and the West, have been rising. During the Saint Petersburg visit, which saw Putin speak at a memorial to mark 80 years since the end of the Nazis' seige of Leningrad, the name of the city at the time, The Russian leader ramped up his attacks against Kyiv, claiming that Volodymr Zelensky's regime 'glorifies Hitler's accomplices, the SS.' Putin's claims come just three days after Lukashenko's own government launched an investigation into 20 independent analysts and political commentators now outside the country and accused of conspiring to seize power and promote extremism, following 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. The Russian leader ramped up his attacks against Kyiv, claiming that Volodymr Zelensky's regime 'glorifies Hitler's accomplices, the SS' Putin's claims come just three days after Lukashenko's own government launched an investigation into 20 independent analysts and political commentators 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 US 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. 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. President Joe Biden has not reached out to progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in his bid for a second White House term, the New York lawmaker said. But the president is calling on former Democratic Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton to hold a fundraiser to boost enthusiasm for his reelection campaign, according to a new report. AOC told Meet the Press host Kristen Welker that she sees her role in the 2024 presidential race as 'expanding the power' of the progressive movement but admitted she has not been directly tapped by the Biden camp. Meanwhile, Biden's team is leaning into establishment Democrats to try and energize a voter base that otherwise seems apathetic toward his reelection and the majority in polls say they don't want to see a rematch between him and former President Donald Trump. New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says that President Joe Biden has not reached out to her about helping with his 2024 reelection. She says ' I see my role overall' with 2024 'as really trying to expand the power' of the progressive movement Four people familiar with planning told NBC News that the first-of-its-kind fundraiser is in the works to get Biden, Clinton and Obama to appear alongside each other in the spring. No date is set, but schedules are being coordinated now for a March or April fundraiser. It underscores the importance of Biden's allies to help get him over the finish line in November in an election viewed as having the highest stakes for the future of American democracy. 'You know, you have said in the past it's not just enough for Democrats to talk about what they are running against. You want the president to be talking about what he's running for,' Welker said to Rep. Ocasio-Cortez on Sunday morning. 'Do you think, in this very moment, President Biden is doing a good enough job explaining to voters why they should vote for him and not just against Former President Trump?' 'I think we can certainly do more to be advancing our vision. And I believe that we have a strong vision that we can run on,' she replied, claiming Biden should be leaning into issues like more affordable healthcare and reducing college tuition alongside forgiving student loans. 'But I do believe that advancing that affirmative vision is going to be very, very important as well as really laying out and showing, between now and November, through our governing decisions, our governing decisions, when we have that power in the White House, what we are willing to do with it.' 'Has the Biden campaign reached out to you and said, 'We want you to help reelect President Biden'? How do you see your role and the role of progressives in this reelection effort?' Welker posed. 'I see my role overall as really trying to expand the power of movements,' she replied, adding: 'We've been in contact with the Biden administration throughout my term and throughout his term, as well.' 'I know that he has been in contact, you know, with many members of Congress. But, you know, I think what is most important is that (and in terms of my role) I think my role is in allegiance to people's movements across this country.' Meanwhile, a new NBC News report indicates there are plans to have former Democratic President Barack Obama and Bill Clinton appear alongside Biden in a March or April fundraiser to help boost him going into the general election campaign Biden has leaned more into campaigning for his reelection in the new year, visiting states like North and South Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia to spread his message. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris was deployed to the west where she touted the administration's moves toward bolstering small businesses during a Nevada swing. Donald Trump is still in a primary election match with former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley. But with Trump far in the lead, it's looking like 2024 will be a rematch between him and Biden even though that is the last thing voters say they want. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released last week shows 67 percent of primary voters are 'tired of seeing the same candidates in presidential elections and want someone new.' The same poll put Trump 6 percentage points ahead of Biden. Britain is battling a surge in measles cases, due to a decline in MMR uptake A mother whose eleven-month-old son was rushed to hospital with measles has called for the MMR vaccine to be made available to children before the age of one. Kelly Smart, whose son Oscar was taken to Birmingham Children's Hospital after showing symptoms of the highly contagious disease, said that it was 'frustrating' that it 'wasn't an option' for him to have been given a first dose of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccination. In Britain, children are given the vaccination in two doses. The first is offered at one-year-old, with a booster given at three-years-old and four months. Eleven-month-old Oscar had been due to have his dose the following month. 'It felt like every time he was blinking there were more dots appearing down his body,' Ms Smart told Sky News, referring to the tell-tale red rash that appears on those that have contracted the illness. Kelly Smart and her son Oscar, who contracted measles. Ms Smart is calling for the MMR vaccine to be offered to children below the age of one The Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccine, better known by its acronym MMR, is offered in two doses to children aged one and three-years and four months Britain is currently battling a wave of measles cases, concentrated in the West Midlands, following years of declining uptake for the MMR vaccine Once paramedics arrived, Oscar was 'instantly' taken to hospital and was treated in an isolation ward. He was running a high fever. 'He just looked awful, his eyes were swollen, his top lip was swollen, he was pale,' Ms Smart recalled. Oscar is now recovering. The UK is currently battling a measles outbreak that has concerned health professionals. The UK Health Security Agency has declared a national incident and warned last week of 'further outbreaks' without 'urgent action taken to increase MMR uptake in areas at greatest risk.' There have been 216 confirmed cases of measles and 103 probable cases in the West Midlands between October 1 and January 18. Over 80% have been in Birmingham. EXCLUSIVE Read More: England's measles hotspots revealed as infections begin surging Advertisement There are thought to be some 3.4m people under the age of 16 at risk from contracting measles, due to a declining uptake in MMR vaccination. 'We're at a point where there's a very large susceptible population of children,' Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, the chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation told The Guardian. He added that a vaccination rate of over 95% is required 'to keep measles at bay'. The percentage of children aged five having had a full course of the MMR vaccination has declined to 84.5%, according to health data, the lowest level in over a decade. In 2017, the World Health Organisation had declared the UK measles-free. This status was rescinded within two years. The UN body warned recently of a thirty-fold increase in cases across Europe. Debate about the particularly quick rise in measles cases and declining vaccine uptake in the UK has focussed attention on logistical difficulties for parents, suspicion of vaccines generally, and NHS overstretch. Your browser does not support iframes. Uptake of MMR has shrunk to its lowest levels in over a decade admit concern that babies born during the pandemic may have missed crucial medical windows Oscar was rushed to Birmingham Children's Hospital, which saw some 50 children needing treatment for the virus in the last month There are also concerns that children born during the pandemic may have missed their initial or second dose of MMR, requiring them to catch-up. Children born during the pandemic are now older than the standard age-range that are seen by doctors for regular vaccinations. In 2021, according to the UK Health Security Agency, there were only 360 cases of measles reported across the country. There were 1,603 in 2023. The majority of these cases were in children under the age of 10. The NHS has been rolling out 'pop-up' vaccination centres in areas most affected by measles. Health Secretary Victoria Atkins appealed to parents to take their children for vaccination. 'It is completely safe,' she said. 'There are two types of vaccination which can help people who may be worried about pork products,' she added. 'We can absolutely help you get vaccinated to help the whole community.' Shocked residents have gathered for a vigil in memory of two boys, aged 15 and 16, who were stabbed to death by 'a number' of knifemen in Bristol on Saturday night. Parents and children were among some 150 people who gathered to pay their respects, with mourners lighting candles and laying flowers with messages for the two boys and their families. A heartbroken local who was at the vigil told how she held one of the victims in her lap as emergency services raced to the scene, and paid tribute to him as a 'good boy'. Police have launched a murder inquiry and have vowed to 'leave no stone unturned' in the hunt for further suspects after the killings on Ilminster Avenue, Knowle West. Two arrests have been made - a 44-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy, who remain in police custody. A vehicle has also been seized as police continue their enquiries. Dozens gathered to pay their respects to the two teenage boys who lost their lives on Saturday night Children were among those attending the vigil in memory of the two boys, and a mintue's silence was held Two youngsters were seen lighting candles at the vigil for the victims of Saturday night's knife attack Flowers were laid in the area near to the scene where the stabbing took place in Knowle West A little girl was among those who left floral tributes to the two teenage boys who lost their lives Some 150 people gathered at the vigil, laying flowers and lighting candles as well as observing a minute's silence Dozens gathered on Newquay Road, near the scene of the double stabbing, with many expressing their anger and sadness at the apparent increase in violent crime. A large number of floral tributes have been left and candles lit, and a minute's silence was held. Julie O'Reilly was among those in attendance - and revealed she witnessed the immediate aftermath. Visibly shaken, she said: 'I was there. I went out to the young chap on the floor - I went out to him. I had his head on my lap. 'Trying to tell him: "Stay with us, stay with us - we've got help coming". That was last night. '[Today has been] awful. I can't get it out of my head. He was a good boy.' Another local, Rianne, said she woke up to the news. She said: 'It's shocking, really sad - but you're expecting to wake up to something these days. 'I don't know the families - I'm in the community, but I don't know the families. 'But I've got kids myself. I've just been in a right state. My kids have got to grow up around here.' The vigil was organised on social media this afternoon. One of those in attendance urged parents to be vigilant to prevent their youngsters from getting caught up in knife crime. 'We need to stand up now, as a community, as a city. We need to stand up and we are not going to put up with this. No child should be on our streets with a knife, they have no reason,' she said in video recorded at the scene 'Go home, search your children's room. Anything you find, get it out of the room and stand together. One of those in attendance urged parents to be vigilant to prevent their youngsters from getting caught up in knife crime People take part in a vigil near to the scene in south Bristol where two teenage boys, aged 15 and 16, died after a stabbing attack A police community support officer during a vigil near to the scene in south Bristol Residents of Knowle West in Bristol light candles after two children were stadded to death People clutch flowers as they listen to speakers during the emotional vigil in south Bristol 'Don't be frightened to look for help. Don't let your children come in with new clothes, new trainers, and you don't know where they're from. They are being groomed, get them off the street. 'We need to work together as a community, we need to bang on doors. We need funding, we need our kids off the streets.' Police scrambled to the scene 'within minutes' of a call to an address on Ilminster Avenue, in Knowle West, at around 11.20pm yesterday. Police carried out first aid at the scene before the two boys were rushed to hospital by ambulance after sustaining fatal stab wounds. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that the boys had been attacked by 'a number of people' who fled from the scene in a car. The teenagers sadly died at Southmead Hospital and Bristol Royal Hospital for Children in the early hours of Sunday morning, with the boys' families by their side. Police have launched a murder investigation, which is being led by the force's Major Crime Investigation Team. A heavy police presence remains at the scene with house-to-house enquiries underway and CCTV and doorbell footage being gathered by investigating officers. Forensic officers could also be seen combing the street this afternoon. Police say it is not yet clear at this stage what the motive was behind the attack or if the attackers and victims were known to each other. Police arrived scrambled to the scene 'within minutes' of a call to an address on Ilminster Avenue, in Knowle West, at around 11.20pm yesterday where two teenagers were discovered Forensic investigators at the scene in south Bristol where two teenage boys, aged 15 and 16, died after the horrific attack Neither boy has yet been identified and post-mortem examinations will be carried out in due course. In a press conference on Ilminster Avenue this afternoon, Bristol Commander Superintendent Mark Runacers said that boys' families had been made aware of the two arrests, and are being supported by specially trained family liaison officers. He told reporters: 'The boys' families were with them at hospital and our thoughts are with them as they process these awful events'. He added: 'I'd like to reassure people that we will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to catch those responsible for this reprehensible attack, and provide answers to the victims' families. 'We are in the early stages of our enquiry but we have already identified a number of witnesses who we will be taking statements from'. Avon and Somerset Police have launched a murder investigation after two teenage boys were discovered with fatal stab wounds on Ilminster Avenue in south Bristol last night Further suspects are 'being sought' amongst the group believed to be responsible, he said. He urged anyone who has any information to come forward to either the police or Crimestoppers anonymously 'as soon as possible'. Detectives are particularly keen to speak with passengers on a double-decker bus which was on Ilminster Avenue at the time of attack, and remains at the scene. It's not believe anyone involved in the incident was on or got off the bus, Supt Runacres said. A mobile police station has been setup near the scene where a large cordon remains in place on Ilminster Avenue, between Newquay Road and Tavistock Road. CCTV cameras are dotted around the area - including one at the junction between Newquay Road and Ilminster Avenue. A worker in a shop on Newquay Road said the cameras were a sign of problems. A cordon is in place on Ilminster Avenue between Newquay Road and Tavistock Road, and members of the public can expect to see a large police presence He said: 'This area's been hit [bad] for donkey's years. Two young kids this time. 'You tell me any other street in the UK that needs two cameras either side of it?' Locals in Knowle West said the violence had left them feeling 'panicked' and unsafe. One man, who did not want to be named, said: 'I have two kids. My daughter is 23. My son is 15. 'Have a think about how I feel as a father? I feel so bad and panicked. 'My son is 15 - I can't believe it. I thought it was a joke at first. How is this possible in 2024? 'This is the problem. I don't feel safe with my kids here.' A woman who arrived at the cordon claimed her neighbour's son was one of the teenagers who died. The resident, who also did not want to be named, said: 'It was my next door neighbour's son - right outside my house last night. 'No one's seen my neighbour, which is understandable.' She refused to give further details. A heavy police presence remains at forensic investigators comb the streets for evidence High-visibility patrols will also be carried out to provide reassurance to the community Supt Mark Runacres said: 'This is an incredibly shocking and tragic incident where two young boys, who had their whole lives ahead of them, have sadly died. 'Our collective thoughts are with their families at what is undoubtedly a very difficult time. Specialist family liaison officers will now be assigned to the families to provide them with support and keep them updated on the investigation. 'A cordon is in place on Ilminster Avenue between Newquay Road and Tavistock Road, and members of the public can expect to see a large police presence as forensic searches and other enquiries are conducted. 'There are a significant number of properties within the cordon and we would like to apologise for the disruption caused, but we hope people understand the importance of the work being carried out. 'House-to-house enquiries are underway and CCTV and doorbell footage continues to be gathered. 'We have also identified several witnesses who we will be taking statements from. Detectives are particularly keen to speak with passengers on a bus which was on Ilminster Avenue at the time of the incident. A cordon remains on Ilminster Avenue between Newquay Road and Tavistock Road Members of the public can expect to see a large police presence as forensic searches and other enquiries are conducted 'The neighbourhood policing team will be setting up a mobile police station near the scene. We encourage anyone with any concerns or questions to speak to any of the officers. High-visibility patrols will also be carried out to provide reassurance to the community.' He added: 'It is extremely important there should be no commentary or sharing of information or images online which could in any way prejudice and any future proceedings. 'It can be an offence to identify anyone who witnessed all or part of the incident as well as those who have been arrested. 'I'd also like to remind people of the impact the sharing of images, footage or even discussing the incident online may have on the families of the two boys. They are already going through the most difficult of times and you may cause them further upset.' Avon and Somerset Police added that 'tragedies such as this are a stark reminder of the awful consequences of knife crime'. The force added: 'Reducing knife crime is one of our key priorities as a police service, it's something we work all year round tackling'. Anyone with information about the incident or with any relevant footage, has been asked to contact 101 and quote reference 5224023382. A car drove off the end of the Virginia Beach pier and plunged into the sea, sparking a rescue effort by police. Around 6.50am Saturday, a car crashed through the barriers of the 14th Street pier and sped down the length of it. It braked briefly before driving through the wooden balustrade at the end of the pier and over the edge, as police say it is now 'at the bottom of the ocean.' A young woman standing on the beach caught the incident on camera when she heard a loud crash and started filming. Virginia Beach police are working to recover the car and any occupants, but said they did not know how many people were inside or the cause of the crash even a day after it plunged into the water. The taillights of the car were visible as it drove down the pier It seemed to brake before the end before driving over the edge The pier is 650 feet long and the water at the end is around 15ft deep. Water temperatures are around in the mid-40s. It wasn't immediately clear if police had sent a dive team to check the car or to check for any survivors. As of Sunday afternoon, police had not confirmed if there were any victims or survivors of the crash. They said: Due to adverse water conditions and concerns for diver safety, the planned vehicle recovery off the pier today had to be postponed. 'The weather, though appearing nice, posed risks, and maintaining the stability of the contracted salvage barge was challenging. We'll reassess and devise a new plan for a safe and effective recovery operation.' Witnesses said the car turned onto the boardwalk from Atlantic Avenue at speed and crashed through the first barriers on the pier. Spokesperson for the Virginia Beach Police Department Jude Brenya told 13NewsNow: 'The vehicle just drove into the boardwalk, onto the pier end then into the water. 'The vehicle is at the bottom of the ocean.' He added: 'We have an idea of where the vehicle location is. The challenge is being able to recover that vehicle from the water. 'And thats what they need to figure out. What resources it would take to figure that out.' The pier is 650 feet long and the water at the end is around 15ft deep. Water temperatures are around in the mid-40s The car smashed through two barriers to reach the end of the pier Police received a call around 6.50 am on Saturday, but as of Sunday afternoon the car is yet to be recovered One of the women who caught the incident on camera, Kaylynn Crawford, told Wavy: 'We saw at first it was going really fast. We thought it was just going to go for it. 'But toward the end, the car started to slow down, and it kind of looked as if it almost teeter-tottered at the end. Then, it all of a sudden just dropped down over the pier.' Charlotte Murphy, who works at a seafood restaurant on the pier, told the outlet: 'They went through three gates which is pretty crazy and these are really, really strong gates. Its really crazy to think about. 'As soon as I got down here I was like, Holy cow that is the craziest thing that Ive heard in a long, long time.' Crypto Forensics Breakthrough: Finnish Authorities Trace Monero in High-Profile Hack The National Bureau of Investigation in Finland has reportedly made significant progress in tracing Monero (XMR) transactions as part of an ongoing investigation into the criminal trial of Julius Aleksanteri Kivimaki. Kivimaki stands accused of hacking a private mental health firms database and demanding ransom payments in cryptocurrencies. According to local media reports, prosecutors unveiled new evidence on January 22nd, revealing a crypto trail that led to Kivimakis bank account. The alleged hacker had supposedly demanded 40 Bitcoin, equivalent to approximately 450,000 euros at the time, in exchange for not exposing records belonging to over 33,000 patients from psychotherapy service provider Vastaamo. When the ransom went unpaid, Kivimaki purportedly targeted individual patients. Finnish police claim that the hacker received payments in Bitcoin, sent the funds to a non-compliant Know Your Customer (KYC) exchange, converted them into Monero, and then transferred them to a dedicated Monero wallet. Subsequently, the funds were reportedly sent to Binance, where they were exchanged for Bitcoin once again before being moved to various other wallets. The local authorities have maintained confidentiality and have not disclosed further details regarding their on-chain analysis. Monero Uses Privacy-Enhancing Tech to Obfuscate Transactions Monero is well-known for its strong privacy features, with its official webpage claiming it to be untraceable. The cryptocurrency employs privacy-enhancing technologies such as Ring Confidential Transactions (RingCT), ring signatures, and stealth addresses. RingCT mixes users transactions, obscuring the true source of funds, while ring signatures conceal the senders identity by presenting them as part of a group of possible senders. Additionally, Moneros stealth addresses allow for the generation of unique addresses for each transaction, making it difficult to link multiple transactions to the same recipient. The ability of Monero and other anonymous cryptocurrencies to completely anonymize users has attracted scrutiny from authorities worldwide. In 2019, Eric Woerth, the head of Frances National Assemblys Finance Committee, proposed a ban on anonymous cryptocurrencies, including Monero, citing concerns about bypassing identification procedures. Even United States authorities have closely examined Monero. In 2020, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offered a bounty of up to $625,000 to anyone who could break the purportedly untraceable privacy coins. As reported, ransomware attackers are increasingly asking for payments in privacy coins like Monero, while still mostly accepting Bitcoin (BTC) payments but with a premium. Most of the groups and strains listed as using XMR are relatively new, crypto intelligence company CipherTrace said in a report. In total, CipherTrace data revealed that at least 22 ransomware groups, not all of which are currently active, accept only XMR, while another seven accept both BTC and XMR. The analysts found over 50 groups and strains that use XMR, but the list of those using BTC is well over 1,000. For instance, cybercriminal hacking group DarkSide, which is probably best known for attacking Colonial Pipeline, accepts payments in both BTC and XMR but charges 10% 20% more for payments in BTC. Nancy Pelosi has called for and FBI investigation into pro-Palestine protestors and has claimed that they are financially backed by Russia. The former House Speaker joined Dana Bush on Sunday during Sunday's State of the Union on CNN, as Bush asked Pelosi what she thought about the countless protests that have taken place with the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. 'Some are connected to Russia, and I say that having looked at this for a long time,' she said. Pelosi said she has encountered protestors herself and that 'we have to think about what we're doing.' 'And what we have to do is try to stop the suffering in Gaza. This is women and children, people who don't have a place to go- so let's address that,' Pelosi said. 'But for them to call for a ceasefire is Mr. Putin's message. Mr. Putin's message- make no mistake, this is directly connected to what he would like to see ,' she added. Nancy Pelosi has claimed Russia is financially supporting pro-Palestine protesters that have erupted across the world since the Israel-Hamas war started On #CNNSOTU, @SpeakerPelosi suggests that some of the protesters targeting President Biden over the war in Gaza are connected to Russia," telling @DanaBashCNN, some financing should be investigated and I want to ask the FBI to investigate that. pic.twitter.com/ynYNHEqsFj State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) January 28, 2024 Pelosi also said that 'we have to try to stop the suffering in Gaza' before she went on to say that some of the protests 'are connected to Russia' Though she didn't back up her claims, Pelosi continued to insisted that Russian president Vladimir Putin is behind the pro-Palestine demonstrations. 'Same thing with Ukraine. It's about Putin's message. I think some of these protestors are spontaneous and organic and sincere,' she claimed, while saying others were backed by Russia. Bush then asked Pelosi if she thought that the protests were 'Russian plants,' as Pelosi suggested finances need to be investigated. 'I think some financing should be investigated, and I want to ask the FBI to investigate that,' Pelosi stated. Putin previously labeled the Israel-Hamas conflict a 'catastrophe' and said that his main priority is to safeguard 'the very existence of Russia' while 'denazifying' Ukraine during an end-of-year press conference. The Russian president went on to say that there no comparisons could be made with the war in Ukraine, and that he was committed to providing humanitarian aid to Gazans. 'First of all we need to provide massive humanitarian support. They've asked us to provide more medical equipment and we will do that without a doubt,' he said, before adding Russia had set up a field hospital near Rafah and was planning a second, in spite of Israel disapproval. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky dramatically accused Putin's regime of backing Hamas' murderous assault on October 7. Pelosi said that the call for a ceasefire 'is Mr. Putin's message' that 'is directly connected to what he would like to see' Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky dramatically accused Putin's regime of backing Hamas' and said that the vicious attack was a 'really big wish' for Russia Zelensky claimed the attack was a 'really big wish' for Russia who have been 'lighting fires' across the world. Since the Israel-Hamas war erupted, protests have raged across the globe in places like New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angles, London and Australia. Many angry protestors have also taken their message directly to President Joe Biden as they've interrupted him during speeches and appearances. On Friday afternoon, pro-Palestine protestors appeared to clash with police outside The American Israel Public Affairs Committee headquarters in Manhattan. 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. On January 13, thousands of protestors marched at the White House as staff had to be 'relocated' while the demonstrators descended on the building and threatened to breach the security fence. An NYPD office is seen trying to hold back angry pro-Palestine protestors during a demonstration in New York On Friday afternoon, pro-Palestine protestors appeared to clash with police outside The American Israel Public Affairs Committee headquarters in Manhattan On January 13, thousands of protestors marched at the White House as staff had to be 'relocated' while the demonstrators descended on the building The protest came 100 days after the war began, as they demanded a ceasefire where more than 230,000 have been killed in retaliatory strikes by Israel. Law enforcement defending the People's House donned riot gear as a baying mob pelted them with dolls and other projectiles. The secret service later confirmed that the anti-scale fencing sustained 'temporary damage' that was 'promptly repaired.' Demonstrators also carried Palestinian flags and held aloft signs questioning President Joe Biden's viability as a presidential candidate because of his staunch support for Israel. Some of the signs read: 'No votes for Genocide Joe,' 'Biden has blood on his hands' and 'Let Gaza live.' The recent demonstration is the second largest in support of Gaza that has taken place outside of the White House since the war began. Dont be so sure, Donald! An air of Trumpian inevitability has grown potent. Post-Iowa, post-New Hampshire. The inglorious downfall of Ron DeSanctimonious and Nasty Nikki Haley. And its not just the GOP nomination, which seems all sewn up, but even for the general election with polling putting Joe Biden way behind youd be forgiven for thinking America has already cast its vote: Get ready for President Donald J. Trump, 2.0. Only then on Friday, news from a New York courthouse gave us an $83 million reason to sit up. A Manhattan jury awarded Trump rape accuser E. Jean Carroll the truly stunning sum for defamation damages and reminded us that his ride up the golden escalator to certain presidential glory may not be so steady. Yes, Trumps most fervent fans see the Carroll verdict as yet another reason to support him. He is, they claim, a martyr in the fight for the soul of this nation. But that MAGA narrative only takes us so far. An air of Trumpian inevitability has grown potent. Post-Iowa, post-New Hampshire. The inglorious downfall of Ron DeSanctimonious and Nasty Nikki Haley. And its not just the GOP nomination, which seems all sewn up, but even for the general election, youd be forgiven for thinking America has already cast its vote: Get ready for President Donald J. Trump, 2.0. Only then on Friday, news from a New York courthouse gave us an $83 million reason to sit up. A Manhattan jury awarded Trump rape accuser E. Jean Carroll (pictured) the truly stunning sum for defamation damages - and reminded us that his ride up the golden escalator to certain presidential glory may not be so steady. Yes, Trumps most fervent fans see the Carroll verdict as yet another reason to support him. He is, they claim, a martyr in the fight for the soul of this nation. But that MAGA narrative only takes us so far. Trumps road to November 5 is now littered with court-case landmines some more explosive than others. And they do matter. A recent New York Times and Siena College poll found that 24 percent of respondents all of whom were Trump supporters said The Donald should not be the Republican nominee if he is found guilty in any one of his pending legal trials. Clearly, an orange jumpsuit is much less attractive than a perma-fake tan. So what are his chances? Still in his home state, theres avowed Trump-enemy DA Alvin Braggs hush money Stormy Daniels civil indictment. A provisional court date is set for the end of March by which point Trump hopes to have comfortably secured the Republican nominee. No one seriously considers Braggs case to be anything more than a show trial. Elsewhere in the Big Apple, Trumps already lost his $370 million civil fraud case, and is waiting to hear if he will be barred from doing business in Gotham and how much hell have to cough up. A ruling is expected at the end of the month. Then we have the criminal indictments. Over in Georgia, his find 11,000 votes interference case looks about as shaky as Biden. With no trial date yet set, his defenders are fairly confident DA Fani Williss indictment amounts to political overreach. But then theres the federal election interference case brought by special counsel Jack Smith. So what are his chances? Still in his home state, theres avowed Trump-enemy DA Alvin Braggs hush money Stormy Daniels (pictured) civil indictment. A provisional court date is set for the end of March - by which point Trump hopes to have comfortably secured the Republican nominee. No one seriously considers Braggs case to be anything more than a show trial. But then theres the federal election interference case brought by special counsel Jack Smith. (Pictured: January 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol). With Trump accused of conspiring to obstruct official proceedings, defraud the government and disenfranchise voters, a trial is due to get underway on March 4 the day before Super Tuesday. Its thought it will take a month or more for the case to be fully heard meaning a verdict could come well before all the primaries are complete. The problem for Trump: Smiths case looks fairly strong. The Department of Justice also dont make a habit of losing a lot of cases. The potential smoking gun: The use of fake electors by Trump allies following his 2020 election defeat. Finally, in Florida, theres the documents case with Trump charged for illegally holding classified materials at Mar-a-Lago, which he doesnt deny. Instead, his novel, rather ludicrous defense strategy seems to be: when youre president, they just let you do it. A trial is currently set for May but will no doubt be delayed. In other words, thats a veritable parade of prosecutions. And frankly, the chance of Trump going 91 for 91 on his charges and winning them all seems remote at best. A Harvard-Harris poll last week showed Trump beating Biden in a general election match-up by an impressive 7 points. But when respondents were asked how theyd vote if Trump was convicted in the federal election interference case considered by many legal experts to be the most watertight against him Biden surges to a 4-point lead. In Florida, theres also the documents case - with Trump charged for illegally holding classified materials at Mar-a-Lago, which he doesnt deny. Instead, his novel, rather ludicrous defence strategy seems to be: when youre president, they just let you do it. A Harvard-Harris poll last week showed Trump beating Biden in a general election match-up by an impressive 7 points. But when respondents were asked how theyd vote if Trump was convicted in the federal election interference case - considered by many legal experts to be the most watertight against him - Biden surges to a 4-point lead. America still cant countenance the idea of a convict president. As the South Carolina primary approaches, and Nikki Haley inevitably loses in her home state, the GOP nomination looks fairly certain for Trump. But where does that then leave us? A potential convict versus a convalescent 81 year old. And as the gavels fall in the months ahead, Americas sentence might just be the worst of all: Biden-Harris victory. The UN's secretary general has begged the West to resume funding the only aid agency allowed in the Gaza Strip, following allegations that several staff members helped Hamas carry out its terror attack on October 7. Antonio Guterres, 74, today urged Western states, including the UK, US, Canada and much of continental Europe, to resume funding after hundreds of millions of dollars were pulled off the table, following the allegations made by Israel on January 26. Israel accused 12 employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) of helping Hamas in its efforts to attack Israel on October 7. While UNRWA did not specify how many employees were implicated in the scandal, the US, the first to pull its funding, said 12 were involved. Within hours, the UK and several other countries, including Australia, Canada, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Finland and the Netherlands, responded to the claims in the same manner. The eight countries that have so far pulled funding from UNRWA provided nearly 60% of UNRWA's budget in 2022. Guterres said in a statement: 'The abhorrent alleged acts of these staff members must have consequences. Antonio Guterres, 74, (pictured) today urged Western states, including the UK, US, Canada and much of continental Europe, to resume funding UNRWA after hundreds of millions of dollars were pulled off the table The eight countries that have so far pulled funding from UNRWA provided nearly 60% of UNRWA's budget in 2022 (File image) Internally displaced Palestinians outside the UNRWA school in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, January 28 2024 'But the tens of thousands of men and women who work for UNRWA, many in some of the most dangerous situations for humanitarian workers, should not be penalized. The dire needs of the desperate populations they serve must be met.' What is UNRWA? The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA, employs thousands of staffers and provides vital aid and services to millions of people across the Middle East. In Gaza, it has been the main supplier of food, water and shelter to civilians during the Israel-Hamas war. Israel has long railed against the agency, accusing it of tolerating or even collaborating with Hamas and of perpetuating the 75-year-old Palestinian refugee crisis. The Israeli government has accused Hamas and other militant groups of siphoning off aid and using UN facilities for military purposes, allegations that the agency has denied. UNRWA was established to provide aid to the estimated 700,000 Palestinians who fled or were driven out during the 1948 war surrounding the country's creation. UNRWA operates schools, health clinics, infrastructure projects and aid programs in refugee camps that now resemble dense urban neighborhoods in Gaza, the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. It has 13,000 employees in Gaza alone, the vast majority of them Palestinians. In Gaza, where some 85% of territory's 2.3 million people have fled their homes, over 1 million are sheltering in UNRWA schools and other facilities Source: Associated Press Advertisement The secretary-general added that of the 12 accused employees, nine were immediately terminated, one was confirmed dead and two were still being identified. He said they would be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution. A UN spokesperson separately warned that if funding did not come back, aid efforts would have to stop by the end of February. Protests against the UK's decision to suspend funding to UNRWA sprung up outside Downing Street tonight. Dozens of people, many carrying Palestinian flags, were seen across the road from the Cabinet Office, on Whitehall, central London. They crowded round the statue of Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery of Alamein to protest the British government's decision. The October 7 Hamas attack, which UNRWA employees allegedly took part in, in southern Israel killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and militants took about 250 hostages. Israel launched a massive military operation in response, which has so far killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, destroyed vast swaths of Gaza and displaced nearly 85% of the territory's people. Israel says its air and ground offensive has killed more than 9,000 militants, without providing evidence. The besieged territory is in the grip of a severe humanitarian crisis, with a quarter of the population facing starvation as fighting and Israeli restrictions hinder the delivery of aid. UNRWA provides basic services for Palestinian families who fled or were driven out of what is now Israel during the 1948 war surrounding the country's creation. They live in built-up refugee camps in Gaza, the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. The refugees and their descendants are the majority of Gaza's population. Since the war began, most of the territory's 2.3 million people depend on the agency's programs for 'sheer survival,' including food and shelter, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said. That lifeline could 'collapse any time now,' he said after funding was suspended. Smoke rises over Khan Younis, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas Already, the amount of aid entering Gaza has been well below the daily average of 500 trucks before the war. And in the past week, hostages' family members and supporters have blocked aid trucks from entering at the Kerem Shalom crossing. Dozens of protesters again blocked the entry on Sunday, chanting 'No aid will cross until the last hostages return.' The military later declared the area around the crossing a closed military zone, which would prohibit protests there. Many have called for a more rigid ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel to be negotiated. Two senior Biden administration officials said US negotiators were making progress on a potential agreement under which Israel would pause military operations against Hamas for two months in exchange for the release of more than 100 remaining hostages. The officials, who requested anonymity to discuss the ongoing negotiations, said that emerging terms of the deal would play out over two phases, with the remaining women, elderly and wounded hostages to be released in a first 30-day phase. The emerging deal also calls for Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza. Two senior Biden administration officials said US negotiators were making progress on a potential agreement under which Israel would pause military operations against Hamas for two months Internally displaced Palestinians move past Israeli tanks after the Israeli army told residents of Khan Younis camp to leave their homes and head towards Rafah camps near the Egyptian border An Israeli tank stands amid the rubble as Palestinians fleeing Khan Younis, due to the Israeli ground operation CIA Director Bill Burns was expected to discuss the contours of the emerging agreement during meetings Sunday in France with David Barnea, the head of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel. Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, in comments to troops on Sunday, said that 'these days we are conducting a negotiation process for the release of hostages' but vowed that as long as hostages remain in Gaza, 'we will intensify the (military) pressure and continue our efforts - it's already happening now.' More than 100 hostages, mainly women and children, were released in November in exchange for a weeklong cease-fire and the release of 240 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. The conflict has begun to spill out into the wider Middle East region, with states including Iran and Yemen ramping up military action. Three American troops were killed in a drone strike in Jordan today, the first US fatalities in months of strikes against American forces across the Middle East by Iranian-backed militias amid the war in Gaza. Palestinians fleeing Khan Younis, due to the Israeli ground operation, move towards Rafah The destroyed Hamad Towers following an Israeli military operation in the town of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, January 26 2024 A Palestinian man holds a flour bag as others wait to receive theirs from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency US Central Command said 25 service members were injured, while other US officials were working to conclusively identify the group responsible for the attack, but assessed that one of several Iranian-backed groups was responsible. Jordanian state television quoted a government spokesperson as contending the attack happened across the border in Syria, while US officials insisted it took place in Jordan, which American troops have long used as a basing point. The US in recent months has struck targets in Iraq, Syria and Yemen to respond to attacks on American forces and to deter Iranian-backed Houthi rebels from continuing to threaten commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The war in Gaza has sparked concerns about a regional conflict. The United States, Israel's closest ally, has increasingly called for restraint in Gaza and for more humanitarian aid to be allowed into the territory while supporting the offensive. Labour MP Kate Osamor has had the whip suspended after accusing Israel of genocide on the eve of Holocaust Memorial Day. The MP for Edmonton sparked outrage after claiming in her weekly newsletter to local members that Gaza should be added to the list of 'recent genocides'. As well as posting a photo of herself signing the Holocaust Education Trust's commemoration book in Westminster, she wrote on X: 'Tomorrow is Holocaust Memorial Day, an international day to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, the millions of other people murdered under Nazi persecution of other groups and more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and now Gaza.' The Board of Deputies, Jewish Labour Movement and the Holocaust Educational Trust reacted furiously to the remarks. A Labour source confirmed to MailOnline on Sunday evening that the Chief Whip has suspended Kate Osamor from the Parliamentary Labour Party pending an investigation. Kate Osamor (pictured) said that 'Gaza' should be added to a list of 'recent genocides' to be remembered alongside the murder of six million Jews Ms Osamor posted an apology on social media on Friday night, writing on X: 'Holocaust Memorial Day is a day to remember the 6 million Jews killed in the Holocaust and the genocides that have occurred since. 'I apologise for any offence caused by my reference to the ongoing humanitarian disaster in Gaza as part of that period of remembrance.' A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: 'The International Definition of Antisemitism, adopted by the Labour Party, lists comparing Israel to Nazis as an example of antisemitism. That is what Kate Osamor effectively did. 'The Labour Party has acted correctly in taking swift action against Ms Osamor and we will be following the matter with interest. 'There are clearly some who wish to drag the Party backwards to darker days when views like those expressed by Ms Osamor were common, and they must fail.' A Community Security Trust (CST) spokesperson said: 'Given how offensive Kate Osamor's comments were, we welcome this swift suspension and hope the party will take strong disciplinary action.' Shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds told Sky News it was not acceptable for Ms Osamor to bracket the Holocaust alongside current events in Gaza. 'What is happening in Gaza is clearly a humanitarian catastrophe that is recognised,' he said. 'But there are specific reasons why the Holocaust is considered as it is. It's important on Holocaust Remembrance Day to remember that. 'And I understand Kate has apologised. There's been a conversation with the Chief Whip [Alan Campbell]. 'There'll be further conversations next week, but of course we take anything in this space extremely seriously.' Ms Osamor, the Edmonton MP, issued an apology for her remarks on social media late on Friday night Holocaust Memorial Day is held annually on January 27 to commemorate the victims of the Nazi genocide (Pictured: the entry to the concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland) Karen Pollock, the chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, told Jewish News that the 'disgusting post', sent by Ms Osamor on Friday, was 'a malicious distortion of the truth, a painful insult to survivors of the Holocaust and particularly distressing to see on the eve of Holocaust Memorial Day'. A Jewish Labour Movement spokesperson added: 'This is wholly inappropriate. 'This week we have been commemorating the murder of six million Jews in the Holocaust and those who perished in subsequent genocides, as listed by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust. 'Unilaterally co-opting the war in Gaza, despite the horrific suffering there, on to that list is wrong and offensive.' Ms Osamor served in Jeremy Corbyn's shadow cabinet as shadow international development secretary. The former Labour leader has addressed a series of pro-Palestine marches that have taken place in London since the attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel on October 7 last year. The Edmonton MP invited Mr Corbyn to address students at a 'political summer school' last year, after which she said: 'Without exception the students remain inspired and excited by Jeremy and the politics of hope he represents.' Ms Osamor has been dogged by controversy before. In 2019 it was revealed that she had used House of Commons notepaper to write to a judge pleading with him not to jail her son. Ishmael Osamor, then 29, resigned as a Labour councillor after admitting to having 2,500 worth of drugs, including cocaine and ecstasy, at the Bestival festival in 2017. He was ordered to do 200 hours of community work. When confronted by a reporter from The Times about the issue, she threw a bucket of water, and shouted: 'I should have come down here with a... bat and smashed your face open.' The Standards Commissioner found her guilty of two breaches of parliamentary rules, but she later claimed she had been the target of a 'witch-hunt'. One Labour member in her constituency said: 'There is nothing more offensive than equating the murder of six million Jews with the current conflict in Gaza. 'This is not the first problem we have had with Kate Osamor. It's time the party took action and removed the whip. She really is a disgrace.' Lax punishment for killers has seemingly become commonplace in one SoCal county - after two cons managed to escape stern sentences in their respective cases. First, Shawn Shirck - a 29-year-old was convicted of killing two women in Ventura County in 2019 - was sentenced and freed the same June day. Then, Ventura County Judge David Worley further fueled that rumors court officials in the mostly suburban locale were soft, when he ruled 33-year-old Bryn Spejcher 'had no control over her actions' when she brutally killed Chad O'Melia on Tuesday. The murder, startlingly similar Shirck's, saw the woman stab her beau over 100 times after falling into a 'cannabis-induced psychosis' at his apartment in 2018. Both cases were treated as involuntary manslaughter, with Shirck's attorneys arguing he was drunk and in the midst of a bout of PTSD when he fatally stabbed 59-year-old Margaret Dahl - his dad's girlfriend - and her mother, Phyllis Porter, 82. A TALE OF TWO KILLINGS - AND ONE COUNTY: Both cases were heard in Ventura County, and treated as involuntary manslaughter. Each of the suspects' legal teams successfully argued during proceedings last year that prosecutors should recategorize their crimes. Bryn Spejcher (left) was convicted of a 2018 killing, while Shawn Shirck (right) was convicted of a double-killing in 2019 THE VICTIMS, HERS AND HIS: At left, Spejcher's victim Chad O'Melia. At right, Shirck's victims Phyllis Porter and Margaret Dahl Each of the suspects' teams successfully swayed prosecutors in recategorizing their crimes, saying neither could have consciously intended to kill their victims. 'I feel the judge displayed bias on a level I've never seen before,' said Sean O'Melia after Spejcher's sentencing in Ventura County Superior Court, where her son's killer was hit with just two years of probation and 100 hours of community service. 'All this does is give a license to anyone who smokes marijuana to kill someone,' the dad added. He further told The New York Post: 'If you can stab someone 108 times and get probation, we're going to have nothing but anarchy and chaos.' Spejcher was seen weeping as Judge Worley read her sentence - despite attacking her then-new boyfriend some 108 times after taking two hits of his 'bong' while smoking pot on May 27, 2018. She went into a violent frenzy caused by the cannabis, an expert witness confirmed - in a somewhat rare reaction where cannabinoids present in the substance trigger a bout of what is essentially insanity. She testified during her November trial that she began to hear voices moments after just two tokes, which led her to stab O'Melia - who'd she'd met only weeks before - to death. In her smoke-induced stupor - during which lawyers agreed she was technically unconscious - she proceeded to fatally knife her own dog, and stabbed herself in the neck 43 times after deputies arrived at the scene. Ventura County Judge David Worley - seen her behind Chief Deputy District Attorney Audry Nafziger during proceedings in November - ruled against prison time for Spejcher Wednesday, due to the belief Spejcher was incapable of comprehending her actions. Spejcher with her lawyers at the Ventura County Government Center, Hall of Justice, courtroom in November She is seen sporting several scars in her Ventura County Sheriff's Office mug shot, though appeared fresh-faced in court Spejcher is seen sporting several scars in her Ventura County Sheriff's Office mug shot, though she appeared fresh-faced in court. A jury convicted her of involuntary manslaughter last month, after prosecutors ultimately elected for the lesser charge. Still, she had faced up to five years behind bars ahead of her Tuesday sentencing, where Judge Worley ultimately elected for mercy, deciding against prison time due to the belief Spejcher was incapable of comprehending her actions. The defendant's attorneys, Robert Schwartz and Michael Goldstein, praised the judge's ruling, calling it courageous and even a 'correction' of the jury's guilty verdict a few weeks before. 'The circumstances of this case are extraordinary,' Schwartz said. 'Judge Worley did the right thing.' A few months before, a different judge, Ventura County's Ryan Wright, dished out a starkly similar judgment - this time to Shirck for the murders of Phyllis Porter, 82, and her 59-year-old daughter, Margaret Dahl. Dahl was Shirck father's live-in girlfriend, and Shirck had moved out of their Oak View residence a few weeks before. As a result, Shirck was quick pegged as a suspect and tracked down a few hours after the double murder - during which the mom, who had been visiting from Georgia, and her daughter were stabbed and beaten relentlessly. A few months before, a different judge, Ventura County's Ryan Wright, dished out a starkly similar judgment - this time to Shirck for the murders of Phyllis Porter, 82, and her 59-year-old daughter, Margaret Dahl. Had Shirck been convicted of murder, he would have faced a possible sentence of 52 years to life, but as was the case with Spejcher, he was only hit with an involuntary manslaughter conviction. The decision came after defense attorneys argued Shirck was intoxicated to the point of unconsciousness during the August 24, 2019, attack Had Shirck been convicted of murder, he would have faced a possible sentence of 52 years to life, but as was the case with Spejcher, he was only hit with an involuntary manslaughter conviction. The decision came after defense attorneys argued Shirck was intoxicated to the point of unconsciousness during the August 24, 2019, attack. Several experts also testified the convict - who spent four years in jail as he awaited trial - was also suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder because of physical abuse suffered during his childhood. Jurors ultimately found prosecutors did not meet the burden of proof required for a murder conviction, and instead found Shirck guilty of involuntary manslaughter. That, coupled with court delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, meant Shirck was released the same day he was sentenced to four years in prison, receiving credit for time served, according to court records. Relatives of the victims were quick to speak out about the maneuver, and what they viewed as an injustice. 'We're very disgusted, sick to our stomachs,' said Amanda Dahl, Margaret Dahl's daughter-in-law. 'I don't think the justice system did us any justice. I don't think 3 years for murdering two women is a punishment.' 'This is not justice,' Dahl said. 'That's not OK with me.' READ MORE: Aussie outraged over fee to use cash at Australia Post An Aussie bloke and his wife embarked on a 130km trip to their nearest Bankwest branch to get some cash-out, only to be denied a $300 withdrawal. Western Australian man Graeme Reid lives with his wife in Latham, a rural town about 300km northeast of Perth. The pair timed a trip to Dalwallinu - a 130km round trip drive - for shopping and to withdraw $300 cash from their closest Bankwest branch, which has limited opening days. Mr Reid explained his wife entered the bank soon after it opened at 9.30am on January 24 and was the third customer of the day. He added he was 'absolutely gobsmacked' when she returned without the money, claiming the teller told his wife she was unable to withdraw cash and instructed her to visit the post office to make the withdrawal. WesternAustralian man Graeme Reid (pictured) and his wife drove from their home in Latham to Dalwallinu - a 130km round trip - to withdraw cash from the Bankwest branch 'I said, 'if you can't get money out of a bank you may as well close' and she [the teller] said, 'Well, we haven't been told we're going to close, but I guess it won't be long before that happens, it's what banks are doing now',' Mr Reid told ABC NEWS'. Mr Reid said he was not the only one, as another frustrated customer was also facing a similar issue while he was at the bank. While they were able to withdraw a limited amount of cash from their personal account at the post office, Mr Reid said he was unable to take money out from his business account. 'You can't do that down at the post office there because you've got to have a pin number for that account,' Mr Reid said. Dalwallinu resident Glen Jones said locals are frustrated with the bank, with many being refused cash despite pre-arranging the withdrawal. Instead, customers are being directed to a bank branch in Moora - a one-hour drive away from town. 'Someone like the footy club, they want to get cash out for a big function this weekend...they have to go to Moora to get the cash.' Mr Jones said. A teller at the Dalwallinu Bankwest branch (pictured) told Mrs Reid she was unable to withdraw $300 cash despite being the third customer of the day Locals are concerned the rural branch is preparing to close as it has refused cash withdrawals and cash deposits to several customers (stock picture) Mr Jones added the bank branch has also refused cash deposits, which has proven difficult for local businesses. 'The cafes, the roadhouses, the pubs... you can't deposit, they tell you to go and deposit at the post office, and sometimes it's not even open,' Mr Jones said. Locals fear Bankwest might be considering the complete closure of the branch, given the ongoing trend of major banks shutting down hundreds of regional branches. In a statement, a Bankwest spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia there was a 'miscommunication' due to an individual colleague error that prevented Mrs Reid from withdrawing cash. It added Bankwest did not have a policy limiting the number of customers able to withdraw cash from a branch, with withdrawal limits set at $3,00 per day per customer. While higher values require 48 hours' notice to ensure the bank had sufficient cash for the withdrawal. The statement also referred customers to the nearby post office for cash withdrawals. Bankwest also said that it 'does expect to operate fewer branches in the future' as 97 per cent of all transactions are made digitally and less than two per cent of customers are 'regular branch users'. However, it cannot speculate on the timeframe of future closures. Nearly 800 bank branches have closed in regional and rural Australia since June 2017, according to data from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority. Meanwhile, big banks continue to limit access to physical money, with NAB, ANZ and Commonwealth Bank opening 'cashless' branches. The major problems with Australia turning into a cashless society as many banks close branches or make them 'cashless' Australia is rushing towards becoming a cashless society but not everyone is ready to wave goodbye to physical currency - and there are good reasons why. The Covid pandemic supercharged a trend toward digital transatction that was already underway, with the use of digital wallet payments on smartphones and watches soaring from $746million in 2018 to more than $93billion in 2022. By the end of 2022 cash only accounted for 13 per cent of Australian consumer payments compared to 70 per cent in 2007. 'The shift towards a cashless society in Australia isn't just a possibility, it's already well underway,' RMIT Associate Professor in Finance Angel Zhong wrote recently in The Conversation. While Dr Zhong did not see banknotes disappearing completely, she believed they will become much rarer in day-to-day transactions. 'The functionally cashless society is where we enjoy the convenience of technology - we don't have to go out with a bunch of cash, we can use our phone and smartwatch to make payments,' she told Daily Mail Australia. As more Australians embrace the trend a growing number of retailers are only accepting digital payments. Major banks continue to close branches, shrink ATM numbers and are even opening 'cashless' branches, citing a customer preference for online services. However, going electronic has its own sets of risks and could badly disadvantage some sections of the population. Here are the 10 major concerns of going cashless. There are often hidden fees in electronic transactions although eftpos is not as costly as tap-and-go in this regard 1. It can leave out older Australians or others not digitally connected Dr Zhong said the strongest adopters of digital payments were Australians aged between 18 and 29. 'Two-thirds of them use digital wallets,' she said. However, many older Australians still preferred to pay in physical currency with almost one in five classified as a 'high-cash user'. Dr Zhong said as Australia needed provide 'better support for other age groups to embrace technology, better literacy about systems in technology as well as financial assistance' for those struggling with the transition to digital payments. Those on lower incomes and new migrants also typically rely more on cash. RMIT Associate Professor in Finance Angel Zhong says legislation in Australia is trailing behind developments in electronics payment 2. It relies on internet coverage and reliable connectivity Rural areas with slow internet can find digital transactions challenging. However a major Commonwealth Bank outage in July demonstrated the vulnerability of digital finance even in urban areas. Customers were left paralysed by the technical glitch and unable to access their accounts, transfer funds or use their cards to make purchases. Dr Zhong said governments needed to support investment in infrastructure that boosted internet coverage and speeds to smooth the way for the digital revolution. 3. Some areas of the cash economy will suffer Charity donations given on the street are dwindling because fewer people are carrying cash and the those who beg or busk for a living face the same problem, research conducted in 2020 found. 'While retailers and online merchants have benefited from cashless payment options, donation-seekers are left rattling an empty cup,' wrote University of Massachusetts' Spencer M. Ross and Auckland University of Technology's Sommer Kapitan. 'Aside from people carrying less cash, our research suggests another major reason is that people simply don't expect to see beggars or buskers with a swipe machine, or a QR code or Venmo symbol on their signs.' 4. 'Hidden' fees Digital transactions often attract a fee, which might not be obvious at the time of purchase. Warwick Ponder, the former executive manager of corporate affairs and communications at eftpos Payments Australia, told Daily Mail Australia that Paywave devices often levied a delayed credit surcharge. Mr Ponder advised customers to avoid tapping as much as possible, as there could be a significant period of time before the money deducted registers in their account. Banks also typically charge a higher fee for 'tap-and-go' purchases than for EFTPOS, with only cash attracting no extra cost. 5. Hacking and scams It is estimated that Australians lost more than $2billion to online scams in 2021 - but the true figure could be much higher due to many incidents going unreported. Major cybersecurity breaches of Optus and Medibank last year also highlighted the risk of identity theft online. UNSW Institute for Cyber-Security director Nigel Phair told Daily Mail Australia that the nation 'has to do a lot better when it comes to cyber-crime'. ' The Australian Cyber-Security Centre said they had about 63,000 reports (of scams) last year, I reckon that's about a fifth of what the actual number is. 'The ACCC had about $2billion in reported losses from scams. I reckon that's nowhere near the right amount.' 6. Lagging legislation Regulation of electronic payments often lags behind technological and market innovations. Google Pay and Apple Pay are currently not subject to the same rules as credit cards and EFTPOS transactions. Treasurer Jim Chalmers is updating legislation to change this. 'That payments Act is actually out of date,' Dr Zhong said. 'We need to regulate to ensure that we have an industry-wide standard to ensure that consumers' wellbeing and security are protected.' 7. Losing the value of money and less social interaction Finance commentator Sarah Wells told Daily Mail Australia that children won't learn the true value of money and miss out on crucial social interactions if all transactions become digital. 'I believe it is better for children to use cash,' Ms Wells said. 'Giving a child $20 and taking them to a shopping centre or the movies helps them to learn to budget and helps them to make decisions by thinking more carefully. 'There's a responsibility in handing over money and such valuable social interaction - they learn to say 'please' and 'thank you' and look people in the eye.' 8. Loss of independent spending power Ms Wells also warned that having 'a cash-starved society' could be bad news for those whose finances are being controlled or denied by someone else. Ms Wells said young women who were fleeing domestic violence needed to be kept in mind when regulating digital payments. Women in these circumstances risk being tracked by an abusive partner or being cut off from their finances. 'We need to make sure we are not compromising the safety, education and experience of minority groups and young minds in our endeavours to legislate contemporary payment platforms,' she said. 9. Your spending can be tracked The loss of anonymity and privacy is a major concern for many who oppose a 'cashless society'. A change.org petition created by Elizabeth Hynton which rails against the 'discrimination' faced by those who used cash has gathered more than 5000 signatures. 'Cash is private,' the petition states. 'When one pays via credit/debit card, the Government knows: what one spends their money on, how much they spend, where one spends their money and when the purchase was made, which is an invasion of privacy.' Dr Zhong agreed that the concerns were valid. '(With) anything digital there is always a vulnerability it will be tracked,' she said. Australia is rapidly going cashless with digital payments being enthusiastically adopted, especially by younger consumers 10. Loss of your and freedom of choice This is perhaps the over-riding concern of many who oppose the cashless society. The change.org petition argues that cash should always be an option. 'One of the hallmarks of a free society is freedom of choice ... not just what suits an organisation, but also what suits the customer!' the petition states. 'We can't go on forever using COVID as an excuse.' China presents a dystopian vision of how such control can be exercised, where people are subject to a social credit score that accrues or docks points depending on how desirable the individual's behaviour is according to the government. A bad social credit score can mean being blocked from buying items such as plane or train tickets. The Reserve Bank is currently examining the benefits of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) being introduced to to Australia, which would be a 'programmable' currency such as China's. Although the RBA has stated such a currency could improve the 'efficiency and resilience' of payments it said one was not likely to introduced any time soon. 'Given the many issues that are yet to be resolved, any decision on a CBDC in Australia is likely to be some years away,' the RBA said. Ex-Prime Minister Alexander Stubb has won the most votes in the first round of Finland's presidential election, with the small margin between him and runner-up Pekka Haavisto meaning they are headed for a runoff next month. The conservative politician, who quit Finnish politics in 2017 and vowed to never return, has been touted as a favourite in the race ahead of the leftist Green Party candidate, who is running as an independent. The vote comes amid escalating tensions with Finland's neighbour Russia, after the Nordic country became a NATO member and closed its eastern border - developments which were almost unthinkable a few years ago. Former prime minister Stubb won 27.1 per cent of votes, while the former foreign minister Haavisto secured 25.8 per cent, with more than 99 percent of votes counted, said election officials. Finnish public broadcaster YLE earlier projected that Stubb would win the first round of the presidential election with 27.3 per cent of the votes, while Haavisto, an ex-foreign minister, will take second place with 25.8 per cent. Alexander Stubb, right, and Social Movement candidate Pekka Haavisto Stubb, 55, and Haavisto, 65, were the main contenders in the election where about 4.5 million eligible voters picked a successor to hugely popular President Sauli Niinisto, whose second six-year term expires in March. He wasn't eligible for re-election. 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. The president also acts as the supreme commander of the Finnish military, a particularly important duty in Europe's current security environment. Polls across the country closed at 8pm (1800 GMT). About 4.5 million citizens were eligible to vote for Finland's new head of state from an array of nine candidates - six men and three women. 'I expect strong leadership in the current global situation,' said Eve Kinnunen, who voted in a polling station in the center of the capital, Helsinki. No candidate is expected get more than 50 per cent of the vote in Sunday's first round of voting, which would send the race into a runoff on Feb. 11. Stubb, who represents the conservative National Coalition Party and headed the Finnish government in 2014-2015, and veteran politician Haavisto, an ex-U.N. diplomat running for the post for the third time, were each estimated to garner 23-27 per cent of the votes. They are followed by parliamentary speaker and former leader of the far-right Finns Party Jussi Halla-aho with around 18 per cent. Bank of Finland governor and former EU commissioner Olli Rehn was expected to receive about a 14 per cent share of the votes. The result of the advance votes - by more than 40 per cent of eligible voters - was published soon after polls closed, showing Stubb taking the lead with 28.3 per cent of votes, followed by Haavisto with 25.8 per cent and Halla-aho with 16.2 per cent of votes. The three candidates with most preliminary votes, National Coalition presidential candidate Alexander Stubb, social movement presidential candidate Pekka Haavisto and the Finns Party presidential candidate Jussi Halla-aho Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, wife of National Coalition presidential candidate Alexander Stubb Suzanne Innes-Stubb, parliament member Anna-Kaisa Ikonen and campaign manager Susanna Rahkamo react to the result prediction Finland's new head of state will start a six-year term in March in a markedly different geopolitical and security situation in Europe than did incumbent Niinisto after the 2018 election. Abandoning decades of military nonalignment in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Finland became NATO's 31st member in April, much to the annoyance of President Vladimir Putin of Russia, which shares a 1,340-kilometer (832-mile) border with the Nordic nation. NATO membership, which has made Finland the Western military alliance's front-line country toward Russia, and the war raging in Ukraine a mere 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) away from Finland's border have boosted the president's status as a security policy leader. Voters queue to register to vote during the presidential elections at the Friisila school in Espoo, Finland, on the morning of election day Finland became Nato's 31st member in April, much to the annoyance of President Vladimir Putin, whose country shares an 832-mile (1,340km) border with the Nordic nation In line with consensus-prone Finnish politics, months of campaigning have proceeded smoothly among the candidates. They all agree on major foreign policy issues like Finland's future policies toward Russia, enhancing security cooperation with the United States and the need to continue helping Ukraine both militarily and with humanitarian assistance. Membership in the military alliance 'also means that NATO should have a new Arctic dimension, because NATO is then stronger in the Arctic area when both Finland and Sweden are members,' Haavisto told The Associated Press during his last campaign event at a music bar just outside Helsinki late Saturday. Recent polls suggest that former prime minister Alexander Stubb, 55 (pictured) and ex-foreign minister Pekka Haavisto, 65, are the leading contenders As foreign minister, Haavisto, a Green League member who is running as an independent candidate, signed Finland's historic accession treaty to NATO last year and played a key role in the membership process. Western neighbor Sweden is set to join NATO in the near future as the final holdout, Hungary, is expected to ratify Stockholm's bid by the end of February. Initial results from Sunday's voting were expected by around midnight (2200 GMT; 5 p.m. EST). The first round results will be officially confirmed on Tuesday. President Joe Biden vowed 'we shall respond' to a suicide drone strike that killed three U.S. service members in Jordan late on Saturday night. During a campaign stop at a church in Columbia, South Carolina, Biden held a moment of silence for those fallen and promised retaliation. 'We had a tough day last night in the Middle East. We lost three brave souls,' he told those gathered for his visit on Sunday. Earlier on Sunday, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) demanded Biden act swiftly and decisively to counterstrike against Iran after the suicide drone strike sparked widespread outrage. The Pentagon confirmed that the Saturday strike resulted in three soldiers' deaths and injured another 34. The top suspect remains Iran and its proxies. 'I am calling on the Biden Administration to strike targets of significance inside Iran, not only as reprisal for the killing of our forces, but as deterrence against future aggression,' the South Carolina senator wrote in a statement. 'The only thing the Iranian regime understands is force. Until they pay a price with their infrastructure and their personnel, the attacks on U.S. troops will continue.' Graham urged Biden: 'Hit Iran now. Hit them hard.' President Joe Biden told campaign stop attendees at a church in Columbia, South Carolina on Sunday that the U.S. 'shall respond' to the Iranian drone strike in Jordan that killed three U.S. troops The drone attack impacted a U.S. outpost located in the northeast part of the country known as Tower 42, near the Syria border, and resulted in at least 34 other injuries The drone attacks late Saturday were carried out on a base in the northeast part of Jordan, near the Syria border and is thought to be carried out by Iran, which is the main backer of Hezbollah. The suicide strike comes as conflict in the wartorn region continues to escalate, with the war between Israel and Hamas terrorists in Gaza still ongoing, and Iran currently exchanging airstrikes with U.S. ally Pakistan. House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul also blamed the Biden administration for being too weak on Iran and facilitating a foreign policy environment where they thought they could get away with it. 'Iran's proxies have launched over 150 attacks on US troops since October, as the Iran-backed Houthis attack global shipping, and Iran-backed Hezbollah and Hamas attack our ally Israel,' McCaul wrote. 'The Biden administration's failed Middle East policy has destroyed our deterrence against adversaries in the Middle East.' 'We need a major reset of our Middle East policy to protect our national security interests and restore deterrence.' Former President Donald Trump also released a statement on the tragedy. 'The drone attack on a U.S. Military Installation in Jordan, killing 3 American Servicemembers, and wounding many more, marks a horrible day for America,' Trump said. 'My most profound sympathies go to the Families of the Brave Servicemembers we have lost.' 'This brazen attack on the United States is yet another horrific and tragic consequence of Joe Biden's weakness and surrender,' he alleged, claiming Biden's policies have brought the U.S. to 'the brink of World War 3.' 'This terrible day is yet more proof that we need an immediate return to PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, so that there will be no more chaos, no more destruction, and no more loss of precious American lives. Our Country cannot survive with Joe Biden as Commander in Chief,' Trump wrote. Sen. Lindsey Graham demanded Biden: 'Hit Iran now. Hit them hard' Biden held a moment of silence at the Columbia church on Sunday, January 28 in memory of the three troops who died. 'We had a tough day last night in the Middle East. We lost three brave souls,' the president said Three American soldiers have been killed in suicide drone strike on a US base in Jordan, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Sunday. Pictured: Marines talk to their comrades on the ground during military maneuvers in the Middle Eastern Country, which borders Syria and Iraq President Biden on Sunday issued a statement mourning the loss of the slain service members - the latest casualty as the unrest in the Middle East persists. 'Today, America's heart is heavy,' Biden wrote, before confirming the strike on the small U.S. outpost known as Tower 42 had been successful. 'Last night, three U.S. service members were killed - and many wounded - during an unmanned aerial drone attack on our forces stationed in northeast Jordan near the Syria border,' Biden's statement notes. 'While we are still gathering the facts of this attack, we know it was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq.' He added how the three fallen soldiers 'embodied the very best of our nation' and declared they died 'risking their own safety for the safety of their fellow Americans, and our allies and partners with whom we stand in the fight against terrorism.' 'It is a fight we will not cease,' Biden, 81, proclaimed. While not identifying the militants responsible, the statement confirmed the strike was the work of anti-Western jihadists operating somewhere in the region. Both countries, as of Sunday, boast a bevy of Iran-aligned militias, including Hezbollah and several other Shia militant groups. As of Sunday morning, Iran - the main backer of anti-Israel group Hezbollah - and its proxies are the main suspects, officials said. Pictured: US Marines monitor Eager Lion multinational military maneuvers in Quweira, a city in Jordan located closer to Israel An outspoken enemy of both the US and Israel, Iran currently trains the Hezbollah militia group (seen here in Baghdad in 2019), which for years has sought to join the Palestinian cause. The group has not been named as responsible for Saturday's attack Since the Syrian War in 2011, Iran has also backed multiple Palestinian terror groups based in Gaza, and various terrorist groups in Bahrain and elsewhere across the Middle East. Since the war - which served to intensify Iranian economic, political, and religious operations in the country - Iran has openly used its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) to fund these terrorist organizations. In 2019, the nuclear-capable country acknowledged the involvement of the IRGC-QF in the Iraq and Syria conflicts, spurring the US to designate the Iranian army as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. Iran has also been known regional militant and proxy groups to achieve deniability in such strikes, as well as shield it from accountability for its destabilizing policies. The country is also currently embroiled in an artillery-laden game of chicken with its own neighbor in Pakistan, which is one of NATO's main allies in the Middle East. The country is also currently embroiled in an artillery-laden game of chicken with its own neighbor Pakistan, which is one of NATO's main allies in the Middle East. Pictured: Smoke billowing over the Iranian city Saravan last Thursday Both countries, as of Sunday, boast a bevy of Iran-aligned militias, including Hezbollah and several other Shia militant groups including the Houthi, seen here as Yemenis recently militarily trained by the movement hold their guns and chant slogans in an armed popular parade before heading to Israel in the Gaza Strip to fight on December 2 Just last week, Pakistan's air force launched retaliatory airstrikes on two alleged militant positions in Iran, days after an Iranian airstrike killed two children in their own country. The air attacks in Sistan and Baluchestan province killed at least seven - and added to tensions already present between the two nations and the region as a whole. They also added to a death toll in the Middle East that is well into the thousands since the conflict in Gaza broke out in October. A few weeks ago, Pakistan recalled its ambassador to Tehran because of Tuesday's strikes by Iran inside Pakistan's southwestern Baluchistan province. Iran claimed it targeted bases for a militant Sunni separatist group. It drew strong condemnation from Pakistan, which denounced the attack as a 'blatant violation' of its airspace and said it killed two children. If Marhamati's account of the casualties is correct, the country duplicated Pakistan's minor-killing offense at least two fold. As Iranians continue to assess the full scope of the attack, the war more than a thousand miles west in Israel continues to rage. Another 1,000 miles southwest, four fresh strikes were carried out by the US on Yemen, targeting anti-ship ballistic missiles used by another rebel group backed by Iran, the Houthi. Earlier in the month, shortly after Iran's attack on Pakistani soil, the group warned that British and American ships in the Red Sea have now become 'legitimate targets', given the state of the greater conflict The Houthis have since targeted ships in the region sporadically, with the attacks ramping up recently. Another 1,000 miles southwest, four fresh strikes were carried out by the US on Yemen , targeting anti-ship ballistic missiles used by the Houthis, another group backed by Iran that is against US involvement in the region Two weeks ago, shortly after Iran's attack on Pakistani soil (seen here), the Iran-backed group warned that British and American ships in the Red Sea have now become 'legitimate targets', following joint strikes against military sites run by another group backed by Iran, the Houthis The string of incidents have fueled concerns about the danger of the Israeli offensive sparking a wider conflict and a simultaneous rise in gas prices, as it is also one of the most important routes for oil and liquefied natural gas shipments in the Middle East In response, the US launched Operation Prosperity Guardian - an international coalition to safeguard the region, with many other countries, including Spain and the UK, taking part. A reported 1,200 commercial ships have passed through the sea since the operation was launched on December, with none hit by drone or missile strikes until the first phase of the Sunday strike, when militants attacked the Hangzhou with several missiles. US Navy Vice Admiral Brad Cooper on Friday had already warned that even with the taskforce, the Houthis do not seem set on ending their 'reckless' attacks, after targeting more than 100 ships in the Red Sea since November. The Sunday attack shows the group's continued resolve to support Hamas, which Israel recently pledged to continue to try to eradicate. The incidents have fueled concerns about the danger of the Israeli offensive sparking a wider conflict and a simultaneous rise in gas prices, as it is also one of the most important routes for oil and liquefied natural gas shipments in the Middle East. DailyMail.com has reached out to the Navy for comment. Meanwhile, on Sunday the official representative of the Jordanian Cabinet of Ministers denied that the Saturday strike occurred in the country at all, saying it instead happened at a well-known US military base at Tanf in Syria, not on Jordanian territory. The US has yet to confirm those claims, but has issued statements citing American intelligence that indicate otherwise. The military branches the soldiers belonged to, as of Sunday, have yet to be specified. The US Navy has lowered its education requirements, and is starting to enlist individuals who didn't graduate from high school. Those joining the ranks won't have to have a high school diploma or General Educational Development diploma - marking the second time in about a year the service has opened the door to lower-performing recruits as it struggles to meet enlistment goals. The decision follows a move in December 2022 to bring in a larger number of recruits who score very low on the Armed Services Qualification Test. Both are fairly rare steps that the other military services largely avoid or limit, even though they are all finding it increasingly difficult to attract the dwindling number of young people who can meet the military's physical, mental and moral standards. Those joining the ranks won't have to have a high school diploma or General Educational Development diploma - marking the second time in about a year the service has opened the door to lower-performing recruits as it struggles to meet enlistment goals 'We get thousands of people into our recruiting stations every year that want to join the Navy but do not have an education credential. And we just turn them away,' said Vice Adm. Rick Cheeseman, the Navy's chief of personnel Under the new plan, Navy recruits without an education credential will be able to join as long as they score 50 or above on the qualification test, which is out of 99. The last time the service took individuals without education credentials was in 2000. 'We get thousands of people into our recruiting stations every year that want to join the Navy but do not have an education credential. And we just turn them away,' said Vice Adm. Rick Cheeseman, the Navy's chief of personnel, on Friday. 'We get thousands of people into our recruiting stations every year that want to join the Navy but do not have an education credential. And we just turn them away.' Last year, the Navy's enlistment goal was 37,700, but the service brought in just 31,834. This year, Cheeseman said, he set the goal higher at 40,600. The total size of the Navy for 2024 is set at 337,800. The United States also entered 2024 with its smallest military in more than eight decades and faces one of its 'greatest challenges' as it tries to boost recruiting from Gen Z, Pentagon officials said. Under the $886 billion annual defense bill passed by Congress this week total active-duty troop numbers will fall to 1,284,500 this year. That is the lowest total since before the U.S. entered the Second World War in 1941 and officials said there should be a 'national call to service'. Cheeseman added: 'I need these sailors. So it's a stretch goal. We're telling our recruiters to go get 40,600 people to join the Navy. We don't fully expect to get that many. But we're going for it.' The other services have largely balked at such changes. The Navy is the only service that enlists anyone considered a 'category four' recruit, meaning they scored 30 or less on the qualification test. Under the new plan, Navy recruits without an education credential will be able to join as long as they score 50 or above on the qualification test, which is out of 99 The United States also entered 2024 with its smallest military in more than eight decades and faces one of its 'greatest challenges' as it tries to boost recruiting from Gen Z, Pentagon officials said The service expanded the number of those category four recruits arguing that a number of jobs such as cook or boatswain mate don't require an overall high test score, as long as they meet the job standards. The Army will only take those lowest scoring candidates into their so-called Future Soldier Prep Course, which gives them weeks of instruction and the opportunity to increase their score in order to make the grade and enlist. The Navy allows low-scoring recruits to go through its Future Sailor Prep Course but doesn't require an increased score to enlist. In addition, the Army and Marine Corps require a high school diploma or GED equivalent, and the Air Force said it will only take recruits without a diploma if they score a 65 or higher on the qualification test. Those numbers are very small just 110 of the nearly 26,900 Air Force recruits brought in last year, either had a GED or no education credential at all. The Navy allows low-scoring recruits to go through its Future Sailor Prep Course but doesn't require an increased score to enlist Other services cite concerns that lower-performing recruits may be more likely to wash out of boot camp or could present more disciplinary problems over time. Cheeseman said he believes the biggest risk is that they do fail boot camp at higher rates, but he said the difference hasn't been significant so far for the low-scoring recruits brought in last year. Overall, 11.4 percent of those recruits didn't finish boot camp, compared to less than 6.5% of the high-scoring sailors. He said Navy leaders had been talking about opening up enlistment to those without high school credentials for a while in an effort to expand the pool of potential sailors. 'We just finally decided, okay, let's go. My, argument for accepting that risk is that we have capacity of boot camp. We're not filling the seats. So I'm willing to take a risk.' This comes in the wake of the Navy's decision to hire a drag performer to be its digital ambassador. Yeoman 2nd Class Joshua Kelley, whose stage name is Harpy Daniels, announced on TikTok that he would be the Navy's first 'digital ambassador' Yeoman 2nd Class Joshua Kelley, whose stage name is Harpy Daniels, announced on TikTok in November 2022 that he would be the Navy's first 'digital ambassador,' highlighting his journey from performing on board beginning in 2018 and growing to become an 'advocate' for those who 'were oppressed for years in the service.' Kelley, who identifies as non-binary, was one of just five active sailors to participate as 'digital ambassadors' for the Navy in its 'efforts to reach a wide range of potential candidates.' None of the digital ambassadors were paid, the spokesperson said, and no promotional or recruiting materials with the ambassadors exist. Kelley said he began dressing in drag and performing in shows years before he joined the Navy, drawing on inspiration from the queens on RuPaul's Drag Race which he started watching at the age of 16. The officer insists he never experienced harassment in the Navy, but when he was scheduled to perform at a diversity, equity and inclusion event at Langley Joint Air Force Base in the summer of 2022, it 'caused an uproar to many conservatives and Christian extremists.' A man and woman have been charged after a a supermarket employee was allegedly stabbed while trying to prevent shoplifters from leaving the store in north west of Sydney. Emergency services rushed to IGA supermarket on Garfield Road in Riverstone, 48km north west of Sydney, at about 4.15pm on Sunday following reports a man had been stabbed. Police arrived within minutes and found a 47-year-old IGA employee with stab wounds to his side and chest. The man was rushed into surgery at Westmead Hospital and remains in a stable condition. Police seized a knife at the scene, which has since been sent for forensic examination. A man and woman have been charged after a 47-year-old male (pictured) employee at IGA supermarket in Riverstone, was allegedly stabbed while trying to prevent shoplifters from leaving A 31-year-old man and 21-year-old woman were arrested and taken to Riverstone Police Station for questioning. The man was charged with one count of wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, while the woman was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and larceny. Police will allege in court the staff member was stabbed and a second employee punched in the face when they tried to stop the two suspects from shoplifting. The man, who is from Fairfield East, and woman, from Wetherill Park, were refused bail overnight and are due to face Blacktown Local Court on Monday. Greene County is introducing a new mass communications system for emergency notifications that can be sent directly to mobile phones. The new system, CivicReady, will be replacing the countys current system, CodeRed, this coming February. CivicReady is a free opt-in communications service that allows users to customize their notification preferences and will allow non-emergency information to be sent to those who subscribe based on their choices, the county said in a statement announcing the transition. Users will be able to choose their preferred language to receive alerts and the type of messages they prefer. Greene County residents, visitors, businesses and employees are encouraged to opt in to the system. The ability to notify residents in an emergency is only as good as the database of numbers, the county said. Its especially important that residents include cell phones as a means for communication to receive alerts no matter where you are within the community. Additionally, many people only have cell phones for communication, therefore linking it to your home address is vitally important in case of address-specific emergency alerts. Those interested can sign up online at https://shorturl.at/bmrTW. In addition to emergency notifications, users can subscribe to receive nonemergency information from the county government, sheriffs office, water and sewer authority, parks department and registrars office. Those interested in receiving only emergency text messages can simply text GCVA to 38276. We are proud to be partnering with CivicReady, Melissa Meador, the countys director of emergency services, said in a statement. The system will certainly enhance public safety efforts within Greene County by conveying important information to our citizens in the event of an impending or occurring emergency. We highly encourage everyone to sign up. This new system is part of an overhaul of the entire Greene County government website which the county says will improve transparency and communications with the public. Once the website is fully updated, emergency alerts will also feature on its front page. Julia didn't want any of her five children to donate their organs but Eileen did it anyway The 'incredibly rare' procedures turned out great and her mother, Julia Harlin, is now in good health A selfless daughter donated her liver and kidney to her sick mother in two separate surgeries and said that she knows her mother would have done the same for her. Eileen Harlin, 39, decided to donate a portion of her liver in August 2022 to her mother Julia Harlin, 71, after she was diagnosed with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis cirrhosis. In December, Eileen stepped up again and gave her mother one of her kidneys after her mom was faced with kidney failure. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis cirrhosis is a serious type of liver disease that makes the liver swell due to fatty deposits. Kidney failure occurs when one or both kidneys can no longer function on their own. 'And then all of a sudden, my body was attacking my kidney and Eileen stepped up and gave me her kidney too. She's a good girl,' Julia told WBALTV. Eileen Harlin, 39, decided to donate a portion of her liver and one of her kidney's to her mother Julia Harlin, 71. Both the mother and daughter have healed well and are healthy Julia and Eileen are seen at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore as they sit in their hospital gowns and get chocked up about their 'incredibly rare' outcome When Julia was first diagnosed with her liver disease, her only chance for survival was to undergo a liver transplant- something she would have had to wait months or years to receive. 'They basically told me, it would probably be at least five years, if not longer, before I would get the transplant,' the mother said in an interview on Good Morning America. With five children of her own, Julia insisted that she didn't want any of them to become her donor 'because then I would be worrying about them on top of worrying about myself.' Eileen looked into the organ donor process without her mother's knowledge, along with two of her siblings. After running tests, Eileen was told she was indeed a match to Julia, and gifted the amazing news to her on Mother's Day. 'I said, "Hey, don't get mad. For the past few months, I've been getting tested to see if I'm a match. And I am, and I want to do it,' Eileen told her mother who instantly became emotional. The liver transport was done at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, but Julia was only in the clear for a little while before she got ill again. In August 2022, Julia was diagnosed with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis cirrhosis, and in December she was faced with kidney failure Julia is seen with her grandchildren The mother's kidneys started to fail as a result of hepatorenal syndrome, a condition that typically occurs in patients with acute or chronic liver disease, according to the National Institutes of Health. Eileen said 'I think we were all in shock,' as her mother now had to have a kidney transplant to survive. 'I think I started to crying, again, I like I couldn't believe I had to go through that again,' Julia said. Her daughter then went through the same process she did before, and to the family and doctor's amazement she was once again a perfect match for her mother. Medical experts have gone on to call the mother and daughter's medical journey 'incredibly rare' as Dr. Daniel Maluf, a transplant surgeon from the hospital told WBALTV that there have only been 10 to 12 dual-living donor transplants 'since transplant started.' 'Liver transplant has become much better, and the patient feel comfortable donating the kidney too,' Maluf added. The surgeon went on to acknowledge Eileen for being 'completely selfless' and called her 'the real hero of this story.' Eileen is seen in a hospital bed as she recovered from her second transplant surgery that she did for her mother 'I know my mom and how much she wants to live another 20 something years to see all her grandchildren get married and graduate and everything like that,' Eileen said After the second surgery, Julia experienced normal kidney function and both of them recovered quickly and were able to return home two to three days after the procedure. 'She would do anything for anybody, really...if I call Eileen, it doesn't matter what time it is, she's in the car from Pennsylvania, and she's coming,' Julia said. Eileen went on to praise the doctors and medical staff at the University of Maryland Medical Center and said that 'they were there every step of the way.' 'I know my mom and how much she wants to live another 20 something years to see all her grandchildren get married and graduate and everything like that. And I know that she would do it for me.' Eileen said. The two boys who were stabbed to death by 'a number' of knifemen in Bristol on Saturday night have been named locally as Max Dixon, 16, and Mason Rist, 15. Police have launched a murder inquiry and have vowed to 'leave no stone unturned' in the hunt for further suspects after the killings on Ilminster Avenue, Knowle West. Two arrests have been made - a 44-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy, who remain in police custody. A vehicle has also been seized as police continue their enquiries. Tributes were left for the teenagers at a vigil in their memory this evening, where a heartbroken local told how she held one of the victims in her lap as emergency services raced to the scene. Parents and children were among some 150 people who gathered to pay their respects, with mourners lighting candles and laying flowers with messages remembering Max and Mason and expressing sympathy to their loved ones. Friends and members of the local community left floral tributes and notes to Max and Mason One message remembers Max as 'the loveliest boy' and said he 'will most definitely never be forgotten' Tributes were left for the teenagers at a vigil in their memory this evening after the stabbings on Saturday night Dozens gathered to pay their respects to the two teenage boys who lost their lives on Saturday night Children were among those attending the vigil in memory of the two boys, and a minute's silence was held Two youngsters were seen lighting candles at the vigil for the victims of Saturday night's knife attack A little girl was among those who left floral tributes to the two teenage boys who lost their lives Avon and Somerset Police have launched a murder investigation after two teenage boys were discovered with fatal stab wounds on Ilminster Avenue in south Bristol last night Local school Oasis Academy Connaught, which is a short walk from the scene of the tragedy, said it would be supporting the community as well as pupils on Monday following the weekend's events. 'Many of you will have heard of the tragic event that happened last night in our community. Our love goes out to all,' the elementary school said in a statement on Facebook. 'We will make sure your children have their adults available to talk to in school if and when they need them. 'Please look after each other and those who are in need at this sad time.' On Sunday night, dozens gathered on Newquay Road, near the scene of the double stabbing, with many expressing their anger and sadness at the apparent increase in violent crime. A message on one card remembered Max as 'the loveliest boy' and said he 'will most definitely never be forgotten'. Another person said their 'heart is broken' and that they would never forget Max's 'cheeky smile'. Julie O'Reilly was among those in attendance - and revealed she witnessed the immediate aftermath. Visibly shaken, she said: 'I was there. I went out to the young chap on the floor - I went out to him. I had his head on my lap. 'Trying to tell him: 'Stay with us, stay with us - we've got help coming'. That was last night. '[Today has been] awful. I can't get it out of my head. He was a good boy.' Flowers were laid in the area near to the scene where the stabbing took place in Knowle West One of those in attendance urged parents to be vigilant to prevent their youngsters from getting caught up in knife crime Some 150 people gathered at the vigil, laying flowers and lighting candles as well as observing a minute's silence People take part in a vigil near to the scene in south Bristol where two teenage boys, aged 15 and 16, died after a stabbing attack A police community support officer during a vigil near to the scene in south Bristol Residents of Knowle West in Bristol light candles after two children were stabbed to death People clutch flowers as they listen to speakers during the emotional vigil in south Bristol Another local, Rianne, said she woke up to the news. She said: 'It's shocking, really sad - but you're expecting to wake up to something these days. 'I don't know the families - I'm in the community, but I don't know the families. 'But I've got kids myself. I've just been in a right state. My kids have got to grow up around here.' The vigil was organised on social media this afternoon. One of those in attendance urged parents to be vigilant to prevent their youngsters from getting caught up in knife crime. 'We need to stand up now, as a community, as a city. We need to stand up and we are not going to put up with this. No child should be on our streets with a knife, they have no reason,' she said in video recorded at the scene 'Go home, search your children's room. Anything you find, get it out of the room and stand together. 'Don't be frightened to look for help. Don't let your children come in with new clothes, new trainers, and you don't know where they're from. They are being groomed, get them off the street. 'We need to work together as a community, we need to bang on doors. We need funding, we need our kids off the streets.' Police scrambled to the scene 'within minutes' of a call to an address on Ilminster Avenue, in Knowle West, at around 11.20pm yesterday. Police carried out first aid at the scene before the two boys were rushed to hospital by ambulance after sustaining fatal stab wounds. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that the boys had been attacked by 'a number of people' who fled from the scene in a car. The teenagers sadly died at Southmead Hospital and Bristol Royal Hospital for Children in the early hours of Sunday morning, with the boys' families by their side. Police arrived scrambled to the scene 'within minutes' of a call to an address on Ilminster Avenue, in Knowle West, at around 11.20pm yesterday where two teenagers were discovered Forensic investigators at the scene in south Bristol where two teenage boys, aged 15 and 16, died after the horrific attack Police have launched a murder investigation, which is being led by the force's Major Crime Investigation Team. A heavy police presence remains at the scene with house-to-house enquiries underway and CCTV and doorbell footage being gathered by investigating officers. Forensic officers could also be seen combing the street this afternoon. Police say it is not yet clear at this stage what the motive was behind the attack or if the attackers and victims were known to each other. Neither boy has yet been formally identified and post-mortem examinations will be carried out in due course. In a press conference on Ilminster Avenue this afternoon, Bristol Commander Superintendent Mark Runacers said that boys' families had been made aware of the two arrests, and are being supported by specially trained family liaison officers. He told reporters: 'The boys' families were with them at hospital and our thoughts are with them as they process these awful events'. He added: 'I'd like to reassure people that we will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to catch those responsible for this reprehensible attack, and provide answers to the victims' families. 'We are in the early stages of our enquiry but we have already identified a number of witnesses who we will be taking statements from'. Further suspects are 'being sought' amongst the group believed to be responsible, he said. He urged anyone who has any information to come forward to either the police or Crimestoppers anonymously 'as soon as possible'. Detectives are particularly keen to speak with passengers on a double-decker bus which was on Ilminster Avenue at the time of attack, and remains at the scene. It's not believe anyone involved in the incident was on or got off the bus, Supt Runacres said. A mobile police station has been setup near the scene where a large cordon remains in place on Ilminster Avenue, between Newquay Road and Tavistock Road. CCTV cameras are dotted around the area - including one at the junction between Newquay Road and Ilminster Avenue. A worker in a shop on Newquay Road said the cameras were a sign of problems. A cordon is in place on Ilminster Avenue between Newquay Road and Tavistock Road, and members of the public can expect to see a large police presence He said: 'This area's been hit [bad] for donkey's years. Two young kids this time. 'You tell me any other street in the UK that needs two cameras either side of it?' Locals in Knowle West said the violence had left them feeling 'panicked' and unsafe. One man, who did not want to be named, said: 'I have two kids. My daughter is 23. My son is 15. 'Have a think about how I feel as a father? I feel so bad and panicked. 'My son is 15 - I can't believe it. I thought it was a joke at first. How is this possible in 2024? 'This is the problem. I don't feel safe with my kids here.' A woman who arrived at the cordon claimed her neighbour's son was one of the teenagers who died. The resident, who also did not want to be named, said: 'It was my next door neighbour's son - right outside my house last night. 'No one's seen my neighbour, which is understandable.' She refused to give further details. A heavy police presence remains at forensic investigators comb the streets for evidence High-visibility patrols will also be carried out to provide reassurance to the community Supt Mark Runacres said: 'This is an incredibly shocking and tragic incident where two young boys, who had their whole lives ahead of them, have sadly died. 'Our collective thoughts are with their families at what is undoubtedly a very difficult time. Specialist family liaison officers will now be assigned to the families to provide them with support and keep them updated on the investigation. 'A cordon is in place on Ilminster Avenue between Newquay Road and Tavistock Road, and members of the public can expect to see a large police presence as forensic searches and other enquiries are conducted. 'There are a significant number of properties within the cordon and we would like to apologise for the disruption caused, but we hope people understand the importance of the work being carried out. 'House-to-house enquiries are underway and CCTV and doorbell footage continues to be gathered. 'We have also identified several witnesses who we will be taking statements from. Detectives are particularly keen to speak with passengers on a bus which was on Ilminster Avenue at the time of the incident. A cordon remains on Ilminster Avenue between Newquay Road and Tavistock Road Members of the public can expect to see a large police presence as forensic searches and other enquiries are conducted 'The neighbourhood policing team will be setting up a mobile police station near the scene. We encourage anyone with any concerns or questions to speak to any of the officers. High-visibility patrols will also be carried out to provide reassurance to the community.' He added: 'It is extremely important there should be no commentary or sharing of information or images online which could in any way prejudice and any future proceedings. 'It can be an offence to identify anyone who witnessed all or part of the incident as well as those who have been arrested. 'I'd also like to remind people of the impact the sharing of images, footage or even discussing the incident online may have on the families of the two boys. They are already going through the most difficult of times and you may cause them further upset.' Avon and Somerset Police added that 'tragedies such as this are a stark reminder of the awful consequences of knife crime'. The force added: 'Reducing knife crime is one of our key priorities as a police service, it's something we work all year round tackling'. Anyone with information about the incident or with any relevant footage, has been asked to contact 101 and quote reference 5224023382. A teenage girl who died in an Australia Day boat crash had only moved Down Under from the UK with her family seven years ago. Michael and Laura Davey-Sutherland migrated from Corby, a steel works town 167km north of London, in 2017 to start a new life in Sydney with their children, Darcy, Zayn, and Will. But their Australian dreams were shattered on Friday when their oldest child and only daughter, Darcy, 16, was tragically killed when two tinnies collided just after 10.15am near Grays Point, in the city's south. Darcy, who was a passenger in one of the boats and wearing a lifejacket, was flung into the water facedown, with witnesses rushing over and bringing her back to shore. There, paramedics frantically tried to revive the teenager before racing her to Kogarah's St George Hospital in south-east Sydney, where she later died. A tight-knit community is in mourning for 16-year-old Darcy Sutherland (pictured) Speaking to the Northamptonshire Telegraph, Darcy's father said she attended Woodnewton School before the family moved when he was offered a job opportunity in Australia. Paying tribute to his daughter, Mr Davey-Sutherland described her as a 'beautiful soul, so full of life and love'. '[She was] a friend to so many and the beacon of light within our family spanning both the UK and Australia,' he said. 'A wonderful older sister to her two brothers and an angel of a daughter, it's impossible to comprehend life without her in it. 'She was about to embark on the most special part of life as she stepped into adulthood. Words cannot describe the pain we feel at the moment.' Mr Davey-Sutherland added that the family are 'deeply grateful' for the love and support they have received over the past few days as they try to 'piece together what feels like shattered lives'. Darcy's maternal uncle Rob Matthew said his sister just happened to be visiting the family in Australia at the time of the tragedy and was able to looks after Zayn and Will while Mr and Mrs Davey-Sutherland rushed to the scene of the crash. He said his sister was getting ready to fly back to the UK when she got the call to say there had been an accident. Mr Matthew said it had been hard for the family being so far away from relatives, but the local community have been rallying to support the Davey-Sutherland since the tragedy. Darcy has been remembered as an 'angel' and 'wonderful older sister' to her two younger brothers A GoFundMe page set up by a family friend has raised more than $44,000 - smashing the $10,000 goal. Mr Matthew said the family are still waiting for answers about how exactly Darcy died, with police still investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. The boats were seized for examination and the boats' drivers - two boys, both aged 16 - were taken to St George Hospital for mandatory testing. READ MORE: Fisherman Tye Smith found dead after boating accident off Dampier, WA Advertisement Scott Edwards was on a boat with his wife, sister-in-law, and her partner when the accident happened nearby. His sister-in-law's partner saw the collision and the group raced over - becoming the first bystanders on the scene. 'He saw her ejected from the boat, the impact was very loud,' he said. 'When I turned around, we saw her facedown in the water. One of the kids in the other boat dove in to grab her and her her over. We got there about 40 seconds later and I dove in [the water] while my brother-in-law was on the phone to emergency services. 'It looks as though the boat has hit her and knocked her out a split second before impacting the boat.' Mr Edwards said he was still struggling to come to terms with the tragedy. 'It was extremely tough to see,' he said. 'I did everything I could to try and save her life.' Despite speculation online that speed may have been a factor in the accident, Mr Edwards said that was not the case at all. 'Neither of the boats involved were speeding or hooning. Maybe just not paying attention,' he said. '[It was] just a tragic accident. Distressed bystanders were seen embracing as police spoke to witnesses following the crash The two tinnies (pictured) collided in Grays Point on Friday morning 'My heart goes out to Darcy's family.' Meanwhile, Darcy's younger brother Zayn has led tributes to the beloved teenager as friends flock to Ms Sutherland's TikTok page to offer the family their condolences. 'God bless u sis,' Zayn wrote, alongside a heart emoji, in the comment section of her most recent video. Ms Sutherland's cousin Finley Docherty shared a video featuring photos of the pair together when they were younger. He described her as the 'best cousin in the world' and said she would 'forever be in my heart'. 'I don't want to say goodbye because this one means forever,' the video script read. 'Now you're in the stars, six feet has never felt so far.' Friend Amelie said Ms Sutherland always looked out for her. 'I will never forget the times you have helped me,' she wrote. 'I will love you forever and ever. Rest in peace my beautiful girl.' 'Always gonna be the most beautiful,' another friend wrote. 'I am heartbroken for this beautiful girl gone too soon,' one wrote. 'I pray for your family to find the strength to live with their forever broken heart, keeping your memory alive. Rest beautiful girl.' A report will be prepared for the coroner. Labor MPs and unions are pushing for another major tax tweak in the wake of Anthony Albanese's controversial back-flip on stage three cuts. There are growing calls among Labor MPs for more immediate cost-of-living relief and also support for revisiting Labor's negative gearing policies. Negative gearing is when the cost of owning a rental property outweighs the income it generates, creating a taxable loss which can be offset against other income. For example, if someone rents out an investment property for $20,000 a year but they pay $30,000 in interest on their mortgage they can essentially subtract $10,000 from their salary and only pay tax on what remains. There are growing calls among Labor MPs for more immediate cost-of-living relief and also support for revisiting Labor's negative gearing policies (pictured: prime minister Anthony Albanese) One Labor MP said there was broad support in the party for making legislative changes to negative gearing as members are concerned it unfairly benefits older generations (stock image) Negative gearing benefits investors looking to expand their property portfolio rather than first-time buyers. One Labor MP said there was broad support in the party for making legislative changes to negative gearing as members are concerned it unfairly benefits older generations. 'It should not be easier to buy your second and third house than to buy your first,' the anonymous MP told The Australian. However, another MP cautioned that it could only happen after the next election so that Labor would have a mandate for it. 'One broken promise is enough for one term,' the MP told the paper. Last week Labor MPs gave their unanimous support to a decision to halve the promised stage three tax cuts to Australians earning over $180,000 in favour of a boost to lower earners (pictured: Treasurer Jim Chalmers) Anthony Albanese pledged at least 36 times during the election he would make no changes to the legislated cuts introduced by the Morrison government. But last week Labor MPs gave their unanimous support to a decision to halve the benefit to Australians earning over $180,000 in favour of a boost to lower earners. The major backflip has triggered heavy criticism, with Labor's trustworthiness called into question. But Mr Albanese has defended the decision, claiming his changes will give more help to 'middle' Australia' while still delivering a tax cut for 'all Australians'. Treasurer Jim Chalmers also poured cold water on any hopes Labor would tackle negative gearing at a press conference on Monday morning. 'We're not contemplating or considering resurrecting the policies that we took to the 2019 election,' Mr Chalmers said. 'Our focus when it comes to tax and housing has been on incentivising build to rent properties with the tax breaks that I budgeted for in the May budget. 'So we haven't changed our view we have changed our view on income tax cuts because we found a better way to give a bigger tax cut to more people to help with the cost of living.' The Treasurer was also asked on whether he was prepared to break promises made to the Australian public if "a better way" is found on other policies. Meanwhile, Labor MPs and unions are calling for more immediate cost-of-living support as the stage three cuts won't kick in until July. Electrical Trades Union national secretary Michael Wright said the 'No.1 item' to alleviate cost-of-living pressures was to provide help with electricity costs. This position was reportedly supported by Labor MP Brian Mitchell who called for an an extension to the governments energy bill relief package. Mike Freelander, the Labor MP for the south-west Sydney seat of Macarthur, told The Australian people in his electorate were struggling with transprot and medical bills. 'The pressure on medical costs is also very large as we approach the 40th anniversary of Medicare and more needs to be done to improve peoples access to primary care,' Mr Freelander said. 'A big factor in outer metropolitan areas like mine are travel costs and Id really like something to be done there. 'Its a killer, it really does cost thousands of dollars each year.' A two-year-old British boy is believed to have become the youngest person to reach Everest base camp. Carter Dallas 'climbed' to the south site in Nepal - located 17,598ft above sea level - on October 25. He completed the trek on his father Ross' back, with his mother Jade, 31, alongside. The trio, from Glasgow, are on a year-long trip around Asia. It's thought a four-year-old from the Czech Republic held the previous base camp record. Ross, a former senior sales manager, said of the Everest hike: 'Carter coped better than me and his mum. Carter Dallas (pictured, left) 'climbed' to the south site in Nepal - located 17,598ft above sea level - on October 25 He completed the trek on dad Ross' back, with mum Jade, 31, alongside Ross, 35, says he believes they were well prepared for the trip as they regularly practice 'breathing techniques' and they all do cold ice bath plunges 'We both got slight altitude sickness but he was absolutely fine! 'There were two medics at the villages before base camp and they tested his blood to check he was fine, his results were way better than ours - they were amazed!' 'We bought food jackets, and two sleeping bags for the trek - we basically did it on a whim. 'Within 24 hours of touching down in Kathmandu we started the trek.' Ross, 35, says he believes they were well prepared for the trip as they regularly practice 'breathing techniques' and they all do cold ice bath plunges - including Carter. Carter Dallas, 2, in a sleeping bag during his families trek around South East Asia Ross, Carter and Jade at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in Sri Lanka during his year-long tour of the continent The Dallas family at the Nine Arches Bridge in Sri Lanka The Dallas family have travelled across Asia including to Malaysia, Singapore and Sri Lanka Ross and Carter have fun on a beach in the Maldives after visiting India The parents did the trek in their normal everyday trainers, with Carter strapped to Ross' back. Ross and Jade, a former housing officer, rented out their house in Scotland and bought three one-way tickets for a year of travelling in August 2023. They flew to India before visiting Sri Lanka and the Maldives, with trips back to India in between. They then went to Nepal before going to Malaysia for a wedding. After that they went to Singapore where they spent Carters' birthday at Universal Studios. They then spent Christmas in Penang before crossing the border into Thailand. Ross, Carter and Jade on the Everest trail - medics checked little Carter and reported him to be coping well with the altitude Ross and Carter Dallas at Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal They spent the new year on the Thai island of Koh Lanta. They are currently in the jungle at a Thai nature reserve in Khao Sok, with their next stop Bangkok and then onto Cambodia. Ross says Carter has lapped up all different cultures and is absolutely loving it. He said: 'He'll say 'sawadika' and 'namaste' - he's picking up the lingo. 'We love that he has been exposed to different cultures and has been playing with all the kids in small villages, it's really opening his mind up. 'The one thing he's loved the most is hearing the Islamic call to prayer!' The Dallas family at Jatayu Earth's Center in India - Ross says Carter has lapped up all different cultures and is absolutely loving it Ross, Jade and Carter Dallas at Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal Carter has also developed a taste for exotic foods and has enjoyed eating fish curries in the Maldives and chicken feet in Malaysia - and even crocodile. But his favourite dish of all is Pad thai. The family say the trip highlights so far have been visiting an elephant orphanage and bathing with them, seeing the Taj Mahal and swimming with sharks in the Maldives. Ross said: 'We hope we can inspire other people to go out and see the real world. 'It's way better than just going to Tenerife.' A beautician throttled a businesswoman in a bungled attack mistakenly believing she was complicit in child abuse. Natalie Shelley, 37, 'lost all grip of reality' and burst into the 500,000 home of her neighbour and friend Celine Woodfield, 35. She had initially called police in the unfounded belief that the events manager was involved in child abuse allegations together with her former partner. Despite being told an officer would call her back she took the law into her own hands and decided to confront Ms Woodfield. Shelley, who was described as usually gentle, placid, and loving choked her until she could barely breathe and grabbed her hair and 'yanked' her head up and down before being pulled away by a third person. Celine Woodfield (pictured) said her life has been 'completely changed' since the traumatising incident Ms Woodfield was not injured but was so traumatised she left her four-bed house in Hartford, near Northwich in Cheshire, and later sold up. No charges have been brought against her or her former partner in relation to the alleged abuse and there is no suggestion she was ever under investigation. In a statement Ms Woodfield, whose firm specialises in events for corporate clients in Monaco, said: 'My day-to-day life has been completely changed since this incident, with my mental health taking a considerable toll. 'My anxiety levels have shot through the roof to a level which I have never experienced before, and I have been feeling paranoid about any further problems which Natalie may cause me.' Shelley, who runs a cosmetics business which offers nail and eyelash treatments and tattoo treatment for cancer sufferers, admitted assault and non-fatal strangulation. She wept as she was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, along with 200 hours of unpaid work and 15 days of rehabilitation activity. She was also banned from contacting Ms Woodfield for ten years under the terms of a restraining order. Her not guilty plea to a charge of using violence to secure entry to a premises was accepted. Chester Crown Court was told the incident happened last June 29 after Shelley learnt Ms Woodfield's former partner was being investigated over allegations of sex abuse against two children. At Chester Crown Court (pictured), Shelley was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, along with 200 hours of unpaid work and 15 days of rehabilitation activity Until then the women had enjoyed a very close relationship, said Jayne Morris, prosecuting. But that evening Ms Woodfield heard 'a loud knock at the door' and saw Shelley with 'a crazy look on her face' pushing her way in and shouting: 'Rape!' Ms Morris added: 'Ms Woodfield thought if she spoke to the defendant she might calm her down, but instead the defendant pushed her into the kitchen and grabbed her neck with both hands. 'She squeezed tightly and pushed her back towards the kitchen worktop near the sink. 'The defendant was shouting at her continuously and grabbed her throat for about 30 seconds. 'She says she felt like she could not breathe and when the defendant did let go, she grabbed Ms Woodfield's hair very forcibly and in her words was 'yanking her head from side to side and up and down'.' A male friend was eventually able to usher Shelley outside. In her victim impact statement Ms Woodfield said: 'To have somebody force entry to my home, my safe, private and personal space, and then go on to seriously assault me and strangle me, has been huge, both emotionally and financially. 'After the incident, I no longer felt like my home was safe, especially given that Natalie lived just a few houses away from me.' She said she eventually felt she had no option but to sell up and move 'in the hope that I could rediscover the sense of safety and privacy that any person should expect when they are in their own home'. In mitigation, Gareth Roberts said Shelley was profoundly ashamed and embarrassed by her actions. 'She is a university graduate and has never been in trouble before in her life,' he added. 'Mrs Shelley initially acted properly, contacted the police and was told to wait for the officer to phone her back. 'But at this stage, she made the extremely unwise and stupid decision and went round to confront her. She lost all grip of reality and her senses.' Sentencing her, Judge Simon Berkson said the attack was 'nasty and determined' but out of character. The Met Police has arrested three men on suspicion of murdering a 19-year-old in a southwest London park. Tyler Donnelly, 19, was found in Hanworth Park in Feltham shortly before 7.40am on Thursday morning by joggers. His body was found stabbed and assaulted, the Met said, adding that three men, aged 21, 27 and 32, have tonight been arrested from locations across London, and taken into custody. The force said that the crime scene at the park where Donnelly was found has now been closed. Mr Donnelly left his home at 9.10pm on Wednesday, and rode his bike along Elmwood Avenue before entering the park. He never returned home, police said. A murder investigation has been launched after the body of Tyler Donnelly, 19, was found by joggers in a park in Feltham, in west London Police forensics at the scene in Hanworth Park after Mr Donnelly's body was found A police crime scene at the park has now been closed Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie, leading the investigation from the Met's Homicide Command said: 'Tyler left his home around 9.10pm on Wednesday evening and rode his bike along Elmwood Avenue and at some stage entered the park. He never returned home. 'If you were in the park and saw something, regardless of the reason you were there, please get in touch. Our focus is on what happened to Tyler and who was responsible. 'Similarly, if you were driving through Elmwood Avenue, returning home or out walking, did you notice anything? Did you see anyone else in the park on bikes alone or in a group? Did you perhaps see Tyler, who was wearing dark clothing, riding his grey bike? 'The H25 bus route goes through Elmwood Avenue, were you travelling through this area on Wednesday or in the early hours of Thursday? Did you see Tyler or anyone matching his description? 'Tyler's family and friends are inconsolable after receiving the worst possible news imaginable our thoughts are with them and they are being supported by specialist officers.' Forensic investigators at Hanworth Park, Feltham after the death of Tyler Donnelly 'Tyler left his home around 9.10pm on Wednesday evening and rode his bike along Elmwood Avenue and at some stage entered the park. He never returned home,' police said Chief Superintendent Sean Wilson, leading policing in Hounslow, previously said: 'It saddens me to see another young life so needlessly cut short and I urge anyone who has information about who is responsible to get in touch with the investigation team. 'I know that this incident will be a shock for those living and working in the area and my officers will be conducting additional patrols to provide reassurance to the community.' Anyone with information or footage relating to this incident can also call police on 101 or Tweet on X @MetCC quoting 1197/25JAN. To remain 100% anonymous call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org. Disposable vapes will be banned in a bid to protect children's health and prevent them becoming 'hooked for life', the Government will announce today. The number of children using vapes in the past three years has tripled, driven by disposable devices which come in a range of bright colours and tempting flavours. Figures show 9 per cent of children aged 11 to 15 now vape, with the long-term health impacts still unknown. But today Rishi Sunak will reveal a plan to bring in new legislation, using existing powers under the Environmental Protection Act, during a visit to a school. Rishi Sunak will reveal a plan to bring in new legislation, using existing powers under the Environmental Protection Act, during a visit to a school Pictured, stock image of young people use single-use vaping products in London The number of children using vapes in the past three years has tripled (stock image) The disposable vape ban is part of the Government's response to its consultation on smoking and vaping, which was launched in October last year (stock image) The measure is expected to come in early next year, with hopes it will halt the trend of vaping among children. The Prime Minister said: 'As any parent or teacher knows, one of the most worrying trends at the moment is the rise in vaping among children, and so we must act before it becomes endemic. 'While vaping can be a useful tool to help smokers quit, marketing vapes to children is not acceptable. 'As Prime Minister I have an obligation to do what I think is the right thing for our country in the long term. 'Alongside our commitment to stop children who turn 15 this year or younger from ever legally being sold cigarettes, these changes will leave a lasting legacy by protecting our children's health for the long term.' In a package to crack down on sales, powers will also be introduced to restrict flavours specifically marketed at children and to ensure manufacturers produce plainer packaging. Current flavours include pink lemonade, pineapple ice, triple melon and cherry cola, which come presented in a range of bright colours. 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 Vapes will be required to be displayed out of sight, and new 'on the spot' fines will be brought in for shops which sell vapes illegally to children. This will join the Government's 'smoke-free generation' plan, which will see new laws banning the sale of tobacco products to those born on or after January 1 2009 meaning any child who turns 15 this year will never be legally sold cigarettes. However, former PM Liz Truss said the Government 'should not be seeking to extend the nanny state'. She added: 'While the state has a duty to protect children from harm, in a free society adults must be able to make their own choices about their own lives. 'Banning the sale of tobacco products to anyone born in 2009 or later will create an absurd situation where adults enjoy different rights based on their birthdate.' The disposable vape ban is part of the Government's response to its consultation on smoking and vaping, which was launched in October last year. Nearly 70 per cent of teachers, parents, healthcare professionals and the general public were supportive of the measure. Health Secretary Victoria Atkins said: 'The health advice is clear, vapes should only ever be used as a tool to quit smoking. 'But we are committed to doing more to protect our children from illicit underage vaping, and by banning disposable vapes we're preventing children from becoming hooked for life.' Tests on e-cigarettes confiscated from youngsters found they contained dangerous levels of lead, nickel and chromium. Some were almost 10 times above safe limits. Exposure to lead can impair brain development, while the other two metals can trigger blood clotting Current flavours include pink lemonade, pineapple ice, triple melon and cherry cola, which come presented in a range of bright colours (stock image) As well as benefiting children's health, the ban will have a positive impact on the environment. Five million disposable vapes are thrown away each week, up from 1.3million last year. Over a year this is equivalent to the lithium batteries of 5,000 electric vehicles. Deborah Arnott, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health, said the ban would require 'strict enforcement to be effective, as illegal vapes are already flooding the market'. The Government was unable to commit to the timing of legislation, adding that they are trying to 'align timing across the UK' but that their intention is to 'get it through in this parliamentary session'. Commenting on the smoke-free generation plan, chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said: 'If passed, this legislation would have a major public health impact across many future generations.' The victim of a shooting at a church in Turkey committed by alleged members of the Islamic State terror group on Sunday has been named for the first time. Tuncer Cihan, 52, was killed after being shot in the head by two men, since described as members of IS, who burst into the Santa Maria church in the Sariyer district of Istanbul at around 11.40am (8.40am UK time) today and fired several shots at attendees of the Sunday service. Security footage ahead of the attack showed the men wearing black snow masks with their hands in their pockets and one was seen wearing black sunglasses. Turkish officials said it looked like a targeted attack by the two gunmen, both of whom fled the scene, against Cihan rather than against the Catholic church. Counter-terrorism police have since arrested both men. One is from Tajikistan and the other from Russia, police said. But Cihan's nephew, Cagin, who identified his body, told the Associated Press that the target was the church, as his uncle, who he described as a 'mentally disabled individual' had 'no connection to politics or [criminal] organisations.' Security footage ahead of the attack showed a pair of men wearing black snow masks with their hands in their pockets and one was seen wearing black sunglasses They entered the Santa Maria church in the Sariyer district of Istanbul and fired shots at around 11.40am (8.40am UK time), killing an individual identified only as C.T., who was among those attending Sunday's service The Italian Santa Maria Catholic Church is pictured after two masked gunmen were shooting during Sunday service, in Istanbul, Turkey January 28 The attack occurred at around 11.40am (8.40am UK time) at the Santa Maria church in the Sariyer district of Istanbul and was carried out by two masked men, Turkey's interior minister Ali Yerlikaya said on social media He added that his uncle had been invited to attend the church 'and was a victim of fate.' Ali Yerlikaya, Turkey's interior minister, condemned the 'vile attack' on social media. He later said; 'We will never tolerate those who try to disrupt the peace of our country, terrorists, their collaborators, both national and international criminal groups, and those who aim at our unity and solidarity.' President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was recorded by his director of communications telling the church's priest, Anton Bulai: 'We will find the perpetrators sooner or later, maybe within 24 hours.' Istanbul's mayor Ekrem Imamoglu offered his condolences and support for religious minorities in the city, which, like Turkey, as a whole is primarily Muslim. 'There are no minorities in this city or this country. We are all actual citizens,' he said. Local officials said around 40 people attended the mass, and suggested that there could have been more casualties at the church. run by missionary Franciscan friars from Italy as part of an ongoing mission of ecumenical dialogue. He also offered his condolences and support for religious minorities in the city, which, like Turkey, as a whole is primarily Muslim. 'There are no minorities in this city or this country. We are all actual citizens,' he said. 'After the second shot, the gun didn't work, then they [attackers] ran. At this moment, everyone lied on the floor. There were around 35 to 40 people inside,' Sariyer district's mayor Sukru Genc told reporters. Television images showed police and an ambulance outside the ornate Italian church. READ MORE: Terrifying moment military jet skims just yards over busy road with its engines failing before crash landing in Turkey Advertisement President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was in the central Anatolian province of Eskisehir for his party's rally ahead of March local elections, expressed condolences during a phone call with the priest of the Italian church and other local officials. He assured that 'necessary steps are being taken to catch the perpetrators as soon as possible', according to his office. Pope Francis expressed his support for the Catholic church after the attack. 'I express my closeness to the community of the Santa Maria' church in Istanbul, the Argentinian pope said at the end of his weekly Angelus prayer in St Peter's Square at the Vatican. Istanbul governor Davut Gul told reporters at the scene that there were no further injuries. The motive for the attack was also not immediately clear. Eyewitnesses said that panicked church goers threw themselves to the ground during the attack, after which the assailants fled the scene on foot, according to local newspaper Gazeta Duvar. Several police officers were dispatched to the church following the attack and set up secure areas around the church. Many people covered their eyes as gunshots rang out in the church during Sunday Mass The churchgoers then bend down to seek cover while the two assailants had their guns drawn behind them Relatives of the victim of an attack by two assailants react outside Santa Maria Church, in Istanbul, Turkey, 28 January 2024 Turkish forensic police officers walk near Santa Maria church after an attack, in Istanbul, on January 28 Ali Yerlikaya (centre), Turkey's interior minister, condemned the 'vile attack' on social media An armed attack took place at the Santa Maria Church in Sariyer during Sunday mass on January 28, 2024 in Istanbul, Turkey Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu also took to social media to condemn the attack, writing: 'I condemn the armed attack on the Sunday mass held at the Santa Maria Church in Sariyer. 'I wish God's mercy to C.T. who lost his life and recovery to the injured. 'We will never allow those who try to destroy our unity and peace by attacking the religious places of our city.' Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also expressed his 'condolences and firm condemnation' over the attack, and backed the Turkish authorities to find the killers. The incident comes more than a week after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met with Erdogan in Istanbul. A Turkish police armoured vehicle drives outside the Italian Santa Maria Catholic Church after two masked gunmen were shooting during Sunday service, in Istanbul, Turkey Turkish police stand guard outside the Italian Santa Maria Catholic Church after two masked gunmen shot one person dead during Sunday service, in Istanbul, Turkey January 28 Istanbul Governor Davut Gul speaks to reporters about the incident after two unidentified armed men opened fire on people attending Sunday service at Santa Maria Church and killing one, in Istanbul's Sariyer district Media members report from outside the Italian Santa Maria Catholic Church after two masked gunmen were shooting during Sunday service, in Istanbul, Turkey January 28 A heavily armed officer was among those called to the scene following the attack Turkey's ruling AKP party spokesman Omer Celik said the attackers took aim at a citizen during the mass. 'Our security forces are conducting a large-scale investigation into the matter,' he said. 'Those who threaten the peace and security of our citizens will never achieve their goals.' In December, Turkish security forces detained 32 suspects over alleged links with Islamic State jihadists who were planning attacks on churches and synagogues, as well as the Iraqi embassy. IS extremists have carried out a string of attacks on Turkish soil, including against a nightclub in Istanbul in 2017 that left 39 people dead. Rail chiefs have been pocketing huge bonuses and pay rises despite failing to enforce new laws to minimise the impact of strikes. None of the 18 operators hit by nine days of walkouts by train drivers from today is implementing the requirement to provide at least 40 per cent of normal services. It means the industrial action, which includes an overtime ban, will cause yet more misery for passengers. Tory MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith accused rail bosses of 'rank cowardice', saying: 'If the law is there, then you use it. All the public want is a sense of what the minimum service will be not leaving it in the hands of the unions to decide.' Executives at private rail firms enjoyed massive payouts according to a Mail audit that found: Annual rises in total pay and perks of 61 per cent for the highest-paid executive at Arriva and 35 per cent for the top boss at former operator Abellio UK; Bonuses of 1.3million were shared by FirstGroup's top executives Graham Sutherland and Ryan Mangold last year, and a 540,000 bonus was paid to then chief executive of Go-Ahead, Christian Schreyer, in 2022; The Chinese and German governments could have benefited from tens of millions of pounds in profits at franchises run by transport firms they co-own. MTR, co-owned by the Hong Kong government, effectively controlled by Beijing made 70million in six years. Rail chiefs have been pocketing huge bonuses and pay rises despite failing to enforce new laws to minimise the impact of strikes Tory MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith (pictured) accused rail bosses of 'rank cowardice' The drivers' union Aslef has called the industrial action as part of a pay dispute, despite its members earning basic average salaries of nearly 60,000. Passengers have been warned of disruption from a rolling programme of walkouts from tomorrow, in addition to a nine-day overtime ban. There will be one-day strikes across 18 different train operating companies between tomorrow and February 5, as well as an overtime ban across all train companies that may lead to short-notice cancellations. The pledges of politicians Prime Minister Rishi Sunak: 'People should have the right to strike [but] that has to be balanced with the right of the British public to go about their lives without suffering completely undue disruption.' Transport Secretary Mark Harper: 'For too long, hard-working people have been unfairly targeted by rail union leaders prevented from making important journeys. Minimum service levels will help address this by allowing the rail industry to plan ahead to reduce disruption.' Rail minister Huw Merriman: 'The public need reliable and consistent services, and any strike action should not disproportionately impact this, or the wider economy. Relevant rail industry employers are able to make use of minimum service levels as soon as these regulations come into force.' Ex-transport secretary Grant Shapps: 'The minimum levels of service we expect to be provided will restore the balance between those seeking to strike and protecting the public from disproportionate disruption.' Advertisement Passengers have been urged to check before they travel as there will be changes to services across large parts of the network, with some train operators not running any services. The Government passed legislation in November allowing operators to insist on a minimum level of service during strikes. The only firm that tried to enforce this, taxpayer-owned LNER, backed down after Aslef threatened five more days of strikes. One insider said: 'Bosses are reluctant to take the unions on, but they need to face them down.' Labour says it will repeal the minimum service levels law within 100 days of taking power. Tory MP Greg Smith, a member of the Commons transport committee, said: 'The public will be raising an eyebrow at the spectre of bosses taking large rewards whilst not meeting their legal duty to maintain service levels. 'The Government has to exert whatever pressure it can to ensure bosses are unable to be paid enormous salaries and bonuses until they earn them by delivering the service customers expect and the law says they must provide.' The Mail found that Arriva, a subsidiary of the German state rail operator Deutsche Bahn, which runs Chiltern, CrossCountry, Grand Central and London Overground gave its highest-paid executive 1,086,342 in pay and perks last year, a 61 per cent rise. Its boss Mike Cooper, 60, lives with his wife in a 2million house in Buckinghamshire. There was a 54 per cent increase in overall directors' pay at Arriva after bonuses were revived post-pandemic. However its CrossCountry franchise, which recorded profits totalling 14.3million in 2021 and 2022, has still not reinstated the full pre-Covid time-table and suffers overcrowding. Bonuses of 1.3million were shared by FirstGroup's top executives Graham Sutherland and Ryan Mangold last year, and a 540,000 bonus was paid to then chief executive of Go-Ahead, Christian Schreyer (pictured), in 2022 Train drivers from the Aslef union on the picket line at Euston station in London The Government passed legislation in November allowing operators to insist on a minimum level of service during strikes FirstGroup owner of Great Western Railway, Lumo, Hull Trains, plus a 70 per cent stake in South Western Railway and Avanti West Coast awarded its top executives 1.3million in bonuses in 2022/23, weeks before being stripped of the TransPennine Express contract and despite poor performance at Avanti. A Department for Transport spokesman said: 'Aslef's leadership alone are responsible for the disruption expected next week.' A spokesman for the Rail Delivery Group, which represents operators, said: 'Minimum service level legislation is one of many useful tools for managing strike disruption, but it is not a silver bullet. Operators' guiding principle is always to make sure they can offer the best, most reliable services possible for their passengers.' FirstGroup said the 2022/23 bonuses were driven by 'strong financial performance'. Arriva said executive pay was linked to operations across Europe. Go-Ahead said that its executive pay 'reflects the scope and scale of our business'. By Azernews Qabil Ashirov The attitude of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) against Azerbaijan can be considered as fishing in the troubled water. The hatred against Muslims and Azerbaijan has evolved to such an extent that the MEPs do not need to hide it anymore. In an interview with the international media outlets, Marina Kaljurand, member of PACE from Estonia, chairman of the cooperation and partnership committees with South Caucasus countries, who called for European countries to impose sanctions on Azerbaijans gas deal, openly stated that no-one in PACE supported, i.e. do not want Azerbaijan. Her speeches both in the PACE and in the interview were reverberations of hatred hidden in her heart for a long. Turning a blind eye for 30 years when Armenians expelled Azerbaijanis, Kurds, and Meskhetians from their homeland, Marina somehow remembered human rights right after the full liberation of Garabagh. Exaggerating the situation in Azerbaijan, the Estonian MP lists the so-called violations in the country, but at the end, she adds that Baku is "obliged to satisfy Armenians and should allow them to return to Garabagh. First of all, maybe she suffers from amnesia, but everybody remembers that no one in Azerbaijan expelled them. They voluntarily left Azerbaijan for Armenia. Even, Azerbaijan has not asked Russia to withdraw its peacekeeper from the country, despite Baku having such a right. The road is open for all Armenians born in Garabagh if they agree to hold an Azerbaijani ID card or passport. Secondly, her attitude poses questions. Why the same person has never called European countries to impose sanctions on Armenia when Yerevan expelled over one million people including Azerbaijanis, Kurds, and Meskheti Turks from their homeland? In an interview, she kept saying that Azerbaijan should have a negotiation with Armenians and satisfy them. So, here arises another question: what do Armenians want? Of course, they want to grasp Azerbaijani territories. In other words, the Estonian MP requires Azerbaijan to give its historical land to Armenia to satisfy Armenians. Frankly speaking, it is a big riddle. On one hand, the members of PACE say that they recognize Garabagh as Azerbaijani land but at the same time, they demand that we should satisfy Armenians. How is it possible? Frank Schwabe, the MP from Germany, made a big similar buzz, as well. He evaded questions about why he had not called to impose sanctions on Armenia when Yerevan invaded Azerbaijani lands. He said that PACE does not solve the territorial problems. However, the same person requires that Armenians should return to Garabagh. So, if PACE does not engage in solving territorial issues, why does he demand from us to allow Armenians to return? Or, why has he never voiced such demands against Yerevan? Is expelling over one million people from their homeland not considered a violation of human rights? Or, do only Armenians have such kind of right? Frankly speaking, it is crystal clear that the members of PACE are not interested in human rights in Azerbaijan. The resolution of the French Senate, Borrell's speech and the resolution at the PACE against Azerbaijan - all these are related to each other. Against the background of recent diplomatic failures, France stepped aside and promoted Germany. That is why the German MP Frank Schwabe proposed the initiative. Their intention is obvious. Like many Armenians, it seems that European countries thought that with the arrival of Russian peace-keepers, Garabagh would be under Armenian occupation forever. They thought that Azerbaijan would not dare to do anything in the presence of Russia. However, Azerbaijan solved the Garabagh conflict and liberated its territories. The members of PACE cannot accept this. Let us imagine that the situation in Azerbaijan, in terms of human rights, is as bad as they claim. So, why have they kept their mouth shut, so far? Why have they remembered human rights violations in Azerbaijan just after liberating Garabagh? So that, before September 2023 Azerbaijan was good for EU officials, but after that date Azerbaijan turns to be worse for them? Such a political game will not work. Azerbaijan does not have any territories to give it to Armenia. No blackmails can cow Azerbaijan's political will and the delegation that represented the country in PACE. The Azerbaijani politicians got ahead of them, put them in a humiliating situation, by not attending the last meeting and proudly cut off relations with the Islamophobic, anti-Azerbaijani institution. As a great Azerbaijani author of Jewish origin Kurban Said told, we do not need Europe, we are East. Surely, one day, PACE will lose its biggest part. The Orange County Sheriffs Office has renewed calls for assistance tracking down a man wanted for attempted murder. He is considered armed and dangerous, and is believed to be working at an orchard near the Albemarle-Nelson county line. Authorities have been searching for 57-year-old Juan Rodriguez-Bedolla since August of last year. He is wanted on five counts of attempted murder, two counts of arson and two counts of discharging a firearm in an occupied building. The charges against Rodriguez-Bedolla stem from an incident on Aug. 13, when the sheriffs office responded to a reported domestic dispute at a residence on Mansion Road near Barboursville Vineyards. When deputies arrived at the house, they said they found the building in flames. All of the houses occupants had safely evacuated by the time deputies had arrived. They told the authorities that Rodriguez-Bedolla had fired several shots into the building, blocked the exit and set fire to the structure with them trapped inside. The Orange County Sheriffs Office has been looking for Rodriguez-Bedolla ever since. The suspect is described as 5-foot-5 with brown and gray shoulder-length hair and brown eyes. Anyone who has information as to the whereabouts of Juan Rodriquez-Bedolla is asked to contact the Orange County Sheriffs Office at (540) 672-1234, the sheriffs office said in a statement issued Thursday. Use our anonymous P3 Tip system by scanning the QR code in the photo or downloading the app at www.p3tips.com. Network Rail has unveiled a 'Pride Pillar' in one of the country's busiest stations featuring flags representing 'gender fluidity', 'demisexuality' and 'polyamory'. Critics of the exhibit, installed at London Bridge station, said the publicly owned railway company had broken its own 'no political posters' rule. In 2020, Network Rail removed an 'I love JK Rowling' poster from Edinburgh Waverley station for being 'too political' because of the author's gender critical views. Network Rail said the array of flags on the pillar, created to celebrate LGBT+ history month, was intended to 'help prevent confusion and misunderstanding about identity'. The pride flag, also known as the rainbow flag, is an international symbol for LGBT+ social movements. Network Rail has unveiled a 'Pride Pillar' (pictured) at London Bridge - featuring flags representing 'gender fluidity', 'demisexuality' and 'polyamory' Originally created by a gay political activist in San Francisco in the 1970s, the colours reflect the diversity of the LGBT+ community, sexuality and gender. Other flags on the pillar include the polyamory Pride flag, with navy, red and black stripes and a yellow pi sign at the centre, representing an 'infinite' number of potential partners. The gender-fluid Pride flag also features, representing people who do not identify as having a fixed gender, as does the aromantic flag, representing people who do not experience romantic feelings. The demisexual flag is also displayed, representing those who are only sexually attracted to someone after forming a strong emotional connection with them. This is not to be confused with demiromanticism which is represented by a different flag and refers to those who only feel romantic attraction after forming a strong emotional bond. In 2020, Network Rail removed an 'I love JK Rowling' poster from Edinburgh Waverley station for being 'too political' because of the author's gender critical views In a letter to the chief executive of Network Rail, Maya Forstater (pictured), co-founder of Sex Matters, complained that the 'political' display was 'intimidating' for female staff Critics said Network Rail wasted public money on a 'cheap and performative stunt'. In a letter to the chief executive of Network Rail, Maya Forstater, co-founder of Sex Matters, complained that the 'political' display was 'intimidating' for female staff. She said: 'Network Rail's investment in flags representing fringe sexual preferences, such as polyamory, and the erasure of sex in favour of gender, is a slap in the face for women and gay people.' A spokesman said: 'Network Rail is proud to be an inclusive company that promotes diversity and equality. We worked closely with our diversity and inclusion team to develop the pillar.' The Duchess of York has revealed her life was saved during breast surgery when a skin specialist insisted that moles be checked for signs of cancer. Sarah Ferguson, 64, who disclosed last week that she is battling skin cancer, has told friends she owes her life to Dr Catherine Borysiewicz, a dermatologist married to a top plastic surgeon. Dr Borysiewicz, 44, works at the private King Edward VII Hospital in London, where Sarah had reconstructive surgery last year following breast cancer. Dr Borysiewicz asked that several moles be removed and analysed at the same time as the operation. Sarah then learned that one mole was malignant and she was diagnosed with skin cancer just before Christmas. Fergie told her friends she owes her life to Dr Catherine Borysiewicz (pictured), a dermatologist married to a top plastic surgeon. Dr Borysiewicz asked that several moles be removed and analysed at the same time as her reconstructive surgery last year following breast cancer A friend said: 'Sarah feels she owes Catherine her life. It was purely thanks to her vigilance that moles were removed when she was in hospital for reconstructive surgery after her mastectomy for breast cancer. It was then that the skin cancer was detected. 'If Catherine hadn't insisted, these moles would not have been checked. We're talking about an aggressive cancer here with the potential to spread. Now everyone is praying that it's been caught at the earliest stage.' Dr Borysiewicz, a former NHS consultant, is listed in the prestigious Tatler Address Book, a lifestyle directory for the wealthy, where she is praised for her 'friendly, approachable style'. She has been married to leading London plastic surgeon Theo Nanidis since 2005 and they have a son and daughter. Her Instagram page reveals romantic trips with her husband, enjoying Michelin star dinners and sunsets on the isle of Santorini, Greece. Dr Borysiewicz has worked with beauty brand L'Oreal and commented on skin conditions for the Daily Mail and other publications. She is chair of Royal Marsden Partners skin cancer group and a spokesperson for the British Association of Dermatologists. Dr Catherine Borysiewicz is a dermatologist at the King Edward VII Hospital Sarah Ferguson, 64, disclosed last week that she is battling skin cancer The Duchess of York has spent weeks recuperating at the luxury Mayrlife clinic in Austria and is now resting at home in Windsor. She was aware of skin cancer risks after it killed her childhood friend Carolyn Cotterell in 1999. Artificial intelligence has been credited with helping students pass exams and making the work day easier - but now it is being deployed in the bedroom. Patricia Lopez is deploying the tech to help the up to 30 percent of adult men who suffer from premature ejaculation last longer during sex. MyHixel is a sex toy that has a companion app. In combination, they train men to lost longer in bed and trials show it can boost endurance by up to seven-fold. Lopez told DailyMail.com she was inspired to create the device because she found most previous mens sex toys very explicit rather than focusing on sexual wellness. The companys founder, Patricia Lopez, launched the MyHixel Control app and device after seeing a gap in the market (Myhixel) Myhixel has now sold 30,000 units and rising. The Control device works for men with primary premature ejaculation (who have always had the problem) and secondary premature ejaculation (people who develop it later in life). It also works for men who want to improve their technique, said Lopez. Lopez said, At the end of the day, we are teaching men how to control the mechanisms involved in the process. It's surprising how most men don't have a clue about how it works, and how they can control it.' Lopez said: Its super challenging for a brand like ours: women talk about sexual problems in a very natural way, and openly accept them, whereas around 80% of men wont seek professional help. They dont talk with friends. Mostly they look for solutions on the internet. Lopez worked with doctors and sex therapists to design an app and device that would work together to beat premature ejaculation, which affects up to a third of men at some point in their lives. The video-based cognitive therapy in the app is progressive, and works using machine learning and AI to personalize the lessons to each user (Myhixel) Lopez said: The doctors we worked with, they thought, Okay, we need to include a product that emulates the sensation of real penetration, because otherwise theres a gap between the training phase and real penetration. That way we have our users trained in a very realistic way. The app uses cognitive behavioral therapy delivered via video to treat premature ejaculation; Its how sex therapists typically treat it, Lopez said. The video-based cognitive therapy in the app is progressive, and works using machine learning and AI to personalize the lessons to each user. Lopez said: The program uses machine learning from the beginning of the users journey to adapt to their needs, and the progress depends on their results. Lopez said that the device has been through three clinical trials which have been published in scientific journals including the Journal of Sexual Medicine. The Control device can help men last up to seven times longer (Myhixel) The device pairs with a dedicated app (Myhixel) In the trials, some men managed to multiply the time they lasted by up to seven times. Lopez said: One started with two minutes, and after the program was able to last up to 14 minutes. The whole group is considered not to be suffering from premature ejaculation any more. On average across the three trials, users start with three minutes and are able to last 10 to 11 minutes by the time they finish the program. The $300 Myhixel II device connects to the app via Bluetooth, and is IPX7 rated for waterproofing so it can be immersed in water for washing. The app also offers nutrition, fitness and mindfulness plans designed by sexual health experts to improve performance. Having studied tourism at university, Patricia Lopez worked in marketing for a leading sex toy brand when she noticed a lack of products for men. She said: I used to attend events, trade shows in that space. It is a space where there are much more brands and products related to the female audience. Female-focused brands were the ones that typically were launching new products, updating and leading. The companys founder, Patricia Lopez, launched the MyHixel Control app and device after seeing a gap in the market (Myhixel) Lopez first noticed brands moving towards a health and wellness approach in the female market in 2016, and thought the approach was smart and interesting . Its a way to eliminate taboos, and to open up more sales channels, she said. To me, it was pretty clever. I thought that nobody was doing this for the mens market - most of the products were very explicit. Lopez talked to sex therapists, doctors and neurologists to understand how products could address male sexual conditions such as premature ejaculation. The feedback I got was pretty positive, she said. She pitched it to the sex toy company she worked for - They were not interested, she said - and then resigned and started her own company in her native Spain. She worked with a Sexological Institute in Spain to develop a product that included not only a physical toy but also educational content from therapists. We detected a lack of education among men when it comes to sexual health, she said. Lopez said, We turn it into a gamified, online program. We provide video tutorials to educate men in terms of anatomy - and then they have to overcome different challenges using the device. They learn to control their body and their mind. In the coming months, the company is working on a new product targeted at men with erectile dysfunction. READ MORE: The astronomical events of 2024 that you won't want to miss Skygazers are gearing up for what is being described as one of the biggest astronomical events of the decade. The total solar eclipse when the moon completely blocks the face of the sun is taking place in the early afternoon of April 8. The spectacle which briefly turns the outdoors dark in daytime will be visible for an estimated 32 million people along a narrow strip of North and Central America. It will mark the first total solar eclipse visible anywhere in the world since December 2021, and the first seen from the US since August 2017. Although the total solar eclipse visible won't be seen from the UK, a partial solar eclipse where just a chunk of the sun is covered could be visible in western areas like Cornwall, Wales and Ireland. A total solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the sun Total solar eclipse is seen near Hopkinsville, Kentucky on August 21, 2017. On April 8, 2024, the moon will cast its shadow across a stretch of the US, Mexico and Canada, plunging millions of people into midday darkness When will the total solar eclipse occur? After passing through Mexico, the first state to see the total solar eclipse on April 8 will be: Texas (starting at 13:27 CDT) It will then pass to the following states: Oklahoma (13:43 CDT) (13:43 CDT) Arkansas (13:45 CDT) (13:45 CDT) Missouri (13:53 CDT) (13:53 CDT) Tennessee (13:58 CDT) (13:58 CDT) Kentucky (13:58 CDT) (13:58 CDT) Illinois (13:58 CDT) (13:58 CDT) Indiana (14:01 CDT) (14:01 CDT) Ohio (15:08 EDT) (15:08 EDT) Michigan (15:12 EDT) (15:12 EDT) Pennsylvania (15:15 EDT) (15:15 EDT) New York (15:16 EDT) (15:16 EDT) Vermont (15:25 EDT) (15:25 EDT) New Hampshire (15:28 EDT) (15:28 EDT) Maine (15:28 EDT) It will finish in eastern Canada. Other parts of the US will just see a partial eclipse - because they are outside the 'path of totality' Source: timeanddate.com Advertisement Dr Greg Brown, astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, said: 'For observers in North America, this is your best chance to see a total solar eclipse this decade. 'Nothing quite compares to the day-turned-night that comes from a total eclipse.' On April 8, the total solar eclipse will be visible along a 'path of totality', starting in Mexico and moving through Texas where it will travel up to New England and finish in Canada. In any one location along the path of totality, people will see a partial eclipse followed by the total eclipse, and then a partial eclipse again. Whatever your location along the path of totality, the total eclipse should be visible for about four minutes. 'North America wont lie in the path of totality of a solar eclipse again until 2033 when an eclipse will graze Alaska,' Dr Brown added. 'The rest of the US and Canada will have to wait for 2044 and 2045 when there will be another pair of solar eclipses to enjoy.' Like any eclipse, it's important not to look directly at the sun with the naked eye while the event is happening not even through sunglasses, binoculars or a telescope. A simple pinhole projector, solar eclipse viewing glasses, which can be purchased online, or special solar filters are much safer. According to Dr Brown, a total solar eclipse happens when the moon and the sun line up 'perfectly'. He told MailOnline: 'It's only when it perfectly lines up, so that the centre of the sun and the centre of the moon pass in front of one another that's when you get a total solar eclipse.' Where the total solar eclipse is visible is known as the point of totality but this is only the very centre of the moon's constantly-moving shadow. Elsewhere in the moon's shadow, further away from the centre, a partial solar eclipse will be visible on April 8 instead. 'The partial solar eclipse is because the moon's centre is slightly above or slightly below the sun's centre, from our point of view,' said Dr Brown. Snapshot during a total solar eclipse: Red line shows the perfect alignment of the centre of the sun (left) and the centre of the moon (middle) with the Earth (right). On Earth, the very centre of the moon's shadow sees a total solar eclipse (where the whole of the sun is blocked). The rest of the shadow sees a partial solar eclipse (where part of the sun is blocked). People in the rest of the shadow see a partial solar eclipse because the moon's centre is slightly above or slightly below the sun's centre, from the viewer's perspective. In effect, part of the sun 'peeps out' because the sun isn't totally blocking it The April 8 total eclipse will sweep across the continent, starting in Mexico and moving eastwards through Texas where it will travel up to New England and finish in eastern Canada Shaded area marks the moon's shadow moving over the Earth on April 8; people in this area will only see a partial eclipse unless they're in the path traversed by the black dot right in the centre in this case they'll see a total solar eclipse Solar eclipse: Types Total: Moon completely blocks out the sun, casting a shadow on Earth Annular: Moon doesn't completely cover the sun, resulting in a halo of sunlight known as a 'ring of fire' visible around the silhouette of the moon Partial: Sun is only partially covered by the moon, making it look like the sun has had a 'bite' taken out of it Hybrid: Combination of a total and an annular solar eclipse Advertisement As Dr Brown explains, another type of solar eclipse known as the 'annular solar eclipse' can also occur when the sun and moon are perfectly lined up (as viewed from Earth). An annular solar eclipse is when the moon doesn't completely cover the sun, resulting in a halo of sunlight known as a 'ring of fire' visible around the silhouette of the moon. Whether we get an annular or total solar eclipse depends simply on the distance of the moon from Earth, Dr Brown said. Don't forget that the moon's orbit around Earth is elongated and not perfectly circular so there's points when it's closer to us than normal. On April 8, because the moon will be at the closest point to Earth in its orbit (known as 'perigee'), it will appear bigger big enough to block out the whole of the moon. In contrast, during an annular solar eclipse, the moon is not at perigee. 'In an annular eclipse, the moon is too far away, so it's not quite large enough to block the entirety of the sun even if everything lines up perfectly,' Dr Brown told MailOnline. It's worth remembering that the moon is constantly moving and therefore so will its shadow over Earth on April 8. The whole shadow, about 4,000 miles wide, will be travelling at around 1,500 miles per hour. Don't forget that the moon's 29.5-day orbit around Earth is elongated (not perfectly circular), so there's a point when the moon is closer to Earth than the rest of the time ('perigee') Your browser does not support iframes. April 8: This colour coded map shows the path of totality as a dashed line in deep pink. It's here where the whole of the sun will be blocked by the moon. Further out are areas that will see partial eclipse. Here, the percentage of the sun blocked in these colour-coded areas is given Sadly for Brits, it's unlikely that much of the UK will see even a partial eclipse on April 8. In places like Ireland and perhaps Cornwall, Wales and the west of Scotland, a small percentage of the sun about 5 per cent will appear blocked by the moon. But places like London, and other regions further east into mainland Europe, have no chance of witnessing the event. 'For the most of the UK, we won't see anything at all, partly because the sun will be below the horizon from out point of view,' Dr Brown said. Unfortunately, the next total solar eclipse isn't visible in the UK for another 66 years. Occurring on September 23, 2090, it will be the first total solar eclipse visible from Britain since August 11, 1999, and the first visible from Ireland since May 22, 1724. After April 8, the next solar eclipse is an annular solar eclipse on October 2, but it will only be visible from the southern tips of Argentina and Chile, as well as Easter Island in the southeastern Pacific Ocean. Other parts of South America including Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay and Peru as well as Hawaii and New Zealand should see a partial solar eclipse that day. For a time 'your life depends on the train', as you're hundreds of kilometres from the nearest village Mykolas Juodele recalls his experience freight-train hopping on the Mauritania Railway in West Africa Advertisement 'Travelling under the starry sky across the Sahara Desert is hard to forget. 'The feeling of your life depending solely on the train as you are hundreds of kilometres away from the nearest village. 'The silence of the desert when the train stops and the deafening rumble of it when it starts moving. Eating a hot meal cooked by the shepherds on the train. Seeing hundreds of sheep and goats atop the carriages loaded with iron ore.' These are just some of the memorable moments Mykolas Juodele recalls of his experience freight-train hopping in the Sahara Desert on one of the most extreme railway journeys in the world. Where? Mauritania, West Africa. Why? To document a journey of a lifetime. Mykolas Juodele went freight-train hopping in the Sahara Desert on one of the most extreme railways in the world - the Mauritania Railway, pictured, which transports iron ore across the Sahara Desert The Mauritania Railway has been transporting iron ore across the Sahara Desert since 1963. The train runs on a single 437-mile (704km) track that links Nouadhibou city's port with the mines of Zouerat. Mykolas, who has also travelled to the world's largest city inaccessible by road, was inspired to ride the train after his first visit to Mauritania in 2013, which left him 'fascinated to travel deeper' into the country. He said: 'I went back to Mauritania specifically to photograph the iron ore train as I felt it was an extremely unique phenomenon, daunting and beautiful. The train is so long that standing on top of the last carriage, you cannot see the locomotives pulling it.' In March 2016, the photojournalist returned for a month with the objective to ride the railway back and forth several times and document the journey in pictures. Each one-way trip takes between 16 and 20 hours - during which time you are 'basically riding in a cloud of dust' - and it 'could be longer if there are technical issues', he said. Mykolas recalled 'the feeling of your life depending solely on the train as you are hundreds of kilometres away from the nearest village' 'The train is so long that standing on top of the last carriage, you cannot see the locomotives pulling it,' said Mykolas. Pictured: A group of men who ride the train several times per month The train runs on a single 437-mile (704km) track that links Nouadhibou city's port with the mines of Zouerat Mykolas was inspired to ride the train after his first visit to Mauritania in 2013, which left him 'fascinated to travel deeper' into the country. His above photograph captures a Mauritanian man fixing his headscarf onboard the train Mykolas, pictured, first boarded the train in Nouadhibou Mykolas boarded the railway at the 'tiny' train station in Nouadhibou, situated on the outskirts of the coastal city. The train has no schedule but 'usually arrives some time in the afternoon'. Passengers arrive at the station from 1pm and can sometimes wait until 5pm to board. 'It shows up and all the workers start loading their cargo in the empty carriages,' he added. His fellow passengers were local shepherds - and their sheep and goats - and workers who transport their goods from Nouadhibou to sell in the mines of Zouerat. 'Usually people would transport food products like rice, vegetables, dates, cans of beans, tuna, and bottles of fizzy drinks,' Mykolas observed. 'They would buy them in the port city for cheaper and sell it for a bit more money in Zouerat - the city near the iron ore mines.' There are several towns near the mines that are home to several thousand residents who rely on the railway as their 'only means of transport', with 'no roads' connecting them to the rest of the country. Mykolas boarded the railway at the 'tiny' train station in Nouadhibou, above, situated on the outskirts of the coastal city Mauritanian traders load boxes with juice, bananas and couscous onto a cargo carriage in Nouadhibou Some use the train to travel between the mines and the port city, while others transport personal goods inside the empty carriages, according to Mykolas Mykolas travelled on the train alongside local shepherds, like those pictured here READ MORE: I TOOK A CARGO SHIP TO THE WORLD'S LARGEST CITY INACCESSIBLE BY ROAD Advertisement Some use the train to travel between the mines and the port city, while others transport personal goods inside the empty carriages, according to Mykolas. But the main purpose of the train, Mykolas said, is to deliver iron ore from the mines to the port in Nouadhibou, where it is exported by ship to China, the EU and other destinations. 'Iron ore is one of the most important export materials for Mauritania,' he added. 'It makes up around 50 per cent of all Mauritania's exports. So basically, that train alone is responsible for half of the country's exports.' While onboard, passengers set themselves up to make the journey 'as comfortable as possible', said Mykolas, who witnessed people cooking food, eating and trying to sleep by laying on the metal floor of the carriage. 'Once inside the carriage, the locals make two piles of sand in opposite corners of the carriage - one will serve as a toilet, another as a fireplace,' he continued. There are several towns near the mines that are home to several thousand residents who rely on the railway as their 'only means of transport'. Pictured: A shepherd and his goats on a pile of iron ore on the train Pictured: A shepherd sitting in front of the train at the end of the line in Zouerat Mykolas was impressed by the resilience of his fellow train passengers. some ride the train for work and 'endure' the journey several times per month 'Most people travel in groups and are well equipped with pots and pans and always make tea and cook food while travelling.' The train sometimes stops in the middle of the desert for two hours and 'you never know why or when it will start moving' again, Mykolas found. He said: 'Then people jump down and go for a walk in the desert, not going too far away from the train. Sheep have been known to jump off the train in a bid to escape.' The locals make two piles of sand in opposite corners of the carriage, said Mykolas, adding: 'One will serve as a toilet, another as a fireplace' 'Most people travel in groups and are well equipped with pots and pans and always make tea and cook food while traveling,' Mykolas said On its journey from Nouadhibou to Zouerat, the train stops first at the village of Inal, followed by the town of Choum and the town of Fderik, usually for just several minutes at a time, Mykolas explained. He said: 'Sometimes more stops are made near some tiny desert settlements. 'But the biggest village en route to the mines has only 2,500 inhabitants.' On the journey to Zouerat, the train stops first at the village of Inal, followed by the town of Choum and the town of Fderik. This picture shows the train arriving at Choum Mykolas said passengers would try to sleep by laying on the metal floor of the carriage 'Other places are just a few scattered shacks in the middle of the desert.' Most of the journey features 'monotonous but mesmerising desert landscapes' and the train runs overnight, setting off from Nouadhibou shortly before sunset and continuing in the darkness. 'The nights are the toughest part of the journey,' the photographer added. 'You just have to wait it out and then everyone rises up with the sun and makes tea, possibly cooks another meal and usually before noon the train arrives at Zouerat.' The nights are 'the toughest part of the journey', according to Mykolas. Pictured: Goats travelling atop piles of iron ore on the return journey back to Nouadhibou Most of the journey features 'monotonous but mesmerising desert landscapes' 'Iron ore is one of the most important export materials for Mauritania,' Mykolas said. In this photo, he captured two young locals selling cold drinks from the side of the railway The train can stop in the desert, as pictured above, for several hours without explanation There, he said, workers unload their cargo on the trucks and take some rest before the train is loaded with iron ore and prepared for the return journey. When asked about the most challenging part of the trip, Mykolas said it was 'suffering the sand and iron ore dust that relentlessly irritates your eyes'. He added: 'Sleeping was nearly impossible because of the noise and jolting of the carriages, so physically it is quite an unpleasant ride - especially on the way to the mines when the train is empty and it goes faster, causing more dust and shaking.' At certain parts of the journey, people would jump down from the train and go for a walk in the desert, Mykolas recalled. Pictured: The train arriving in Zouerat Reflecting on his experience, Mykolas said he learned 'not to judge a book by its cover' and has left with a changed perception of Mauritania. At first glance, the country and the train seemed 'rough and hostile', he said, adding that in reality, he met 'the kindest people' with not a single unpleasant encounter to report. 'Mauritania has a negative reputation because of a few kidnappings of foreigners that took place more than a decade ago,' he said. Pictured: A goat being thrown from one of the carriages as the train pulls into Nouadhibou station As the train makes short stops, some sheep jump off the train and try to escape, said Mykolas The main purpose of the train, Mykolas said, is to deliver iron ore from the mines to the port in Nouadhibou, where it is exported by ship to China, the EU and other destinations 'It is also known for corruption, slavery and some terrorist organisations possibly operating inside its vast deserts. So I was prepared for a much rougher experience.' In reality, however, Mykolas said he found that the country felt 'quite safe' and that the people were 'very accommodating and helpful'. He added: 'The workers and commuters I met on the train were incredibly hospitable and treated me like a friend.' Mykolas was also 'impressed by the resilience' of the people riding the train. Mykolas said the experience is 'something that will stay in my mind forever'. Pictured: Abandoned locomotives near Zouerat 'For some of them it is their work and they endure this journey several times every month. Yet they seemed joyful and full of optimism,' he continued. 'I think this is something to do with the adrenalin and pure magic of riding on the back of a cargo train across the desert. 'The endless desert landscapes, the might of the train, the near-spiritual experience of going to the depths of the Sahara Desert sitting inside a shaky cargo carriage - it was all very inspiring and something that will stay in my mind forever.' January 2021: The beginning of the end Gruffudd filed for divorce in March 2021, shortly after Evans claimed on social media that her husband of 14 years was walking out on her and their two daughters. October 2021: Ioan goes public with his new love After Evans' explosive announcement about her split all seemed to quieten down until October 2021 when she took to Twitter to claim to her 29,000 followers that her estranged husband had been cheating on her for three years with a much younger woman. Evans implied that her ex had gaslighted her for years, betraying her and their two daughters (but did not offer any evidence to support her accusation). February 2022: Ioan files for a restraining order against Alice After months of pointed tweets and social media posts made by Evans, Gruffudd responded by filing for a restraining order, submitting 113 pages of unhinged texts and emails that had not previously been made public. In his court filing, Gruffudd claimed he told Evans that he wanted out of the marriage in August 2020 and that since then, she had harassed him with hundreds of unanswered text messages, abusive emails and social media posts - many of which he included in the filing. He claimed she verbally threatened to tell the media he had abused her 'do what Amber Heard did to Johnny Depp'. Inside the most bitter divorce in Hollywood: A look back at Alice Evans and Ioan Gruffudd's shock slanging match (pictured in 2004) June 2022: Alice begs fans for money to pay for a divorce lawyer As their divorce proceedings entered its 15th month, Evans claimed to be 'completely out of money for food and bills.' She claimed she would receive no financial support from Gruffudd and that she was struggling to pay her legal fees and would be unable to 'feed or clothe' their daughters with her dwindling funds. July 2022: Ioan asks for joint custody of daughters After Evans filed for sole custody of their daughters, Gruffudd filed for custody and visitation rights to see his children, claiming in the filing that Evans had been purposely trying to cut communication between himself and the children. He also petitioned that the girls attend in-person therapy and reunification therapy via zoom with him pending court-ordered mediation about custody. In the filing, Gruffudd reiterated allegations that Evans had been verbally abusing during their 14-year marriage, and 'undermin[ing him] in front of the girls throughout their lives.' August 2022: Ioan gets a three-year restraining order against Alice Having previously been awarded a temporary restraining order against his estranged wife, Gruffudd successfully obtained a three-year restraining order against Evans in August 2022. Harsher restrictions were put in place by a US judge, including a ruling preventing Alice from leaking private text messages from their children. In the court documents, Gruffudd claimed Evans continued to cause him issues and wanted additional provisions added to the existing restraining order. He also requested Evans not post his text messages or any other communications to the parties children, or the childrens text messages or any other communications to Ioan, on any social media account. Gruffudd also asked for the judge to order Evans not to contact his employer or make disparaging statements about him to his employers. October 2021: Ioan went public with his new love Bianca Wallace, posting a picture with the Australian actress who is 21 years younger than Alice September 2022: Ioan and Alice's child custody battle hits a wall Two months after Gruffudd filed for joint custody of his two daughters and asked for custody and visitation rights, the exes failed to settle their differences in family court, despite the help of a mediator. Court documents showed the exes meeting was set for 31 August and that mediation had taken place but that 'no agreement' had been reached. The document went on to confirm that that both Gruffudd and Evans had completed the mandatory Our Children First program. The Superior Court of Los Angeles states of the program that: 'Parents are required by law to attend a mediation orientation/parent education program and a mediation session prior to appearing at an Order to Show Cause or Trial regarding the custody and/or visitation of their children.' November 2022: Alice is reported to police over claims of 'child abuse' and drug use Amid her ongoing custody battle, Evans claimed that someone called social services and the police on her with concerns over child abuse and drug and drink use. The actress took to Twitter to allege that someone had sent authorities to her property who then found 'absolutely no signs of abuse' and 'no drugs or drink'. July 2022: Ioan asked for joint custody of their daughters Ella, 13 and Elsie, nine, claiming Alice had been trying to cut communication between himself and the children (pictured in 2018 February 2023: Child custody agreement is stalled again after Alice is charged with 'violating restraining order' Evans appeared in court in February 2023 to answer two charges of violating a restraining order that was put in place by her estranged husband. The warring former couple were scheduled to appear later that month at a custody hearing but Evans asked for a postponement. Her attorney, Marie LaMolinara, argued that testimony Alice gives at the custody hearing could be used against her in her later criminal trial, which would violate her right, under the 5th Amendment, not to incriminate herself. March 2023: Charges against Alice are dropped Prosecutors in Los Angeles dropped charges against Evans who had been accused of defying a restraining order the Welsh actor has against her. Evans had pleaded not guilty to two counts of violating the order and at a hearing at LA's Airport Courthouse, Commissioner James Cooper dismissed the charges after prosecutors told the court they were 'unable to proceed.' At a follow-up hearing, Evans' attorney, public defender, Daniel Stefanic, filed a motion asking for a ruling that would declare her 'factually innocent' of the charges. August 2022: Ioan successfully obtained a three-year restraining order against Alice that banned her from mentioning him or his girlfriend on social media (Ioan and Bianca pictured May 2022) May 2023: Alice moves out of $2million family home as ex Ioan is 'too poor' to pay for it Evans and her children moved out of her family home and into a rented abode with their two daughters after Gruffudd pleaded with a court to allow the home to be sold, saying he didn't have the money to keep up with mortgage payments for his family following their split in 2021. The Fantastic Four star told a court in a document filed last year that neither he nor Evans could afford the $6,750 a month in mortgage payments, insurance and property tax. He said he'd had just one paid job in the past year and was so poor he was relying on handouts from his young girlfriend. May 2023: Ella, 13, applies for a restraining order against dad Ioan and his girlfriend Bianca The teenage daughter of Evans and Gruffudd asked for a restraining order against her famous father and his girlfriend in documents filed on May 31 at the Los Angeles Superior Court. In the documents, Ella stated that she is 'afraid' of her father and accuses him of 'threatening to call the police on her anytime she misbehaves' during their visitations. Ella filed for a domestic violence restraining order against her father following what she said was an ugly incident at their home, during which she claims Bianca 'slammed a door on her head'. In her filing against her father, Ella requested that he be made to keep at least 100 yards away from her and not contact her for five years and asks that Gruffudd be ordered to undergo a '52-week batterer intervention program'. The program, which involves weekly classes, is intended - the document states - to 'stop abuse, teach accountability, abuse effects, and gender roles'. Ella requested that the restraining order also cover her nine-year-old sister Elsie, noting that she 'lives with her sister and is afraid that [Ioan] will abuse and/or continue to allow abuse to happen to my sister too'. She also asked that her father be made to pay 'for some or all of her lawyer's fees and costs' and requests that her phone account and that of her sister Elsie's be transferred to their mother, alleging that Gruffudd has 'threatened to cancel my sister's phone account and my phone account'. Along with her domestic restraining order filing, Ella included a declaration as evidence to support her case, in which she shared her recollection of a bitter spat that she claims took place while she and her nine-year-old sister Elsie were visiting their father's home on May 26. Ella admitted that she was 'so mad' at her father to find that Wallace was at his apartment when she arrived that she began throwing food on his bed, on the floor, and on him, before she attempted to flee the apartment - which, she says, is when the actress 'slammed a door on her head', leaving her with 'a small bump' and a 'bruise on her arm'. May 2023: The teenage daughter of Alice and Ioan asked for a restraining order against her famous father and his girlfriend in documents filed on May 31 (Alice and Ella pictured) June 2023: Ioan accuses Alice of abusing him via fake Twitter accounts In court documents seen by MailOnline, Gruffudd claimed his estranged wife screamed at him outside his Los Angeles home and called him a 'f***ing abuser' and 'abusive c***' in front of their 13-year-old daughter. Gruffudd also claimed Evans repeatedly broken a three-year restraining order he took out against her which has resulted in criminal charges - and flashed him while wearing no underwear when their children were being dropped off. The bombshell papers also contained claims from Gruffudd that: Evans has made 'thousands of false, threatening and harassing posts' about him; Evans claims to be home-schooling Ella, but has 'provided no information'; Evans has interfered with the girls' therapy and they are missing appointments; and Ella poured rolled oats from a bag over his head, which left him 'in shock'. July 2023: Ioan and Alice are declared legally divorced In a court order handed down in LA Superior Court, Judge Josh Freeman Stinn finally granted Gruffudd's request for divorce amid the couple's ongoing custody battle. The Welsh actor had filed for bifurcation and termination of marital status in May which would allow him and Evans to be declared legally divorced even as they continue settlement negotiations in their split. A minute order obtained by DailyMail.com show the judge approved the request on July 3, ruling: 'The Court finds irreconcilable differences have arisen in the marriage and grants judgment for the dissolution of marriage as to status only, effective today.' July 2023: Ioan's daughter loses bid for domestic violence restraining order against him Two months after Ella filed documents a judge at the Los Angeles Superior Court dismissed an application by Ella for a domestic violence restraining order. Gruffudd was present in court, along with Ms Evans for the hearing, as well as the lawyer appointed as the minor's counsel last month. The judge ruled: 'The minor's request for a domestic violence restraining order against the petitioner is hereby dismissed without prejudice.' The decision came three weeks after the teenager's bid to get a civil protection order against Gruffudd's actress girlfriend Bianca Wallace, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, was also denied. Ioan said: Friends of the Liar star said he was 'very relieved' at the outcome. They also claimed that the situation is a 'nightmare' but they are 'happy to see some progress'. August 2023: Ioan accuses Alice of 'child abuse' and keeping their daughters from him A Los Angeles judge attempted to shield Gruffudd and Evans from the fallout of their parents' ugly battles by banning the press from a custody hearing, keeping the proceedings secret. But that didn't stop the warring former couple who are both seeking custody of the girls from taking vitriolic shots at each other in written court filings that are public and not sealed. The Welsh star called his ex a 'child abuser' while Evans claimed Gruffudd hadn't seen or called his children for almost three months, according to court documents obtained by DailyMail.com. Ioan said: 'Alice has continued to inflict serious emotional harm on Ella and Elsie by her statements and by interfering in my relationship with them. 'Alice has verbally abused and undermined me in front of the girls throughout their lives. 'Since January 2021, Alice has also encouraged and instructed them not to see me or communicate with me and she has made thousands of threatening and abusive communications to me and about me.' Alice said: 'I have read and disagree with the declaration of petitioner (Gruffudd) as to allegations that I am inflicting or causing our children ''serious emotional harm". 'No one has ever contacted me or reported me for such conduct. No professional, nor teacher, nor school administrator, nor counsel, nor therapist. 'Petitioner has not seen, complied with, nor called the children for 11 weeks. I don't understand how having no recent information, "petitioner believes" there is an urgency such that a child custody evaluation must be commenced.' Andrew O'Keefe was this week sentenced to an 18-month good behaviour bond after being found guilty of assaulting a woman in 2021. The embattled former Channel Seven star was hit with three sets of charges over multiple incidents in 2021, including assault causing actual bodily harm, breaching a domestic violence order and possession of the synthetic stimulant drug mephedrone. It is just the latest in a long line of sad scandals for the former Deal or No Deal host, 52, who used to be one of Australia's most popular TV presenters. The former lawyer was once chairman of White Ribbon Australia, an organisation dedicated to the prevention of violence against women, and was even appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in for his extensive television and charity work. Sadly, O'Keefe has suffered a very public fall from grace in recent years, having spent time in prison and multiple rehabilitation clinics following a string of scandals. From successful TV star to drug-addled criminal: Sunrise host and one-time White Ribbon advocate Andrew O'Keefe's shocking fall from grace as he is convicted of domestic violence. Pictured in August 2006 with two 'briefcase girls' during his days hosting afternoon game show Deal or No Deal Collapsing into a gutter after a night out in Melbourne In November 2008, video footage was obtained by The Herald Sun that saw Andrew trying to smoke a cigarette all while stumbling and collapsing into a gutter. The TV personality had been enjoying a night out drinking at Melbourne nightclub Revolver well into the early hours of the morning. The clip saw a blonde companion attempting to help him. Seven soon went into damage control, releasing a statement insisting O'Keefe was 'a family man' and that he 'never set out to deliberately offend anyone'. This alarming incident, which predated his eventual public disgrace by more than a decade, was the earliest sign something was terribly wrong behind the scenes. In November 2008, video footage was obtained by The Herald Sun that saw Andrew trying to smoke a cigarette all while stumbling and collapsing into a gutter Erratic behaviour during coverage of Schapelle Corby's return to Australia O'Keefe displayed rather unusual behaviour during coverage of convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby's return to Australia on Weekend Sunrise in May 2017. The former lawyer looked tired during the live broadcast and, at times, his speech appeared to be slurred. He struggled to find the right words, slouched in his chair and occasionally burst out into laughter. That same year, O'Keefe was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his charity work, namely as chairman of White Ribbon Australia. O'Keefe displayed rather unusual behaviour during coverage of convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby's return to Australia on Weekend Sunrise in May 2017 2021 assault allegations In January 2021, O'Keefe was charged with slapping, kicking and spitting on his doctor girlfriend in a row over an ice pipe she claimed he was carrying at a party. He appeared before Sydney's Waverley Local Court on June 25, charged with three counts of assaulting his ex-lover of two years, Dr Orly Lavee. Two of the charges, which occurred at their home in Randwick, were dismissed on mental health grounds - although his lawyers indicated he would have otherwise pleaded guilty to them. READ MORE: Embattled TV host Andrew O'Keefe dons loud Mickey Mouse shirt and rainbow shorts as he runs errands in Sydney after escaping conviction over meth charge Advertisement A third assault charge related to an alleged incident at Kangaroo Valley earlier in the year was withdrawn by prosecutors. The court heard Mr O'Keefe, who suffers bipolar and substance abuse disorders, was in a 'hyper-manic' state during his dispute with Dr Lavee at their home on January 30 after the couple attended a birthday party in Surry Hills. Magistrate Ross Hudson found Mr O'Keefe was remorseful and contrite. Following the assault allegations, Channel Seven dumped Andrew and replaced him as host of The Chase Australia with Larry Emdur. In February, Seven confirmed he was no longer with the network and said it was 'very concerned' about the charges. Then in September of that same year, O'Keefe pleaded not guilty to domestic violence charges, with a court hearing police have 'extensive footage' of the night he allegedly assaulted a woman in a separate matter. During the confrontation Mr O'Keefe allegedly became aggressive and then spat at the woman and scratched her arm. He then felt dizzy and short of breath and was transported to hospital for assessment but was later arrested. He spent the night at Surry Hills Police Station. In January 2024 he was found guilty of the charges and ordered to serve 18 months on a community corrections order, which involves supervision and reporting requirements. He was fined $800 for drug offences. 2022 assault allegations O'Keefe was charged in January 2022 over allegations he choked, punched and kicked a woman at his city centre bachelor pad. Police alleged the former host of The Chase Australia assaulted the 38-year-old woman after meeting her to discuss starting a business together at his unit on Kent Street in the Sydney CBD. Police alleged O'Keefe had invited the woman over to his apartment to have the business discussion before the meeting turned violent. 'A verbal argument ensued between the pair, before the man allegedly assaulted the woman grabbing her by the throat, pushing her to the ground and punching her,' a police spokesman said. O'Keefe was charged in January 2022 over allegations he choked, punched and kicked a woman at his city centre bachelor pad. Pictured leaving court on December 14, 2022 O'Keefe then allegedly assaulted the woman a second time by punching and kicking her. He was also charged with possessing 1.5 grams of cannabis. O'Keefe denied all charges except drug possession and claimed he acted in self-defence. At the time of the January incident O'Keefe was already on bail for a separate alleged incident of assault after being arrested in September. 2023 drug driving allegations O'Keefe was stopped by police on January 20, 2023 as he was driving in his Mercedes C200 in Point Piper, in Sydney's eastern suburbs. A roadside breath test returned a positive result for methamphetamine or 'ice' before O'Keefe was taken to Waverley police station for a secondary test, which also returned positive. In December, O'Keefe escaped conviction after pleading guilty to driving with methamphetamine in his system and breaching his bail conditions. During sentencing, magistrate Miranda Moody said O'Keefe had since returned negative screenings for illicit drugs and was being treated by a psychiatrist and psychologist. In December 2023, O'Keefe escaped conviction after pleading guilty to driving with methamphetamine in his system and breaching his bail conditions. Pictured leaving court on November 1, 2023 'To his credit, he's clearly had some issues with illicit drug use and I've been provided material to his use of drugs or lack thereof,' Ms Moody told the court. 'There have been none detected for some time. I've also been provided a report by a psychologist and a psychiatrist. He's engaged in treatment. 'Given the enormous amount of work O'Keefe is doing in relation to his drug and health issues I'm prepared to not record a conviction.' The magistrate instead sentenced O'Keefe to a 12-month community release order. 2024 sentencing for multiple offences On Wednesday, O'Keefe was found guilty of multiple domestic violence and drug offences. The former broadcaster was hit with three sets of charges, including assault causing actual bodily harm, breaching a domestic violence order and possession of 1.6g of the synthetic stimulant drug mephedrone known as 'meow meow'. Magistrate Alison Viney on Wednesday found O'Keefe's actions in kicking, spitting, scratching and otherwise assaulting a woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, were proven beyond a reasonable doubt. O'Keefe earlier pleaded guilty to contravening an apprehended domestic violence order and cannabis possession but denied further charges of assault and drug possession. Ms Viney described his behaviour over multiple incidents in September 2021 as 'frightening and degrading' for the victim and said there was consistency in her evidence. The court heard O'Keefe called the woman a 'lying dog' and a 'c***', and he was accused of assaulting her on several occasions. He had previous charges dismissed on mental health grounds following an incident in January 2021, during which he slapped the woman and spat in her face. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Chris Pine looked relaxed as he exited a dance class in Los Angeles on Saturday. The actor, 43, who is becoming known for his gender-neutral taste in clothes, stepped out in a brightly toned blue, purple and white mosaic print pants. He was spotted wearing a white bomber jacket with black trim and step-in black sneakers. The Dungeons And Dragons: Honor Among Thieves star placed a purple-billed hat atop his salt-and-pepper hair. In a Puppy Interview with Buzzfeed, in which a celebrity plays with puppies while answering a series of questions, the Wish star revealed that if he could permanently live in a movie universe, it would be the world of 2017's Wonder Woman. Chris Pine looked relaxed as he exited a dance class in Los Angeles on Saturday while wearing an eye-catching set of pants However, it would be ' without the war, but with the cool outfits and the bi-planes.' That could provide some inspiration for the writers of any future Star Trek films. Paramount is rumored to be interested in re-launching the franchise, but as yet no new script has been approved, according to comicbook.com. It was revealed the hunky actor missed out on a job starring in The O.C. back in the early 2000s because of skin problems. In the book Welcome To The O.C.: The Oral History, by Alin Sepinwall, casting director Patrick Rush admitted he chose someone else for the part of Ryan Atwood because of the young actor's complexion. 'I hate saying this, but its the truth: Chris Pine was at the age where he was experiencing really bad skin problems, and it was at that point where it looked insurmountable,' the executive said in an interview for the book. 'As a kid who grew up with horrible skin, it just broke my heart,' he said. 'But Chris Pines fine now. Hes all right.' The actor, 43, stepped out in a brightly toned blue, purple and white mosaic print pants. He was spotted wearing a white bomber jacket with black trim and step-in black sneakers In a Puppy Interview with Buzzfeed, the Wish star revealed that if he could permanently live in a movie universe, it would be the world of 2017's Wonder Woman. However, it would be ' without the war, but with the cool outfits and the bi-planes' After small parts on ER, The Guardian and CSI: Miami, Chris got his big break when he was cast as Anne Hathaway's love interest in 2004's Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. A third Princess Diaries film has been floated, and Chris told People he was 'here for it,' if a script was okayed. Julie Andrews, 88, who starred as the dowager queen, Clarisse, in both films expressed doubt she would take part in a third film after 20 years. 'I am not sure where it would float or run.' the Oscar winner told Access Hollywood in 2022. 'In terms of us doing it, I doubt that now.' Dakota Johnson bundled up in a brown faux fur coat as she departed her hotel to head over to 30 Rock to host Saturday Night Live. The Madame Web star, 34, also wore white jeans with a frayed hem and black boots. Her long, brown hair was down and straight with her bangs falling across her forehead. Sunglasses adorned her face and she approached the waiting car with her arms crossed and a smirk on her face. The Fifty Shades Of Grey actress will be hosting SNL on Saturday night with Justin Timberlake, 42, serving as the musical guest. Dakota Johnson bundled up in a brown faux fur coat as she departed her hotel to head over to 30 Rock to host Saturday Night Live The Madame Web star, 34, also wore white jeans with a frayed hem and black boots. Her long, brown hair was down and straight with her bangs falling across her forehead In a promo for the Saturday's SNL episode, her boyfriend, rocker Chris Martin, 46, took a dig at producer Lorne Michaels' age, and she tried on wigs, joking they are made of chinchilla and stink. She also destroyed a set of cue cards that she said she wouldn't need because she will say whatever she wants while pretending to be a diva. There was also an odd moment where she walked off with a bowl of limes, which has been a running joke in her life after she appeared in a buzzy Architectural Digest home tour years ago. The pinup is promoting her new superhero movie Madame Web, which comes out on February 14. The daughter of Melanie Griffith, 66, and Don Johnson, 74, appeared on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon earlier this week and corrected a December 2023 Wall Street Journal report that said she sleeps 14 hours a night. 'The Wall Street Journal. That's a long time to sleep,' Jimmy said. 'I didn't even say that like that,' Dakota said. 'That's a long time. You like to sleep 14 hours?,' Jimmy said. 'No. I said that I could easily sleep 14 hours. But I don't like demand it. I'm not a monster,' Dakota said laughing. Jimmy pointed out how several other outlets picked up on the story including Page Six and USA Today and how it managed to spark a whole debate on the proper amount of sleep. 'Why is sleep bad? Like, why? Leave me alone,' Dakota said laughing. 'I'm just asleep.' Jimmy agreed that getting 14 hours of sleep would be fantastic. 'I don't have to take anything to sleep like that either, I can just sleep like that,' Dakota said. Sunglasses adorned her face and she approached the waiting car with her arms crossed and a smirk on her face The pinup is promoting her new superhero movie Madame Web, which comes out on February 14 The Fifty Shades of Grey actress hosted SNL on Saturday night with Justin Timberlake, 42, serving as the musical guest In a promo for the Saturday's SNL episode, rocker Chris Martin , 46, took a dig at producer Lorne Michaels' age, tried on wigs, joking they are made of chinchilla and stink 'I think if I took like an Ambien, I think I'd wake up next year,' she quipped. Dakota told WSJ in December that sleep is her 'number one priority' and that she also relies on meditation to manage anxiety. She said: 'I don't have a regular [wake-up] time. It depends on what's happening in my life. If I'm not working, if I have a day off on a Monday, then I will sleep as long as I can. Sleep is my number one priority in life. 'I'm not functional if I get less than 10. I can easily go 14 hours,' Dakota told WSJ. Paxton Singleton was arrested on charges of loitering and possessing alcohol as a minor in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, on Friday. According to TMZ, the 19-year-old actor paid for the loitering charge, which carried a bond of $430, and was released on Saturday morning. The Haunting Of Hill House star currently has a court date scheduled to take place on February 29. TMZ reached out to Singleton for comment on the situation, although they received no response. The actor is best known for his work as the younger version of Steven Crain in The Haunting Of Hill House, which was released on Netflix in 2018. Paxton Singleton was arrested on charges of loitering and possessing alcohol as a minor in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, on Friday The miniseries was based on Shirley Jackson's novel of the same name, which was originally published in 1959. The Haunting Of Hill House was centered on a family who escaped from a poltergeist-filled mansion only to deal with unexpected drama decades later. In addition to Singleton, the Mike Flanagancreated series starred Michiel Huisman, Carla Gugino and Timothy Hutton. The Haunting Of Hill House, which ran for a total of ten episodes, was released on Netflix on October 12, 2018. The series receive widespread critical acclaim, and it currently holds a rating of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes. A follow-up series, entitled The Haunting Of Bly Manor, made its debut on Netflix in October of 2020. Singleton spoke about working on the show during an interview with CinemaBlend and revealed that he had a particularly unsettling experience on the set of the series. 'You know that feeling when you get goosebumps, and you're like, "If I slow down, the ghosts will get me." I had that exact feeling. As I say, I could have just jumped right out of my skin,' he said. According to TMZ, the 19-year-old actor paid for the loitering charge, which carried a bond of $430, and was released on Saturday morning; he is seen in 2018 The Haunting Of Hill House star currently has a court date scheduled to take place on February 29 Singleton spoke about working on the show during an interview with CinemaBlend and revealed that he had a particularly unsettling experience on the set of the series; he is seen in 2018 The performer also spoke about how he 'tried and worked so hard' to obtain a role in The Haunting Of Hill House during its casting process; he is seen with Michiel Huisman in 2018 The performer also spoke about how he 'tried and worked so hard' to obtain a role in The Haunting Of Hill House during its casting process. 'This was one of the first huge roles that I even ever auditioned for...we were like praying and whatnot, hoping that we got to book this role,' he said. Singleton then admitted that he was not particularly fond of horror movies and shows. 'Surprisingly, I am not [a horror fan]. I am a scaredy cat. I can't get through half of a horror film. I've tried so many times just to finish one movie without having my eyes closed,' he said. During a storm earlier this month, Charlottesvilles largest pump station was damaged, filling with wastewater that later poured into two city parks and a tributary of the Rivanna River. A $40 million update to the Rivanna Pump Station nearly seven years ago was supposed to prevent that very thing from happening. With this upgrade in the wastewater system, sewers will no longer be at risk of overflowing into the Rivanna River during big storm events, reads the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authoritys description of the 2017 upgrade to the pump station that is posted online. Jan. 9 was not even an especially big storm. We had three inches of rain that day, which is a lot of rain but its not excessive, Bill Mawyer, director of the sewer authority, said at the organizations Tuesday meeting. But something went wrong at the pump station and the system overflowed anyway, causing wastewater to flood into Darden Towe and Riverview parks in the city. The authority also said it was forced to discharge 6.2 million gallons of wastewater into nearby Moores Creek over a 26-hour period a number that does not account for sewage that may have spilled out from manholes which were backed up due to the damaged pump station. And while the areas drinking water supply went unaffected, residents were urged by the sewer authority to avoid contact with the Rivanna near the flooded parks. Nearly three weeks later, the sewer authority doesnt know what caused the flooding. Thats because the pump station itself is still flooded. Once it is fully drained, crews will be able to enter the facility and identify what went wrong, the authority has promised. But draining the remaining water likely wont happen any earlier than Feb. 4, and the investigation that follows could take weeks. Mawyer said a number of things could have happened. Perhaps the issue was an increase of water from the storm. Or maybe a pipe burst. Or the pumps didnt work as they should have. Or the controls ceased operating correctly. He doesnt know. Whatever the case, itll take time and money to fix. But how long and how much is also not clear. The sewer authority said it hopes to have the station fully restored by the end of the year. In the meantime, temporary pumps have been installed so that more wastewater does not enter local waterways. The damaged pump station normally has a capacity of 53 million gallons per day. Roughly 6 million gallons of wastewater from northern Charlottesville and Albemarle County are now being conveyed through the temporary pumping system every day, according to the sewer authority. An initial temporary pumping system with a capacity of roughly 10 million gallons per day has been installed to convey normal wastewater flows around the damaged pumping station, and a secondary temporary pumping system with a capacity of 50 million gallons will be completed over the course of the next several weeks. The Rivanna Pump Station does not actually clean wastewater. Instead, it serves as a transportation facility. Wastewater enters the station that then pumps it 100 feet uphill to the Moores Creek Advanced Water Resource Recovery Facility that does the cleaning. The Rivanna stations pump rooms and the equipment within are meant to stay dry. So when the station overflowed on Jan. 9, its pumps and other mechanical gear ceased functioning, preventing wastewater from reaching the treatment center. The issue we had on Jan. 9 is we had some sort of failure, and the dry areas became submerged, and they are to this day submerged, Mawyer said at Tuesdays meeting. In order for crews to enter the facility and install the temporary pumps, Mawyer said there was no other choice but to release millions of gallons of wastewater into Moores Creek. We dont diminish the seriousness of what we had to do, but it is a relative thing, Mawyer said, adding that the gallons discharged into the creek pales into comparison to the 420 million gallons moving through the Rivanna River and the 4.5 billion moving through the James. Were sorry for it, but when the system is overloaded, thats what happens to your sewer system. The sewer authority said it contacted nearby Fluvanna County and Lake Monticello, which are both downstream from the creek. It also alerted the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality of the discharge within 24 hours, as required by law. DEQ does not authorize releases of untreated sewage; however, DEQ recognizes that this may be necessary to fix the pumps and has discussed recommendations for additional water quality monitoring during and after the discharge, department spokeswoman Irina Calos told The Daily Progress via email. DEQ is continuing to work with RWSA to identify the cause of the equipment failure at the facility and take steps to avoid recurrence of this failure. Calos said that because temperatures were low at the time of the flooding, the agency does not expect significant environmental impacts. Colder temperatures result in higher dissolved oxygen levels and less microbial activity in the water, Calos said. Charlottesville city councilor Brian Pinkston sits on the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authoritys board of directors. Wow, Pinkston said at Tuesdays meeting after learning the pump station was updated in 2017. So this is not very old. Indeed, its not. Dede Smith served on Charlottesville City Council from 2011 to 2016 and remembers the stations update being controversial. One of the biggest issues is the pump station is five or six years old, and it was a very expensive model, Smith told The Daily Progress. The update allowed a larger pipe to be installed at the facility, increasing the stations capacity from 37 gallons per day to 53. More capacity, at least in theory, should have reduced the likelihood that a storm could overwhelm the system. Part of the reason for the $40 million price tag was a decision to put the pipe through a hill. That required a boring machine to excavate a tunnel. Smith recalls that decision costing an additional $11 million. It was pretty controversial, and even more later on when we had to come up with cost sharing between city and county, Smith said, adding that mediators were brought in to help the city of Charlottesville and surrounding Albemarle County determine who would pay for what. Thats all to say, this very expensive, pretty controversial project has now failed after five years, she said. Its just an interesting question as to why. Smith said that 3 inches of rain is not much compared to historical averages. After making the large investment not that long ago, Charlottesville and Albemarle may be back on the hook for another large bill, assuming insurance doesnt cover the full cost of repairs. That remains to be seen, as it could take several weeks before the authority even identifies what went wrong, how it can be fixed and what that fix will cost taxpayers. With more money likely to be spent, localities in the region that rely on the pump station will want some assurance that they wont be met with another day like Jan. 9 in a few years time. If you cant adequately clean your sewage, youve got a big problem, Smith said. Maya Jama is reportedly being lined up to host the 2024 BRIT awards alongside two mystery presenters, after Mo Gilligan, 35, stepped down. The presenter, 28, who has been hosting the Love Island's winter and summer editions, as well as the spin-off AfterSun for over a year, has been a huge hit with audiences. Maya, who took over as Love Island presenter from Laura Whitmore, 38, has previously hosted BBC makeup series Glow Up, Walk the Line and Crouchy's Year-Late Euros: Live. The TV personality also garnered heaps of praise for her red-carpet reporting role at the music awards in 2022 and is said to have impressed ITV bosses. An insider told The Sun: 'She is the hottest presenter in the UK right now and is ideal for the presenting cast. Maya Jama is reportedly being lined up to host the 2024 BRIT awards alongside two mystery presenters (pictured at the BRITs in 2022) The TV personality garnered heaps of praise for her red-carpet reporting role at the music awards two years ago and is said to have impressed ITV bosses 'There has been six years of solo male hosts, so it's time to mix up the formula and there is a lot of buzz about the new line-up.' If Maya - who is dating rapper Stormzy - took on the role, she would be the first female presenter since 2017 when Emma Willis hosted alongside Dermot O'Leary. MailOnline have contacted ITV and Maya's reps for comment. The organisers of the music event declined to comment. The BRITs, which are taking place on Saturday March 3 at London's O2 Arena have been hosted by comedian Mo for the last two years but he stepped down from the role in November. The funnyman revealed the news in a statement on Instagram, writing: 'I've had the most incredible time working on The Brits but unfortunately as I'll be in the US for my first World Tour next spring, I'm sorry to say that I'll be stepping down from hosting duties for 2024 and handing over the baton. 'It's been phenomenal to work on this iconic event. I've loved getting to know all the remarkable people who run The Brit Trust and the outstanding Brit School. 'The tireless work you do to improve lives through the power of music and the creative arts is sensational and I promise to continue supporting wherever I can. 'Thank you to ITV for making a young man's dream come true and to all the brilliant performers, guests, production team and most importantly, the viewers at home for all your amazing support. 'It's been an honour. See you on Tour.' Maya Jama is already a fan favourite, being a regular on TV screens and had a small stint when she took to the red carpet speaking to stars like Aitch and Bree Runway (pictured here) If Maya takes on the role, she would be the first female presenter since 2017 when Emma Willis and Dermot O'Leary had the honour Maya is currently dating rapper Stormzy who has previously won the gongs for British Male Solo Artist and British Album of the Year in 2018 and British Male Solo Artist in 2020 The host is not the only thing that has changed this year, as the awards will see some major changes to their categories in response to the backlash of creating gender neutral gongs in 2022. Dr Jo Twist OBE, BPI CEO, and YolanDa Brown OBE DL, BPI chair, said in a joint statement: 'We shared in last year's disappointment that women were not represented in the British Artist of the Year nominations, and it's heartening to see such a strong showing in the BRITs 2024 nominations. 'With such an exciting new generation of diverse talent coming through, we hope and will continue to work towards more balanced representation increasingly becoming the norm rather than the exception.' He has become one of the most talked about men in Britain following his treacherous lies which saw him crowned winner of BBC show The Traitors. And now, after taking home a 95,150 cash prize in what was a jaw-dropping finale on Friday night, Harry Clark has revealed that he intends to quit the Army as he prepares to make a fortune as a television star. The Mail on Sunday can reveal that showbusiness agents are already lining up to swoop in and sign him up as they believe he has the potential to become a huge star courtesy of his good looks and cheeky personality. BBC bosses are also said to be 'enthralled' by the 23-year-old, having noted his popularity with a younger audience, which they are keen to attract. Clark, who hails from Slough, Berkshire, is tipped to make a 'small fortune' off the back of The Traitors and become the face of a high-street brand or follow in the footsteps of TV stars such as Bear Grylls and Ant Middleton, who are both ex-Special Forces. Harry Clark and Mollie Pearce were reunited again on BBC Breakfast as she shrugged off feud rumours Clark is seen partying and drinking shots after his win on The Traitors His 86,000-strong and growing Instagram following also mean he will be inundated with offers from brands to endorse their products in return for five-figure sums of money. Speaking on BBC Breakfast yesterday, he admitted that he is unlikely to return to the military where he is an aviation technician with the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers. He said: 'The Army has been amazing... I'm not too sure whether that's going to be my life as such right now but they have supported me. 'It was weird going back to work Monday to Friday, normal work. I left, did that amazing experience but couldn't tell anyone and went back to work. 'That was the weirdest switch. Now it has gone back to crazy.' On Friday night, after the final was screened, Clark partied at Raffles nightclub in Chelsea with a group of friends. Sources say that he was 'mobbed' by other guests at the venue, which was once a favourite of the Princess of Wales. Harry Clark and Mollie Pearce struck up a close relationship but 21-year-old Pearce was left in tears after she learned that Clark had betrayed her throughout the three-week series by pretending that he was a 'faithful' Speaking in an interview with MailOnline on Saturday, Clark reflected on the tense moment he was crowned the winner and told of how he 'underestimated' Andrew Jenkins Explaining how his win hasn't yet 'sunk in', he began: 'I haven't got the money yet so that might be why it doesn't feel real. But I can't believe it! 'I went back to work so I had to keep quiet' The evening before, he was seen celebrating his win at a pub in Shepherd's Bush, West London, with some of his co-stars including fellow traitor Paul Gorton and fan favourite Diane Carson. Clark, who dates children's television presenter and social media influencer Anna Maynard, was spotted clutching two pints of lager. But one person who was notably absent from the get-together was his good friend during the show, Mollie Pearce. The pair struck up a close relationship but 21-year-old Ms Pearce was left in tears after she learned that Clark had betrayed her throughout the three-week series by pretending that he was a 'faithful'. In the final scenes of the show, hosted by Claudia Winkleman, Ms Pearce failed to identify Harry as a traitor despite fellow contestant Jaz Singh voting to banish him. She therefore did not win any of the prize money. Elsewhere, Clark praised Pearce for being an 'amazing woman,' saying: 'She gave me a massive hug when it was over and was like, "I love you and hate you at the same time!" Clark, 23, has revealed he hasn't yet received his 95,150 prize money after emerging victorious in the nail-biting final of The Traitors Yesterday Ms Pearce a disability model insisted that the pair had moved on from the finale and said Clark had promised her a holiday to make up for his back-stabbing. 'We have had time to process it,' she said. 'We are fine, it was a game, you go in with a chance of winning. It's all good vibes. 'He promised me a holiday, so, I'm pretty happy with that.' After being crowned the winner at the opulent castle in the Scottish Highlands, Clark said: 'My legs are shaking. I just won 95,000. 'Mollie basically is the reason I am here, I need to gain her trust back. I underestimated this massively. You come here and there's 22 amazing people, and from the off I've been a traitor. I've had enough of being naughty and being bad, because that was next level.' In their starched blue pinafores and pristine navy capes, they look every inch the dedicated nurses on their way to help their patients. But, as these photos show, the two new stars of Call The Midwife have previously taken somewhat more risque roles appearing in a Spandex leotard, thigh-high garters and fishnet tights that would scandalise Sister Monica Joan. Natalie Quarry, 25, and Renee Bailey, 28, play student midwives and roommates in the hit BBC drama, which is now in its 13th series. Ms Quarry is the naive but determined Rosalind Clifford and Ms Bailey is Joyce Highland, who has emigrated from Trinidad to escape a secret past. The roles are a stark contrast to the actresses' previous jobs. In her days as a student, Ms Quarry who attended the drama school Rose Bruford College appeared on stage in her underwear in a musical production of the romance fantasy, City Of Angels. Characters Joyce (Renee Bailey) and Rosalind (Natalie Quarry) from Call The Midwife, which is now in its 13th series In her days as a student, Ms Quarry who attended the drama school Rose Bruford College appeared on stage in her underwear in a musical production of the romance fantasy, City Of Angels In photographs on her personal Instagram page, which has 2,500 followers, she can be seen in white silk underwear and stockings, posing on a bed. She also sang and played the violin throughout the production, later changing into a black strappy 1950s-style dress. Elsewhere on her Instagram page, the actress shared pictures of herself with her boyfriend of five years, or staring sullenly at the camera wearing bright purple and green eyeshadow. After graduating from drama school, Ms Quarry made her television debut in an episode of Doctors but the actress always had her sights set on Call The Midwife. She said: 'I remember when I was leaving drama school, I was like: 'Gosh I think I'd be good in Call The Midwife. Maybe I should email them.' Ms Bailey made her TV debut in 2022 in the BBC Three six-part series, Mood, a musical drama about how young women use social media to achieve their dreams 'So episode one is kind of a weird full-circle moment to me being big-headed and being like, 'I'd be good in Call The Midwife'.' Meanwhile, Ms Bailey made her TV debut in 2022 in the BBC Three six-part series, Mood, a musical drama about how young women use social media to achieve their dreams. She described the job as a 'trial by fire' in an Instagram post, which showed pictures of her dancing in a Spandex leotard, matching fingerless gloves, thigh-high boots and fishnets. To play the part of a rapper, Paris, Ms Bailey had her hair short and dyed fluorescent green. Kylie Jenner continues to dominate Paris Fashion Week, stepping out in yet another fabulous ensemble on Saturday. The 26-year-old makeup mogul was spotted wearing a chic MM6 Maison Margiela dress on her way to the popular restaurant Diep for dinner. The off-the-shoulder black number offered a peek at her decolletage as she paired the fashion-forward look with a set of tan knee-high boots. With her raven hair slicked back, the star allowed her natural beauty to take center stage, opting for minimal makeup. The outing occurred mere hours after Kylie took to her Instagram to share sizzling selfies with her 399 million fans. Kylie Jenner continues to dominate Paris Fashion Week , stepping out in yet another fabulous ensemble on Saturday The outing occurred mere hours after Kylie took to her Instagram to share sizzling selfies with her 399 million fans Looking like a billion bucks, she posed in a lingerie set - a black bra and matching panties - while draping herself in a fur coat. She also took to her Instagram Stories to share a makeup tutorial, looking incredibly sultry as she demonstrated the application of her cosmetics. It comes after she was spotted in a faux fur coat and bright red pumps on her way to a photo shoot for PFW. On Thursday, she donned a head-turning ensemble at the star-studded Maison Margiela runway show where she was joined by sister, Kim Kardashian, and mother Kris Jenner. A day before, she and Jordyn Woods showed their friendship was going strong as they giddily waved to each other ahead of the Jean Paul Gaultier x Simone Rocha show. A video posted on i-D's TikTok account captured the brief moment. Fans expressed their joy in the comments section, with one remarking on Kylie and Jordyn's relationship, saying, 'Awww, they love each other; that's so cute.' The friendship between the women came to an end in February 2019 after Jordyn was involved in a cheating scandal with Tristan Thompson, who was then in a relationship with Khloe Kardashian, Kylie's sister. Looking like a billion bucks, she posed in a lingerie set - a black bra and matching panties - while draping herself in a fur coat. The 26-year-old makeup mogul was spotted wearing a chic MM6 Maison Margiela dress on her way to the popular restaurant Diep for dinner With her raven hair slicked back, the star allowed her natural beauty to take center stage, opting for minimal makeup It comes after she was spotted in a faux fur coat and bright red pumps on her way to a photo shoot for PFW Meanwhile, Kylie is said to be going from strength to strength with boyfriend Timothee Chalamet. The loved-up couple put their chemistry on display at the recent Golden Globe awards. 'Timothee mingled for a little bit but was otherwise right next to Kylie the whole time,' a source told Us Weekly. 'They were having a very intimate conversation and shared a few kisses. It was obvious they have amazing chemistry.' The duo initially sparked speculation about their romance back in April, following their rendezvous a few months prior at Paris Fashion Week. On Thursday, she donned a head-turning ensemble at the star-studded Maison Margiela runway show where she was joined by sister, Kim Kardashian, and mother Kris Jenner A day before, she and Jordyn Woods showed their friendship was going strong as they giddily waved to each other ahead of the Jean Paul Gaultier x Simone Rocha show Kylie is said to be going from strength to strength with boyfriend Timothee Chalamet Timothee has even met Kylie's two kids. She shares Stormi, five, and Aire, 23 months, with her ex-boyfriend Travis Scott, 32 Timothee has even met Kylie's two kids. She shares Stormi, five, and Aire, 23 months, with her ex-boyfriend Travis Scott, 32. 'Timothee has met them in group situations where there were other family members or friends around,' a second source for the outlet revealed 'It hasnt been anything where its just Kylie, Timothee and the kids in an intimate setting. And she introduced him as one of Mommys friends. Kylie feels like its [still] too soon to let them know anything about their relationship.' This Morning staff are reportedly 'livid' that a regular presenting team has not been put in place since Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield's departure from the show last year. Television presenter Holly, 42, quit in October last year amid a kidnap and murder plot and Phillip, 61, left his TV hosting jobs a few months earlier in May after confirming he'd had an affair with a younger This Morning colleague. Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary, and Josie Gibson and Craig Doyle have stepped in to front the show for now, while Cat Deeley and Sian Welby have also appeared. It was previously claimed Alison was a front-runner for the regular spot but she declined to focus on other projects and is said to be backing Josie for the job. A source told the Mirror: 'All anyone can talk about behind the scenes is who the next team on the sofa will be. This Morning staff are reportedly 'livid' that a regular presenting team has not been put in place since Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield's departure from the show last year (Holly and Phil pictured on This Morning shortly before his departure in May last year) It was previously claimed Alison Hammond was a front-runner for the regular spot but she declined to focus on other projects and is said to be backing Josie for the job (Alison pictured with Dermot O'Leary) Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary, and Josie Gibson and Craig Doyle have stepped in to front the show for now (Craig and Josie pictured this month) 'Its not just the talent either theres widespread frustration at the lack of a decision, and some are really livid. 'Many of the stylists and make-up artists work for one particular person, so theyre keen to know when theyll be working. Those people are also in limbo.' MailOnline has contacted ITV for comment. 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. 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. 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. 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 One source told the Mail: 'Sian has done a fantastic job and everyone totally loves her' '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. 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. 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 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. Meanwhile, Holly is reportedly being eyed-up for presenting roles in the US after making her way back on to UK screens. The TV host returned to the airwaves this month on Dancing On Ice. It is now claimed she could head over to America for work, with the star hopeful it will also boost her lifestyle brand. Holly is reportedly being eyed-up for presenting roles in the US after making her way back on to UK screens (pictured with Dancing On Ice co-host Stephen Mulhern this month) An insider told The Sun: 'Hollys a free agent and for the first time in years shes free to be courted by these huge streaming platforms. 'A number of US networks and production companies have been interested in her for a while and shes caught the attention of some major brands. 'She has true star pulling power and as well as being glamorous she is a polished professional in front of the camera. Its an exciting time in her career.' It is claimed Holly is hoping to use any boost of exposure in the United States to push her lifestyle brand Wylde Moon, which has been compared to Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop. The source added: 'Holly has made it no secret that she is following the Gwyneth Paltrow brand model. Launching herself Stateside could make those dreams a reality.' MailOnline has contacted a representative for Holly for comment. It comes after it was reported Holly is in the running to host a new jungle-based show with Bear Grylls for Netflix. It is claimed Holly has been approached about fronting the series which will see celebrity contestants pitted against survival expert Bear. It comes after it was reported Holly is in the running to host a new jungle-based show with Bear Grylls (pictured) for Netflix A source told The Sun: 'A group of celebrities will be put into a jungle where they will have to tackle a series of challenges. 'If they lose, they'll have to pit their wits against Bear, who will be hunting them down. 'It's a really exciting concept and Bear is totally on board. Now they have Holly in their sights to host it.' The insider added that Holly is open to offers but will be 'carefully cherry-picking' her next projects after stepping down from This Morning inn October last year and returning to Dancing On Ice earlier this month. Kieran Culkin opened up about his A Real Pain co-star Jesse Eisenberg, revealing he was 'shaking' while they embraced on the red carpet at Sundance. The Emmy-winning Succession star, 41, hit the red carpet last Saturday for the Sundance premiere of A Real Pain with Eisenberg, 40. Culkin admitted in a new interview with E! that he felt his co-star 'shaking' during their red carpet appearance. 'He's just an anxious person. Just now, I had my arm around him and he was shaking,' Culkin admitted. 'He said, "Everything, when I go outside, makes me nervous,"' Culkin added of Eisenberg, adding that their personalities are quite different. Kieran Culkin opened up about his A Real Pain co-star Jesse Eisenberg , revealing he was 'shaking' while they embraced on the red carpet at Sundance The Emmy-winning Succession star, 41, hit the red carpet last Saturday for the Sundance premiere of A Real Pain with Eisenberg, 40 'He's just an anxious person. Just now, I had my arm around him and he was shaking,' Culkin admitted 'Our styles definitely clashed. He came to the trailer I was in and he was like, "OK, are you ready for today?"' Culkin began. 'I was like, "Oh, I actually don't know what we're shooting today, but it'll be fine." And that made him really nervous,' Culkin said. He added that they both are, 'just two very different people that happen to do the same job and we work differently.' 'But I think once we started doing it, it worked,' he said of their work on A Real Pain, which Eisenberg also both wrote and directed, his second directorial effort after 2022's When You Finish Saving The World. A Real Pain centers on two cousins (Culkin and Eisenbeg) who travel to Poland after their grandmother's death and end up joining a Holocaust tour. Eisenberg said at the festival last week, 'there's a certain idea of a Holocaust movie' where there's 'this reverence for the trauma and the horrors,' though he wanted to do something different. 'The thing that reaches me the most is when someone can humanize that experience in fiction that doesn't feel sanctimonious of false, and that's what I was going for,' he said. 'The movie is not political. It could take place any time over the last 30 yearsand the last 30 years have been froth with ups and downs. It makes sense now as any time,' he added. 'Our styles definitely clashed. He came to the trailer I was in and he was like, "OK, are you ready for today?"' Culkin began 'I was like, "Oh, I actually don't know what we're shooting today, but it'll be fine." And that made him really nervous,' Culkin said. 'But I think once we started doing it, it worked,' he said of their work on A Real Pain, which Eisenberg also both wrote and directed, his second directorial effort after 2022's When You Finish Saving The World A Real Pain centers on two cousins (Culkin and Eisenbeg) who travel to Poland after their grandmother's death and end up joining a Holocaust tour During an interview with Deadline at the outlet's Sundance Studio, Jesse commented on what it was like to direct the recent Emmy winner. 'Im envious of people like Kierans character. I want to be people like Kierans character, but also terrified that I would become that because its quite dangerous.' While Eisenberg's character David is serious and reserved, Culkin's Benji is the opposite. 'Kieran is just free-spirited, charming, brilliant, comfortable person; hes comfortable in his own skin. You know, I envy people like that, of course,' Eisenberg said. Simon Cowell and Bruno Tonioli were in good spirits on Saturday as they headed home from another day of Britain's Got Talent auditions at the London Palladium. The music mogul, 64, brushed off another day of quirky auditions after experiencing a dramatic start to the show earlier this week where the police were called to deal with an intruder. Flashing a smile as he left the venue, Simon walked with his arms crossed as fellow talent show judge Bruno followed not far behind. Sticking to his usual style, he wore a black sweater with loose-fitting trousers and accessorised with a pair of orange-tinted glasses. Meanwhile, Bruno, 68, donned a snazzy animal print fur coat and teamed the bold number with a pair of loosely fitted black trousers. Simon Cowell and Bruno Tonioli were in good spirits on Saturday as they headed home from another day of Britain's Got Talent auditions at the London Palladium The quirky choreographer also opted for going shirtless and can be seen wearing his coat undone to show off his tanned chest. He then further accessorised with a pair of black shades and a gold chain necklace. In the snaps, Bruno can be seen chatting and waving to fans before heading home for the evening. It comes after police led away a female intruder on the set of Britain's Got Talent at the London Palladium on Wednesday after she 'tried to get backstage' to see the judges, including Simon and Amanda Holden. 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 1.23 pm 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 spokesperson from Fremantle added: 'Police were dealing with an individual outside of the Palladium who was causing a bit of a stir, and the BGT team helped out. The pair brushed off another day of quirky auditions after experiencing a dramatic start to the show earlier this week where the police were called to deal with an intruder Bruno, 68, donned a snazzy animal print fur coat and teamed the bold number with a pair of loosely fitted black trousers 'But BGT didnt call the police and there was no threat to the judges as they didn't get inside the Palladium.' Audience members allegedly heard chattering amongst theatre staff who said that an intruder 'tried to sneak in backstage' to see Simon and his celebrity counterparts. The auditions for the hit televised talent show, which seeks to find the nation's next star, were delayed following the chaos caused by the 'intruder', according to reports. She was pictured wearing a hooded tracksuit top, flanked by officers, as she was escorted out of the theatre. Officers were seen speaking to door staff at the theatre following the incident as a small crowd gathered outside the stage door, with security staff standing by it. MailOnline has approached the Met Police for comment. Meanwhile, the music mogul, 64, flashed a smile as he left the venue walking with his arms crossed as fellow talent show judge Bruno followed not far behind Co-host Declan Donnelly looked in good spirits as he departed the venue Sticking to his usual style, he wore a black sweater with loose-fitting trousers and accessorised with a pair of orange-tinted glasses It comes before police led away a female intruder on the set of Britain's Got Talent at the London Palladium on Wednesday after she 'tried to get backstage' to see the judges, including Simon and Amanda The judges and hosts have had a busy week as hopefuls flocked to the London Palladium to show off their talents in a bid to make it through the show. They kicked off the auditions earlier this week on Wednesday afternoon and packed in two blocks of audition shows per day until Sunday in a jam-packed schedule. They will then be heading up to Manchester at the start of February for another five days of auditions, held at the Central Convention Centre. The release date for the upcoming 17th series of Britain's Got Talent has not yet been confirmed. Hannah Waddingham has lifted the lid on her 'dry' love life after refusing to be 'dimmed by negative men'. The Ted Lasso star, 49, said that in her younger years she would have overlooked a partner's toxic traits, but now is happy to be single and said unsuitable men can 'sod off until someone fabulous comes along'. Telling Josh Smith on his Reign podcast 'At a whiff of somebody bringing me down, I think, "Next! Goodbye. Whats your name again?"'. She previously split from Italian hotelier Gianluca Cugnetto, with whom she shares eight-year-old daughter Kitty. Their last red carpet appearance was at The Olivier Awards in London in April 2022, and while Hannah has never spoken out about the break up, in 2023 she referred to herself as a single mother in an interview. Hannah Waddingham, 49, has lifted the lid on her 'dry' love life after refusing to be 'dimmed by negative men' The Ted Lasso star said that in her younger years she would have overlooked a partner's toxic traits, but now is happy to be single and said unsuitable men can 'sod off until someone fabulous comes along'. At the end of 2022 she was reported to have gone for a couple of dinners with musical tenor Alfie Boe, and they were reportedly having a romance when they were together for last May's Eurovision Song Contest, which Hannah hosted. But the stunner confirmed she was now single telling the host: 'My love life is dry. Im so busy and just a bit picky'. 'Im nearly 50 and Im like "Dude, if you are not going to step up, step off and be gone"'. Before adding: 'Id rather hang with my girlfriends and gay friends and be respected'. Hannah previously revealed she has trouble finding a guy because she's 'so picky' and a lot of them are grumpy old men. She said she's not too bothered about how sexy a prospective partner is, adding that she just wants someone positive, and who is willing to eat Marmite on toast in bed with her. Asked by Michelle Visage on the Rule Breakers podcast if she had time for men, Hannah initially joked 'no', before adding: 'I mean I think we all have time if you make time. 'But I'm a pretty picky girl really and have such a very specific kind of criteria of things. Speaking on Josh Smith's Reign podcast she said: 'At a whiff of somebody bringing me down, I think, "Next! Goodbye. Whats your name again?"' She previously split from Italian hotelier Gianluca Cugnetto, with whom she shares eight-year-old daughter Kitty (pictured together in 2015) 'One of the main things with guys, just come on man, positivity - positivity and charisma and I'm your gal. 'But there's an awful lot of misogs (miserable old gits) out there. I don't need it.' She added: 'I don't go much on stereotypical cutey pie, whatever, sexy, whatever. 'I want a guy that scoops me up and goes 'I've got you, I don't care if you've got your make-up on or not, I'm happy to lie in bed with you and have Marmite on toast and a glass of milk. 'And just be a lovely positive, charismatic soul.' While Hannah keeps her personal life incredibly private, her most significant recent relationship was with the father of her child, Gianluca. The pair are thought to have started dating in 2012 after the actress met the Italian hotelier through a mutual friend. They started dating officially shortly after and welcomed Kitty in 2016 after years of fertility issues. Their last red carpet appearance was at The Olivier Awards in London in April 2022, and while Hannah has never spoken out about the break up, in 2023 she referred to herself as a single mother in an interview with People . 'My primary function is being a single mama,' the star said. Calista Flockhart and husband Harrison Ford's romance has endured for more than 21 years and counting, 13 of which as a married couple. It turns out one of their secrets to a lasting relationship is lots of laughter, which often stems from the practical jokes they play on one another. During an interview with The New York Times, the Ally McBeal alum confessed that they've both gotten their fair shares of screams and laughs out of one another by hiding behind corners in their home and using fake bugs to spook their mate. In fact, she's gotten so good at surprising Ford that she's referred to herself as the 'Scare Monster' at home. 'Because I hide behind every corner,' she explained. 'And so Harrison will walk in, and then I'll go, 'Raaah!' And he'll go, 'W-uy-aah!' And then I die laughing.' 'I'll put a plastic spider inside his big ice cubes in the tray, and then he'll drink it,' Flockhart added of her scare tactics. Calista Flockhart, 59, says she and husband Harrison Ford keep their 13-year marriage light by playing practical jokes on each other; seen on January 23 The couple, who started dating in 2002 and were married in 2010, like hiding behind corners in their home and using fake bugs to spook each other; the couple seen on January 14 'But then I'll go to bed two weeks later, and he's out of town in Jackson, and I'll take the covers down and there's this little rubber scorpion. It's fun.' Another way they've been able to nurture a healthy and thriving relationship is by being 'very independent of each other in some ways,' and 'probably incredibly co-dependent on each other in others,' Flockhart, 59, revealed. By being 'really content being home' as a mother, she didn't see them as 'competing with each other,' which ultimately helped make the romance work. In one shining example of her independence, the actress went ahead as a single woman and adopted her son Liam, now 22, a year before she met Ford and they started dating in 2002. 'It scares him, I think, sometimes,' she said of her independence. 'When I first met him, he said, 'You are the most self-sufficient woman in the world, and I don't know how I feel about that.' I remember I said, 'What are you talking about?' Because I didn't recognize I was self-sufficient.' But then there are the similarities that they each possess that helps make the marriage a little easier to navigate over the years. 'The other reason it works is, we're both pretty introverted,' she said of one of the similar traits they share. 'We stay home a lot, homebodies, which is nice.' Flockhart's five-season run in her breakout role in Alley McBeal was winding down towards the finale and Ford was working on the historical submarine film K-19: The Widowmaker when they met at the 59th Golden Globe Awards in 2002 and start dating. The Indiana Jones star was 60-years old at the time, while Flockhart was 38, which translates to being 22 years older than his lady. Eventually, the couple got married after eight years of dating in 2010 after Ford proposed on a family vacation the year prior. Flockhart and Ford first met during the Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills on January 2002 (pictured) During the conversation with the publication the Freeport, Illinois native addressed rumors that she suffered from anorexia during her time on the legal comedy drama, which ran on Fox beginning in 1997 During the conversation with the publication the Freeport, Illinois native addressed rumors that she suffered from anorexia during her time on the legal comedy drama, which ran on Fox beginning in 1997. She made a point of explaining that all the speculation about her being too thin was inaccurate, which ultimately changed the everyday experience she had with working on the series. 'I loved working on Ally McBeal, and it just made it sour,' Flockhart said, while referencing the eating disorder rumors. 'I was very sleep-deprived and I was depressed about it.' She also thought there would be a price to pay for all the rumors and innuendos about her body weight at the time. 'I did think that it was going to ruin my career. I didn't think anybody would ever hire me again, because they would just assume I had anorexia, and that would be the end of that,' she admitted. 'I had days where I was really hurt and embarrassed and infuriated. I was lucky that I had to work. I just put my head down. I always felt like, 'Calista, you're a good person, you're not mean to anybody,' and I'm confident in that.' After reflecting about all the hurtful talk of yesteryear, Flockhart made a point of suggesting that the situation would not happen in today's world. She made a point of explaining that all the speculation about her being too thin was inaccurate, which ultimately changed the everyday experience she had with working on the series 'They call it body-shaming now,' she said. 'I haven't thought about it in a long time, but it's really not OK to accuse someone of having a disease that a lot of people struggle with.' She continued: 'My mom is 4'11 now, and she weighed 93 pounds when she was married,' she shared. 'Talk about a little tiny elf. I just have small bones, and I just am lucky.' The interview is part of the promotional push for her role in the FX series Feud: Capote Vs. The Swans. She plays socialite and public relations executive Lee Radziwill, who was the younger sister of former First Lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, according to People. The new season, which will focus on the fallout of a roman a clef story written by author Truman Capote based on the lives of several New York socialites, is set to premiere on January 31. Jennifer Lawrence showed off her chic fashion sense while out with her husband Cooke Maroney in Los Angeles on Saturday. The No Hard Feelings actress, 33 - who stunned in Dior at the Golden Globes - was spotted in a black button-up sweater and patterned tan pants while house-hunting with her art dealer partner in Beverly Hills. Adding matching tan flats and a set of classic aviators to the mix, the star kept her sandy blonde locks long and loose. Cooke, meanwhile, kept it casual in a white T-shirt and black pants, as the pair stood outside a home in the tony suburb. The outing comes a few weeks after Jennifer hilariously recounted her wedding day to Cooke as 'awful'. Jennifer Lawrence showed off her chic fashion sense while out with her husband Cooke Maroney in Los Angeles on Saturday The star - who tied the knot with Cooke in 2019 -- admitted that she was too stressed worrying about her guests' comfort and enjoyment 'It's so stressful. You're not having fun. You're just like, "Is that person having fun?" she joked to E! News. 'I'll never forgetI was freaking out about the guests being cold, and all of my friends were lying they're like, "Nobody's cold, nobody's cold, everything's fine, everything's fine.' 'My mom was like, "It's freezing out there, your grandmother almost died."' The actress even ordered her friend and frequent co-star Robert De Niro to 'go home' during the rehearsal dinner because she was convinced he didn't want to be there. She said: 'I looked over and I saw Bob, who doesn't know anybody and he's kind of wandering around, and I immediately was like, "No, this isn't what he wants to be doing. I don't want him here." 'So I went over and whispered, I was like, "Go home" and he was nice - he like talked to my parents and was polite - but I was like, "Go." '[After he left] that just genuinely made me feel better.' Cooke kept it casual in a white T-shirt and black pants, as the pair stood in the driveway of a home in the tony town of Hollywood Jennifer shares son Cy with Cooke (Pictured in New York in March) Lawrence, Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon at the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards The couple held their luxury wedding at the Belcourt of Newport mansion in Rhode Island in October 2019. They hosted 150 guests at the reception including Adele, Amy Schumer, Cameron Diaz, Benji and Joel Madden, Nicole Richie and Kris Jenner. Jennifer and Cooke welcome Cy, their first child together, in 2022. Romy Poulier has welcomed her first child with long-time partner Jess Callaghan. The former Bachelor star-turned-actress, 35, took took to her Instagram on Saturday to announce the exciting news. 'Someone was in a hurry to join our family! Our little Louis Jack Callaghan was born 23/01/24 a few weeks early and much to our surprise!' they wrote alongside a photo holding their bundle of joy. 'Weve never felt so complete as a family until now.' Romy's partner Jess explained that he was in awe of Romy's strength and resilience she showed during labour. Romy Poulier has welcomed her first child with partner Jess Callaghan. The former Bachelor star-turned-actress, 35, took took to her Instagram on Saturday to announce the exciting news 'Even when it didnt go to plan. The moment we met I knew youd be the best mum in the world and I couldnt have been more right,' he gushed. 'So many milestones and memories to make with you. Couldnt have wished for a better start to the year.' The couple have been dating for several years, and announced their engagement in November 2023. 'Someone was in a hurry to join our family! Our little Louis Jack Callaghan was born 23/01/24 a few weeks early and much to our surprise!' they wrote in a joint post Romy's partner Jess explained that he was in awe of Romy's strength and resilience she showed during labour Romy previously made headlines when she announced that she would be changing her identity after getting the 'villain edit' six years ago after becoming one of Australia's most hated women. Poulier was accused of leading a trio of 'mean girls' and bullying the other contestants on Nick 'The Honey Badger' Cummins' season in 2018. She has almost completely changed her identity since then, keeping her name but changing her looks significantly and taking a step back from her acting career. Romy was infamously accused of leading a trio of 'mean girls' and bullying the other contestants on Nick 'The Honey Badger' Cummins' (left) season in 2018 Romy told Stellar she hadn't expected to find love on The Bachelor but had hoped it would be 'a bit of a fun experience'. Unfortunately, she ended up being portrayed as the ringleader of a group of bullying girls - including jewellery designer Cat Henesey and Labor Party staffer Alisha Aitken-Radburn - but insists the reality was very different to what was shown on TV. She said her snide remarks about the other women in the mansion were fed to her by producers with the promise they would make her look 'cheeky and fun'. 'It's my fault. That's what I'm most upset about. I never saw myself as an easily manipulated person,' she said. 'At the end of the day it was my behaviour [but] I just wish I'd stuck to my values and morals and said, "F**k you, I'm not saying that."' Romy was portrayed as the ringleader of a group of bullying girls - including jewellery designer Cat Henesey (right) and Labor Party staffer Alisha Aitken-Radburn (centre) - but insists the reality was very different to what was shown on TV She told Stellar her snide remarks about the other women in the mansion were fed to her by producers with the promise they would make her look 'cheeky and fun' Romy revealed she was ashamed of herself and 'felt sick' watching the show on TV, and ended up becoming 'a hermit' afterwards. She had been a working actress before The Bachelor, even appearing on Home and Away, but stopped auditioning after being labelled the 'villain'. As the backlash against her reached fever pitch, she even tried to claim producers had hired her as an actress to stir up trouble in the mansion - an allegation Channel 10 strongly denied. Kim Kardashian's daughter North West reviewed products from her makeup line on Friday. The reality TV star shared a video on TikTok of her 10-year-old daughter of giving her 'honest' review of her new SKKN by Kim makeup line shortly after she released the products. In her caption, she wrote: 'What my daughter does on my phone ha ha ha ha ha ha'. This comes shortly after Kardashian revealed that she regrets letting North wear red lipstick at age five. In the video, the preteen swatched colors from a neutral eyeshadow palette on her arm and gave her stamp of approval, adding that the product was 'classic Kim'. Kim Kardashian's daughter North West reviewed products from her makeup line on Friday The reality TV star shared a video on TikTok of her 10-year-old daughter of giving her 'honest' review of her new SKKN by Kim makeup line shortly after she released the product 'This is what she would wear all the time,' North explained. 'Never, like, too bright colors but really neutral.' She applied black eyeshadow all over her eyes and also put on dark brown lipliner and nude pink lipstick. At one point, she also recited her verse in a song from her father Kanye West's upcoming album Vultures. 'It's your bestie, Miss, Miss Westie,' she sang enthusiastically as she played around in her mother's makeup. In the video, she wore a pink bonnet and a T-shirt from the West Coast hip-hop tour in 2000 titled Up in Smoke. She appeared to be trying out makeup in one of many massive bathrooms in Kardashian's $60 million mansion. Miss Westie is the eldest child and one of four kids shared by Kardashian and West. The former couple who were married from 2014 to 2022 are parents to North, Saint, eight, Chicago, six, and Psalm, four. In her caption, The Kardashians star wrote: 'What my daughter does on my phone ha ha ha ha ha ha' In the video, the pre-teen swatched colors from a neutral eyeshadow palette on her arm and gave her stamp of approval, adding that the product was 'classic Kim'. She applied black eyeshadow all over her eyes to show off the product She also reviewed Kardashian's new lipliners and lipsticks in the hilarious clip She was seen applying a deep brown lipliner before completing her look with a nude pink lipstick This comes just one day after Kardashian opened up about her parenting choices while chatting about her new makeup launch. During an interview published on Friday, she admitted that she has regrets about letting North wear red lipstick in the past when she was only five. She opened up about the parenting mistake while promoting her SKKN by Kim launch with Bustle. The reality star who dropped the makeup line on Friday was asked about her thoughts on the Sephora tween drama, where young girls are making a mess of the aisles inside the beauty retailer. Although Kim revealed that she hasn't 'seen all this Sephora drama', she discussed whether her own daughters, North and Chicago are on that road when it comes to makeup. 'My littlest one's too little and I don't let her,' the TV personality stated. 'I look back and there's times when I remember I let my daughter wear a red lip once for Christmas.' 'Would I do that now? Probably not,' the businesswoman told the outlet. Kardashian recently admitted that she regrets letting North wear red lipstick in the past when she was only five; seen on Thursday in Paris The SKIMS founder's eldest daughter, North, had worn the bold red lipstick during the family's annual Christmas party back in 2018 (seen above) 'Would I do that now? Probably not,' the businesswoman told the outlet The Kardashians star was referencing to the family's annual Christmas party that took place back in 2018. At the time, the beauty had uploaded photos from the lavish bash that she attended with her now ex-husband, Kanye West, and three of their children: North, Saint, eight, and Chicago. Their youngest son, Psalm, four, had yet to be born. She received backlash for letting a five-year-old North wear the colorful lipstick, and announced shortly afterwards that the shade called 'Classic Red Lip' would be launching for consumers. Kim further defended her decision to allow her daughter to wear the lipstick, and penned on X, formerly known as Twitter, 'She picked it though! It's a special occasion!' The following year, North once again wore a vibrant red tint on her lips while dressing up for Halloween. However, Kim had informed E! News in 2019 that the Flashing Lights rapper had banned his eldest daughter from wearing makeup. 'North is trying to get in on the makeup, but she's being blocked heavily because her dad has stopped all makeup for her until she is a teenager.' She further explained that, 'It's a big discussion, a big fight in the household right now but it is what's best.' 'My littlest one's too little and I don't let her,' the TV personality stated. 'I look back and there's times when I remember I let my daughter wear a red lip once for Christmas' She received backlash for letting a 5-year-old North wear the colorful lipstick, and announced shortly afterwards that the shade called 'Classic Red Lip' would be launching for consumers Kim further defended her decision to allow her daughter to wear the lipstick, and penned on X, formerly known as Twitter, 'She picked it though! It's a special occasion!' 'I think as a parent you just learn and figure it out as you go and we realized we didn't really want her to wear makeup at a young age but she sees her mom putting on lipstick and lip gloss.' While recently talking to Bustle, Kim gave an update on North's love for makeup and explained, 'At least with my oldest daughter, she just likes to dress her friends up and do makeup looks, whether it's like Pikachu or the Grinch.' 'I don't think she's there yet to where she is going into Sephora and trying on stuff,' the mother-of-four added. 'We were at Saks in the makeup department the other night and she tested something but put a heart on her face with it. I'm like, I don't think that's really why you use eyeliner.' Elsewhere in the interview, Kim expressed that when it comes to makeup, her daughters feel that it is simply a 'fun game to them.' 'It's art for them to try to do makeup, which is so fun for me to watch. It's like they want to play with their friends and do it, and then they want to just wash it right off.' 'I'm down for the artistry. I think it's fun when they're trying it all and expressing themselves,' the TV personality explained. However, Kim had informed E! News in 2019 that the Flashing Lights rapper had banned his eldest daughter from wearing makeup; former couple seen in 2019 in NYC Elsewhere in the interview, Kim expressed that when it comes to makeup, her daughters fell that it is a simply a 'fun game for them' On Friday, her SKKN by Kim line officially launched lip liners that come in 15 nude colors, 10 soft matte lipsticks and also a classic matte eyeshadow palette. The new makeup launch comes nearly three years after the businesswoman ended her KKW Beauty Line. 'I feel like my vision is finally getting realized,' Kim told Bustle. 'When I launched with the name SKKN BY KIM, I think people thought like, "Oh, it's just skin care."' 'But I always knew we were working on all of the products so that it could be everything, just all the essentials you need to enhance your best skin, your best self.' When asked if she would ever pass down the company to her daughters, the reality star replied, 'I think that they will have their own ideas of what they want to do.' 'And if one of 'em wants to take it over, they gladly can. I would love them to be involved, but I also want them to do whatever makes them happy. And that could be totally not in the beauty business and that would be okay with me.' While North might only be having fun with makeup at the moment, the 10-year-old also enjoys getting pampered and recently took to TikTok as she got a luxurious facial at a spa. Along with the new launch, Kim has been keeping busy and turned heads on Thursday during Paris Fashion Week. While North might only be having fun with makeup at the moment, the 10-year-old also enjoys getting pampered and recently took to TikTok as she got a luxurious facial at a spa Along with the new launch, Kim has been keeping busy and turned heads on Thursday during Paris Fashion Week She stunned wearing a fitted, black dress that clung to her frame and contained cutouts throughout the fabric. The beauty wore the ensemble as she attended the Maison Margiela runway show with her sister Kylie Jenner and mother Kris Jenner. Earlier this week, the SKIMS founder also jumped onto her social media as she brought her fans along a quick tour of her $400,000 Balenciaga handbag closet. The post came shortly after Kim was named a brand ambassador for the Balenciaga - a little over one year after the label was engulfed in a so-called pedophilia scandal following an ad campaign that featured photos of children with bondage gear. A separate campaign included court papers as background decorations that eagle-eyed critics pointed out were from child sexual abuse cases. At the time, the SKIMS founder also released a statement condemning the campaign, but refused to cut ties with Balenciaga. Earlier this week, the SKIMS founder also jumped onto her social media as she brought her fans along a quick tour of her $400,000 Balenciaga handbag closet The post came shortly after Kim was named a brand ambassador for the Balenciaga - a little over one year after the label was engulfed in a so-called pedophilia scandal following an ad campaign that featured photos of children with bondage gear On her Instagram stories, the mother-of-four reposted an announcement from Balenciaga that read: 'Today, Balenciaga names Kim Kardashian as a new brand ambassador.' She included a quote from herself: 'For several years now, Balenciaga's designs have been a part of my many looks - and some of my most iconic fashion moments.' 'This historic fashion house embraces modernity, craftsmanship and takes an innovative approach to design under Demna.' 'For me, this long-standing relationship is built on mutual trust and a commitment to doing what's right. I'm excited about this next chapter for the brand and to become their ambassador,' she added. Nikki Reed cozied up to her hunky husband Ian Somerhalder while attending the EMA Awards Gala at Sunset Las Palmas Studios in Los Angeles on Saturday. The Twilight star, 35, and the Vampire Diaries actor, 45, posed for photos together on the event's green carpet, where they mingled with actress Laura Dern. Reed who recently opened up about leaving Hollywood behind to live on a farm and Somerhalder also spoke onstage during the star-studded evening. For the occasion, Reed looked flawless modeling a plunging green dress with side cutouts that exposed her chiseled waist. She styled the floor-length frock with a unique wooden handbag and sparkly jewelry. Nikki Reed cozied up to her hunky husband Ian Somerhalder while attending the EMA Awards Gala at Sunset Las Palmas Studios in Los Angeles on Saturday The Twilight star, 35, and the Vampire Diaries actor, 45, posed for photos together on the event's green carpet, where they mingled with actress Laura Dern Reed who recently opened up about leaving Hollywood behind to live on a farm and Somerhalder also spoke onstage during the star-studded evening Her beautiful brunette hair was tied back in a sleek bun and she amped up her natural beauty with light makeup. Meanwhile, Somerhalder teased his chiseled chest by going shirtless under a light purple blazer styled with black pants. The heartthrob slipped on black dress shoes and popped on a chic fedora hat. Reed and Somerhalder were first linked in 2014, and they became engaged the following year. The actress was formerly married to Paul McDonald, and their marriage lasted from 2011 until 2015. She eventually moved on with the actor, and they tied the knot in Malibu in April of 2015. The pair started their family when they welcomed their daughter Bodhi, six, in 2017, and they welcomed a baby boy this past June. For the occasion, Reed looked flawless modeling a plunging green dress with side cutouts that exposed her chiseled waist Her beautiful brunette hair was tied back in a sleek bun and she amped up her natural beauty with light makeup They met up with Lance Bass inside the event Somerhalder hugged his wife as they posed for a group photo that included Laura Dern Reed oozed elegance ahead of the ceremony Reed spoke about living in a family of four during an interview with NewBeauty Magazine and expressed that she was slightly overwhelmed by the amount of activity in her household. She remarked: 'Life is so busy and so wonderful. But life has gotten incredibly busy, and it doesn't look like it's slowing down any time soon. I feel like every time I say, "This is the year of slowdown," things just rev up!' The performer went on to open up about raising children while maintaining an active professional career. 'Right now, raising babies is the most important thing for me...then I have my business and holidays are always hectic with that. Literally, everything is all hitting at the same time,' she said. Iggy Azalea cut a relatively modest figure as she attended a racy awards ceremony on Saturday night. The Australian rapper, 33, stepped out for the 2024 Adult Video News Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada in a sleek black frock. The dress featured peekaboo cutouts that flaunted a hint of bust and clung close to the performer's famous curves. Iggy added a pair of nude high heels which matched her lip gloss and kept her accessories to a bracelet and a number of rings. The blonde wore her long hair down in soft curls an opted for a clean makeup look with a peachy blush. Iggy Azalea (pictured) cut a relatively modest figure as she attended a racy awards ceremony on Saturday night The Australian rapper, 33, stepped out for the 2024 Adult Video News Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada in a sleek black frock The dress featured peekaboo cutouts that flaunted a hint of bust and clung close to the performer's famous curves Iggy had earlier announced that she would be performing at the X-rated awards ceremony that celebrates the top performers in the porn industry. 'I'm thrilled to be performing at the AVN Awardsa celebration of passion, fearlessness, and artistic expression,' Iggy said in a statement. 'I can't wait to deliver a show that embodies the spirit of liberation and creative freedom. Let's make this an unforgettable night!' It comes after Iggy quit the music industry, ten years after she shot to global fame with her song Fancy. Iggy added a pair of nude high heels which matched her lip gloss and kept her accessories to a bracelet and a number of rings The blonde wore her long hair down in soft curls an opted for a clean makeup look with a peachy blush Iggy had earlier announced that she would be performing at the X-rated awards ceremony that celebrates the top performers in the porn industry Iggy shared the shock announcement via X (formerly Twitter) earlier this month, penning a lengthy message to her fans about her plans to focus on other creative endeavours. She also confirmed in her post she would no longer be finishing her upcoming fourth album. 'I know a lot of people have this idea that I was "bullied away from music" and that's something I've always laughed at because I'd never be bullied out of anything! In fact, I'm too stubborn,' Iggy began. 'I think I've even resisted changes within myself at times, purely because I don't like being viewed as someone who quits.' Iggy, who recently announced she had come out of 'retirement' to pen a fourth album, said she now feels 'more passionately about design and creative direction' than she does about writing music. 'I'm thrilled to be performing at the AVN Awardsa celebration of passion, fearlessness, and artistic expression,' Iggy said in a statement 'I can't wait to deliver a show that embodies the spirit of liberation and creative freedom. Let's make this an unforgettable night!' she added It comes after Iggy quit the music industry, ten years after she shot to global fame with her song Fancy 'To many of you that's no shock to read. It shows in my work. Haha! Jokes aside, I do spend a lot more time on that part of things because I'm most confident at that.' 'That's why I want to let you know that I'm not going to finish my album,' she continued. Iggy said the album had been stalled in recent months while she was 'giving direction for a different project', and that she hasn't felt the 'urge' to get back to writing. 'I feel really happy and passionate in my day to day life when my mind's focused on that and so I want to stick to what's undeniably best for me,' she said. The Mo Bounce hitmaker concluded by apologising to her fans, writing: 'I know for some fans this probably makes you feel a little deflated - I'm sorry to let you down.' Julie Bishop has always had a youthful demeanor and the looks to match. The former federal foreign minister, 67, showed off her playful side on Sunday as she took a dip at Cottesloe Beach in Western Australia. Stripping down to a red swimsuit, Julie splashed about in the waves with childlike glee in photos shared to her Instagram. After leaving the water, she dried off using a souvenir Cottesloe Beach towel in bright colours while showing off her fresh visage. 'It's a Cottesloe Beach morning. #westisbest #running #softsand #summertime,' she wrote in her caption. Julie Bishop (pictured) has always had a youthful demeanor and the looks to match. The former federal foreign minister, 67, showed off her playful side on Sunday as she took a dip at Cottesloe Beach in Western Australia It comes after Julie announced her latest career venture after leaving politics in 2019. She has set up her own 'boutique advisory firm' that offers her personal services in everything from business development to social media influencing. Offering herself up as a brand ambassador, her newly launched website reads, 'Julie has been referred to as Australia's Minister for Fashion she is well known for her love of fitness and fashion, and works with a few select brands she knows and loves.' On the business side of things, Bishop says she's 'focused on providing strategic advice to boards and management on complex international and domestic business challenges.' Stripping down to a red swimsuit, Julie splashed about in the waves with childlike glee in photos shared to her Instagram After leaving the water, she dried off using a souvenir Cottesloe Beach towel in bright colours while showing off her fresh visage 'It's a Cottesloe Beach morning. #westisbest #running #softsand #summertime,' she wrote in her caption She's currently offering herself up for public speaking and advocacy, 'customised analysis of geopolitical and geostrategic developments', business development and much more. Announcing the venture to her Instagram followers, Bishop teased, 'New year, new challenges. See link in bio for more.' Indeed, Bishop has become quite the style influencer since leaving politics. In addition to working the business and politics circuits, she has been spotted at events for Australian Fashion Week and Louis Vuitton. The high profile public figure recently revealed that a trip to New York for the Met Gala was her number one 'ultimate travel bucket list'. 'Surely one year, I'll get there,' she told Marie Claire. Louise Thompson looked stunning in bikini snaps she shared on Instagram on Friday during her family holiday to Antigua and Barbuda. The former Made in Chelsea star, 33, took to social media to share the snaps of her in a skimpy white bikini as she relaxed on the beach. Louise completed her classy look with a big patterned red and cream sunhat and a pair of oval frame sunglasses. She used the post to open up about her ongoing battle with PTSD and anxiety, after she spent five weeks in hospital after nearly dying, following the traumatic birth of her beloved son Leo in November 2021. 'Playing catch up,' she wrote: 'A rare moment looking rather refined in a happy hat before the wheels fall off as they always do.' Louise Thompson looked stunning in bikini snaps she shared on Instagram on Friday of her family holiday to Antigua and Barbuda The former Made in Chelsea star, 33, took to social media to share the snaps of her in a skimpy white bikini as she relaxed on the beach The carousel of pictures of Louise's holiday to Caribbean country Antigua and Barbuda included a snap of herself and her two-year-old son. Louise posed on the beach while holding Leo, as she covered up her bikini with a tiger print skirt. In some adorable pictures of the mother and son, Louise beamed as Leo buried his head into her. It comes after she revealed she's written a book named Lucky, telling the story of her near-death experience. Louise took to Instagram earlier this month to post the happy news, claiming she 'finally feels courageous enough' to share her story. The mother-of-one, who shares son Leo, two, with fiance Ryan Libbey, has been battling PTSD and anxiety. And now Louise has said she feels 'proud' to share what happened, claiming she's 'ready', but 'petrified' to enter a new chapter. She said: 'I finally feel ready to share my story. I feel proud, It's a form of closure. I'm closing this chapter and getting ready to enter a new chapter. I feel like a huge weight is being lifted off my shoulders, but equally I feel petrified.' Louise posed on the beach while holding Leo, as she covered up her bikini with a tiger print skirt Louise completed her classy look with a big patterned red and cream sunhat and a pair of oval frame sunglasses The carousel of pictures of Louise's holiday to Caribbean country Antigua and Barbuda included a snap of herself and her two-year-old son In some adorable pictures of the mother and son, Louise beamed as Leo buried his head into her Alongside a video revealing the news to her 1.4million followers, Louise wrote: 'So much to say, but I seem to have writers block today. 'Not ideal timing given that I have a particularly big announcement to get off my chest and it very much involves the theme of writing. 'So Ill just count myself in - 3, 2, 1 I have written a book. 'I feel slightly sick with nerves. A couple of years ago I experienced a series of distressing events that completely derailed me. They turned me from a highly functioning, happy and fairly successful young adult into a vegetable almost overnight. 'The journey to get from that place to where I am today has felt like hell on earth but I finally feel courageous enough to share some of the details of what happened to me and to examine my personal lived experience since.in one tidy space. 'Introducing my book: LUCKY. 'Early on in my recovery people told me that one day I would share my story and it would help lots of other people weave their way out of similar struggles. 'It has taken me a really long time to come to terms with what happened to me, to create distance from it, to see things for what they really are, and to feel ready to talk. But here we are. 'In fact lots of you guys messaged me on here (either privately or in the comments) under my long captions asking me to write more because you enjoyed reading my relatable (hate this for you) ramblings so I really have you guys to thank for a lot of this. Louise revealed she's written a book named Lucky, telling the story of her near-death experience following the traumatic birth of her son Leo The former Made In Chelsea star took to Instagram to post the happy news, claiming she 'finally feels courageous enough' to share her story 'I am eternally grateful to every single one of you for keeping me moving forward and with purpose. Your words have been the difference between life and death. Writing for me has been the difference between life and death. 'The hope that I might actually get better one day and be able to help others in the future felt like the ONLY thing keeping me going at one point (a point in time so lengthy that neither of us may want to acknowledge it). 'But we got there in the end. The past is now the present and the pipe dream has become a reality and Im crying with pride. I feel so strong. 'You can now pre-order my book wherever you like to buy your books. How exciting. 'And I must admit this all feels a bit surreal and somewhat full circle am I out the other side? Why are my emotions running so high? Why is it still so raw? Why am I still crying? I apologise if my tears make you feel uncomfortable but I also feel really good about it. 'A new chapter is born. 'To end with a little nugget of advice: I would encourage anyone and everyone suffering with poor MH to write their own version of a book. Get that poison out of your head and onto paper.' Gigi Hadid looked effortlessly chic as she enjoyed a solo outing in Paris on Saturday just days after she was seen holding hands with boyfriend Bradley Cooper. The supermodel, 28, wowed in a 4,700 maple brown Miu Miu jacket to complement her stylish cream ensemble. She slipped into a ribbed off-white sweatshirt and wore low-waisted jeans with 70s-inspired leather pinstripes down the side. The mother-of-one, who shares three-year-old daughter Khai with ex Zayn Malik, added a black clutch bag and shielded her eyes with gold-rimmed sunglasses. Gigi looked happy and relaxed as she stepped out solo for the evening in the French capital. Gigi Hadid, 28, looked effortlessly chic as she enjoyed a solo outing in Paris on Saturday just days after she was seen holding hands with boyfriend Bradley Cooper The supermodel wowed in a 4,700 maple brown Miu Miu jacket to complement her stylish cream ensemble Earlier this week, Gigi packed on the PDA with Bradley for the first time ever as they strolled the streets of London. The 49-year-old Maestro star - who was snubbed by the Oscars in the Best Director category - cemented their relationship as they walked hand-in-hand, which is a notable gesture for the famously private pair. Gigi displayed her off-duty style as she slicked her long blond locks into a fuss-free braid set at the back of her head. She was clad in a dark leather bomber jacket and low-slung, camel-colored cashmere slacks from her Guest In Residence range. Meanwhile, the Silver Linings Playbook actor kept warm in a peacoat and camouflage cargo pants. The runway regular wore small hoop earrings in her ears and kept close to Cooper throughout the outing and at one point, she warmly placed a hand around her beau's waist. He wore a black scarf around his neck and stepped out wearing a pair of Nike's Air Jordan I collaboration with Travis Scott. He also wore a large, blue-on-blue, checkered hat as he embraced the United Kingdom chill. Earlier this week, Gigi packed on the PDA with Bradley, 49, for the first time ever as they strolled the streets of London Gigi and Bradley sparked up a romance in October after they were reportedly 'introduced' by Bradley's ex Irina Shayk, 37 Last month Page Six reported that Bradley purchased a home near his girlfriend's family horse farm in Pennsylvania The lovebirds were spotted departing New York City together days ago, en route to London. Gigi and Bradley sparked up a romance in October after they were reportedly 'introduced' by Bradley's ex Irina Shayk, 37. Last month Page Six reported that Bradley purchased a home near his girlfriend's family horse farm in Pennsylvania. A source told the outlet that the A Star Is Born actor who is a Pennsylvania native recently bought a house in Bucks County. The residence is reportedly close to Gigi's mother Yolanda Hadid's $4million farm in New Hope, which has a population of less than 3,000. Yolanda moved into the 32-acre property in 2017 and it has since become a safe haven for Gigi and her younger siblings models Bella Hadid and Anwar Hadid. The pair's affectionate outing comes after Cooper was snubbed again for a Best Director Oscar nomination for Maestro. Sir David Jason has shockingly admitted he hasn't watched his Only Fools co-star Nicholas Lyndhurst in the Frasier reboot. The actor, 83, who played the iconic Del Boy alongside Nicholas' Rodney from 1981 to 2003, but has admitted he hasn't yet tuned in to see his old co-star, 62. Frasier made a comeback in October 2023 on Paramount+, marking the return of Kelsey Grammer, 68, as the titular radio psychiatrist. When asked by The Times about his thoughts on Nicholas' performance as boozy university professor Alan Cornwall on the series, Sir David said: 'Winter evenings have us hunkering down in front of the fire and watching television.' 'I haven't seen the reboot of Frasier yet with Nick Lyndhurst, my old co-star from Only Fools and Horses, but I'm sure he will have done a great job.' Sir David Jason has shockingly admitted he hasn't watched his Only Fools co-star Nicholas Lyndhurst in the Frasier reboot The actor, 83, who played the iconic Del Boy alongside Nicholas' Rodney from 1981 to 2003, but has admitted he hasn't yet tuned in to see his old co-star, 62 (pictured 2001) Sir David said it was a 'privilege' to have starred in Only Fools as he knows how much it means to TV viewers, and commented on his status as a 'national treasure'. He added: 'Being part of Only Fools and Horses is a privilege. I know how much it has meant to so many people. 'I hope I never take the title 'national treasure' too seriously I call myself the 'leg end', but it's humbling that people see me that way.' The Frasier reboot itself a spin-off from Cheers has been hugely anticipated by fans of the original show. But actor David Hyde Pierce, 64, who played his brother Niles Crane in the show, turned down the chance to star in the reboot. He told the LA Times: 'I never really wanted to go back. It's not like I said, "Oh, I don't ever want to do that again." 'I loved every moment. It was that I wanted to do other things.' Nicholas made his return to the small screen for the reboot of popular comedy series Frasier just years after the death of his son. Only Fools And Horses star Nicholas Lyndhurst, 62, has achieved newfound success in America as he's deemed 'best actor ever' by Fraser co-star Kelsey Grammer, 68 The Only Fools And Horses icon has become the breakout star of the new Frasier show, and it's not just the fans he's been impressing (pictured alongside Only Fools And Horses stars Buster Merryfield (L) and David Jason (R)) Yet it seems the series has led to a whole newfound success for the actor, who has finally made it big in America. The Only Fools And Horses icon has become the breakout star of the new Frasier show, and it's not just the fans he's been impressing. Kelsey, who has played Dr Frasier Cane for nearly 40 years, is overjoyed to have Nicholas on board and even gave the star the accolade of the best actor he's ever worked with. Speaking with Deadline he revealed: 'Nick Lyndhurst. He's stealth warfare. He's the sneakiest most talented actor I've ever worked with.' Nicholas plays Frasier's best friend Alan Cornwall in the reboot of the famous US sitcom and already there are talks of a second season. The pair previously worked together back in 2019 in the London West End musical Man of La Mancha and from there their friendship blossomed. He revealed that when they decided Frasier was going to have a best friend join the cast, Nicholas came to mind immediately. 'I asked him when we were back in England if he'd like to be in the new Frasier. 'He said, "Are you kidding? I would do anything to work with you again every day for the rest of my life." The feeling is mutual.' Nicholas' appearance on the show comes after a difficult few years for the actor who lost his 19-year-old son Archie in 2020 following a brain haemorrhage. It was claimed at the time that he was considering retiring from acting following the tragic loss but this was denied by the actor's camp who insisted the idea was 'ridiculous'. And Kelsey is confident this won't be all we see of Frasier and Alan as he revealed they have over 100 episodes written in the hope of future series'. Speaking with Deadline, Kelsey revealed: 'Nick Lyndhurst. He's stealth warfare. He's the sneakiest most talented actor I've ever worked with' Nicholas plays Frasier's best friend Alan Cornwall in the reboot of the famous US sitcom and already there are talks of a second season Nicholas' appearance on the show comes after a difficult few years for the actor who lost his 19-year-old son Archie (pictured with his mother and father) in 2020 following a brain haemorrhage Alan has become a main character in the Frasier reboot, while gone are Frasiers brother Niles and his wife Daphne, as well as his father Martin, who recently passed away (actor John Mahoney died in 2018). Instead, Frasier finds himself in Boston, back where it all started with Cheers. His career as a radio and TV shrink is behind him and hes teaching at Harvard University. And just as Frasier struggled to relate to his father in the original show, the new series sees him attempt to bond with his son Freddy. Hes helped, and often hindered, in his quest by his old Oxford chum Alan, now a professor at Harvard. Apathetic and lazy, he couldnt differ more from his uptight friend, yet the two share a bond. Speaking about his role previously, Nicholas said: I would say that Frasier hasnt had a true friend before. 'But sometimes you have a friend where you can just sit in silence for hours. You dont have to say anything. I think Alan is that to Frasier. Neighbours star Troy Beckwith has died at the age of 48, his co-star has confirmed. In a post shared to Facebook on Saturday, former Neighbours actress Kym Valentine shared the sad news. 'It pains me so much to have to say this. Our dear old friend Troy Beckwith has passed away,' Valentine wrote alongside a throwback image of the pair. 'Another member of our TV family gone way too soon. There will be no funeral as per Troy's request. 'Thanks for all the memories my cheeky mate and all my love to your friends and family,' she concluded. Neighbours star Troy Beckwith has died at the age of 48, his co-star has confirmed. Troy is pictured left in recent years Beckwith played Michael Martin between 1991 and 1998 on Neighbours (pictured) Legendary casting director Jan Russ commented on Valentine's post with condolences. 'Oh no!!! Dear Troy... That is so sadgorgeous boy,' she wrote. Actor Brett Blewitt - who memorably played Brett Stark on the soap and who recently returned to the revival - also shared kinds words. 'He was such a lovely person. Deeply thoughtful and empathetic. Cheeky and playful once out of his shell. Way too soon. Love you mate,' he wrote. Neighbours actress Lucinda Cowden commented with a series of broken heart emojis. In a post shared to Facebook on Saturday, former Neighbours actress Kym Valentine shared the sad news alongside a throwback photo of the pair (pictured) 'Another member of our TV family gone way too soon. There will be no funeral as per Troy's request,' she wrote Actor Brett Blewitt - who memorably played Brett Stark on the soap and who recently returned to the revival - also shared kinds words Neighbours actress Lucinda Cowden commented with a series of broken heart emojis Legendary casting director Jan Russ commented on Valentine's post with condolences Meanwhile, Troy's good friend Selina Laine Bonica added: 'We lost a star and the heavens gained one. Troy, you were a pain in my a** but I loved you dearly. I'm just glad you're free from pain.' Ricky Fleming, who starred alongside Troy on children's series Pugwall in the late 1980s, also paid tribute to the actor in an Instagram post this weekend, alongside images of the pair together on the show. 'RIP to my brother from another mother. From birth we were trouble together and joined at the soul, no one will ever know the adventures and joy we had as the mischievous two (tricky and roy) in this life,' he wrote. 'I can honestly say there was never a dull moment when we were together. May you be in peace and still be the infectious joy of those who are in your presence now. Troy Beckwith love you buddy'. Ricky Fleming, who starred alongside Troy on children's series Pugwall in the late 1980s, also paid tribute to the actor in an Instagram post this weekend, alongside images of the pair together on the show (pictured) 'RIP to my brother from another mother. From birth we were trouble together and joined at the soul, no one will ever know the adventures and joy we had as the mischievous two (tricky and roy) in this life,' he wrote 'I can honestly say there was never a dull moment when we were together. May you be in peace and still be the infectious joy of those who are in your presence now,' he added 'Troy Beckwith love you buddy,' Ricky concluded in the moving post No cause of death has been given at this time, and as per Valentine's post, Ricky will not be having a funeral. Beckwith played Michael Martin between 1991 and 1998 on Neighbours, before going on to small roles in Blue Heelers and State Coroner. He was known as one of Neighbours' most iconic villains with his character branded as 'Sicko Micko'. The actor was also known for his role as Jeremy 'Bazza' Bazlington on popular children's series Pugwall between 1989 and 1991. In 2017, he sparked fears after vanishing in Melbourne. In 2017, he sparked fears after vanishing in Melbourne. In recent years, Beckwith had dropped out of the limelight, living a quiet life in Victoria The alarm was raised after he was last seen in Cranbourne and was not answering his phone. The former Aussie soap star was at his home in the early hours of the morning, but when his partner returned at 11am he had disappeared. He drove off in a white 1999 Ford Falcon with the registration 1AJ5CQ, with police raising concerns for his safety at the time. In recent years, Beckwith had dropped out of the limelight, living a quiet life in Melbourne. It seems Georgia Steele's head is in a spin during the upcoming episode of Love Island, as she makes romantic admissions to both Callum Jones and Tom Clare. Following a game of truth or dare with their other Islanders during Friday's episode, Georgia S and Tom Clare hold their own private version around the fire pit. Tom, who is currently paired with Molly Smith, doesn't hold back as he asks Georgia: 'Would you rather be with Callum or me?' Admitting she would rather be with Tom, she replies: 'I think my impulse would be you because I think there's a connection we share.' Leaning in so only Tom can hear, she whispers: 'I fancy you the most.' It seems Georgia Steele's head is in a spin during the upcoming episode of Love Island, as she makes romantic admissions to both Callum Jones (pictured) and Tom Clare Things are set to get hot and steamy between the two as they explore their connection in the ultimate romantic setting Georgia and Callum's flirtation is interrupted by a text, as Georgia Harrison reveals that the Hideaway is open for one couple. It read: 'Islanders, the hideaway retreat is open tonight. Please choose a lucky couple to spend the night together. #NightAwayTimeToPlay'. The Islanders immediately pick Callum and Georgia S as the first couple to spend a night alone together in the hideaway retreat. Things are set to get hot and steamy between the two as they explore their connection in the ultimate romantic setting. Despite telling Tom earlier in the evening that she is most drawn to him, her emotions appear to change as she later confides in Callum. Georgia says: 'This is so good. Do you know what Cal, I honestly wouldn't want to be in here with anyone else.' The following morning, Georgia asks Tom to chat on the terrace - but what will she want to tell him? It comes shortly after Callum left his ex-girlfriend Molly stunned as he revealed how many girls he'd slept with since their split six months ago. Following a game of truth or dare with their other Islanders during Friday's episode, Georgia S and Tom Clare hold their own private version around the fire pit Tom, who is currently paired with Molly Smith , doesn't hold back as he asks Georgia: 'Would you rather be with Callum or me?' Admitting she would rather be with Tom, she replies: 'I think my impulse would be you because I think there's a connection we share' Georgia and Callum's flirtation is interrupted by a text, as Georgia Harrison reveals that the Hideaway is open for one couple The Islanders immediately pick Callum and Georgia S as the first couple to spend a night alone together in the hideaway retreat Despite telling Tom earlier in the evening that she is most drawn to him, her emotions appear to change as she later confides in Callum The former couple met during Casa Amor bombshell during the 2020 season and they went on to have a three-year relationship, even moving in together. But they broke up in September last year and had an awkward on-screen reunion when they both shockingly entered the South African villa during the All Stars launch earlier this month. During a game of truth or dare on Friday, Anton Danyluk, 29, asked Callum, 27, how many women he'd gone to bed with since splitting from Molly, 29. Before he'd even answered the question sent shockwaves through the villa, with the Islanders screaming and falling falling about as they braced themselves for the answer. Callum looked around him at the other contestants' reactions as he pondered whether to answer the query or not. Defending his question, Anton yelled: 'You wanted ruthless!' Looking over at him and counting on her fingers, Molly said: 'One, two, three, four...?' It comes shortly after Callum left his ex-girlfriend Molly stunned as he revealed how many girls he'd slept with since their split six months ago The former couple met during Casa Amor bombshell during the 2020 season and they went on to have a three-year relationship, even moving in together Callum began: 'Well, obviously, it's been six months,' to which Georgia Harrison told him: 'Just give us a number, we don't need to know why.' Pushing him further, Chris Taylor said: 'Just tell us the number then!' Pausing briefly, Callum then blurted out: 'Sixteen.' Unable to believe what she had heard, Molly sat in silence, staring at Callum open-mouthed. An astounded Georgia H said: 'Sixteen? Are you f**king me? That's a lot!' Turning to Molly, Arabella Chi said: 'Jesus Christ! Well, I bet you're glad you didn't get back with him, aren't you?' Molly hit back: 'Yeah, just a bit.' Referring to Anton asking the question, Callum then said: 'F**king hell, Anton!' Clapping Callum, Molly told him: 'Well done, well done for shagging 16 girls in six months.' During a game of truth or dare on Friday, Anton Danyluk, 29, asked Callum, 27 (pictured), how many women he'd gone to bed with since splitting from Molly, 29 Before he'd even answered the question sent shockwaves through the villa, with the Islanders screaming and falling falling about as they braced themselves for the answer (Mitchel Taylor pictured) Defending himself, Callum said: 'I've got an explanation. I've never actually had that single time,' to which Molly asked: 'Weren't I your first girlfriend?' Callum added: 'I was also travelling for a month as well.' Molly told him: 'Listen, you do you,' to which he spat back: 'That's what I did.' Callum was revealed to be the first bombshell of the series shaking things up in the villa directly after host Maya Jama coupled-up the main line-up of former show legends during the opening episode. In an unexpected twist, Molly walked in directly after him as a second bombshell, leaving Callum completely stunned. Upon her entrance, Callum was wide-eyed as Molly strutted through the doors, leaving the rest of the villa reeling at the very uncomfortable reunion. Amber Turner has sparked rumours that she may be quitting TOWIE as she revealed she is keen to move abroad. In an Instagram Q&A with her 871k followers while on holiday in Phuket, Thailand, Amber, 30, was asked if she was considering moving abroad permanently. Sharing a picture of herself in Dubai in December, wearing a multicoloured triangle bikini by sunbeds, Amber replied: 'As long as I can remember I've always wanted to move abroad. 'I'm so much happier in warmer climates and a lot of my besties live abroad too. Who knows what the future holds.' It comes after Amber split from Dan in May 2023 because she was tired of waiting for him to propose. In an Instagram Q&A with her 871k followers while on holiday in Phuket, Thailand, Amber was asked if she was considering moving abroad permanently It comes after Amber split from Dan (seen together 2022) in May 2023 because she was tired of waiting for him to propose The couple's break-up was confirmed by Amber on Instagram, who claimed that she felt forced to release a statement after split rumours swirled when Dan, 33, unfollowed her on social media. It is said that Amber had been desperate to settle down with the hunk and 'lost her patience' after being left disappointed that he didn't pop the question after they purchased their dream home together last year. A source at the time told The Sun: 'Amber has been desperate to settle down for years now, but Dan has always been hesitant. 'She was convinced a proposal would be coming soon after they moved into their dream home together at the end of last year. But Dan has failed to make the changes he promised to make for Amber and still seems undecided about the future.' They went on: 'Amber was always willing to give Dan time as he shied away from commitment, but she lost patience.' The insider added that the blonde bombshell knows she wants to get married and have children some day, but refused to 'waste anymore time' on a person who just 'wasn't ready'. Amber told her followers that same week of their split: 'I wasn't going to post anything but due to speculation and questions I feel like I need to. Yes me and Dan have split'. She continued: 'I honestly wish him the best for the future. Please respect our privacy at this time. Thank you'. Amber shared an upload from the airport before jetting off to the UAE on April 16, 2023, and continued to post a number of glamorous photos from her Dubai getaway on Instagram Over the years, Amber's romance with Dan has been rocked by various cheating claims with the reality star becoming known for his 'deny until you die' catchphrase amongst his co-stars Following the announcement, Amber was pictured driving away from the 'dream' Essex mansion they had recently purchased together just before Christmas. Amber was seen at the wheel of the white Mercedes 4x4 before heading to join her friend Courtney Green for a coffee in a local cafe. Later the same day, Dan was pictured arriving at the house. However it was previously understood that he has moved out of their home. Amber had just returned from a UAE city celebrating her mum Suzanne's 60th birthday following the shock split. Despite being an item since 2017, it's certainly not the first time cracks have shown in Dan and Amber's relationship. In 2022, Ella Rae Wise slammed the former electrician for acting 'inappropriately' in a nightclub and claimed Amber shouldn't trust him. Amber previously cheated on ex-boyfriend Jamie Reed with Dan in scenes filmed for the ITVBe series The TOWIE star was left 'hurt' after Amber alleged on multiple occasions that she was 'home' and 'in bed' following nights on the town in Dubai, despite him being told that she was still out TOWIE star Ella, then 22, told MailOnline Dan 'needs to keep his hands to himself' and she was shocked he behaved in such a way given he's in a long-term relationship. In an exclusive interview, Ella explained that Dan is yet to apologise for the incident, which allegedly took place during a night out last year, and she's been branded a 'liar' by her co-stars, including Amber's close friends Chloe Meadows and Courtney Green. She said: 'Dan needs to keep his hands to himself really. He shouldn't touch up other girls when he has a girlfriend. 'He was hands on and given he has a girlfriend, it was inappropriate. 'With his track record I don't know how she can allow her man to go out.' Christie Brinkley has been reflecting on her future as she approaches her 70th birthday. The supermodel, who said she's okay with 'certain' wrinkles,' has also said she is open to romance, but is okay without it. In an interview with People, ahead of her 70th birthday on Friday, the California-born beauty said when it comes to finding love, 'there just doesn't seem to be anybody out there.' 'At the same time,' she continued. 'I am pretty comfortable with my life the way it is, so, que sera, sera!' The cover model, who has been married four times and has three kids, believes it's better to find solace in oneself first. As she approaches her 70th birthday, Christi Brinkley said she is open to romance, but okay without it. 'I am pretty comfortable with my life the way it is, so, que sera, sera!' she told People (Pictured in New York in May 2023) 'I always said my whole life that I think that you have to be happy alone so that you get with a man for the right reasons and you're not clinging to him because you need to, you know?' Brinkley, who was at the top of the modeling game in the 70s, 80s and 90s, added. Christie shares her oldest daughter Alexa Ray, 38, with former husband Billy Joel, 74. Her son Jack is from her brief marriage to Richard Taubman. Jack, 28, was later adopted by husband number four, Peter Cook, who is also dad to daughter Sailor Brinkley-Cook, 25. Bucket list items include travel. 'I still have to see India. I've never been to Tahiti or Thailand. I want to go to Bali also. I've got to do an eat, pray, love,' the adventurous globetrotter said. 'I love Italy, and I want to be able to converse better,' said, explaining that she hoped to take language lessons. The entrepreneur has been staying busy with her company Bellissima, producing an organic zero-sugar still wine. She also is an ambassador for Ryze, promoting apoptogenic mushrooms. In the spring, Christie is scheduled to Xcel Brands Inc. and launch her fashion brand TWRHLL, named after her home on Long Island, New York. 'I want to inspire women at any age and with any body type to confidently wear products that support their individual characteristics,' said told Inside Retail when she announced the collaboration in December 2023. 'Twrhll is a brand specifically tailored to these efforts.' The cover model believes it's better to find solace in oneself first. 'I always said my whole life that I think that you have to be happy alone so that you get with a man for the right reasons and you're not clinging to him because you need to, you know?' (Pictured in Palm Beach, FL in November 2023) The supermodel was at the top of the modeling game in the 70s, 80s and 90s (seen here in 1983's National Lampoon's Vacation' Christie stays busy with several ventures, including her Bellissima wine company, an ambassadorship with Ryze adaptogenic mushrooms and will launch her own clothing line, TWRHLL in the Spring Christie said her future goals also include philanthropy. 'If TWRHLL becomes very successful, I'd love to be able to do things that very successful people do with their money in terms of giving back. At 70, you kind of say, 'What can I do to help others?'' In a posting on social media next to the interview, Christie wrote, 'I still have a few days left of my Sexy Sixties before I dance into my Sensational Seventies on February 2nd, but I already know it's going to be a spectacular year!' 'I know because that's my plan and I'm old enough to know that it's up to me to make sure of it! I always used to say to my kids go out and make it a great day and now I'm saying to myself that I'm gonna make it a great year ! I've had a lot of close calls and I feel lucky and grateful to be here, I just can't believe that I got here so FAST! It's speeds by so my advice to all you young-ins out there Love, laugh, and LIVE IT UP!' Nicole Kidman continues to work tirelessly at her craft after four decades in front of the camera. The 56-year-old actress, who fearlessly posed with a snake for a Vogue cover shoot, knows she will be leaving an indelible legacy 'if it doesnt all get changed by AI.' 'Sorry!' she said after making the comment to the publication, 'So much of it is in the moment.' Having images altered by Artificial Intelligence was one of the key concerns behind the actors strike which brought Hollywood to a standstill for 118 days over the Summer and Fall of 2023. The new three-year contract provided some protections, but they will have to be re-visited when negotiations for renewal commence in the future. Nicole Kidman continues to work tirelessly at her craft after four decades in front of the camera. The 56-year-old actress knows she will be leaving an indelible legacy 'if it doesnt all get changed by AI' (Pictured in New York January 21) Kidman seen with daughter Sunday Rose The multi-hyphenate, who tries to keep her private life out of the headlines, contends her legacy could be carried out by the next generation. 'What are you leaving behind?' she asked. 'Hopefully, your children, who want to make a difference in the world and have purpose and will fight to keep this planet and people alive.' Nicole is mom to Bella, 31, and Connor, 29, from her marriage to Tom Cruise, 61. She shares daughters Sunday, 15, and Faith, 13, with country music star husband and fellow Aussie Keith Urban, 56. The Oscar, Emmy and Golden Globe winner will celebrated for her body of work in April when she will receive the American Film Institute Life Achievement Award. She is the first Australian to be honored with the award. 'Its made me look back and go, wow, I have worked with the greatest directors in the world! How did that happen?' Over her career, the versatile star has forged her own path, playing a grieving mother who must fight for her life in Dead Calm, and an ambitious wanna-be TV star who convinces her teen-aged lover to kill her husband in the dark comedy To Die For The actress won the Academy Award for best actress in 2003 for her performance as author Virginia Woolf in The Hours. She will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Film Institute in April. She will be the first Australian given the honor Nicole is currently starring as an American woman living in Hong Kong in Expats The actress and producer has also confirmed she will be working on a third season of the Emmy winning Big Little Lies. Over her career, the versatile star has forged her own path, playing a grieving mother who must fight for her life in Dead Calm, an ambitious wanna-be TV star who convinces her teen-aged lover to kill her husband in the dark comedy To Die For, and as author Virginia Woolf in her Academy Award winning performance in The Hours. Most recently, she has been focusing on gripping television series including as a government official in Special Ops: Lioness and an American woman living in Hong Kong in Expats. Nicole has also confirmed she will be working on a third season of the Emmy winning Big Little Lies. 'I dont want to be a role model for anyone, Im not interested in that,' she maintained. Nicole is mom to Bella, 31, and Connor, 29, from her marriage to Tom Cruise, 61. She shares daughters Sunday, 15, and Faith, 13, with country music star husband and fellow Aussie Keith Urban, 56 (Pictured in Sydney in December 2023) Nicole, who tries to keep her private life out of the headlines, is looking to the next generation. 'What are you leaving behind?' she asked. 'Hopefully, your children, who want to make a difference in the world and have purpose and will fight to keep this planet and people alive' 'Im interested in artistically exploring what it means to be a human beingthe idea of life and death and love and pain and joy. Everything else is background noise.' 'I keep a lot of distance between me and what everyone thinks or wants or how Im meant to behave. I try to keep a shield around me.' She described herself as, 'partner to a lover, Im a mother, Im a daughter, Im a sister, Im an aunt, Im a best friend.' 'Im able to still have a very, very real, palpable life thats my own, where Im exploring every part of this journey,' she said. Nico Parker turned heads in an eye catching cut out navy mini dress as she attended the UK special screening of her new film Suncoast at The Soho Hotel on Sunday. The actress, 19, looked incredible as she went braless under the halterneck polka dot number. The middle child of actress Thandiwe Newton elevated her frame in a pair of towering black heels. Styling her long brunette tresses in a neat half-up do, Nico accessorised with a pair of stylish hoop earrings. She seemed in high spirits as she posed for photos alongside co-star Woody Harrelson who looked smart in a burgundy quarter zip jumper and navy trousers. Nico Parker turned heads in an eye catching cut out navy mini dress as she attended the UK special screening of her new film Suncoast at The Soho Hotel on Sunday The actress, 19, looked incredible as she went braless under the halterneck polka dot number The new film, which was written and directed by Laura Chinn, follows a teen living with her strong-willed mother who must take her brother to a specialized facility. She strikes up an unlikely friendship with an eccentric activist at protests surrounding a landmark medical case. The coming-of-age film is also based on Laura's life experience from the early 2000s. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 21, followed by a streaming release in the United States on February 9, on Hulu. In 1998, Thandie married Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again writer and director Ol Parker, who also wrote both Best Exotic Marigold Hotel films. In addition to Nico, the showbiz couple also share an 23-year-old daughter called Ripley and a nine-year-old son called Booker. Nico has gone into the family business with a role in Disney's live-action remake of its 1941 animated flying elephant musical Dumbo. Thandiwe explained to Hollywood Life in a 2010 interview: 'I want my girls to feel empowered. Thats the most important thing.' The Dumbo star elevated her frame in a pair of towering black heels and accessorised with a pair of stylish hoop earrings (pictured L-R Francesca Silvestri, Woody Harrelson, Laura Chinn and Nico Parker) She seemed in high spirits as she posed for photos alongside co-star Woody Harrelson who looked smart in a burgundy quarter zip jumper and navy trousers Nico is the daughter of actress Thandiwe Newton and director Ol Parker. The couple also share daughter Ripley, 23, and son Booker, nine (pictured L-R Ol Parker, Nico Parker, Thandiwe Newton and Ripley Parker in 2019) She mused about parenthood: 'Its amazing how you start again and you re-live your childhood. The universe has given me girls because I needed to live that girlhood again in a fresh way.' Said she: 'Motherhood has taught me how exquisite human beings are and how tender, fragile and powerful we are.' Nico landed her first Hollywood film role at the age of 14 in Tim Burton's live action remake of Dumbo, released in 2019 but doesn't star in this movie. She appeared in HBO's miniseries The Third Day with Jude Law in 2020 and has been cast in HBO's adaptation of The Last of Us. Sydney Sweeney had a blast monkeying around while promoting Miu Miu's 'Wander' campaign in the branches of a large tree on Sunday. The 26-year-old Euphoria bombshell modeled a green Miu Miu-print T-shirt, grey short-shorts, and darker grey socks as she clamored on the tree. Sydney was showcasing the Italian brand's $2,750 'Wander Matelasse Hobo' bag as well as the $1,950 'Wander Matelasse Hobo' mini-bag. Sweeney - who boasts 19.5M social media followers - captioned her Instagram slideshow: 'Hanging out with @miumiu #miumiuholiday #miuwander.' 'I really wanted to put a bit of a rebellious twist on what a luxury handbag campaign usually represents for there to be this idea of a youthful girl-next-door, but you're not quite sure what she's gonna do next,' the Miu Miu brand ambabssador told i-D back in 2022. Sydney Sweeney had a blast monkeying around while promoting Miu Miu's 'Wander' campaign in the branches of a large tree on Sunday 'She's someone who's wandering around for her freedom getting ready to go nowhere and everywhere at the same time.' On December 11, Sydney donned a sheer silver-embellished Miu Miu gown to attend the New York premiere of her $126.6M-grossing rom-com Anyone but You at AMC Lincoln Square Theater in Manhattan. On May 23, Sweeney brought her fiance Jonathan Davino to a private lunch for the subsidiary of Prada she hosted at the L'Ecrin Plage in France during the 76th Cannes Film Festival. It came a few weeks after the two-time Emmy nominee attended the Karl Lagerfeld-themed Met Gala wearing a pink-embellished Miu Miu trumpet gown. And it's been nearly two years since Sydney first signed on to model for Miu Miu, which was originally established in 1992 by Miuccia Prada. Other recent Miu Miu brand ambassadors include Cailee Spaeny, Emily Ratajkowski, Ever Aderson, Emma Corrin, Mia Goth, Gigi Hadid, and Elle Fanning. Sweeney 'truly felt like a superhero' the first time she tried on Spider-Woman Julia Carpenter's costume designed by Ngila Dickson in S.J. Clarkson's Madame Web, which hits US theaters February 14 and UK theaters February 16. 'I was in Boston already we filmed in Boston and we had this really cool scan done of our body, so they could get a full 3D measurement of us, and they showed us sketches,' the Spokane-born, LA-raised beauty told First We Feast talk show Hot Ones last Thursday. The 26-year-old Euphoria bombshell modeled a green Miu Miu-print T-shirt, grey short-shorts, and darker grey socks as she clamored on the tree Sydney was showcasing the Italian brand's $2,750 'Wander Matelasse Hobo' bag as well as the $1,950 'Wander Matelasse Hobo' mini-bag Sweeney - who boasts 19.5M social media followers - captioned her Instagram slideshow: 'Hanging out with @miumiu #miumiuholiday #miuwander' The Miu Miu brand ambabssador told i-D back in 2022: 'I really wanted to put a bit of a rebellious twist on what a luxury handbag campaign usually represents for there to be this idea of a youthful girl-next-door, but you're not quite sure what she's gonna do next. She's someone who's wandering around for her freedom getting ready to go nowhere and everywhere at the same time' (pictured January 10) On December 11, Sydney donned a sheer silver-embellished Miu Miu gown to attend the New York premiere of her $126.6M-grossing rom-com Anyone but You at AMC Lincoln Square Theater in Manhattan On May 23, Sweeney brought her fiance Jonathan Davino (R) to a private lunch for the subsidiary of Prada she hosted at the L'Ecrin Plage in France during the 76th Cannes Film Festival It came a few weeks after the two-time Emmy nominee attended the Karl Lagerfeld-themed Met Gala wearing a pink-embellished Miu Miu trumpet gown And it's been nearly two years since Sydney first signed on to model for Miu Miu, which was originally established in 1992 by Miuccia Prada Sweeney 'truly felt like a superhero' the first time she tried on Spider-Woman Julia Carpenter's costume designed by Ngila Dickson in S.J. Clarkson's Madame Web, which hits US theaters February 14 and UK theaters February 16 The Spokane-born, LA-raised beauty told Hot Ones last Thursday: 'I was in Boston already we filmed in Boston and we had this really cool scan done of our body, so they could get a full 3D measurement of us, and they showed us sketches. I was like, "Oh my god, that's so cool!" It had like full 3D sketches of our faces, and when I put it on, I truly felt like a superhero. It was the coolest thing ever' Madame Web - set in the year 2003 - also features Isabel Merced (L), Dakota Johnson (2-L), Celeste O'Connor (R), Tahar Rahim, Adam Scott, Emma Roberts, Zosia Mamet, and Mike Epps 'I was like, "Oh my god, that's so cool!" It had like full 3D sketches of our faces, and when I put it on, I truly felt like a superhero. It was the coolest thing ever.' Madame Web - set in the year 2003 -also features Dakota Johnson, Celeste O'Connor, Isabel Merced, Tahar Rahim, Adam Scott, Emma Roberts, Zosia Mamet, and Mike Epps. Sydney also produced and stars as the miraculously pregnant Catholic nun Cecilia in Michael Mohan's psychological horror Immaculate, which hits US theaters March 22. Euphoria creator Sam Levinson reportedly began production on the third season of his hit Max teen drama last month, so fans can expect more of Sweeney as Cassie Howard. Rebel Wilson treated her fiancee Ramona Agruma to an unforgettable 40th birthday celebration over the weekend. The Australian actress, 43, whisked the American designer away to Las Vegas for a wild birthday trip, before serenading her with none other than Kylie Minogue. Posting to Instagram Stories on Sunday, Rebel shared a clip of herself and the pop princess singing Happy Birthday to Ramona as they spent time in Kylie's dressing room at the Venetian Resort. 'A very special Happy Birthday to a very special girl. Be HAPPY, baby,' Rebel wrote next to the vide. In a separate post, Rebel added: 'We should be so LUCKY (Lucky, lucky, lucky!) Ramona's actual 40th spent singing and dancing with the legend herself KYLIE.' Rebel Wilson, 43, (left) treated her fiancee Ramona Agruma (right) to an unforgettable 40th birthday celebration in Las Vegas over the weekend by serenading her with none other than Kylie Minogue (centre) Clearly thrilled with her birthday surprise, Ramona commented on the post: 'Best birthday ever! Thank you my love.' A song from Kylie wasn't the only birthday surprise Ramona enjoyed - she was also treated to a VIP moment while visiting Resort World Las Vegas. Posting to Instagram on Saturday, Rebel shared a photo of the couple cuddling up in front of a large LED screen emblazoned with a picture of the twosome, along with the words: 'Happy birthday Ramona. xxx Rebel.' Posting to Instagram Stories on Sunday, Rebel shared a clip of herself and the pop princess singing Happy Birthday to Ramona as they spent time in Kylie's dressing room at the Venetian Resort Clearly thrilled with her birthday surprise, Ramona commented on the post: 'Best birthday ever! Thank you my love' 'She's on the strip! Happy 40th birthday Ramona my darling!!' Rebel enthused in her caption. Hours later, the Pitch Perfect star shared videos of herself, Ramona and a group of friends dining at celebrity hot spot Delilah at Wynn Las Vegas. After dinner, the group visited a nearby nightclub to watch a racy pole dancing performance. Rebel and Ramona met sometime in 2021 and public with their romance in June 2022. The welcomed their daughter Royce via surrogate in November 2022, and became engaged in February 2023. His comments come as tax experts are warning of a so-called 'Great Wealth Transfer' which will see Baby Boomers pass on trillions of dollars Driscoll, the executive VP of Walgreens, said the American Dream is dying John Driscoll is among 250 millionaires and billionaires asking to be taxed more As the children of a multi-millionaire entrepreneur, you might forgive John Driscoll's two sons for thinking they would never have to worry about making money. But the 64-year-old Walgreens executive vice president insists this is not the case. That's because the vast majority of Driscoll's fortune will not go to his boys - Daniel and Jack, both in their late 20s- but to charity instead. 'I have always been very clear with my sons that I will pay for their education but it's up to them to make their own way,' he told DailyMail.com. Driscoll is on a mission to wipe out so-called 'nepo baby' culture, claiming the proliferation of generational wealth is destroying the American Dream. Earlier this month he hit headlines after signing a campaign letter - alongside Disney Heir Abigail Disney - demanding that the super wealthy such as himself pay more tax. They are among 250 billionaires and millionaires supporting the initiative 'Proud to Pay More.' Walgreens executive vice president John Driscoll, pictured with his sons Daniel (left) and Jack (right), is spearheading a campaign to tax the super wealthy like himself 'I have always been very clear with my sons that I will pay for their education but it's up to them to make their own way,' Driscoll told DailyMail.com He said: 'We have this crazy complicated tax system that incentivizes people to become tax cheats and encourages this gaming mentality. 'Our estate tax system especially is broken and it needs dismantling to ensure the super rich are paying their fair share.' Tax experts are preparing for what they have dubbed 'the Great Wealth Transfer' which will see parents and grandparents hand down trillions of dollars to their heirs. The full sum is $84 trillion over the next two decades, according to estimates by consultancy Cerulli Associates. And generational wealth is driving the housing market too. Data from Redfin shows that four in ten homebuyers under the age of 30 receive money from their family to contribute to their downpayment. But Driscoll warns this constant sharing of wealth from Baby Boomers - who benefited from better economic conditions than their Millennial and Generation Z children - means wealth remains concentrated at the top and eradicates meritocracy. Driscoll's grandparents, pictured, were Irish immigrants who moved to Boston from their impoverished upbringings in County Cork, Ireland Driscoll is the executive vice president of Walgreens and has been for the past year In America, there is no federal inheritance tax, although a handful of states impose their own levies on inheritance. But heirs may be liable for the federal estate tax which is applied to estates over the value of $13.61 million. Married couples have a combined exemption of $27.22 million. The levy - known as the 'death tax' - ranges between 18 and 40 percent. Driscoll did not specify how much more he wants to see these levy raised. His passion for the issue stems from the fact he sees himself as a beneficiary of the American Dream. Previous estimates have put Driscoll's wealth at $1.7 million but he admits it is 'considerably more' than this figure today. His grandparents were Irish immigrants who moved to Boston from their impoverished upbringings in County Cork, Ireland. His grandfather, John Patrick Driscoll, took a job at Everett gas shoveling coal before taking classes at MIT to become a third-class engineer. Meanwhile Driscoll's father became an attorney while he himself has spent his career in the healthcare business. But he insists his family would not have had such good fortune emigrating today. In a letter submitted for the Proud to Pay More campaign, he wrote: 'The sad truth today is that if my grandparents came to America and tried just as earnestly to get ahead, its unlikely they would succeed let alone lay the groundwork for their grandson to become a millionaire.' The issue of whether the super-rich pay enough tax has been a hot debate in America, with Biden last year proposing a 'Billionaire Minimum Income Tax' which would require the country's wealthiest to pay at least 20 percent on their income. A 2021 investigation by ProPublica found the 25 richest Americans - including Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos - paid an average 'true tax rate' of just 3.4 percent on their income between 2014 and 2018. And, according to Proud to Pay More's research, America has the largest proportion of millionaires of ay G20 country. According to Proud to Pay More's research, American has the largest proportion of millionaires of ay G20 country Some 4.95 percent of the US population have more than $1 million to their name compared to 2.2 percent of Britons and 3.53 percent of Australians. But tax evasion among America's super-wealthy has long been a headache for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel last year told reporters that budget cuts had made it difficult for agents to tackle the 'complicated methods the wealthiest taxpayers used to hide their income and evade paying their fair share of taxes.' The organization launched a historic crackdown on ultra-rich tax cheats which saw agents claw back $122 million from the nation's millionaires. Union minister BL Verma on Saturday said the Centre will provide all help for the development of the cooperative sector in Maharashtra. The Union minister of state for cooperation was speaking at the Maharashtra State Urban Cooperative Banks Conference (MSUCBC) 2023-24 being held here. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and guidance of Union Minister for Cooperation Amit Shah, many steps have been taken for development in the country through the medium of cooperation. The Union government will provide all help for development of the cooperative sector in Maharashtra, Verma said. He said the Narendra Modi government had created a separate ministry for cooperation, which was ensuring all stakeholders were getting support and solutions were being found for problems facing the sector. Speaking on the occasion, Union minister of state for health Bharti Pawar said the government must provide help to the Nashik District Central Cooperative Bank so that the institution can tide over problems. Pawar is Lok Sabha MP from Dindori in the district. Maharashtra has a glorious tradition of cooperation and cooperative institutions, which have contributed greatly in the development of the nation, state cooperation minister Dilip Walse Patil said. The state government has prepared a scheme to protect depositors of cooperative credit societies and has allotted Rs 100 crore for it. The Union government must also give Rs 100 crore so that these institutions can be strengthened, he said. The historic consecration of Ram temple in Ayodhya signifies not just a momentous event but a call for reconciliation Every battle must end, so must every dispute. Killings are more easily forgotten than the destruction of buildings. But when a residence of the divine is destroyed, it is unforgettable. For a Hindu, a mandir is a residence of God. The reason is that an elevated human soul either meets the divine or obtains a glimpse of Him as Ramakrishna Paramahansa did. This is very different from a synagogue, church or mosque, all of which are merely prayer halls. Their respective faiths and adherents do not consider them to be residences of the divine. January 22, 2024 is now behind us. It has been an epoch-making day, led by the man who made it possible. The Prime Minister's consecration of Shri Ram Lalla at Ayodhya marked the return of Lord Rama to his abode on earth after 500 years of not only waiting, but ceaseless struggle and sacrifices. Ever since Mughal invader Babar's henchman Mir Baqi destroyed the original temple at Ayodhya in 1528 AD, Hindus never gave up the struggle to reclaim the birthplace of Rama. The history of battles waged by the Hindu faithful is a long one, but December 6, 1992 was the day when the edifice known as Babri Masjid was sent to the dust. But, as our Prime Minister has said, now is perhaps the time for reconciliation. The Somnath Temple at PrabhasPatan near Veraval (Gujarat) was destroyed by the Turkic marauder Mahmud of Ghazni in 1026 A.D. Even after a thousand years later, the devilish crime has not faded from Hindu memory. Thereafter, of course, several thousand temples have been demolished or desecrated. By European traditions and the way they have conducted their politics, the dispute over these desecrations and loss caused should have been settled before New Delhi agreed to part with the share of pre-1947 India's assets to Pakistan at the time of Partition. Unfortunately, nothing was done. Instead, more temples were destroyed even in the Kashmir Valley, where India ruled. Three-quarters of a century have since passed. Surely, it is beyond time that the issue should be settled and a reconciliation and a reconciliation achieved, if the two communities are expected to coexist cordially in the same country. The question is: what is the gesture required to bring about such a reconciliation? Very broadly, the desecrated temples can be divided into two categories. Until the period of the Lodi Sultanate, which began from 1451 onwards, and the spread of its rule over certain regions of northern India, Islamic invaders intruding into the country were not accompanied or followed by their architects. The pre-Lodi Muslim sultans therefore, converted temples into mosques readily by smashing the edifice along with the moortis (idols) inside the sanctum sanctorum, and replacing them with mehrabs (a niche in a mosque, which indicates the qibla, the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca) to face Mecca and a minbar (pulpit) of steps, whereupon the imam stands every Friday to deliver his khutba (Islamic sermon). Many temples were broken down and converted into such mosques. A prominent example of such a conversion is the Dhai Din kaJhopra, which stands at about a furlong's distance from the popular Ajmer Sharif dargah. The odd name signifies that this particular conversion was effected within sixty hours of the desecration of the original Hindu place of worship, because ShahbuddinGhori was in a hurry to pray on his return journey via Ajmer. His slave QutbuddinAibak obediently had the conversion executed within two and a half days for his master and badshah to pray when he returned. The erstwhile temple had actually been a complex of three temples, which were promptly combined and converted into a mosque-like edifice. It is therefore, even now, in a condition to be reconverted into a temple, almost equally quickly. There would be about 200 to 300 such converted and re-convertible edifices. They could be returned to Hindu institutions, while the thousands of recycled ones could be left alone, as a gesture for the process of reconciliation. These were the temples that were broken down almost to the plinth level and reconstructed with the debris being utilized in such reconstruction. The reconstruction using the same debris was done in Islamic style. These are present in the country by the thousands, with 3,000 of them having been catalogued after being identified either with documentary evidence and/or epigraphs. These latter structures could be left alone with an apology for having reduced them to such a state, along with an undertaking that such criminal acts shall not be repeated. An undertaking must also be given that the restored temples handed over o Hindu institutions and bodies will be given away irrevocably, and no claim on them whatsoever shall ever be made in the future. Other issues too, will inevitably come up. As part of the process of reconciliation, issues such as the uniform civil code-which are part of the Constitution of India, but as a Directive Principle-should be dealt with suitably. So also should the issue of the outdated and debilitating waqf, called a "dead hand" by a former chancellor A.A.A. Fyzee. The intention must be to not keep pending any ongoing irritant between the two communities. Let peace and goodwill prevail. (The writer is a well-known columnist, an author and a former member of the Rajya Sabha. The views expressed are personal) This conflict finds its roots in history that spans over a century when the Zionist movement, advocating for the establishment of a Jewish homeland, gained momentum The past 114 day-long Israel-Palestine war has an immediate as well as a long historical context: the immediate context of the war is the Hamas attack killing 1200 and taking 120 Israeli civilians as hostages on October 7 last year; while its long history begins with the proposal to establish the Jewish homeland, Israel, in this region after their dispersion from European countries. During the first world-war, the proposal gets impetus and the 'conflict' becomes intense with the British promising Jews to help them set up the Jewish homeland in Palestine after the collapse of Ottoman Empire for their influence on the US to support the post-war policies of the Britain. The conception and claim of homeland by the Jews dispersed from Europe on the same swathes of land where a mix of Muslim, Jew, and Christian population is already in place holding their identity as Arabs or Palestinians generates a 'conflict' of Jewish-Israeli nationalism pitted against the Palestinian-Arabic nationalism. The 'conflict' gains intensity at the revelation of the three self-contradictory agreements made by the British authorities during this time for their own imperialist interests treating the region as 'terra nullius' or 'booty of the war': these agreements are famous as the 'Hussein-McMahon Correspondence' (1915-1916), the 'Sykes-Picot Agreement' (1916) and the 'Balfour Declaration'(1917). The 'Hussain-McMahon Correspondence' promised Arabs the independence of Palestine in exchange for their support for the British against the Ottoman (Uthman) Empire in the First World War, yet, on the other hand, in contradiction the 'Balfour Declaration', promised the Jews their 'homeland' in the Palestine. But after the war, using 'Sykes-Picot Agreement' between the British and the French, the British took Palestine region under their 'Authority' securing a safe access to India through the Suez Canal and the Persian Gulf but deepening the conflict between Israel and Palestine. The Palestine region remained under the British Authority until 1948 and between 1917- 1948, emigration of Jews in Palestine and the Israel-Palestine conflict swelled in parallel. In 1930, the Arabs launched a revolt against the British colonial rule in Palestine and its policy of Jewish resettlement here, which resulted in a plan to partition Palestine into the Jewish and Arab states leaving Jerusalem under international administration. The Jewish leaders accepted but the Arab states and the Palestinians rejected the proposal. On the other hand, during the Second World War, the Jewish Holocaust campaign in Germany and some other European countries left the Jews homeless. In August 1945, by the American President, Truman's appeal to the British Prime Minister, Attlee, to settle 100,000 Nazi Holocaust victims in Palestine, America also joined the powers that would determine the future of Palestine, though neither America nor Britain offered them refuge in America or Britain. The Arabs sympathized with the displaced Jews, but opposed the creation of Israel on the Palestinian territories. America and Britain continued to orient their policy on Palestine to their convenience. Tired of the Second World War and directly dealing with the civil war in Palestine, the British government ended its Authority over Palestine at midnight on 14 May, 1948 leaving the Jewish-Arab factions fighting each other during the civil war. On the same day the Jewish leadership in Palestine announced the establishment of the State of Israel. The birth of Israel from a violent war caused the displacement of approximately 700,000 Palestinian-Arabs. It is called by the Jews the 'War of Independence' but by the Palestinians as the 'Nakba' meaning 'destruction and desolation'. Since then Palestine has been a land of 'conflicts', 'battles' and third party 'peace agreements'. The current 'Israel- Palestinian war' building on more than 100 years of conflict and internecine battles for their 'homelands' in the same geographical territories is guided by the right-wing nationalism on both sides, with the external third party players consistently present to fulfil their (neo)colonial interests.In the 2023-24 Israel-Palestine war, Israel and Hamas or Palestine are the parties directly in conflict, and much of the discussion about the war is usually focused on 'who of the immediate players in the war is more culpable' and 'who of the two has a stronger claim for its ''homeland' in the same region, while the role of third parties in the war remains elusive. One breed of third party players is of those coerced into war and circumscribed by their regional geographical, cultural and historical existence; they are affected by what happens in the region. But there is another breed of third party extra-regional powers in the war whose presence is guided by their geo-political and economic interests; they act as catalysts to turn the 'conflict' into a 'war' and choose between 'right' and 'left' to their convenience. To understand the multifaceted politics of the Israeli-Palestinian war, it is also important to describe the role of these catalyst forces at work behind the war. By vetoing the UN proposal for 'immediate ceasefire' America and Britain have helped the war to inflame and by sanctioning the sale of weapons and ammunition twice, America has fuelled the war and encouraged the right-wing Israeli government passion for displacement of Palestinian population.In the name of eliminating Hamas and their bases, the indiscriminate heavy bombardment by Israel, with the unflinching support and encouragement by the US, has led to the mass destruction of ordinary Palestinian civilians. Israel's current war against Hamas is in reality a war against Palestinians. The Israel-Palestine war of 2023-24 is the worst not only because the majority of the dead are civilians but also because it is being fought like a genocide. The right-wing Israeli government, led by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, wants complete Israeli control in Palestine and does not recognize any role for the Palestinian Authority. Two Israeli ministers of the Israeli government have revealed their ideology by their advice to the Palestinians to leave for the country that permits them. The American support has reinforced such an ideology. Facing challenges from within and without, pressure from the countries of West Asia and fear of Israel becoming more intransigent, America has reviewed its policy in Palestine. The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has met with the leaders of Turkey, Qatar and Jordan on his fourth diplomatic tour of West Asia to drum up support for the US post-war plan of 'two states' and reconstruction of Gaza. In a press conference he has said that the Palestinians should not be pressured to leave Gaza. But the US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller's comments on a lawsuit in the International Court of Justice by South Africa against Israel for committing 'genocide' contradict its 'peace proposal' and exposes its position on displacement. On the one hand, America's support for a 'two-state solution' and criticism of Israel's claim for Jewish state on the whole region, but on the other hand, billions of dollars annual US aid to Israel for years and sale of arms during the war and veto of UN proposal for 'immediate ceasefire' exposes its ambivalent policy on Gaza and cleverness as of Britain during the First World War. After all, Israel is using the US aid and weapons to occupy Palestinian territories and disperse the Palestinian population. (The writer is retired professor Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar and member, Governing Council, INTECH; views are personal) Among the latest Padma Shri awardees, 34 were ordinary citizens, including tribals and those working for tribal welfare The Padma Awards, the prestigious civilian honours in India, are announced annually on the eve of Republic Day. These awards aim to acknowledge achievements across various fields where a component of public service is evident. The history of the Padma Awards dates back to 1954 when the Government of India established two civilian awardsBharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan. The latter initially had three classes: Pahela Varg, Dusra Varg, and Tisra Varg. They were later renamed Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri through a Presidential Notification issued on January 8, 1955. Even though the Padma award has been bestowed on various celebrated people since 1954, it was only from 2014 onwards that it started focusing on the common man. Till then, it was a distant dream for a commoner to aim for the award. Even when we recognise a scientist working in the lab for their note-worthy contributions, we often forget the thousands of real 'scientists' who work on the field utilising the knowledge they gathered through the ages from their forefathers. There are great farmers who are developing new plant varieties and cultivation packages. There are great tribal healers who can cure diseases even without the least knowledge of modern science. There are great conservation biologists who know how to conserve nature without any understanding of ecology. There are excellent climatologists who can predict weather simply by looking at the changes happening in nature. There are exemplary people working in astronomy, metallurgy, engineering and other fields. These people work selflessly for the benefit of society without realising even the significance of their work for society. Behind every architectural marvellance or artistic work, there is the craftsmanship of our skilled labour force. Unfortunately, people recognise only the finished product, not the hand that made it happen. There are thousands of such people who live amongst us without seeking any attention. They may not hold a PhD degree or a professional degree, but their knowledge and scientific skills are more than those of a trained scientist. In the recent list of 110 Padma Shri awardees, it was announced that 34 were such ordinary people, of whom more than one-third are tribals or those who have worked for tribal welfare. The prominent unsung heroes include Parbati Baruah, fondly known as "Hathi ki Pari," a female elephant trainer from Goalparahas, Assam. Defying deep-rooted stereotypes, Baruah has devoted four decades to addressing human-elephant conflicts. Her scientific methodology has supported three state governments in effectively managing and capturing troublesome tuskers, illustrating the effectiveness of challenging conventional norms. The farming community is doing yeoman service for the nation and humanity. It's appreciable that many farmers found a place on this year's Padma list. Sathyanarayana Beleri, the rice farmer from Kasaragod, conserves 650 traditional rice varieties on his farm without any sophisticated infrastructure, which even ICAR institutions don't do. Other farmers who were recognised include Sarbeswar Basumatary, the tribal farmer from Chirang,Assam; K Chellammal, an Organic farmer from Andaman; Yanung Jamoh Lego from Arunachal Pradesh and Sanjay Anant Patil of Goa. Many people who work in nature conservation, folk arts and craftmanship have also been recognised. The knowledge these exceptional people garnered was passed down through generations orally and is not documented properly. The knowledge is shared only among the close family members. In most cases, the second generation shifts away from the traditional workforce, moving toward more lucrative urban jobs. In the long run, if there are no takers for this traditional knowledge, it will become extinct, as happened to the Indian Knowledge system. Modi government's initiative to recognise such people is a futuristic vision to preserve the remnants of still-prevailing Indian knowledge. This will revive interest in their community to carry forward the great work their forefathers have been doing. Recognition through a coveted award like Padma Shri will also provide them respect from other members of the society. The government has fostered a sense of self-confidence and admiration for one's work by making the Padma award accessible to the common man. (The writer is an adjunct faculty at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore, views are personal) Ending a week-long period of speculation, JD(U) president Nitish Kumar did another political somersault on Sunday, this time securing the backing of the BJP and re-appointing himself as Chief Minister by taking the oath for a record ninth time to lead the Bihar Government. Eighteen months ago, Nitish had parted ways with the BJP, despite winning the 2020 Assembly elections as part of the NDA coalition. He joined the RJD-Congress coalition in August 2022, leading the Government with RJDs Tejashwi Yadav as his deputy. After Nitishs coronation, Tejashwi said it marked the end of Nitish style of politics and the demise of JD(U) in Bihar. Governor Rajendra Arlekar administered the oath of office and secrecy at the Raj Bhavan in Patna, with BJP president JP Nadda in attendance, after a well-orchestrated change of regime over 72 hours in the crucial State that holds 40 Lok Sabha seats. Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that the newly sworn-in NDA Government in Bihar, led by Nitish, will spare no effort for the States development. Alongside Nitish, BJP leaders Vijay Kumar Sinha, State BJP chief Samrat Choudhary took oath as Deputy CMs, and BJPs Prem Kumar took oath as a Minister. JD(U) members Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Vijendra Yadav, and Shrawan Kumar also took oath, along with former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi-led Hindustan Awam Morchas Santosh Kumar Suman and Independent legislator Sumit Singh. Other members of the council of Ministers will be decided in a day or two, sources said. Referring to his partys alliance with the NDA, Nitish said, We will stay together. Eight leaders took oath as Ministers today, and the rest will be inducted soon. Responding to Tejashwis statement, JDU will be finished in 2024, Nitish said, We work for the development and progress of Bihar. We will keep doing the same, nothing else. Tejashwi was not doing anything. Now I am back where I was before (in the NDA), and now there is no question of going anywhere. Earlier in the day, Nitish resigned as the Chief Minister, citing issues in the Mahagathbandhan and the Opposition Bloc INDIA. He then staked claim to form a new Government with the BJP. Kumars former Mahagathbandhan ally RJD boycotted the event, while another former ally Congress remained absent. Nitish first took oath as the States Chief Minister in 2000, but his Government fell within a week. In May 2014, he stepped down but returned eight months later, elbowing out his then protege Jitan Ram Manjhi, as CM in November 2015 when the JD(U), RJD, and Congress won the Assembly elections. In 2017, he resigned, only to form a new Government with the BJP. He returned as the CM after the 2020 Assembly polls, which the NDA won, but the JD(U) performed poorly, with the blame placed on Chirag Paswan-led Lok Jan Shakti, who is now a natural member of the NDA coalition. The Bihar Assembly has a strength of 243 members, with the RJD as the largest single party (79 MLAs), followed by the BJP at 78, JD(U) at 45, the Congress 19, the HAM 4, and the rest in single digits. Talking to the media after the oath ceremony, Nadda said, It is on record that whenever NDA forms the Government in Bihar, stability and development take a quantum leap. Under the leadership of Modi, NDA will sweep the Lok Sabha election and will again form the Government in Bihar in the next Assembly. With this latest change of guard, Nitish is seen as a weak political leader in Bihar, given the double number of BJP MLAs compared to the JD(U). Nitish has returned to the BJP fold, claiming that he felt restless in the Opposition alliance INDIA, which he initiated last June, anticipating that the bloc would name him the Prime Ministerial candidate. This did not materialise, leading him to overhaul his party by appointing himself as JD(U) chief and accusing his close confidant Lallan Singh of playing to the tunes of Congress and RJDs supremo Lalu Prasad. An old video of Nitishs remarks on the BJP resurfaced on Sunday when he had uttered, Mar jana qubool hai, unke (BJP) saath jana humko kabhi qubool nahi hai, ye acchi tarah samajh lijiye. (Dying is acceptable, going with them is never acceptable to us, understand this). With the current jolt by the JD(U) which till a day earlier was the harbinger of larger Opposition coalition INDIA Bloc landed in a trouble on Sunday with its chief architect Nitish Kumar shook hands with the NDA after his aspirations to take on BJPs tallest leader Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not materialise even after nine months of his engagement with the Congress led stakeholders of Opposition Bloc. Days after the Trinamool Congress-led West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee poured cold waters on the grouping by announcing to go solo in Lok Sabha polls and there shall be no truck with the Congress, the JD(U) too said the alliance was collapsing due to the grand old partys indifferent attitude to regional allies. The Aam Aadmi Party too last week announced to contest alone in Punjab. Which means after West Bengal, Bihar, Punjab gone only hope remains in Jharkhand even as the tantrums of both the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party and the Congress is visible in Uttar Pradesh which accounts for 80 Lok Sabha seats. Akhilesh, however, has announced to share 11 seats with the Congress, against the latters demand of 20. As Nitish tendered his resignation on Sunday morning, he explained that things in the INDIA Bloc have not been working out. While playing the lead role in the coalition, the Congress said it was aware of what was brewing in Bihar but did not comment on it before in the interest of the INDIA Bloc. Countering JD(U)s allegation that the Congress insulted Nitish time and again, the grand old party said if Nitish wanted to stay, he would have; but he wanted to join the NDA. The Congress said party chief Mallikarjun Kharge tried to reach out to Nitish but was unsuccessful. Kharge said Nitishs switch was pre-planned and Nitish kept the Congress, and the RJD leadership in the dark. The party, which is now left in the lurch with sole coffers in Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and Sharad Pawar led-NCP besides the DMK, alleged that the BJP is doing its best to cause a mini implosion in the coalition. Personally, yes the optics could have been better. There is no implosion. But the BJP is working overtime to ensure there is a minimum implosion if not a maximum implosion, Congress chief spokesman Jairam Ramesh said when asked about the developments. In the crucial State of Uttar Pradesh, which has 80 Lok Sabha constituencies, the Samajwadi Party announced that it has offered 11 seats to the Congress, with former Chief Minister and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav asserting that their alliance is off to a good start. Ramesh said senior leader Ashok Gehlot is holding talks with the SP chief over seat-sharing and it is taking place in a positive and constructive environment. Speaking in Karnataka, Kharge said his party expects that those who have the desire to protect the countrys Constitution and democracy, will definitely not take any hasty steps. Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary (54) and Vijay Kumar Sinha (64) on Sunday emerged as dark horse in the second generation leadership of BJP in Bihar. Choudhary, who belongs to backward caste, is likely to get Home portfolio in the new Nitish Kumar Cabinet while Sinha is from upper caste. Other party leaders who are likely to be made Ministers in the new Government are Nitin Nabin, Shahnawaz Hussain, Rampreet Paswan, Neeraj Singh Babloo. BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi, who was deputy to Nitish Kumar when the BJP and the JD(U) was in an alliance in the State, is wanted back in the State. Sources said Bihar has as many as 40 Lok Sabha seats, making it very significant politically. The bigger picture appears to be the factor that led the BJP to welcome Nitish, infamous for his flip-flops, back into the NDA fold. As the country gears up for the Lok Sabha polls next year, the BJP now appears a formidable force armed with the charisma of Prime Minister Modi and meticulous election machinery. Addressing a Press conference in Patna , shortly after he attended Kumars swearing in with his party as an alliance partner, BJP national president JP Nadda asserted that NDA will sweep the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He said the new NDA Government headed by Nitish will make Ujjwal Bihar.The people of Bihar had given the mandate in the last Assembly polls to our natural alliance with Nitish. Bihar has gained whenever we have been in power together, be it in terms of law and order or economic development, he said. He asserted that Bihar will again see growth propelled by double engine, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the helm at the Centre. With the latest development, the present generation leaders of BJP in Bihar are likely to be sidelined in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. On Sunday, Choudhary was elected the leader of the BJP legislature party on Sunday and Sinha as his deputy. Choudhary, a Kushwaha OBC leader, was appointed as Bihars State president last year replacing Sanjay Jaiswal Choudhary, a crucial State for the BJP, reportedly due to the closeness to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He was appointed as Bihar BJP chief as the BJP had hoped to engineer a split in Nitishs core Luv-Kush (OBC Kurmi-Koeri) vote base. He was given the task to deliver the 2025 Assembly polls for the party. Known to be a vocal critic of Nitish, Choudhary had started wearing a turban after the JD(U) supremo dumped the BJP last year, vowing to take it off only after his party returns to power. He often criticised the JD(U) supremo on administrative lapses, even when the BJP was part of the ruling alliance. Before joining the BJP in 2018, Chaudhary was a member of Rashtriya Janata Dal and Janata Dal (United). He left the RJD in 2014 and joined the JD(U). His father, Shakuni Choudhary was an army man-turned-politician who started off in the Congress, and frequently switched allegiance between arch-rivals Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar. Samrat was a Minister in the Government headed by Rabri Devi, the RJD supremos wife, and remained with the party for quite a while after it was ousted from power in 2005. In 2014, he became part of a rebel faction and joined the JD(U) Government headed by Jitan Ram Manjhi, who had taken over after Kumar had stepped down. Three years later, he grew disenchanted with the JD(U) and joined the BJP, which recognised his potential, both as a fiery speaker and as a leader belonging to the prominent Koeri caste. Choudhary was made a vice-president of the State unit and was later rewarded with a berth in the legislative council. He became a Minister in Kumars Government after the NDA won the 2020 Assembly polls. He has also served as Panchayati Raj Minister in the expanded Cabinet of the Nitish Government from BJP quota in 2021. He has also served as Minister for Urban Development and Housing, Health in 2014 in Jitan Ram Manjhi Ministry and Minister of Metrology and Horticulture in 1999 in Rabri Devi Ministry. Chaudhary entered active politics in 1990, and on May 19, 1999, he was sworn in as the Minister of Agriculture in the Bihar Government. He contested from Parbatta (Vidhan Sabha constituency) in 2000 and 2010 and was elected MLA. On other hand, an experienced upper-caste BJP leader, Sinha has held posts as varied as the Bihar Assembly Speaker, a Cabinet Minister and Leader of the Opposition. Sinha, who belongs to the influential Bhumihar community, was an active member of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the RSS student wing, while pursuing a diploma course in civil engineering at a polytechnic in Barauni. Sinha made his debut in the Assembly in 2010 and got a ministerial berth seven years later, when he was given the crucial labour resources department. Seen as a mature leader, he was chosen by the BJP for the job of the Speaker in 2020, after the party gained the upper hand in the NDA, outperforming Nitishs JD(U), and asserted its right to have its own man in the chair. He came across as an amicable figure who rarely lost his cool, despite incidents like Kumars outburst on the floor of the House and being held hostage inside his chamber by members of the RJD, both of which made headlines. Sinha resigned from the post in 2022, when Kumar joined hands with the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan and the new alliance in power threatened to bring a no-confidence motion seeking his removal. He was subsequently made the Leader of the Opposition and took a vocal stand against the Government on issues like alleged ill-treatment of people from Bihar in Tamil Nadu. Earlier, BJP MLAs and MPs met on Sunday at 10 am at the party office in Patna to further chalk out the strategy over the latest political situation in Bihar. In the legislative party meeting held today, BJP MLAs approved the proposal to form an NDA Government in the State with JD(U)s support. State BJP president Choudhary was elected leader of the legislative party and Vijay Sinha was elected deputy leader, the BJPs in-charge of Bihar Vinod Tawde said after JD(U) president Nitish resigned as Chief Minister. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that the rule of Lord Ram was a source of inspiration for the Constitution makers, noting that pictures of him, Sita, and Lakshman adorned the pages of the Constitution. In the first Mann Ki Baat broadcast of this year, Modi said the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya brought people across the country together, making the collective strength of the country visible. And that is why, on January 22 in Ayodhya, I talked about Dev to Desh and Ram to Rashtra, he said. Everyones feeling is the same, everyones devotion is the same. Ram is in everyones words, Ram is in everyones heart, Modi said. During this period, many people sang Ram bhajans and dedicated them to Lord Ram. On January 22 evening, the whole country lit Ram Jyoti and celebrated Diwali, he noted. During this time, the collective strength of the country was visible, forming the basis of our pledge for a developed India, the Prime Minister said. The collective power will take the country to new heights of progress, he said. In his broadcast, he urged young voters to register themselves so that they could exercise their franchise and lauded the growing participation of people in voting at a time when many countries in the world are seeing a downward trend. Nearly 45 per cent of votes were cast in the first national elections in 1951-52, and the percentage has been going up while the number of electorates has surged to 96 crore, over three times the US population, he said. In the monthly broadcast, Modi noted that the absence of a common language for the terminology of diseases, treatments, and medicines in alternative medicines like Ayurveda, Siddha, or Unani was a longstanding problem, and said a solution has been now found. He said, I am happy to share that the Ministry of AYUSH has categorised the data and terminology related to Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani medicine, with the help of the World Health Organization as well. Through the efforts of both, the terminology related to disease and treatment in Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha medicine has been codified. He said an advantage of this would be that if patients go to another doctor with their slip, the doctor will get complete information. That slip will help one in knowing ones illness, treatment, what medicines one has been taking, for how long the treatment has been going on, what things one is allergic to, he said. In a reference to the recent Padma awards, Modi said many of those bestowed the honuor were those who worked at grassroots and away from the limelight to make big changes in society. I am very happy that the system of Padma awards has transformed completely in the last decade. Now it has become peoples Padma, he said. The contribution of each one of the Padma awardees is an inspiration for the countrymen, he said and added that many of them were those who brought glory to the country in the world of classical dance, classical music, folk dance, theatre, and bhajans. Many people from abroad have also been honoured with the Padma awards, as their work is rendering new heights to Indian culture and heritage, he said. Lauding the presence of women power in the Republic Day parade, the Prime Minister said out of the 20 contingents, 11 were all-women. We saw that even in the tableaux that went by, all the artists were women. About one and a half thousand daughters took part in the cultural programmes that took place, he said. India of the 21st century is moving ahead with the mantra of women-led development, he said. This time 13 women athletes were honored with the Arjuna Award, he noted. Lauding organ donors, he said some people perform their duties through social service, some by joining the Army, some by teaching the next generation, but there are some who even after the end of life fulfill their responsibilities towards society. Talking about National Voters Day celebrated on January 25, Modi shared that there are 96 crore eligible voters in India. He praised the efforts of the Election Commission of India in helping ensure that citizens exercise their right to vote. Modi urged first-time voters to get their names added to the voters list. In the previous edition of Mann Ki Baat, Modi talked about matters related to science, mental health, artificial intelligence (AI), and fitness. The programme was aired on December 31, 2023. In a significant move bolstering the accomplishments of Uttar Pradesh in the biogas sector, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has announced the establishment of 100 new biogas plants in the state soon. Addressing media persons before the inaugural ceremony of the compressed biogas plant in Budaun, he said, Today, a new compressed biogas plant is going to be inaugurated in Budaun district while the foundation stones will be laid for these plants in eight other districts of Uttar Pradesh. The process, including site selection for the establishment of 37 plants, has already been completed. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is providing significant support for this initiative. Puri added: In the last seven years, under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi, Uttar Pradesh has moved out of the category of a BIMARU state and has done excellent work in every sector. Discussing the features of the new plant in Budaun, Puri said that it had been developed in 50 acres with an investment of about Rs 135 crore and would produce about 14 tons of compressed biogas every day. This biogas is also very useful in resolving stubble issues, he pointed out. Earlier, Chief Minister Yogi said that biogas was the best option as per Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of Waste to Wealth. It not only addresses the smog problem in the National Capital Region but also serves as a means to increase farmers income, he said. In the press conference, Petroleum Secretary to the Government of India, Pankaj Jain, provided information on the incentives given by the Indian government for establishing compressed biogas plants. Praising the biofuel policy of the UP government, he mentioned a grant of up to Rs 20 crore for setting up bio-energy plants under the policy. He expressed confidence in UPs potential for growth in the biogas sector with the presence of straw and the commitment of the government. He added that it will create significant employment opportunities for the youth in the state. Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS), Ranchi, celebrated the 75th Republic Day amidst joy and reverence in the campus on Friday. The ceremony was graced by Dr Joseph Marianus Kujur SJ, Director, XISS, Dr Pradeep Kerketta SJ, Assistant Director, XISS, Fr Claber Minz, Finance Officer, Dr Amar E Tigga, Dean Academics, XISS, Head of all four Programmes, Faculty, Staff, and Students. The event began with the hoisting of the tricolor by the Director followed by singing the National Anthem by all present. Tricolor balloons were also released at the start of the function marking the celebration of the day. In his message during the gathering, Dr Kujur, Director congratulated each one present for being an integral part of our united nation and said, It is a promising occasion, and a day to salute them who really deserve it, our freedom fighters. This day marks the adoption of the Constitution in 1950, declaring the nation republic. Preamble declares India to be Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, and Republic. India has progressed a lot in sectors such as Agriculture, Health, Technology, and Space. This Republic Day, let us pledge unity amidst all diversity-be it religion, caste, race, or culture. We all should commit to national duties for collective progress and prosperity. The event was followed by events such as patriotic songs, drama, cultural dance, and poetry all performed by the students. The function was successfully organized by the students of Financial Management Programme under the guidance of Dr Bhaskar Bhowani, Programme Head and other faculty members of the programme. A skit was also performed by the students which was based on the life journey of Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar. It depicted his life journey, the sufferings he lived through and discrimination he faced in the society. The skit took everyone through his journey showing how he battled hard to change the existing social order and stood against caste and class and tried to plant the seed of social justice in the society. His journey where he fought to eradicate the social evils like untouchability and fight for the rights of the dalits and other socially backward classes throughout his life was depicted in a beautiful manner in the skit. The day concluded with a vote of thanks leaving everyone submerged in the feeling of patriotism for the nation. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, on Saturday, announced that the Congress will contest 11 seats in Uttar Pradesh in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The UP Congress has, however, rejected the seat-sharing agreement announced by Akhilesh Yadav, saying the party has not accepted the deal. It said this was the decision of Akhilesh Yadav and not of the Congress. UP Congress Committee president Ajay Rai said, Seat-sharing talks with the Samajwadi Party are underway in a very cordial atmosphere and results of the negotiations would be announced soon. The decision on seat-sharing will be taken by the Mukul Wasnik committee constituted by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. Our cordial alliance with Congress is off to a good start with 11 strong seats. This trend will move forward with the winning equation. INDIA bloc and PDA strategy will change history, SP president Akhilesh Yadav said. Uttar Pradesh has 80 Lok Sabha seats, the highest in the country. In the 2019 parliamentary elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party and its ally Apna Dal (Sonelal) had won 62 out of the 80 seats, while the Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party alliance had won 15 seats. The Congress could only win one seat. Party sources had earlier said that Congress was eying to contest 50 seats in UP in the Lok Sabha polls. Following the reports of Congress leaders rejecting the 11-seat alliance, the SP issued a clarification stating that it was a proposal and the seats could be increased if Congress informed Akhilesh Yadav about candidates who could win more seats. On Friday, Akhilesh Yadav had blamed the Congress for the ongoing fissures within the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) and said that the enthusiasm the party needed to show in discussing and engaging with alliance partners was not visible. Congress should have come forward. The enthusiasm that Congress needs to show in discussing and engaging with the INDIA bloc parties is missing, the former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh noted. Akhilesh Yadavs seat-sharing announcement came just a few days after the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal and the Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab rejected alliance with Congress for the 2024 polls. The 88th train under the Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Scheme of the Delhi government left Rameshwaram with 780 elderly devotees on Saturday. Prior to the journey, a devotional evening was organised at Thyagaraj Stadium for all pilgrims. Revenue Minister Atishi attended, interacted with the pilgrims, and handed them journey tickets and kits. On this occasion, Revenue Minister Atishi said, I would like to express gratitude on behalf of all the elderly in Delhi to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who considers all the elderly in Delhi as his own parents and, playing the role of a son, is organising pilgrimage journeys for them in Delhi. She stated that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is modern-day Shravan Kumar and has sent over 83,000 elderly individuals on pilgrimage through 87 trains from Delhi so far. He has pledged that regardless of any obstacles, the series of pilgrimage journeys for the elderly will not be halted, and he will ensure that every elderly person in Delhi gets the opportunity to go on a pilgrimage. The Revenue Minister said that she is pleased to note that more than 80 per cent of the elderly going on pilgrimage trips in recent times are women. This is a very positive development because, in Indian society, a woman often dedicates her entire life to serving her family and tends to put her family ahead of herself. In such circumstances, it brings great joy that we are sending those mothers who have devoted their entire lives to serving their families on a pilgrimage at this stage of life. It is to be noted that under the Mukhyamantri Teerthyatra Scheme, the Delhi government has been organizing visits for its elderly citizens to various pilgrimage sites across the country for the past two to three years. As part of this series, on Saturday evening, a train departed from Safdarjung Railway Station to Rameshwaram. Before this, a devotional evening was organized at Thyagaraj Stadium by the Delhi Government. The aim was to provide an opportunity for pilgrims to connect with their fellow travelers, who are embarking on a spiritual journey, and to find inner peace. Playing the role of Shravan Kumar, he has so far sent on pilgrimage journeys for nearly 83,000 elderly individuals., she said Under the scheme, the Kejriwal Government sends travelers by AC trains, books AC hotels for them, arranges timely meals, sightseeing, and ensures that there is never a situation where the elderly have to face any issues. The Kejriwal government ensures that all facilities are maintained for the elderly throughout the entire journey. The Delhi Government facilitates visits to Rameshwaram, Dwarkadhish, Somnath, Nageshwar, Jagannath Puri, Baba Mahakal, Shirdi, Tamkeshwaram, Tirupati Balaji, Ayodhya, Mata Vaishno Devi, Pushkar, Fatehpur Sikri, Golden Temple in Amritsar, Kartarpur Sahib, Mathura-Vrindavan, and Haridwar. Eligible travelers can choose their preferred pilgrimage destination, and the government covers the expenses for the visit. Amid Bihar political turmoil in the Oppositions INDIA bloc, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday claimed that there has been a conspiracy to topple his Government and recently and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to buy seven Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs with an offer of `25 crore each. Kejriwal claimed that the BJP engaged in talks with the AAP legislators and purportedly threatened imminent arrest for the Delhi Chief Minister in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case. According to Kejriwal, the callers claimed they were in contact with 21 AAP MLAs. The MLAs were allegedly promised `25 crore and a BJP ticket each to contest the elections after the toppling of the Delhi government, the AAP leader charged. Kejriwal added that all the seven AAP MLAs refused to quit the party. He also claimed that attempts were being made to get him arrested in connection with the alleged liquor scam to bring down the AAP government in Delhi. Several conspiracies were hatched in the past nine years to topple the AAP government in Delhi but they all failed, Kejriwal said. God and the people always supported us. This time also these people will fail in their nefarious intentions, he said. The development came at a time when the Opposition bloc INDIA is on a limb after the AAP in Punjab and the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal decided against fighting the Lok Sabha election together. The blocs internal turmoil also seems to have intensified amid strong indications that Chief Minister and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar may do yet another volte-face and return to the BJP-led NDA. In the long post on X, Kejriwal also said, Recently, they [BJP] has contacted 7 of our MLAs of Delhi and said - We will arrest Kejriwal after a few days. After that, we will break the MLAs. Talks have been held with 21 MLAs. Talking to others also. After that, we will topple the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi. You can also come. Will give Rs 25 crore and contest the elections on BJP ticket. Despite the claim of contacting 21 MLAs, Kejriwal insisted that the information available to the AAP suggests that only seven MLAs have been approached, and all of them have firmly declined the tempting offer. This means that I am not being arrested to investigate any liquor scam but they are conspiring to topple the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi, Kejriwal stated. In the last nine years, they hatched many conspiracies to topple our government. But they did not get any success. God and the people always supported us. All our MLAs are also strongly together. This time also these people will fail in their nefarious intentions.Kejriwal added that the alleged attempts to destabilise his government are driven by the AAPs good work in the national capital. These people know our government has done so much work for the people of Delhi. Despite all the obstacles created by them, we have accomplished so much. The people of Delhi love AAP hugely. It is not in their power to defeat AAP in the elections. So they want to topple the government through the arrest on the pretext of a fake liquor scam. At a press conference here, Delhi minister Atishi alleged that the BJP has launched Operation Lotus 2.0 in Delhi. They had made a similar attempt to poach AAP MLAs last year by offering them money but failed, she claimed. She said similar conspiracies were hatched by the BJP in the past also. In 2022, they tried to break away AAP MLAs and get them join the BJP by promising them money, she added. The Delhi Minister charged that the BJP undertook Operation Lotus in states where it failed to form its government. Such operations were conducted in the past in states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh and Goa, she alleged. Atishi claimed that the recording of one caller who contacted an AAP MLA is available and it will be brought into public domain at the right time. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva hit back saying, This shows how much politically desperate Kejriwal has become. This unfounded allegation by him is an attempt to keep himself politically alive. The allegation that the BJP wants to break away MLAs of the ruling AAP, having 62 out of 70 MLAs in Delhi, shows his mental bankruptcy. Delhi BJP vice president Kapil Mishra has also slammed the Kejriwal, saying he had made such baseless allegations in the past without any proof or evidence. The BJP on Saturday rejected as false and baseless Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals allegation that it was trying to poach AAP legislators to topple his Government and asked him to either give proof to substantiate his claim or resign. The BJP leaders said he had made similar accusations against the party several times in the past but never provided any proof to bolster them. The Delhi BJP, however, challenged AAP to name the MLAs and the people who allegedly contacted them with the offer. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said Kejriwal should stop lying and dared him to tell the names of the MLAs who, the AAP chief has claimed, were contacted by the BJP. Kejriwals statement shows his political frustration. He said that the BJP wants to break off his party MLAs. This shows his mental bankruptcy and how much a party of 62 MLAs (out of 70 in Assembly) is frustrated after losing its political ground, he said. Addressing a Press conference, Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Ramvir Singh Bidhuri and Delhi BJP Secretary Ms. Bansuri Swaraj along with Delhi BJP General Secretary Mrs. Kamaljit Sehrawat and Media Head Shri Praveen Shankar Kapoor said that Kejriwals baseless rhetoric shows that the end of his politics has begun. said that Chief Minister Kejriwal has made false allegations to defame the BJP. He should provide proof of his statement otherwise he should resign from the post of Chief Minister, Bidhuri said, adding that the BJP is consulting experts for legal action in this matter. He also claimed that Kejriwals dream of becoming a major political leader in the country was disintegrating as the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was soaring after the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The BJP is going to win 400 seats in Lok Sabha polls, so AAP is falsely accusing the BJP of poaching its MLAs, he said. The AAP leaders have also alleged that the BJP was conspiring to get Kejriwal arrested in a fake liquor scam case and topple his government by poaching AAP MLAs. Sachdeva said,People can see that Kejriwal needs an alliance for survival as his political ground has slipped ahead of Lok Sabha polls. So, he is making such absurd statements so that he can stay alive politically. The absurd claims made by Kejriwal and other AAP leaders including Delhi minister Atishi show that they have lost all their discretion before their imminent fall, Delhi BJP secretary Bansuri Swaraj said. Kejriwal has now run out of excuses to avoid ED investigation in the liquor scam so he has started resorting to lies, she charged. Kejriwal has so far skipped four notices of the Enforcement Directorate for questioning in connection with a money laundering case linked to an alleged excise policy scam in his government. Delhi BJP general secretary Kamaljit Sehrawat claimed there was unrest among the AAP MLAs and MPs and Kejriwal was accusing the BJP due to frustration with his own people. Kejriwal is levelling wild allegations against the BJP to divert attention from the way opposition bloc Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) was breaking apart in different states, claimed Delhi BJP media cell head Praveen Shankar Kapoor. Refuting the allegation, Delhi BJP secretary Harish Khurana challenged Atishi to name the MLAs contacted and also those who reached out to them with the offer. He said AAP was trying to shift focus from Kejriwal skipping ED summons for questioning in the liquor scam. The conference of Chhotanagpuria Teli Utthan Samaj Yuva Morcha Lohardaga district was concluded on Sunday under the chairmanship of District President Deepak Sahu. While presiding, Deepak Sahu said that District Teli Hostel will be constructed, the Youth Committee is committed for this. Financial arrangements will be made for employment to the youth of the society. The youth will come forward and help in times of pain and suffering. As the chief guest at the Youth Teli Conference organized at Hotel Novelty, State President Arun Sahu said that Teli Samaj is continuously organizing programs in every district. The society is eager to claim its political rights in full. Requested all the political parties of the state to give opportunity to this community in politics, otherwise the parties may suffer losses. National Youth President Ripu Sudan Sahu said that the path to a better life passes through better books. Youth need to take out time for studies, reading and travelling. The path of study for knowledge and fight for rights should be adopted. Also, for life to be meaningful, we should adopt satsang and group discussion. District Executive President Manoj Sahu said that the youth of the society will play their role in correcting the errors by adopting coordination between their new thinking and old tradition. Participate actively in social programs, set goals and start preparing to achieve them. BJP leader and patron of the society, Ajay Kumar Pankaj told about the idols and great men of the Teli community and said that they should play their role in politics also to ensure political participation of the society. BJP state minister Muneshwar Sahu said that after the formation of Jharkhand, a lot of change is being seen in the society. Teli society is a society in harmony with all castes. Teli society wants the well-being of everyone. Gumla District President Shyam Sundar Sahu said that the society has taken many initiatives due to which the society is moving forward unitedly. A mass marriage ceremony of Teli community is being organized in Gumla on 18th February. People of the community should come forward and participate. Kailash Sahu, former president of Lohardaga district, said that whichever direction the youth moves, the society moves in the same direction. There is a big responsibility on the youth. The new generation has to move forward taking inspiration from the work done by their ancestors. The program was conducted by Youth General Secretary Sachin Sahu and former President of Lohardaga District Krishna Sahu presented the vote of thanks. A large number of people from the district including Vishnu Sahu, Raju Sahu, Jageshwar Sahu, Bhagwat Sahu, Akash Sahu, Bajrang Sahu, Ritesh Sahu, Dilip Sahu, Nidhi Sahu, Lakhpati Sahu participated in the youth conference. Expansion of District and City Working Committee in Teli Youth Conference District President Deepak Sahu, while expanding his working committee, appointed Ramesh Sahu and Hiralal Sahu as patrons, Sachin Sahu and Deepak Kumar as general secretaries, Devendra Sahu, Aditya Sahu, Ravindra Sahu and Arun Sahu as vice presidents. Organization Secretaries to Suraj Kumar Sahu, Sikandar Sahu and Rajkumar Sahu. Joint secretaries to Kishore Sahu, Abhishek Sahu, Deva Sahu, Jagganath Sahu. And appointed Badri Narayan Sahu and Ajay Sahu as social media in-charge. City President Deepak Sahu, General Secretary Ujjwal Sahu, Treasurer Pankaj Sahu were made Vice Presidents Pintu Sahu, Deepak Sahu, Neeraj Kumar Sahu. The Delhi Police has arrested one member of a gang of thieves who would pose as deaf and mute orphans to gain peoples sympathy and access to their houses, and steal their valuables. The police claimed that with the arrest of the 19-year-old Venkatesh, a native of Andhra Pradesh, they have solved five cases of burglaries in Hazrat Nizamuddin, South Campus, Lajpat Nagar and Rajinder Nagar area of Delhi, and one case in Uttar Pradeshs Noida. According to a police officer, a case of burglary was reported in Jungpura of Nizamuddin on January 16 in which the victim, a lawyer by profession, stated that some unidentified persons entered his house and stole his two Apple MacBooks, a Bose portable speaker and several other miscellaneous items. A case under sections 380 (committing theft in any building) and 454 (lurking, house-trespass or house-breaking in order to commit offence punishable with imprisonment) was registered at the Nizamuddin police station and a team led by sub-inspectors Akash Tomar and Jitendra was formed to pursue the case. With the help of CCTV cameras and local intelligence, the team managed to apprehend Venkatesh from Sarai Kale Khan in southeast Delhi. They recovered the stolen items pertaining to the case, the officer said. On his instance, other stolen items connected with different cases of Delhi-NCR were also recovered, he said. During interrogation, Venkatesh said he and his associates sought financial aid from unsuspecting people by showing printed pamphlets which presented themselves as deaf and mute. They would also carry a bag to keep the stolen items. While roaming in localities between 8 am and 10 am, they targeted the vulnerable houses, which were found to be open, the officer said. During the morning time, the residents usually remain busy in their work and often lower their guards about unknown people at the door, the officer further said. Posing themselves as deaf and mute and standing at the door of houses with pamphlets in their hands, they would demand financial aid. By the time the house owner got busy leaving the doors open, the thieves stole their valuables. The pamphlets recovered from them had messages like Request to Public and issued on behalf of an orphanage charity school written on it, the officer said. It was written on the pamphlets that the donation was for deaf and dumb and orphans. Venkatesh also told the police that his other associates are from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka and commit similar crimes in various parts of Delhi and NCR, the officer said. Another officer said CCTV footage were scanned during the investigation of the Jangpura case, which also revealed the same person had committed a theft in Lajpat Nagar in May, 2023. He had stolen Apple MacBook and a laptop from there. Venkatesh has confessed to committing three more similar burglaries in South Campus, Rajinder Nagar and Noida, the officer added. The city's prominent social organization, 'Naman,' marked the 75th Republic Day with fervor at its Sakchi office. Founder Amarpreet Singh Kale hoisted the national flag in the presence of a diverse gathering, including women, youth, and esteemed dignitaries. The event resonated with patriotic spirit as attendees, comprising Naman family members and their families, united in singing the national anthem. In his address, Amarpreet Singh Kale extended Republic Day wishes to the Naman family and all attendees. He called upon everyone to collectively commit to safeguarding national unity and fostering prosperity. Kale emphasized the importance of upholding the constitutional ideals and values, urging a collective effort to strengthen democracy and propel India towards becoming a developed nation. The event, efficiently conducted by Rajesh Pandey of the All India Ex-Servicemen Service Council, concluded with a vote of thanks from senior journalist Brij Bhushan Singh. The symbolic act of hoisting the national flag echoed a collective aspiration for a developed and prosperous India. Senior Congress leader Pawan Kumar Bansal today said that the candidate of Congress- Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alliance will win the mayoral election in Chandigarh. In this election, the arithmetic is very clear. In the previous two elections, Congress was absent and by default, BJP had won the mayoral election by a margin of single vote. This time, Congress and AAP got together to contest the election. In alliance, the number of councilors is 20 against 15 of BJP including MPs vote, he adds. He alleges that by hook or crook, BJP wants power in Municipal Corporation Chandigarh but number is not its favour. Under the influence of BJP leadership, the presiding officer was made ill and Administration on January 18 had postponed the mayoral election. The delay could have been avoided by appointing another presiding officer. Finally, Haryana High Court has directed the Chandigarh administration to conduct the mayoral elections on January 30. Bansal further says that an attempt of horse trading or other such influence during the ongoing mayoral election is being made by the BJP leaders but they have not succeeded so far. In view of possible horse trading, the Congress party has decided to shift its councilors to other states. Former Union Minister further says that Congress and AAP are part of I.N.D.I. Alliance. This alliance is confined to the Chandigarh Mayoral election only so far. The seat- sharing agreement of this alliance in other States will be taken by the Congress high command. The 75- year- old Bansal, who represented Chandigarh Parliamentary constituency in 1991, 1999, 2004 and 2009, says that he will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election from Chandigarh Parliamentary Constituency if the party gives a ticket. In an exclusive interview with The Pioneer, Bansal talks about Chandigarh mayoral elections, AAP-Congress alliance and his candidature in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections among others. For the first time, Mayoral election could not take place on time. What would you say? It is unfortunate that the election could not take place on time. Just 15 minutes before the start of the election process on January 18, we got the information that the presiding officer was ill. As per my information, the presiding officer was not ill but he was made ill. On the influence of BJP leadership, the Administration had postponed the elections citing two reasons -presiding officer got ill and law and order problem. BJP did not allow the polls to take place as this party was to face defeat in this election. Delay could have been avoided by appointing another presiding officer. Later we moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Court has directed the Chandigarh administration to conduct the mayoral elections on January 30. I emphasized the need for transparency and careful scrutiny in the electoral process. Administration should guarantee the safety of councilors. I urged voters to refrain from bringing police officers or supporters to the voting booths on Election Day. For mayoral election, AAP and Congress came together under the I.N.D.I alliance. How do you see seat sharing agreements between these two parties in other states including Punjab and Haryana? As Congress and AAP are part of I.N.D.I alliance so leaders of both the parties discussed and finalized the alliance for mayoral election in New Delhi. As per the alliance agreement, the mayor will be from AAP, while the posts of senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor will go to the Congress. As far as alliance in other states are concerned, in Delhi and elsewhere, negotiation is going on regarding seat sharing to put a single candidate against BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha election. Discussion is still on as Lok Sabha election is about two months away. As I do not represent Punjab and Haryana Congress so I cant comment on that. Let me say that our alliance is confined to only the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation mayoral election so far. Rest of the decision will be taken by the Congress high command. We will abide by whatever decision is being taken by Congress high command. With the Lok Sabha election approaching nearer, you are seen very active in Chandigarh. Will you contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election? I have always been active in Chandigarh whether I am elected representative or not. My tenure as the treasurer of the All India Congress Committee ended last year. I am now completely devoted to the people of the city. I am in touch with the people and raising their concerns from time to time. People of the city approach me for functions and I have been attending social and cultural activities. I will contest the Lok Sabha election if the party gives me a ticket from Chandigarh Parliamentary constituency. According to BJP leaders, they have fulfilled its election manifestos including providing food grains to the needy, building of Ram Temple in Ayodhya among others. What would you say? Pran Pratishtha' of Ram Lalla idol recently held in Ayodhya was purely BJP and RRSs programme. It was not a religious programme. We all have believe and faith in Lord Rama. We believe in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Religion is personal faith. We go to temple and worship daily but there is no need to show it. BJP is trying to commercialize the religion which Congress has never done and people will not accept it. As far as development in 10 years is concerned, the performance is dismal. The propaganda mechanism is at the best. BJP is claiming to provide free ration to 80 crore poor people of the country. But this is possible because of farmers hard work and the National Food Security Act brought by Manmohan Singh led Union Government in 2013. Before the election, PM Narendra Modi had promised to provide two crore jobs per year to the youth of the country if voted to power. Where is the job now? On ground, BJP has done nothing for the betterment and benefit of the people of the country. According to you, regarding Development, where does Chandigarh stand now? Look at any aspects, where is development in Chandigarh? What are achievements now? According to me, it is not that nothing has been done but it is far from satisfactory in terms of development. In Chandigarh, BJP leaders claim to be doing a lot of things for the city but on the ground nothing has been done. BJP leaders including current MP have no say in Chandigarh Administration. Following this, BJP leaders are not able to do anything for the benefit of Chandigarh and people at large. Administration takes decisions on its own. Chandigarh has not progressed in any sectors. In our regime, Chandigarh secured top position in cleanliness for consecutive two years at national level and one year, it stood second position. But where is the position of the city now in cleanliness? Currently, the administration has failed to provide safety to the sanitation workers and a good working environment for them. Condition of the road, cycle track, electricity wires among others are not in good condition. Moreover, in the form of income tax, the people of Chandigarh give more money to the consolidated fund of India but what they received. Chandigarh does not receive adequate funds from the centre government. In a broader sense, taxes and user charges have been increased. Land rate for conversion from leasehold to freehold in case of residential property has been increased by 350 per cent and people are facing difficulties. Property tax, water charge, treated water charge, electricity charge, sanitation charge and others have been raised and people have to bear it. There are lots of issues to be raised in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. In a remarkable showcase of mathematical prowess, three students from The Pentecostal Assembly School, B.S. City, have emerged as the top 100 meritorious students in the prestigious Aryabhata Ganit Challenge (AGC)-2023, organized by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The challenge, aimed witnessed a staggering participation of around 5,50,000 students from 5050 schools across the nation. The AGC-2023, tailored for students in classes VIII - X, focused on incorporating mathematics into real-life scenarios, encouraging critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Notably out of the 8,590 students who advanced to the national level in the second stage, Shazia Mokaraam and Arpan Kumar from Class 10, along with Arush Prakash from Class 9, showcased exceptional mathematical acumen, securing their positions among the top 100 students in the Patna Region. Dr. Karuna Prasad, the Principal of School, congratulated the students for their hard work, devotion, and outstanding accomplishments. The dedicated teaching faculty of the school also extended their heartfelt wishes to Shazia, Arpan, and Arush for bringing laurels to the institution. Transforming grief into a mission, a 26-year-old woman in Delhi has been performing the last rites of unclaimed bodies for nearly two years now, right after losing her brother to a tragic death. Pooja Sharma, a resident of the Shahdara locality has performed the last rites of several bodies that remained unclaimed in hospitals for long and possibly had no family connections to give them a dignified funeral. In the last two years, I have performed the last rites of around 4,000 bodies with no known family or connections, Sharma claimed. I lost my brother on March 13, 2022 to a tragic murder. Since then, I have turned my personal tragedy into a source of solace for others, she added. Shedding light on the tragic incident that changed the course of her life, Pooja told PTI, My elder brother, who was 30-year-old, was shot dead in front of me in a small fight and after hearing this news, my father went into coma. Right after the second day of performing the last rituals for her brother, Pooja made an unwavering commitment to help others. Since that fateful day, Pooja has extended her caring touch beyond her immediate family, managing the tasks and responsibilities of those who are left with no one to look after them. I used to contact the police and government hospitals to seek information about bodies whose families or whereabouts remained unknown initially. However, now the police and government hospitals reach out to me if they have any information about an unclaimed body, she added. Pooja claims to arrange for the last rites of these bodies with her grandfathers pension. It takes around Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 for performing the rituals. I stay with my father and grandmother, and my father works as a contract-based driver in Delhi Metro. With my grandfathers pension, I arrange everything, she said. Highlighting the challenges and social prejudice faced by her for doing this work, Pooja said, Many people see the work that I do as a taboo and my friends families dont allow them to meet me. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Sunday, said that use of technology was crucial for transparent implementation of schemes, emphasising that it was the most effective mantra to tackle corruption. Addressing a gathering at a smartphones and tablets distribution ceremony held under Swami Vivekananda Youth Empowerment Scheme at the Deeksha Bhawan of Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University, the chief minister said, By providing smartphones and tablets to two crore youth in order to equip them with technological tools to address todays challenges, the state government is rapidly advancing towards the goal of making the youth capable, competent and self-reliant. During the event, around 1,000 students from universities and colleges received smartphones. Chief Minister Yogi handed over smartphones to 15 students. The chief minister, while explaining the importance of technology to the youth, gave several practical examples. He said that the public distribution system in the state was riddled with corruption before 2017. In districts like Kushinagar, Gorakhpur, Deoria, Sonbhadra and Chitrakoot, people were dying of hunger due to the shortage of ration, he pointed out, adding that within a week of his becoming the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh for the first time in 2017, raids were conducted on 80,000 ration shops in the state while 30 lakh fake ration cards were identified. Following this, all the ration shops were connected to the point of sale machines with the use of technology. The ration card was linked to Aadhaar. The result is that presently the public distribution system of Uttar Pradesh is the best in the country, Yogi added. The chief minister emphasised the transformative role of educational institutions beyond merely awarding degrees, attributing the shift to the National Education Policy introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Under this policy, institutions are tasked with imparting not only traditional knowledge but also fostering self-reliance and self-sufficiency among students, he added. Chief Minister Yogi highlighted that with the help of smartphones provided by the government, youths could learn about the various schemes of the Central and state governments, such as PM Startup, Standup, Mudra, and the Chief Ministers Youth Self-Employment Scheme, as well as schemes for girls, enabling them to explore avenues of self-reliance. Yogi Adityanath raised a pertinent question regarding the necessity for higher education institutions in Uttar Pradesh to conduct social impact studies, similar to those performed before major industrial establishments. He envisioned economic benefits and proposed that such studies could offer honorarium opportunities for numerous youths. The chief minister urged educational institutions to collaborate with industries and involve students in the CM Internship Scheme, wherein the government and the industry jointly provide honorarium. Mentioning cases of countries like Russia, Israel, South Korea and Germany which have seen big wars, Chief Minister Yogi said that an increase in demand for the Indian human resources had been seen in these countries during their reconstruction phase. Citing the demand in countries like Israel, Chief Minister Yogi said that 5,000 people from Uttar Pradesh were working there, earning a monthly salary of Rs 1.25 lakh to Rs 1.50 lakh along with free accommodation and meals. He encouraged the youth to prepare for global opportunities, emphasising the need for skill development. Addressing development skepticism in Ayodhya, Chief Minister Yogi justified infrastructure investments, such as wide roads, as essential for providing convenience and handling large crowds. He drew a parallel with the khichdi fair of the Gorakhnath temple in Gorakhpur, where wide roads ensure crowd management without inconvenience. Chief Minister Yogi called upon the youth to follow Prime Minister Modis Panch Pran (Five Pledges) for Indias development. During the smartphone distribution, the chief minister interacted with students, encouraging them and promising support. The emotional encounter with a differently-abled youth, Prince Vishwakarma, highlighted the chief ministers commitment to inclusivity and individual encouragement. Member of Parliament Ravi Kishan Shukla also spoke on the occasion. Vice-Chancellor Prof Poonam Tandon welcomed Chief Minister Yogi and outlined the programme. Prominent figures, including District Panchayat Chairperson Sadhna Singh, Mayor Dr Mangalesh Srivastava, and various legislators, were present at the event. The governor lieutenant general (retd) Gurmit Singh unfurled the national flag at Parade Ground on 75th Republic Day on Friday. In the State level ceremony the Governor was offered a ceremonial guard of honour by a spectacular parade. In the programme the governor and the chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami felicitated the police personnel for exemplary services. The parade was followed with a display of tableaux of women empowerment and child development , rural development, tourism, horticulture, information, education, health, forest and industries departments of the state government. In the parade personnel of Gorkha Regiment of army, CRPF, ITBP, UP police, 40th battalion of PAC, troops of women PAC, Uttarakhand home-guards, PRD, NCC, NSS, mounted police, fire brigade and CPU participated. The marching contingent of CRPF was adjudged best in the parade while the contingent of ITBP and 40th PAC ( women) came at second and third positions respectively. A spectacular cultural programme was also organised on the occasion in which the artists enthralled the audience with their Chholiya dance, Garhwali dance, Bhangra and Harul dance performances. The governor felicitated Director General (DG) Abhinav Kumar and ADG crime V Murugeshan with the Police medal of President for exemplary services on the occasion. Deputy Superintendent (DSP) (Retd) Dhan Singh Tomar, Sub Inspector (Retd) RC Bhatt and Inspector MC Maindola were also conferred with Police medals. Wife of Governor Gurmit Kaur, wife of CM Geeta Dhami, cabinet minister Subodh Uniyal, MP Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah, MLAs and senior officers of administration and Police were present on the occasion. Earlier in the day the governor unfurled the tricolour at Raj Bhavan. Interacting with the media persons, the governor said that our country has entered into the Amrit Kal of the Republic and we should take a pledge to make our country strong, developed and self-reliant. He said that the year 2023 was replete with achievements for our country. The successful hosting of the G-20 summit showed the leadership capability of the country. India became the first country to land at the South Pole of the Moon in the year 2023. The governor said that Uttarakhand is also moving forward on the path of development. He said that the youngsters are the power of our State and their energy, commitment and capability will carry the State to the new heights of development. Amid criticism of UGCs draft guidelines on filling of reserved posts in higher education institutes, Jawaharlal Nehru University Vice-Chancellor Santishree D Pandit on Sunday said that no posts in the varsity have been de-reserved. The new draft guidelines by the University Grants Commission that were in the public domain for feedback from stakeholders till January 28 suggest that a vacancy reserved for SC, ST or OBC candidates can be declared unreserved if enough candidates from these categories are not available. The draft guidelines have received criticism from several quarters, though the Ministry of Education (MoE) on Sunday clarified that no reserved posts can be de-reserved. Issuing a clarification, Pandit, in a statement on X, said As JNU VC I want to reiterate to all stakeholders that no posts in JNU have been de-reserved. We have got very good candidates under the reserved category. The statement mentioned that JNU follows the reservation policy as stipulated by the Centre and has an existing office memorandum which states that no de-reservation is allowed for any category of vacancies for SC, ST or OBC. The interchangeability of these categories are also not allowed, the statement added, citing that even the Supreme Court has expressed the same sentiment against the interchangeability of vacancies reserved for these categories. The Congress alleged there is a conspiracy to end reservations given to SCs, STs and OBCs in posts in higher education institutions. The JNU Students Union (JNUSU) has announced a protest against UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar on the issue on Monday. The JNUSU alleged that the new draft guidelines were exclusionary and an act of scuttling of reservation in higher education institutes. The SFI Delhi State Committee has also called for a protest at the UGC headquarters on Monday. The draft Guidelines for Implementation of the Reservation Policy of the Government of India in Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) were released in December last year. The Australia Africa Chamber of Commerce (AACC) has announced that the first Australia Africa Business Summit is happening in Melbourne from May 12-14, 2024. This summit is a great chance for people and businesses looking to benefit from the growing opportunities in Australia-Africa business relations. Over two days, the summit brings together government representatives, private sector leaders, and industry experts for mutual growth and collaboration. Attending the summit gives you exclusive access to top decision-makers, executives, and trade experts in various sectors like agribusiness, mining, technology, energy, healthcare, education, manufacturing, tourism, finance, and government. With over 500 in-person delegates each day, the event provides extensive networking opportunities. Besides networking, the summit is a platform for sharing knowledge, gaining insights into emerging trends, and understanding the complexities of Australia-Africa trade relations. Whether youre looking for business partnerships, investment chances, or staying updated on international trade, the Australia Africa Business Summit is an event you shouldnt miss. AACC President Duncan Harris expressed his satisfaction in approving the summit, especially now that many prominent African delegations can confirm their attendance. Following feedback from our African partners we reluctantly decided to postpone the Summit from our original slot in October. The recent announcement of the African Union (AU) being permanently admitted as members of the G20 had proven to be a major distraction to geopolitical discourse but with time there is now clarity emerging. I am pleased to advise that our key presenters, namely Senator the Hon Don Farrell, Minister for Trade & Tourism, Commonwealth of Australia and Wamkele Keabetswe Mene, Secretary General, Africa Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat have reconfirmed their attendance. The Summit venue, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre is world-class and we are looking forward to showcasing it, the City of Melbourne and State of Victoria for our international and domestic delegates and attendees. We have been incredibly pleased with the interest from delegates, sponsors and presenters. Our key theme New Bridges. New Connections will focus delegates on opportunities for two-way trade and commerce particularly in mining, education, agriculture and professional services, said Mr Harris. The Australia Africa Business Summit 2024 aims to elevate Africa in the Australian trade and investment landscape. It provides a unique platform to connect with key government representatives and private sector leaders, fostering business collaboration between Australia and Africa. The Australia Africa Chamber of Commerce (AACC), a national organization, is dedicated to facilitating trade with Africa. They offer high-quality research, networking events, and business matching services. The AACC also arranges trade missions to and from Africa, providing access to business and investment opportunities in both regions. Emphasizing the importance of connection and communication, the AACC believes these fundamentals are crucial for building stronger business relations. Membership is available for those interested in exclusive content and tailor-made programs. General Admission for the conference, available until April 30th, 2024, is priced at $950. This includes two full days at the event with access to all presentations and breakout sessions. Additionally, participants will be provided with Morning Tea, Lunch, and Afternoon Tea over the course of the two conference days. Contact conferencesupport@seamlessevents.com.au for more details. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. The Da Nang Semiconductor and Artificial Intelligence Center for Research and Training would be located within the No. 2 software park in Da Nang's Hai Chau District. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Dong The central port city of Da Nang plans to build a research center for semiconductors and AI, opening new opportunities for Vietnams semiconductor industry. The Da Nang Peoples Committee issued the decision on Friday to establish the Da Nang Semiconductor and Artificial Intelligence Center for Research and Training, with Le Hoang Phuc as its director. The center is expected to be situated within a software park area in Hai Chau District. Legal procedures for the project are currently proceeding. The center will train personnel and assist with attracting investment to promote research and startup businesses in the field of semiconductors and artificial intelligence. For the 2024-2025 period, the center aims to complete all legal frameworks regarding its structure and organization, as well all processes and procedures regarding proposing drafts on development policy mechanisms, international cooperation and support for businesses in the field. Le Trung Chinh, chairman of the Da Nang Peoples Committee, said the center would cooperate with the city to build and deploy projects to develop semiconductors in the area. "The city hopes that the center would be a contact point to open up cooperation opportunities in the fields of semiconductors and artificial intelligence between Da Nang and its partners," he said. Nguyen Huy Dung, deputy minister of information and communications, said three research centers for semiconductors in Hanoi, Da Nang and HCMC would go into operation by 2025. By 2030, Vietnam plans to have around 50,000 chip engineers, 200,000 semiconductor engineers and 500,000 workers in the semiconductor industry. A Vietnamese student in the U.S. has been awarded a research grant of $67,000 by the American Heart Association (AHA) for refining an enzyme towards developing new antibiotics. Nguyen Xuan Bach, 24, a native of Hai Phong City in northern Vietnam, is currently a third-year biochemistry PhD student at Duke University's School of Medicine. In December 2023, Bach received a research award of $67,388 from the AHA for his project on developing new antibiotics. Nguyen Hoang Xuan Bach at Duke Universitys School of Medicine. Photo courtesy of Nguyen Hoang Xuan Bach Bach came to the U.S. in the fall of 2021 after completing a bachelor's degree in chemistry at Nagoya University, Japan. He then received PhD scholarships from seven universities including Harvard, Cornell, Duke in the U.S., Oxford in the U.K., and British Columbia in Canada, ranging from $500,000 to $672,000 for five-six years. He chose Duke because he was impressed by the university's reputation for biomedical sciences, which aligns with his research interests. In his first year of the PhD program, Bach explored various laboratories and worked with professors to find a suitable research project. He eventually joined a study on the synthesis process of a new antibiotic with his mentor, Professor Kenichi Yokoyama. He explained that gram-negative bacteria, which are resistant to multiple drugs and are increasingly resistant to most available antibiotics, have become a serious issue in medicine. Gram-negative bacterial infections cause severe complications and devastating consequences on the cardiovascular system via several critical pathways, he said. When bacteria become resistant to antibiotics, the effectiveness of treatment can be reduced or even nullified. In 2019, Professor Kim Lewis of Northeastern University, U.S., discovered darobactin, a substance capable of killing many bacteria and considered promising as a new antibiotic. Following that discovery, since June 2022, Bach and Professor Yokoyama have been researching the mechanism of darobactin's production to find ways to synthesize and develop it. Using bioinformatics analysis tools, Bach found that darobactin is naturally produced by the DarE enzyme. A challenge in studying DarE is the enzyme is sensitive to oxygen, which means it is rapidly inactivated in the presence of oxygen, requiring refinement and experimentation in a nitrogen atmosphere. Due to the enzyme's sensitivity and costly experimental conditions, few scientists globally can study it, leaving Bach with limited research to build upon, so he almost had to start from scratch. After about a year of pursuing the project, Bach successfully refined the DarE enzyme, gaining an initial understanding of its mechanism. "I feel fortunate because the initial data of the research was not too different from my predictions. Many people only discover in their second or third year that their research direction is not suitable and have to change course, which takes more time," he shared. Nguyen Xuan Bach works at a laboratory at Duke Universitys School of Medicine. Photo courtesy of Nguyen Xuan Bach In September 2023, Bach decided to apply for the AHA award. His application included personal information, a research draft, future research directions, his scores, three reference letters, and a training plan from his mentor. The difficult part of the AHA application process is that PhD students cannot register directly but must be approved by the university. In documents sent to the association, Professor Yokoyama affirmed that Bach is the best student he has ever mentored. He noted that Bach was able to describe and prove the feasibility of the project within a few months, while it typically takes a PhD student years to make similar predictions. Besides the AHA, Bach also received funding from Duke Universitys School of Medicine and a research award from the Center for Evolutionary Medicine Research in 2023, thanks to his research contributions. "Overall, Bach is intelligent, possessing great potential to become a leading figure in the next generation in the field of microbial metabolic research," said Yokoyama. Bach's immediate goal is to gather enough data and evidence to explain the process of darobactin production, thereby creating a compound library for animal clinical trials. Regarding his post-graduation career, he believes working in a business or academic environment is fine, as long as he can continue his research. "I'm always curious about nature, especially chemical reactions and processes within it. Research might sound boring, as it can take 10-20 years, even a lifetime, to pursue a project, but every day brings new developments and I learn new knowledge," Bach said. In addition to the prize money, Bach has now become a fellow at the AHA, gaining opportunities to participate in scientific seminars and connect with scholars from the association. Duke University's website states that the AHA is the largest nonprofit, non-governmental organization for cardiovascular research in the U.S. The AHA's PhD scholarship is a prestigious and highly competitive award. For Bach's achievement, Duke University awarded him an additional $5,000. "For me, AHA is not just a prize with substantial support but also recognition from professionals for the research I am conducting." The young student also recognized he was standing on the shoulders of giants. "My supervisor, Ken Yokoyama, has been a great supporter throughout my graduate school journey so far, and especially during the fellowship application period. Not only did he have to prepare some application materials himself, but he also provided very useful comments on my proposal. I am glad to have his support during the process." The Columbia Asia Gia Dinh International Hospital in HCMC. Photo courtesy of the hospital The Columbia Asia hospital in HCMC will suspend operations from Jan. 31 and hand over all assets due to expiring operating licenses. A representative of Columbia Asia Gia Dinh International Hospital, the first private facility with 100% foreign capital in the city, said the operation duration of the hospital is expiring, as well as that of Columbia Asia Saigon International General Clinic, per the certificate by the Columbia Asia Vietnam company. According to the license, the company must hand over all its fixed assets to Vietnam, without compensation, once the operating period runs out. "This is why the company cannot extend its operating license," the hospital said. Customers can contact the hospital through emails to resolve any relevant issues, starting Feb. 1, it added. The company has also sent documents to the Ministry of Health and the HCMC Department of Health to report on the matter and return the operating license. HCMC is expected to continue using the location for health and diagnosis purposes. The hospital was the first private one with 100% foreign capital that was approved for operation in Vietnam. It has been operating in the country for 25 years. The main customer base of Columbia Asia Saigon International General Clinic, located in District 1, is the expat community in the southern metropolis. Columbia Asia operates under the International Columbia U.S., LLC (ICU) and Columbia Pacific Management based in Seattle, running 29 hospitals and two clinics in India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, and Vietnam. The company holds capital from American and Malaysian investors. The Internet Media Association of Turkiye (TIMBIR) has issued a statement in support of the extraordinary presidential election to be held in Azerbaijan in February. In its statement, TIMBIR emphasized that holding the election amid the liberation of Azerbaijani territories from Armenian occupation is of great importance, Azernews reports. "The upcoming election on February 7 will mark a distinctive chapter in Azerbaijan's modern history, having gained independence on October 18, 1991. In contrast to previous elections spanning the past 35 years, the significance of this election lies in its coverage of the entire territory of the brotherly nation. This uniqueness stems from the aftermath of the Second Karabakh War in 2020 and the anti-terrorist measures implemented in 2023. These actions resulted in the liberation of Azerbaijani lands, previously occupied for over 30 years, consolidating the nation's territorial integrity and sovereignty. This historic achievement has not only elevated Azerbaijan's global standing but has also introduced new dynamics in the South Caucasus, recognized as one of the world's most intricate regions," the statement said. It was broght to the attention that the restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity was followed by a biased policy towards the country in Europe. "The restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, which put an end to years of occupation in the South Caucasus and ushered in new realities, faced inexplicable pressure from certain Western countries and several international organizations purporting to champion democratic values. Notably, France has taken a particularly active role in an anti-Azerbaijani campaign, pushing boundaries and actively contributing to the potential escalation of a new conflict in the South Caucasus. Unfortunately, in this campaign, structures such as the collective West, the European Parliament, and the Council of Europe, influenced by France, have embarked on a "crusade" against Azerbaijan in the literal sense of the term. The transformation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe into an anti-Azerbaijani platform, in addition to baseless accusations, underscores that the true motive of the West is not to ensure peace in the region," said the statement. "Nevertheless, it is highly encouraging to observe the Azerbaijani state firmly rebuffing these unfounded attacks and steadfastly defending its national interests without yielding. It is crucial to acknowledge that these accomplishments are the result of a resolute policy led by President Ilham Aliyev. The deepening of ties with Turkiye under the leadership of the Azerbaijani President, the realization of the "One Nation, Two States" principle coined by National Leader Heydar Aliyev, and the continuous efforts to foster unity among Turkic states deserve special mention. As TIMBIR, we take pride in declaring our support for the people of Azerbaijan and President Ilham Aliyev, who stands resilient against any form of pressure amidst these critical issues. We hold the belief that the elections scheduled for February 7 will bring benefit to Azerbaijan, allowing the people to express their will through the voting process," the statement reads. Recall that on December 7, 2023, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on holding an extraordinary presidential election in the country on February 7, 2024. Azerbaijan has registered 7 candidates to run in the extraordinary presidential election. Azerbaijani citizen who has active electoral rights (on his own initiative, as well as on the initiative of a registered candidate, a political party, a bloc of political parties, a non-governmental organization operating in the field of elections), international (foreign) observers (by registering with the Central Election Commission for arriving in the Republic of Azerbaijan on the basis of an appropriate invitation in accordance with the law), starting from the day of calling elections and up to 10 days before election day, must submit an application to the Central Election Commission to conduct observation throughout the entire territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Note that the Internet Media Association of Turkiye (TIMBIR) was established by a decree of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. It is one of 53 non-governmental organizations with international status operating in Turkiye. TIMBIR has offices in all 81 provinces in Turkiye and extends its presence to 10 countries worldwide. Representatives of influential non-governmental organizations in Turkiye have joined the association. Adil Kocalan, serving as the Chairman of the International Federation of Journalists in Istanbul, and Menderes Demir, who holds the position of Chairman of the Federation of Journalists of the Turkic World, are among the notable individuals represented on the Association's Board of Directors, alongside others. January 27, 2024 | 04:00 pm PT Korean people have a tip for traveling: tourists should not just look for Starbucks, they should instead go to traditional markets, which emit more of real life. Imagine this conversation: - You can totally sell this to me for 30 cents less. - I can't. But I'll give you some extra vegetables The music of bargaining will not be found anywhere else other than traditional markets. A society's culture, how its people live, communicate, their character, are all profoundly revealed in these markets. Visiting such a market in the first days after moving to South Korea helped me integrate into life here more quickly. That is just one of the interesting things that traditional markets bring to buyers and tourists. Like Vietnam and many countries with "wet market" culture in Asia, the Korean market has experienced several hardships. A few decades ago, the market was expected to be wiped out by supermarkets. While trying to survive, small traders were hit hard by Covid-19. Markets, as crowded gathering point, carried negative connotations about the spread of the pandemic. Then the development of digital technology that has created a revolution in e-commerce sometimes makes Koreans think they might soon stop hearing the bustling sounds of wet market life. But Koreans do not sit and watch their markets die. Traditional market traders have repeatedly protested to demand the government support their livelihoods. For quick comfort, the government reserved space in Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square for weekend traditional markets. The government also rules that, on market days (5 days a week), other forms of commerce must close by certain hours, or even on certain days, to help out small traders. However, those solutions have caused a lot of controversy about fairness in business. Furthermore, they cannot solve the problem of other competition coming from electronic trading floors. Therefore, recently, the Seoul City government has begun to "rehabilitate merchants" as part of its efforts to restore markets associated with the history and traditions of Seoul, by connecting markets with tourism activities. They have selected businesspeople with good commercial hacks to share them with more than 13,000 traders at traditional markets. These selected people guide market vendor with selling techniques, such as how to win customers' hearts in a way that pleases customers who come, and also pleases customers who leave. Along with that is the art of displaying goods. Like large supermarkets, they strategize on how to display items and revamp the space regularly to keep customers interested. Each small trader also learns how to speak politely and courteously while doing business, they also practice cooperating with each other to woo customers to their traditional marketplaces. Recently, I went to Jekidong market. It was truly different. Not only were the displays impressive, but the market also invested in decorating the ceiling with images of Seoul to help visitors better understand the history of the market in this over-600-year-old capital city. Two foreigners shop at a traditional market in Da Nang, June 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Dong Showing off its wet markets as a tourism product is now a significant aim for the country. Traditional festivals have been recreated at these markets and have gradually created a regular flow of tourists to such traditional markets. The Odae Rice Festival in Cheorwon, Geumsan's ginseng market are some successful models. Vietnam, according to data from the Ministry of Industry and Trade in 2022, has more than 8,500 traditional markets, circulating 35-40% of all goods in the country According to a survey by Nielsen, Vietnam has about 1.4 million grocery stores and 9,000 traditional markets, with revenue of around US$10 billion per year. Traditional markets are considered to be dying due to the competition of e-commerce and modern retail models. The challenge is that with 74% of people using the Internet, Vietnam has about 59-62 million consumers shopping online and the shopping value of each person is estimated at about $300-320/year. The percentage of Internet users who shop online for goods weekly in Vietnam is above 60%, lower than Thailand's 66.8% and South Korea's 65.6%, but higher than the global average of 57.6%, also according to Nielsen. The weakening of traditional markets, in the long run, will cause millions of unskilled workers to lose their jobs, causing a burden on the welfare of the whole society. Similar to Korea, Thailand also seeks to revive its wet market culture by making it a tourism product. For example, Chatuchak market traders in Bangkok always keep up with food and fashion trends in Japan and Korea - their main customer segment. The 9,000 stalls here always have a wide range of products at reasonable prices, and are a nightlife paradise for tourists. I have seen efforts made by Vietnamese markets to survive. Recently, the "squat market" of Vi Thanh City, Hau Giang, in the Mekong Delta has promoted its "squatting traders" feature to attract the curiosity of tourists and photographers. Merchants at An Dong market in Ho Chi Minh City have created a "hybrid platform," combining on-site and online shopping by livestreaming sales and shipping directly to their customers. But that alone is not enough to compete with retail and e-commerce channels that are changing every day. Traditional markets have their own advantages that other sales channels do not have, such as: fresh food, local specialties, freedom of choice, and most especially cultural experiences and lively vibes... Compared to many countries, the Vietnamese markets still have many weaknesses such as goods of unknown origin, poor quality, exorbitant prices, poor food safety, and rude communication with customers. In the struggle to escape the gloomy situation, traditional markets in Vietnam first help its traders improve their service quality. Then a new strategy from the government is needed to turn wet markets into a unique experience, which will not only ensure traders' livelihood but also help diversify tourist destinations. *Nguyen Nam Cuong is a lecturer at FPT University. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Sunday that China and Thailand will officially enter a "visa-free era" from March 1 as the two sides have just signed an agreement on mutual visa exemption. Wang made the remarks in a joint press conference after an annual consultation with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, adding that it will surely bring bilateral people-to-people exchanges to a new height. There will be a big increase in the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand. We also welcome friends from Thailand to feel the vitality and vibrancy of China and the hospitality of the Chinese people. China and Thailand are one family. It's important that our two peoples forge closer friendships and stronger bonds, and embrace a better life, Wang said. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on the implementation of the outcomes of the meetings between Chinese and Thai leaders and the building of a China-Thailand community with a shared future, and reached extensive consensus. Wang said that China always sees Thailand as a priority in its diplomacy with neighboring countries. He said that China appreciates Thailand's firm commitment to the one-China principle and its active support for the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative. Noting that next year will mark the 50th anniversary of China-Thailand diplomatic relations, Wang said that over the past half a century, the bilateral relationship has withstood the test of the changing international landscape and grown from strength to strength. China-Thailand mutually beneficial cooperation is believed to enjoy a bright prospect, Wang said, adding that China is Thailand's largest trading partner and biggest source of foreign investment. Pursuing modernization at a faster pace, both sides need to keep abreast with the times and open up new prospects for cooperation. The two sides agreed to speed up the development of the China-Thailand Railway, fully implement the China-Laos-Thailand Connectivity Development Corridor Outlook, and open the central line of the Trans-Asian Railway as soon as possible, he said. Wang said that China will import more specialty agricultural products from Thailand, support more Chinese companies in investing and growing in Thailand, and foster new drivers of cooperation in new energy vehicle, digital economy and green development. The two sides should also strengthen law enforcement and security cooperation, strictly prevent cross-border crimes such as telecom fraud, online gambling and drug trafficking, and provide a safe and comfortable environment for exchanges and cooperation between the two peoples, he added. We both look forward to closer multilateral coordination between the two countries. Facing a changing and turbulent international environment, both sides should stay committed to the five principles of peaceful coexistence, jointly uphold the hard-won peace and stability of our region, and oppose zero-sum, win-or-lose political games, Wang said. Committed to true multilateralism and open regionalism, our two sides will work with other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to build a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home, speed up the Code of Conduct (COC) consultation, and jointly uphold ASEAN centrality, Wang said. He said that China supports Thailand in serving as the rotating chair of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation and in developing a Mekong-Lancang community with a shared future of peace and prosperity. With the upcoming 50th anniversary of China-Thailand diplomatic relations, bilateral relations will come to a new historical starting point. Guided by the important consensus between the leaders of the two countries, China is ready to work with Thailand to jointly deepen the building of a more stable, prosperous and sustainable China-Thailand community with a shared future, and provide more stability and certainty to the changing and turbulent world, Wang stressed. Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, holds talks with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Bangkok, Thailand, Jan 26, 2024.[Photo/Xinhua] Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, held a new round of talks with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan here on Friday and Saturday. During the talks, the two sides had candid, substantive and fruitful strategic communication on implementing the consensus reached by leaders of the two countries in San Francisco and properly handling important and sensitive issues in China-US relations. Wang, also director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, noted that as this year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the US, both sides should take this opportunity to draw experience and lessons, treat each other as equals rather than condescendingly, seek common ground while reserving differences rather than accentuate differences, genuinely respect rather than undermine each other's core interests, and work together to respect each other, live together in peace, and pursue win-win cooperation, finding the right way for China and the United States to get along with each other. Wang emphasized that the Taiwan question is China's internal affair, and the recent election in the Taiwan region cannot change the basic fact that Taiwan is part of China. The biggest risk to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait comes from "Taiwan independence", which also poses the biggest challenge to China-US relations. The US side must abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, put its commitment not to support "Taiwan independence" into action and support the peaceful reunification of China. Wang pointed out that every country has its national security concerns, but these concerns must be legitimate and reasonable. There should be no politicizing or overstretching of the concept of national security, nor can these concerns be used as a pretext to suppress and contain other countries' development. Both sides agreed to carry out further discussions on the boundaries between national security and economic activities. During the talks, the two sides agreed to jointly implement the San Francisco vision: leaders of the two countries will maintain regular contact to provide strategic guidance to bilateral relations; promote exchanges in various fields and at various levels between China and the United States, make good use of current strategic communication channels as well as dialogue and consultation mechanisms in such areas as diplomacy, military, economy, finance, business and climate change; continue discussions on the guiding principles of China-US relations; launch a China-US counter-narcotics cooperation working group in the near future; hold the first meeting of China-US intergovernmental dialogue mechanism on artificial intelligence this spring; and take further steps to expand people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. The two sides also discussed regional and international issues, including the Middle East, Ukraine, the Korean Peninsula and the South China Sea. A group of RoK tourists visit the My Son World Cultural Heritage on September 2, 2023 (Photo: VNA) Under the agreement, the two will work together to develop new product packages combining duty-free shopping and tourism in the Southeast Asian nation. Amid many tourist destinations in Vietnam favoured by RoK visitors such as Da Nang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and Da Lat, the two firms have co-operated to create synergy such as expanding customer interaction points and developing products aimed at serving tourists and combining duty-free shopping and tourism. Lotte Duty Free and Modetour have outlined a cooperation plan to promote tourism in Vietnam by coming together to sell package travel products nationwide. They are set to deploy joint marketing activities, including advertising and using social network services, while simultaneously setting up close linkages in a bid to ensure development strategies and long-term benefits for both sides. Statistics show that by 2023, the highest proportion of passengers from Southeast Asia in the total number of passengers on package tours provided by Modetour stood at 53%. The rate of visitors to Vietnam was the highest among the Southeast Asian nations, with 44%. Lotte Duty Free currently operates four branches in the Vietnamese market, including two in Da Nang, one in Nha Trang, and the other in Hanoi. In 2023, Lotte Duty Free's annual sales in Vietnam increased by 351% year-on-year, with Korean tourists making up about 60%. Lee Seung-jun, head of Lotte Duty Frees overseas business department, said in response to Korean tourists growing demand for duty-free shopping in Vietnam, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, the firm has partnered with Modetour to enhance customer benefits. Lee Woo-Yeon, director of Modetour's Southeast Asia business division, said as Vietnam is one of the most popular destinations for RoK travelers, Modetour expects to provide better services through this MoU with Lotte Duty Free./. An art performance at the Tet celebration in Kuala Lumpur (Photo: VNA) Opening the event, Ambassador Duong Ngoc Linh said that the annual programme is a special event for the Vietnamese community in Malaysia and abroad, showing the great attention from the Party and State to the community. Highlighting major achievements that the country has gained so far, the diplomat hailed the contributions from the Vietnamese community abroad in general and Malaysia in particular to this common success He lauded the solidarity of the nearly 30,000 Vietnamese in Malaysia, expressing his hope that they will continue promoting this tradition. Within the programme's framework, Ambassador Linh presented certificates of merit to a number of members of associations of Vietnamese people for their contributions to community charity activities last year. Participants at the event pose for a photo (Source: VNA) Also on January 1, the Vietnamese Embassy in Bruinei organised a Homeland Spring programme for nearly 200 Vietnamese people in the country ahead of the New Year of the Dragon. Ambassador Tran Anh Vu briefed the participants on the socio-economic achievements of Vietnam and the progress of the Vietnam-Brunei ties last year. He called on the Vietnamese community in the country to continue staying united and promoting the image of the Vietnamese people and culture to Brunei and international friends. Participants at the event had a chance to enjoy art performances and traditional dishes of Vietnam./. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. The International Religious Freedom Summit (IRF-2024) is set to be held in the US on January 30-31. Holding this summit is the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), with the U.S. Senate sharing the co-chair spot. Here's the twist: The USCIRF recently included Azerbaijan in their "special watchlist," making baseless allegations about religious freedom challenges in the country. To add to that, they've also placed several other countries with predominantly Muslim populations in the same category. It is pretty clear that this committee is taking a nosedive into full-blown Islamophobia. The summit's agenda conveniently leaves out any talk about the challenges faced by Muslims. So, what kind of values are we expecting to be on the table at this gathering? Here's the lineup of speakers to keep an eye on: five of Armenian-origin, including Siranush Sargsyan, parading as a "journalist-refugee" from Khankendi. Taking the lead at this event is Peter Burns, who serves as the Executive Director of IRF-2024. Burns recently posted a picture on his official X page featuring Vivek Ramaswamy, a former U.S. presidential candidate with a soft spot for Armenians. Ramaswamy is holding an Armenian flag, dressed as a crusader, and with destroyed mosques in the background. Now, isn't this not just a showcase of Azerbaijanophobia but a full-on display of Islamophobia the unfiltered beliefs of the "religious freedom" committee? One snapshot reveals the true nature of this activists. This isn't a religious freedom summit; it's a gathering of crusaders. It begs the question, quite objectively, to the event organizers: Does religious freedom only apply to Christianity? Once again, the motive behind including Azerbaijan in the U.S. report on countries "restricting religious freedom" becomes all too evident. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. The Internet Media Association of Turkiye (TIMBIR) has issued a statement in support of the extraordinary presidential election to be held in Azerbaijan on February 7, Trend reports. The statement emphasized that holding the election amid the liberation of Azerbaijani lands from Armenian occupation is of special significance. "The upcoming election on February 7 will mark a distinctive chapter in Azerbaijan's modern history, having gained independence on October 18, 1991. In contrast to previous elections spanning the past 35 years, the significance of this election lies in its coverage of the entire territory of the brotherly nation. This uniqueness stems from the aftermath of the Second Karabakh War in 2020 and the anti-terrorist measures implemented in 2023. These actions resulted in the liberation of Azerbaijani lands, previously occupied for over 30 years, consolidating the nation's territorial integrity and sovereignty. This historic achievement has not only elevated Azerbaijan's global standing but has also introduced new dynamics in the South Caucasus, recognized as one of the world's most intricate regions," the statement said. In addition, it was also noted that the restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity was accompanied by a notably biased policy towards the country in Europe. "The restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, which put an end to years of occupation in the South Caucasus and ushered in new realities, faced inexplicable pressure from certain Western countries and several international organizations purporting to champion democratic values. Notably, France has taken a particularly active role in an anti-Azerbaijani campaign, pushing boundaries and actively contributing to the potential escalation of a new conflict in the South Caucasus. Unfortunately, in this campaign, structures such as the collective West, the European Parliament, and the Council of Europe, influenced by France, have embarked on a "crusade" against Azerbaijan in the literal sense of the term. The transformation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe into an anti-Azerbaijani platform, in addition to baseless accusations, underscores that the true motive of the West is not to ensure peace in the region," said the statement. "Nevertheless, it is highly encouraging to observe the Azerbaijani state firmly rebuffing these unfounded attacks and steadfastly defending its national interests without yielding. It is crucial to acknowledge that these accomplishments are the result of a resolute policy led by President Ilham Aliyev. The deepening of ties with Turkiye under the leadership of the Azerbaijani President, the realization of the "One Nation, Two States" principle coined by National Leader Heydar Aliyev, and the continuous efforts to foster unity among Turkic states deserve special mention. As TIMBIR, we take pride in declaring our support for the people of Azerbaijan and President Ilham Aliyev, who stands resilient against any form of pressure amidst these critical issues. We hold the belief that the elections scheduled for February 7 will bring benefit to Azerbaijan, allowing the people to express their will through the voting process," the statement reads. The Internet Media Association of Turkiye was established by a decree of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. It is one of 53 non-governmental organizations with international status operating in Turkiye. At present, the Association maintains offices in all 81 provinces of Turkiye and extends its presence to 10 countries worldwide. Representatives of influential non-governmental organizations in Turkiye have joined the association. Adil Kocalan, serving as the Chairman of the International Federation of Journalists in Istanbul, and Menderes Demir, who holds the position of Chairman of the Federation of Journalists of the Turkic World, are among the notable individuals represented on the Association's Board of Directors, alongside others. On December 7, 2023, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on holding an extraordinary presidential election in the country on February 7, 2024. The Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan (CEC) on Dec. 19 approved the candidacy of Ilham Aliyev, nominated by the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (YAP), for participation in the extraordinary presidential election. Azerbaijan has registered 7 candidates to run in the extraordinary presidential election. 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At the beginning of January, Azerbaijan received another package of proposals for a peace treaty with Armenia. Currently, the Azerbaijani side is carrying out its internal work on this package in accordance with the procedure. As Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov previously said, Azerbaijan will present a response to Armenia in the coming weeks. Ad InvestorPlace They said crypto was dead. It went up 100X. Bitcoins haters are out again. Despite the price doubling in the last six months alone That hasnt stopped the experts from piling on. Warren Buffetts right-hand man Charlie Munger called crypto investors idiots in one of his last interviews. JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, recently called Bitcoin a pet rock and a hyped-up fraud. But when it comes to cryptos, these are exactly the people you shouldnt listen to. Theyve predicted cryptos demise for years. There are five coins you must take a look at right away. 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A minutes silence was held after which the wreaths were laid, during which the names of those killed and injured were read out. The Mayor of Derry Patricia Logue was among those who laid floral tributes. Gerry Duddy, whose brother Jackie was murdered on Bloody Sunday, delivered a speech highlighting the ongoing case against Soldier F. Soldier F murdered five of our family members on Bloody Sunday, although he is charged with only two murders and attempted murder of five others. This is a disgrace, he said. But at least he is charged and we hope that a conviction for the Wray and McKinney families will be a conviction for us all. We will not give up on this. Mr Duddy hit out at the Government's Legacy Bill. He described it as shameful and terrible. While this act should not affect us, we remain acutely aware of all the other families that this terrible act will rob. It will stop them from getting to the truth and justice. This act has been passed to prevent proper investigations of the British crimes that were committed on our streets. He added: We stand with all of those families who have been affected by this act and we stand with all of those who are fighting against it. Speaking about the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Mr Duddy said this year's Bloody Sunday commemorations were dedicated to the people of Palestine. This year as we remember Bloody Sunday, we do so in the dark shadow of genocide being carried out against innocent people in another part of the world. Mr Duddy said the Israeli Government's actions in Gaza 'must be treated as a war crime'. Meanwhile, several thousand people braved the wet weather to take part in the annual Bloody Sunday march. The March for Justice followed the same route of the original Bloody Sunday demonstration, from Creggan shops through the Brandywell and Bogside before ending at Free Derry Corner. Yesterdays parade was led by people carrying white crosses in memory of those killed on Bloody Sunday. The march was a sea of Palestinian flags and banners in support of the Palestinian people. The main speaker at the march was Huda Ammori, co-founder of Palestine Action. Palestine Action is a direct action network that aims to end British complicity with the colonisation of Palestine. Ms Ammori is one of the 'Elbit Eight' who were recently acquitted by a jury on nine out of 13 charges arising from direct action they took against factories and offices owned or leased by Elbit. She told the crowd that she was 'honoured as a Palestinian' to be asked to deliver this year's address at the 'March for Justice'. When I'm in Derry, I feel like I'm at home because I know the people of Derry stand with Palestine. I know they will always stand with Palestine and I know they will never welcome collaborators with the Zionist regime. Ms Ammori praised the Raytheon 9 for their 'direct action' against the arms manufacturer. Also speaking was Geraldine Doherty, niece of Gerald Donaghey, shot dead aged 17 on Bloody Sunday. Ms Doherty said her uncle and many like him were still being 'denied justice'. The British Government can not be allowed to close legacy investigations, be they in Derry, Belfast or anywhere on this island. See Thursday's Derry News for more coverage. Click Energy has donated a total of 11,802 to NSPCC Northern Ireland following a successful charity campaign in 2023. NSPCC helps protect children from abuse with vital services including Childline and therapeutic services for children and families across their Hubs in Belfast and Derry, their Speak Out, Stay Safe programme in schools and Young Witness Service, supporting child victims and witnesses. The charity also runs an adult helpline which provides advice and support for people contacting with child protection concerns. The fundraising campaign was officially launched in January 2023, with Click Energy customers able to donate towards the charity each time they visited the top-up page online, via the app or by contacting the customer service line. The total raised by customer donations was then matched by the electricity supplier as part of the overall donation. Over the course of the year, the Derry-based company also took part in various other activities to support the charity, including bucket collections, a sponsored hike up Slieve Donard, and sponsoring the production of a 2024 recipe calendar which is still available to purchase online. Stefani Mearns, Supporter Fundraising Manager at NSPCC NI, commented: On behalf of the team at NSPCC Northern Ireland, I would like to thank Click Energy and its customers for their support during our charity partnership in 2023. "We are incredibly grateful, and all funds raised will enable the NPSCC to be there for children and young people right here in Northern Ireland when they urgently need our support. Click Energy staff pictured with Stefani Mearns, Supporter Fundraising Manager at NSPCC NI. Managing Director at Click Energy, Andy Porter, added: We were delighted to be able to support NSPCC NI, who do such vital work in the community. "It was great to see our valued customers get behind the campaign and donate whenever they could. Wed like to thank our customers and everyone who donated over the course of the year. Established in October 2015, Click Energy has previously supported successful fundraising appeals for Foyle Hospice, Samaritans, Diabetes UK NI, Action Cancer, and Independent Health and Care Providers (IHCP) to help with the supply of PPE during the Covid pandemic. Artist Adrian Margey is set to stage a major exhibition and sale of his work at the Ebrington Hotel next weekend, from February 2-4. This will be the first art exhibition to be held at the iconic Ebrington Square venue. Well-known for his contemporary and traditional depictions of Irelands landscapes and landmarks, Margeys latest collection will place a focus on the North West. Derry Citys landmarks, the rugged beauty of Donegal and the charm of the Causeway Coast have inspired this new body of work. I am over the moon to be exhibiting my work at The Ebrington Hotel. I feel it is fitting that this new body of work is being staged in a key piece of tourism infrastructure that links the Causeway Coast and Donegal, enthused Margey. Sitting at one end of the Peace Bridge, I have taken great inspiration from the views of the city from Ebrington. I also appreciate the significance of the hotel for the citys regeneration and am very excited to welcome local visitors to the show. Visitors should expect an eclectic exhibition filled with vibrant landscapes, dramatic cityscapes and dreamy beach scenes. From pulsating representations of The Peace Bridge, Guildhall and Shipquay Street to portrayals of Inishowen, Errigal, Marble Hill, Downings, Glenveagh, Downhill, Portrush and Portstewart, this promises to be an exhibition of contrasts. Margey first shot to notoriety because of his bold and colourful style. He is now also winning a great deal of praise for his more subtle, impressionistic works that embrace a naturalistic colour palette. The artist will be present throughout the show to discuss the work on show. Exhibition Opening Times: Friday, February 2: 6pm 9pm | Saturday, February 3: 11am 8pm and Sunday, February 4: 11am 6pm. For more information visit www.adrianmargey.com or telephone the artists Portrush Studio on 07841593762. Were officially into the 53rd week of January, which means that its only another six weeks until February and some brilliant gigs throughout the town. One such gig will be taking place in Bennigans on the 16th and features one of Derrys finest exports, Quentin Wylie in not one, but two bands. Quentin will be playing bass in Sad Sells (also featuring Xavier Jacques on vocals/rhythm guitar, Zachary Jacques on lead guitar, Rose OLeria on keys, Alfie Meller on drums and Black Utah on synth) and is singing/playing guitar with GETNER (also featuring Ruairi Coyle on drums, Charlie Barber on lead guitar and Ted Downer-Wills on bass. I caught up with Quentin and Xavier recently to talk about the bands and the gigs: Quentin: Were basically bringing two bands back from Manchester to play Bennigans. We decided it would be a good idea to do two shows in the north. Were playing Bennigans on the 16th February then Belfast supporting the Switch on the 18th. GETNER are headlining the Derry one and the Switch are headlining the Belfast one. Its basically our two bands coming back with the idea of starting Sad Sells supporting tour. Xavier: Sad Sells have been alive for the past six to eight months. This project was birthed out of an open mic I run in the centre of Manchester where Ive started a project and invited a lot of my friends, including Quentin, to come and join a group and it went from asking musicians to help out to forming quite a strong band, rather than just supporting musicians, which is really exciting. What I wanted to do was not rely on promoters very much, who maybe have favourites in the industry. I wanted to create some sort of communal support system within a group of musicians over a period of, say, eight weeks. Were going, like Quentin said, back home to Derry. Hes been able to organise that. Well be able to do London and across to Liverpool and were also organising for those bands to come and play in Manchester, so the Switch are supporting us in Gullivers in the Northern Quarter on the 22nd of March. Other people supporting us over that period of time of around eight weeks are also supporting us in Manchester as well. Were really excited at the prospect of going over seas for the first time to play a gig, organised by our very own Quentin Wylie. Its going to be an exciting opportunity. Quentin: Its off the back of our latest single release. Well being releasing quite a few more this year, that being Sad Sells. GETNER, hopefully, will be releasing a single either on the night of the Derry show or just before. Then both bands are starting a run of shows after that. Not together but separately, with the Derry shows kicking that off. Xavier: We put our single out in October, which went a lot better than we were expecting it too. Its gone very well. Weve had the great opportunity of being on BBC Radio 6 for the first time, which is really exciting and from that is why I want to put on this string of gigs supporting other musicians, to keep that momentum going. Quentin: Weve found it quite useful basically doing gig swaps around the country where weve said well give you a gig here if you give us a gig there type thing, which is how its kind of worked out with the Switch. Both projects are quite new. Id say GETNER are about six to eight months as well. I hadnt played bass in a band for about ten years until Xav was like you hang about with us enough, you may as well play bass. Its a testament that both bands are coming back and playing Derry together as well. Obviously, both are round about the same stage with singles. Obviously Sad Sells is doing a lot better with its Radio 6 play. Weve already been back in the studio to record two more tunes, just last weekend and theres a plan to get back in relatively soon, so by the end of this tour we should have plenty of songs recorded in between. The same with GETNER, theres the intention to get back into the studio straight after we come back to put out some songs in March. And thats it from Quentin and Xavier. GETNER, Sad Sells and the Switch will be playing Bennigans on the 16th February and Union Bar in Belfast on the 18th. Sad Sells single Between the Covers is out now. Both bands can be found on Instagram @getnermcr (GETNER) and @sadsellsmusic (Sad Sells). Derry-based GP Dr Anne McCloskey, recently suspended by the GMC over comments about Covid, spent the afternoon in a cell after she refused to follow a judges direction in court. Representing herself at Coleraine Magistrates Court where she is charged with two counts of breaching covid regulations on 20 March 2021, the 66-year-old interrupted the proceedings and began to introduce herself when Deputy District Judge Chris Holmes asked her to be quiet. Dr. McCloskey ignored him and continued to talk and when she again refused the judges request for her to stop talking and be quiet, Judge Holmes ordered under article 160, take her to the cells. Im protected under the Geneva convention, Dr. McCloskey declared but Judge Holmes said he would rise until she is in custody. What followed while the court was risen was a half hour of discussion and debate between Dr. McCloskey, her three co-accused, court security staff, prison staff and, when they walked into the court, three uniformed police officers. Despite insisting that Im not going, the judge does not have the authority or the power to deprive me of my liberty, eventually Dr McCloskey hugged her friends and gathering her bag and files together, was escorted to the cells at the courthouse where she was held for the next four hours on Friday afternoon. Under article 160, a judge can impose a fine up to 2,500 or up to a month in jail for any person who either wilfully insults a resident magistrate or witness or court officer or any person who wilfully interrupts the proceedings of the court or otherwise misbehaves in court. Dr McCloskey was suspended by the GMC in 2021 following controversial comments she made about children taking Covid vaccines and just last week the doctor, from Chapel Road in Derry, lost an appeal against that suspension. Her three co-accused facing the same charges are: Liam Henry Back, 60, from the Islandmagee Road in Whitehead; Alanna Lavery, 43, from the Battery Road in Cookstown and John William Stewart, 62, from the Ringsend Road in Limavady. The case had been listed on Friday for the defendants to indicate whether they were accepting or denying the charges but prosecuting counsel Natasha Fitzsimmons said that having spoken to them, they do have questions and they want to speak to the judge before they give their attitude. With Dr McCloskey still being held in the cells, Judge Holmes told the other three defendants that he was adjourning it until February 9. The GP was brought back into court just after 4.30pm and Judge Holmes told her he had two options, either by imposing a fine which would result in her release or I can have you held in custody. Assuring her that she will be given the time and opportunity to fight the charges and to present her case, the judge warned her however that you will not be allowed to disrupt proceedingsyou will be allowed to make your points but you have to follow the rules like everybody else. Having been assured that she was allowed to speak, Dr McCloskey ranted that it was not her intention to harass, pester, offend, coerce, blackmail or misbehave or cause anxiety or annoyance or distress. I am here to seek due process, I tried to introduce myself in my case and I was subjected to four hours of incarceration and as I say, I did nothing wrong. What happened here was unconscionable behaviour, declared the doctor, claiming that as a private citizen she is protected by affidavits and the Geneva Convention. Decrying the proceedings as belligerence in a military court, she claimed she had been treated like a criminal. Judge Holmes pointed out that there is no such thing as being protected by affidavits and emphasised that if you can trust anything, trust that you will be allowed to present your case, call witnesses and cross examine witnesses, you will be given your rights. But what you will not be allowed to do is to disrupt the court which is what you did, the judge told Dr. McCloskey, adding that she had been the author of your own misfortune. The GP said she wanted to see the order which empowered the judge to order her taken to the cells but bringing the issue to a head, Judge Holmes told her you are not going to force me to send you to prison - seven days in prison will cost us a fortune. Im going to fine you 50 and allow you six weeks to pay and you can come back on the 9 February and deal with this in front of District Judge King. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. An Azerbaijani soldier, Gadzhiali Gazimov, who was critically injured on September 19 last year during local anti-terrorist measures led by the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan, has passed away despite the tireless efforts of the medical team, Trend reports. "The Ministry of Defense extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of the fallen soldier. May Allah grant him mercy!" said the ministry. To implement the terms of the Trilateral Statement, prevent extensive provocations in the Karabakh economic region, disarm and remove Armenian armed units from Azerbaijani territories, dismantle their military infrastructure, guarantee the safety of the returning civilian population to the liberated areas, as well as civil servants engaged in reconstruction efforts, and Azerbaijani military personnel, and to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, local anti-terrorist measures commenced in the region on September 19, 2023, concluding on September 20 at 13:00. Police have charged a 27-year-old man with the murder of Kevin Conway, 26, who was shot and killed near his home in west Belfast. Detectives from the PSNI said the man is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates Court on Monday, January 29. A 53-year-old man, who was also arrested after the January 9 murder, remains in police custody. Police have described the shooting as a horrific, calculated and ruthless murder. Man charged with the murder of Kevin Conway. pic.twitter.com/C1xQw2Ajwb Police West Belfast (@PSNIBelfastW) January 28, 2024 The victim had been on bail awaiting trial for the murder of Shane Whitla in Co Armagh last year, when he was targeted in the Greenan area in early January. Three men have been arrested in relation to the murder after a 37-year-old was released on bail earlier this month. Detective Inspector Gina Quinn said Mr Conway was a father, son and brother who was murdered in his own home. My thoughts are with Kevins family and loved ones, who are today left trying to come to terms with their loss. And I know the wider community remains in shock, she said shortly after his death. This was a horrific, calculated and ruthless murder, carried out in a busy residential area. Such cold-blooded brutality has absolutely no place in our society. The family of a police officer shot dead 50 years ago have said that their loss must never be forgotten. William Baggley, 43, a member of the RUC Reserve, was killed by the IRA on January 29 1974 as he was on patrol on the Dungiven Road in Londonderry. His daughter Linda joined the RUC less than a year after her fathers death. She was shot dead by the IRA in 1976 just yards from where her father was killed. Mr Baggleys son Graham and daughter Lorraine said they are still grieving. In a statement they said: Dad was a special man, his family meant everything to him and he cherished mum and was so very proud of each of his children. He was also an incredibly hard worker and wanted us to be provided for; he had a great mind and was a well-respected accountant. He served 22 years with the Royal Navy as a chief petty officer. He also had a strong sense of what was right and wrong. He loved his country and community and could not stand by and do nothing whilst terrorism tore the place to pieces. They said that another officer was injured in the gun attack which killed their father. Dad was just 43 years old when he was murdered, he had so much life still to live. His murder was met with shock and revulsion across the community, he was liked by many people. Things were never the same for mummy and us from that day forward. A big piece of her was taken away when daddys life was stolen. They said their sister Linda was adamant that she wanted to follow her father into the police. The statement said: Nothing was going to stop her from doing so, she was a wonderful sister. Just two years after dad was murdered, on May 23 1976 Linda was shot by Provisional IRA terrorists; it was less than 100 yards away from the spot he had been callously murdered. Linda was the first female police officer to be shot through terrorism, and sadly she wasnt the last. Linda was just a young girl at the beginning of her life, she was just 19 years old. They added: Fifty years in some ways is a huge length of time, but in other ways it is not. The emotions we feel now as we mark this milestone anniversary are still raw; we grieve for the life we failed to have, we grieve for the father and sister we were so blessed to have. Daddy must never be forgotten and neither should Linda, that is the very least theyre due at this stage. Daddy and Linda were trying to protect the community; they did not have hatred in their hearts for their neighbours. Kenny Donaldson, director of victims organisation South East Fermanagh Foundation, said the Baggley family had endured a horrific and harrowing ordeal. He added: Bill Baggley was well respected by his contemporaries as a good policeman and someone youd want in your corner. The fact his daughter Linda also followed him into policing illustrates the strong sense of public service present within the family. There has been little public discourse around the suffering of the Baggley family, little concern has been shown outside of those most connected to them. It is important on this milestone anniversary that Bills name comes to the fore and that the positive legacy that he and Linda represent is afforded due recognition and respect. A play which dramatises the final days of negotiations which led to the Good Friday Agreement is to get its US premiere later this year. Agreement, by playwright Owen McCafferty, will be staged at the Irish Arts Centre (IAC) in New York from April 11 to May 12. Ahead of its US run, the play will return to the Lyric Theatre in Belfast from March 9 to 30. The play focuses on the final days of the negotiations which led to the historic 1998 peace deal which largely ended decades of violence in Northern Ireland. It is the second time the Lyric Theatre has collaborated with the IAC following the US premiere of the punk-rock musical Good Vibrations, telling the story of Belfast punk legend Terri Hooley, last year. Agreement was previously staged at the Lyric as part of events in Northern Ireland to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in 2023. The award-winning play will be directed by Charlotte Westenra, with set and costume design by Conor Murphy. The cast includes Andrea Irvine as former Northern Ireland secretary Mo Mowlam, Chris Corrigan as Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, Dan Gordon as SDLP leader John Hume, Martin Huston as prime minister Tony Blair, Richard Croxford as George Mitchell, the US senator who chaired the negotiations, Ronan Leahy as taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Ruairi Conaghan as Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble. The US premiere will take place in a flexible, state-of-the-art theatre in the IACs new home in New York. Jimmy Fay, executive producer at the Lyric Theatre, said: The successful run of Good Vibrations, and shortly a run of Agreement, are not only a fantastic opportunity to showcase the immense creative talent from this place, but also a unique opportunity to tell important and significant cultural and historical stories. We look forward to the return of Agreement to our main stage following its sold-out run. Over the past 25 years the Lyric has had its own part to play in the story and journey of the Good Friday Agreement, and it is fitting that this powerful production is returning to Belfast and travelling to international audiences. We are very grateful to all our funders and our title sponsor FinTrU for their support in helping us get there. Aidan Connolly, executive director of IAC, said: Were thrilled to welcome the Lyric Theatre back to New York with Owen McCaffertys extraordinary Agreement, building on the wonderful IAC-Lyric partnership inaugurated with last seasons hit musical Good Vibrations. Thanks to generous support from Culture Ireland and our many funders and stakeholders, this will be yet another opportunity for New York audiences to enjoy the great art and artists of Northern Ireland, and appreciate the enduring legacy of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement. Dundalk Grammar School students have won the north-east regional round of the Junior Problem Solver competition, They will now go on to compete in the national final later this year. The Irish Applied Maths Teachers Association hosted the regional round of their Junior Problem Solver Competition on January 18th. The north-east regional round was hosted in Dundalk Grammar School and saw 20 teams take part from Dundalk Grammar School, Colaiste Ris, Inver College, St. Joseph's in Drogheda and Our Lady's in Drogheda. With six rounds of four questions each team of 3rd and 4th years battled it out for first place to grab a place in the national final. Third place went to Our Lady's school in Drogheda, while a Dundalk Grammar School team took second place. Winning by a substantial margin was a team made up of four Dundalk Grammar School students - Mickey Chung, Nick Kuzmin, Reyna Simpson and Eoin Larkin. Congratulations to the team and best wishes in the national final later this year, a Dundalk Grammar School spokesperson said. All in DGS are extremely proud of the teams achievement. The first-ever Irish language to debut at Sundance Film Festival has been picked up for global distribution by Sony Pictures Classics. Kneecap, a semi-autobiographical biopic of the West Belfast group which was partly filmed in Dundalk and Greenore, will be released in cinemas across North America and the world following the deal. Starring Kneecap members Moglai Bap, Mo Chara and DJ Provai as themselves, alongside Hollywood heavy-weight Michael Fassbender, the film is set in West Belfast in 2019 and tells "the origin story of the riotous and ground-breaking" trio. After its premiere at Sundance in Utah the film scored a 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating from critics along with rave reviews. View this post on Instagram A post shared by KNEECAP (@kneecap32) The Hollywood Reporter have called it "gleefully irreverent", while Screen Daily describe the film as "destined for cult status, and just as ramshackle as any Blues Brothers or Spinal Tap was in its day." Speaking to RTE, Kneecap producer Trevor Birney said: "That is just phenomenal, not only for Kneecap, which I am so happy for, but for Irish film and for the little community of producers in Belfast. "We have had huge success with Game of Thrones and Derry Girls, but this is about indigenous film production, indigenous producers, indigenous crews, making independent film. "I think this is a really break-out moment for Belfast, for the film community and I just want to pay tribute to them all and say our success is their success and I am delighted for everyone at home in Belfast. "These guys are behind the films you have known and loved over the last 20 years. And that means that Kneecap the film is going to be seen in 200 cinemas in America this summer. They are going to roll Kneecap out across the world." No release date has been announced as of yet by Sony Pictures Classic. Kneecap will be released in Irish cinemas via Wildcard Distribution in 2024, with the band's debut album also due this year. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. The Armenian diaspora failed in Tbilisi, while the Azerbaijanis organized a grand rally on the same day, and expressed Azerbaijan's position regarding the biased position of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). Thus, representatives of the Armenian diaspora tried to organize an action in front of the EU mission in Tbilisi. However, only 15-20 people appeared at the event, and they themselves are the organizers of this protest. At the same time, a grand procession of Azerbaijanis took place in Tbilisi, where 200 people took part. Our compatriots living in Georgia protested against PACE, which considers itself the cradle of democracy, a defender of human rights and freedoms. At the initiative of the Azerbaijan House, they held an action in front of the Tbilisi office of the European Union (EU) demanding An end to discrimination and double standards!, Justice for Khojaly! The protesters chanted the slogans End Armenian terror!, End environmental terror! and etc. The protesters spoke out against the biased attitude and decisions of European organizations against Azerbaijan. The recent year-end figures for 2023 published by Local Enterprise Office Louth, part of Louth County Council, reveals that enterprise in the county continues to thrive, according to the body. Sarah Mallon, from Local Enterprise Office Louth, shared insights on their 2023 activities: We supported 19 high-potential local companies with grant aid or financial support in 2023. Typically these companies will drive significant growth, job creation and/or move into export markets in a relatively short time, which is important for economic growth in the county. In addition, 8 of Louths former high potential companies have now transferred to Enterprise Ireland, to further assist them in realising their international growth potential. She further added: Throughout the past year, our services have positively impacted local businesses in many ways. Through our Trading Online Voucher Scheme, we assisted 35 businesses in establishing their online presence. "Additionally, more than 30 companies benefited from our specialised programmes in sustainability, digitalisation, and lean, all of which help business owners to cut costs, eliminate waste and drive efficiency. Training and mentoring is also a hugely important part of the Local Enterprise Office offering. Sarah continues: More than 1,100 clients participated in our training throughout the year. 473 clients received mentoring, which is vital to help business owners to face challenges head-on and to make the most of the opportunities they create. Discussing the prospects for start-ups, Sarah highlighted: Entrepreneurial spirit in Louth remains vibrant, with 135 individuals participating in our Start Your Own Business programme in 2023. At the launch of the figures for Local Enterprise Offices nationally, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Neale Richmond, T.D., said; These results are a testament to our Local Enterprise Offices, reminding us how crucial their support is both for new businesses, but also in helping existing businesses to grow. What is also evident is the resilience of Irelands fantastic small businesses, that have continued to adapt to an ever-changing business environment. In conclusion, Sarah said: We are here to support businesses in Louth, whether they are just starting or already established. We offer a variety of supports tailored to every stage of your business journey. "Visit our website www.localenterprise.ie/Louth/ReadyTo to explore how we can support your business in 2024. A heated exchange unfolded in Seanad Eireann on Monday as Senator Erin McGreehan raised concerns about the devastating impact of recent floods on north Louth farmers. Expressing disappointment in the lack of response from the Department of Agriculture, Senator McGreehan called for urgent financial assistance to aid the farmers in their recovery. During the debate, Senator McGreehan highlighted the severe damage caused to crops, fodder, and essential infrastructure, emphasising the challenges faced by farmers in rebuilding their lives and businesses. She urged the Minister of State and the Department to intervene, giving particular mention to the crucial role of agriculture in the local and national economy. Senator McGreehan stated: "This is a natural disaster. I do not use that term lightly. It is devastating. There are fields with holes 10 ft deep, so it is not just a case of bringing out the front loader and filling in a few gaps. This is a case of using a Hymac and hiring people at approximately 500 per day for several days to restore land." In response, Minister of State Pippa Hackett acknowledged the difficulties faced by farmers but said there was a need for a proactive approach to climate adaptation and mitigation. She suggested that farmers should first engage with their insurers and advocated for long-term solutions rather than one-off compensation measures. She outlined a number of schemes open to farmers to implement such climate adaptation and mitigation measures. Tensions escalated as Senator McGreehan dismissed the Minister of State's response as "absolute baloney" and accused the Department of being in "fairy tale land." She argued that it was the Department's responsibility to support farming communities and criticised the deputy Hacket s assertion that there was a lack of precedence for funding, citing a comparable case in Inishowen. Senator McGreehan said: There is precedent for schemes, such as in Inishowen. That was good enough for Charlie back in 2017. Inishowen received funding for pretty much the exact same thing that has happened. Their fences were destroyed. Their fodder was destroyed, as was their fertiliser, and their fields were absolutely ruined. Do not tell me that there is no precedent for it. Some of that 9.3 million could go to it. The 300,000 in that figure would go a long way towards fixing a few farmers in north Louth. I think the Department of Agriculture is in fairy tale land. Minister of State Hackett defended the Department's stance, stating: "For one, it is unfair to say that my Department does not support farmers. "It does that largely through taxpayers money, so we have to make calls on what is appropriate to spend money on and what is not." Minister of State Hackett further asserted: "It is not sustainable for any Department to continue to pay out funding on one-off measures. That is why the focus has to be on the future, on mitigation and on climate adaptation. We have to look at climate adaptation. "That is why I urge the Senator, her colleagues and the farmers she represents to engage with that consultation and highlight what will stop them. We cannot keep going back out when something happens saying we need compensation. Compensation is not a sustainable model." Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. Ireland could be about to return to colder weather with a new snow threat on the latest weather models. Forecaster Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel made the prediction in his latest update to followers on social media. "Its hard to believe that a little over a week ago I was able to whizz about the frozen ponds of the Bog of Allen, which was abruptly followed by Storms Isha and Storm Jocelyn and a return to much milder weather for the time of year. "But with the final month of meteorological winter ahead the question remains as to whether or not winter will make a return in advance of March and the beginning of our spring season. In short, the answer is increasingly yes," he added. "Indications are now pointing towards a more wavy and somewhat weaker jet towards the end of the first week of February with colder interludes of air to the north likely to push south across Ireland, leading to an increased risk of wintry precipitation. "Given the timelines its impossible to give any more details just now, other than theres an increased risk of colder spells through the beginning of February. Between now and then our weather looks rather mixed for the week ahead as we lie between the warmer and colder air masses. "On Monday, Ireland lies directly under this boundary with an areas of low pressure to the southeast and weather fronts draped across the country. This will lead to outbreaks of rain for many, though some models point towards a risk of snow in some upland areas. "At the moment the snow risk is highest above 400 metres in southeast Munster, Leinster along with the Mourne Mountains and Slieve Gullian in Ulster. There may be some issues with snow or ice on higher routes across these regions, such as the Wicklow or Sally Gaps. "For now its a dry picture picture for most across the country except for some outbreaks of drizzle in the far northwest. Tomorrow will be overcast for many with rain spreading from the west as low pressure tracks to the southeast of the country," he concluded. WHATS in a name? The question posed by William Shakespeare is the motivation behind the new TG4 series Sloinne, which started last week. It delves into the incredible stories behind Irelands most common surnames, making history come alive in a way thats easy for everyone to enjoy. Each episode features a special guest exploring their family surname, taking us on a journey back in time. In the next episode, set to air on Sunday January 28 at 8.30pm, we travel to Cork as Noelle Gallagher (Ni Mhurchu), daughter of the late Liam O Murchu, learns more about her surname. It is a journey that takes her from Dublin to Wexford and onward to Cork, the area most associated with the surname. The fourth episode of the series on February 11 returns to Cork, as Sean O Suilleabhain goes in search of the story and history behind the OSullivan surname, and as one would expect it will inevitably take him to the Rebel County. Other surnames featured in the seven-part series are O Flaithearta, O Ceallaigh, O Domhnaill, Seoighe and O Conchubhair. The Cork Opera House and EZ Living Interiors have completed the first phase of a collaboration which involves revamping the venues hospitality spaces. To date, the Blue Angel Bar and Main Bar have been transformed to emanate a balance of plush comfort, bold design elements and functionality with the VIP suite, the Elbow Room, scheduled for similar treatment. Gavin White, director of EZ Living Interiors explained that they were approached by Cork Opera Houses partnerships and development manager, Laura Noonan about sponsoring their Half Moon Place Cafes mini-concert series last summer. They furnished the space with new chairs and bar stools, which led to a conversation about a possible revamp of the bars. 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. Were so proud to have teamed up with this iconic Cork performing arts venue in our 35th year of trading, said Mr White. Responding to a brief by Cork Opera House CEO, Eibhlin Gleeson, to the EZ Living Interiors creative team, the bar areas have been reimagined in an up-to-date style with whimsy, subtle nods to the buildings mid-century modern design history. Ms Gleeson explained the Opera House was "long overdue for an overhaul and needed proper investment". "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. EZ Living has been great to work with," said Ms Gleeson. They really got onboard with my ideas. They are of Cork and we are of Cork so it was a symbiotic relationship. EZ Living Interiors creative manager, Emma Murphy said they approached the project with the sole purpose of giving the Opera House bar areas an appearance that did the building justice. Its 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". Ms Murphy and stylist Sarah Commane took the lead on the project, using a colour scheme made up of deep shades and warm hues, including dark green, saffron yellow, tan, and pink. Design enthusiasts will also notice how the venues 1960s build is referenced subtly by a contemporary application of mid-century modern classic furniture features and paint colours that were popular in the late 19th century. The issue of Taiwans independence has become the biggest challenge to relations between China and the United States, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in Bangkok at a meeting with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Azernews reports, citing TASS. "The so-called problem of Taiwans independence poses the highest risk for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. It is also the biggest challenge to Chinese-US relations," Wang Yi said, as quoted on the Chinese Foreign Ministrys website. The foreign minister emphasized that the US should remain committed to the One China policy and the bilateral agreements. Wang Yi pointed out that Washington should keep its word not to back separatist sentiment in Taiwan. Taiwan has been governed by its own administration since 1949, when the remnants of the Kuomintang forces under Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) fled to the island after being defeated in the Chinese civil war. Taipei has since retained the flag and some other attributes of the former Republic of China, which had existed on the mainland before the Communists came to power. Beijing considers Taiwan to be a province of the Peoples Republic of China, and this position is supported by most countries, including Russia. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. The Saudi Arabian Oil Group (Aramco), the world's largest oil company, will continue to ship oil and fuel through the southern Red Sea, Trend reports. "We are navigating through the Red Sea with our oil and oil product cargoes, we find the associated risks manageable," the companys spokesman said. Aramco's decision stands in contrast to several other tanker owners who have declined Red Sea voyages following US and UK airstrikes on Houthi targets. Saudi Arabia has urged the US and Britain to show restraint and pursue peace talks with the Houthis. Ship tracking data, accessible to Bloomberg, indicates that in the first half of January, Saudi Aramco shipped as much oil from its Red Sea terminal in Yanbu to Europe as it did for the entire month of December 2023. The Saudis find it challenging to abandon deliveries via the Red Sea, as a substantial portion of the kingdom's infrastructure relies on this route. The challenging situation in the Red Sea has already resulted in a 20 percent reduction in global trade. On January 12, targets associated with the Ansar Allah movement in various Yemeni cities, including Sanaa and Hodeidah, were subjected to a joint strike by US and British aircraft, ships, and submarines. President Joe Biden attributed the attack directly to unprecedented Houthi assaults in the Red Sea. The US administration clarified that the strikes focused on rocket and unmanned aerial vehicle launch sites, along with radar stations controlled by Houthi rebels. Subsequently, the US has consistently targeted Houthi missile launchers in Yemen. Despite this, the UK announced no intentions of conducting additional strikes following the January 12 operation. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Cork County Council is expected to make a decision by early March on a planning application that could pave the way for a hydrogen power plant to be developed in Aghada, on the eastern side of Cork Harbour. ESB, which lodged the application for planning permission with the authority during the week has described the proposal, if green-lighted, as a first step in its plan to create a hydrogen lighthouse around Ireland'. The utility plans to use the hydrogen plant as a demonstration site to illustrate how renewable energy can be produced using hydrogen. Hydrogen power is produced by the electrolysis of water and while its supporters claim it could completely revolutionise clean energy as it eliminates emissions by using renewable energy, its critics say its an inefficient way to produce power. The site for the proposed plant is on property owned by ESB at its Aghada plant. Currently undeveloped the site spans half a hectare. In the documents submitted to Cork County Council KPMG Future Analytics, who prepared the application on behalf of ESB, said the development would consist of a 1 megawatt (MW) electrolyser including a water purification unit, a transformer and control unit and other ancillary equipment and facilities. The proposed development consists of the construction of a hydrogen production facility comprising a hydrogen compound and contractors compound with all associate site access and ancillary site development works" reads the application. The proposed development will demonstrate the full chain hydrogen production via electrolysis, storage, usage on site via fuel cell and transport offsite to other sector hydrogen users. The proposed development is to be used for hydrogen production for an operational period of up to five years. After five years, the plant will be decommissioned, it is proposed. The Irish Government published its Hydrogen Strategy in July of last year and, at the time, Environment Minister Eamon Ryan described renewable energy as a zero carbon fuel that could play a key role in the difficult to decarbonise sectors of the economy where other solutions were not feasible. Ireland has the natural resources to become a world leader in the production of green energy, said Minister Ryan, describing the countrys wind resources as amongst the best in the world. Hydrogen represents one of the best ways of capturing these resources," said Minister Ryan.. If Ireland can harness the opportunities offered by renewable hydrogen, we can achieve our goals of a zero-carbon, secure energy system and potentially become an exporter to the emerging hydrogen markets establishing across Europe. Submissions can be made in relation to the planning application by the public up to February 13 and the decision is due on March 5. MULTI-AWARD winning Scottish stand-up Mark Nelson will take to the stage in Coughlans next month as part of the comics first tour of Ireland and Britain. Nelson commences the Irish leg of his tour in the popular Douglas St venue on Saturday, February 3. He is also set to perform in Whelans in Dublin on Sunday, February 4, and has a gig in Northern Ireland next month, performing at the Limelight in Belfast on February 2. Nelson won the inaugural Scottish Comedian of the Year in 2006. His work has previously featured on Have I Got News for You, Mock the Week, and 8 Out of 10 Cats. The Irish dates of his tour follow on from sold-out gigs in Britain last year. Audiences from Oban to Dublin will have the chance to enjoy the very best of Nelson, who alongside his critically acclaimed live work is known for creating the BBCs biggest ever online hit, News At 3, which currently has over 250m views worldwide, promoters Scottish Comedy Agency said of the tour. For tickets see linktr.ee/marknelsoncomic. A 43-year-old man intending to make a complaint to gardai about an incident at a night spot in Cork city reacted angrily when the guards asked him for his details before he made the complaint. At Cork District Court, Gerard Walsh of 72 Bakers Road, Gurranabraher, Cork, has pleaded guilty to obstructing gardai, engaging in threatening behaviour and being drunk and a danger. Inspector Martin Canny said, At Crane Lane on August 21, 2023 Gerard Walsh was intoxicated and aggressive and he had a cut to his forehead. He was bleeding. The guards went to assist him. He was shouting and he was aggressive. He then walked away. He resisted arrest and had to be placed in handcuffs to restrain him. Judge Marian OLeary was told by defence solicitor Michael Quinlan that the accused accepted that he overreacted. There was a misunderstanding. He wanted to make a complaint to the guards about an issue that happened in Crane Lane, Mr Quinlan said, adding that the guards were questioning him before he had a chance to make his complaint. The judge directed a pre-sanction probation report and the case was adjourned for three months for that purpose. Minister for Enterprise Simon Coveney has defended Ryanair's decision to buy 25 newly-built homes in north Dublin. The airline intends to rent out the houses in Swords to cabin crew at Dublin Airport, but has faced criticism locally from would-be homeowners and politicians. Ryanair said the decision to purchase homes in Fosterstown was due to the ongoing issue of affordability impacting on recruitment of staff. "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 in-flight team," the airline said. "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." Mr Coveney said the practice of buying homes for workers isnt unusual among large businesses. I was in Paris in the last number of weeks looking at the largest start-up hub in Europe, and theyve also invested in housing to support people to work there, he told Newstalk radio on Sunday. If you go across to the west coast in the US, large multinationals also invest in housing. What Ryanair has done here is ensure the housing pressure their staff are feeling that they are directly impacting that in a positive way and have people living close to the airport. Minister for Enterprise Simon Coveney. Photo: PA Mr Coveney said an addition to the housing market through multinational companies isnt necessarily a bad thing. We need to make sure large multinationals arent effectively competing with first-time buyers for housing, he said. We are spending millions of euros to ensure housing supply increases and first-time buyers are prioritised. Figures released on Thursday confirmed 32,695 new homes were built in 2023, the largest number in 15 years. It means the Government has exceeded the 29,000 target it set itself under the Housing for All programme. (Photo: REUTERS / Kacper Pempel)A visitor walks between electric barbed-wired fences at the Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial and former concentration camp November 18, 2013. Auschwitz-Birkenau was a place of evil in Nazi-occupied Poland where around 1.1 million people, mostly Jews, were murdered in the name of an ideology of hatred. Seventy-five years after Soviet troops liberated the camps, holocaust survivors and international leaders honouring victims of the Nazis at the former Auschwitz death camp, at a time of that the world is fighting a resurgent anti-Semitism. The presidents of Israel and Poland - Reuven Rivlin and Andrzej Duda - laid wreaths together at the former camp. "The industrial mass murder of six million Jews, the worst crime in the history of humanity, it was committed by my countrymen," German president Frank Walter Steinmeier had told 40 statesmen at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, Israel, on Jan. 23. At Auschwitz, Rivlin warned of "voices which spread hate" and threaten democracy, the BBC reported. "Our duty is to fight anti-Semitism, racism and fascist nostalgia - those sick evils," he said. He and President Duda laid wreaths at the Death Wall, where the Nazis shot thousands of prisoners. Auschwitz-Birkenau was a vast camp complex and was the Nazi regime's most notorious killing centre. Thousands of Poles, Soviet prisoners of war, Gypsies (Roma) and other persecuted groups also died there. About six million Jews were murdered in Nazi's Germany's campaign to control other races and nations. RESURGENT ANTI-SEMITIC ATTACKS "Our solidarity in the face of hatred is needed today more than ever, as we see a deeply worrying resurgence in antisemitic attacks around the world, and almost unbelievable, also around us here in New York," said United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. He said New York saw a 21 percent rise in antisemitic hate crimes in 2019, part of a trend in cities across the United States. "But, the situation for Jews in Europe is, if anything, worse," he rued. France saw a 74 percent increase in antisemitic attacks in 2018. In the United Kingdom, they rose by 16 percent to a record high. "Neo-Nazis and white supremacists are resurgent, organizing themselves and spreading their poisonous ideology and iconography online. "The internet, from social media to online gaming platforms and the dark web, is their playground and their recruiting office. They manipulate video content and poison young minds." In Geneva, the World Council of Churches joined in solemn commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. WCC moderator Dr. Agnes Abuom and general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit jointly reflected on the role this "full revelation of the extremity of human evil" has played as a driver for the drafting and adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The noted present-day resurgence of anti-Semitic attacks in recent years. They stated, "We are alarmed at the dramatic increase in antisemitic rhetoric and incidents that has been reported in many countries, and at the pernicious persistence of Holocaust denial, especially online." "WCC and its member churches cherish their relations with Jewish partners in dialogue and collaborative action, and reaffirm our commitment to working with Jewish partner organizations and communities." They said this must be done to "counter the current trend towards 'normalization of hatred' against 'the other' in many parts of the world," say the two in their comment, noting ongoing efforts together with the International Jewish Committee for Inter-religious Consultations (IJCIC) to explore ways in which such joint efforts can be strengthened and implemented. (UN Photo/Loey Felipe)Participants at the 2019 United Nations Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony on Jan. 28, 2019. Volker Turk, the UN Human Rights chief has said the day commemorating the Holocaust is one of "profound importance." Turk made his statement for the day, on Jan. 27, that commemorates the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland during the final days of the Second World War. "We remember and honour the millions of victims of the Nazi Holocaust children, women and men on whom atrocious suffering and injustice were inflicted by an abominable machinery of mass murder," said the UN Human Rights chief who is from Austria, He said six that around six million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust, 1.5 million of them children. Millions of other people from targeted groups were also murdered, including Roma and Sinti people; Slavs; people with disabilities; LGBTIQ people; members of resistance networks; and other opponents of Nazism. Pope Francis recalled earlier in the week the extermination of millions of Jews in calling for the Holocaust Day of Remembrance to reaffirm that war can never be justified and only benefits weapons makers. At the end of his weekly general audience, Francis referred to the Jan. 27 commemoration, which Vatican News said has become fraught this year given Israel's military campaign in Gaza and a rise in antisemitism in Europe and around the world. "The remembrance and condemnation of that horrific extermination of millions of Jews and of other faiths, which occurred in the first half of the last century, help us all not to forget that the logic of hatred and violence can never be justified, because they deny our very humanity," Francis said. Six extermination camps, at Auschwitz-Birkenau, Belzec, Chelmno, Majdanek, Sobibor and Treblinka, were equipped with machinery designed specifically for killing on a massive, industrial scale. About one million Jews were killed at Auschwitz alone. Millions more were imprisoned, abused and murdered in a vast network of thousands of other concentration camps, where they were forced into slave labor, including sexual slavery, and medical experimentation. The scale of these crimes engaged many perpetrators said the UN. The Nazi concentration camps and death trains were staffed. The victims had often been identified to the police, and therefore sent to their deaths, by people whom they knew. Countless bystanders looked away from or were indifferent to what they must have suspected was extraordinary, inhuman brutality. "The dehumanisation that enabled the Holocaust the depth and scale of this failure of empathy and fellow-feeling for other human beings is incomprehensible and terrifying," said Turk. "It is our duty to seek answers to how these crimes could have been prevented. If we do not, they could happen again." As part of this work, and in the face of genocide denial, it is essential to ensure accurate historical knowledge of the Holocaust, or Shoah, in all its appalling detail said the UN rights chief. The UN said that the testimony of survivors of the Holocaust is both essential to that work, and extremely painful. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. Foreign investors would be attracted to invest in Iran if the US and western countries lifted their sanctions, Mahmoud Khaghani, an Iranian energy expert, said, Trend reports. Khaghani stated that the key factor for this was the revival of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and Irans compliance with FATF rules. He explained that the lack of progress on these two issues discouraged foreign investors from investing in Iran. Iranian expert also said that various agreements were reached in different sectors, including the energy sector, during the recent trip of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his high-ranking delegation to Turkiye. He mentioned that Turkish firms are keen on developing gas fields in Irans Persian Gulf, both onshore and offshore. But he noted that the sanctions should not be overlooked in this regard. On January 16, 2016, Iran's nuclear program triggered the creation of the JCPOA between Iran and the P5+1 group (US, Russia, China, UK, France, and Germany). However, on May 8, 2018, the US announced its withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between Iran and the 5+1 group (Russia, China, the UK, France, the US, and Germany) and imposed new sanctions against Iran as of November 2018. Over the past period, the sanctions have affected Iranian oil exports and more than 700 banks, companies, and individuals. The sanctions have resulted in the freezing of Iranian assets abroad. The objectives of FATF are to set standards and promote effective implementation of legal, regulatory, and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing, and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system. During the recent FATF meeting, Iran was warned that it may be added to the list of non-cooperative countries within three months if it does not completely fulfill the FATF requirements. Iran fulfilled 37 of the 41 FATF requirements. The remaining four requirements refer to the legislative field. The amendments to the Counter-Terrorist Financing Act, Anti-Money Laundering Act, Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (Palermo), and International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) were prepared by the Iranian government and sent to the parliament. Although the four conventions have been approved and sent to the Expediency Council of Iran, the CFT and Palermo conventions have not yet been ratified by the Council. FATF was established in 1989 on the initiative of the G7 Group to combat money laundering. FATF has 37 members, and its secretariat is in Paris. Iran was included in the FATF blacklist in 2007. The anti-Tehran steps have been taken since 2009. Thus, the countries were cautious in their financial and banking transactions with Iran. Taking reciprocal steps against Iran through diplomatic means has been postponed since 2016. FATF included Iran on the blacklist again on February 21, 2020. --- Follow the author on X (Twitter):@BaghishovElnur This letter pays tribute to M K Gandhi and J C Kumarappa on the occasion of their death anniversary on 30 January, reflecting on their deep impact on sustainable development. Both played a crucial role in determining Indias path towards economic, social, and environmental sustainability, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire. In November 1933, Gandhi started a nationwide campaign against untouchability. Through his extensive travels across the country, he realised that Indian villages had not yet recovered from the Great Depression of the 1930s and Londons decision to get off the gold standard. Contrary to other Congress leaders who focused on industrialising the cities, he concluded that attention must first be given to Indias villages. Through the idea of self-sufficiency and self-reliance, he decided to revive the village industries. Importantly, in the 1934 Congress session, Bhogaraju Pattabhi Sitaramayya proposed a resolution to form the All India Village Industries Association (AIVIA). The Congress session accepted the proposal, and Gandhi, along with Kumarappa, took up residence in Maganwadi in Wardha, Maharashtra in early 1935 and worked to establish the AIVIA. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. International mediators are negotiating a four-month ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Trend reports. According to information, this initiative was put forward by Arab mediators. The plan will consist of several parts. In the first phase of the ceasefire, Hamas will have to hand over all civilian hostages to Israel within six weeks. Then female soldiers and then male soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are to be transferred. At the final stage of the ceasefire, the bodies of Israeli soldiers will be handed over to Israel. A combined attack was carried out on Israel on October 7. From the beginning, a massive rocket attack began from the territory of the Gaza Strip, followed by the penetration of militants by land, water, and air. Israel declared a state of war after a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. Moreover, Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced a mass gathering of reservists. Sunday, January 28, 2024 In an era where the quest for mental well-being and cognitive vitality takes center stage, the allure of bilingualism as a potential shield against dementia has captured the curiosity of many. The idea that learning a new language could stave off cognitive decline later in life has led individuals, like my father, to embark on linguistic journeys fueled by the hope of preserving mental acuity. But does the pursuit of bilingualism truly offer the cognitive advantages we seek? Lets delve into the research on bilingualism, aging brains, and the nuances surrounding language learning Bilingualisms Impact on Aging Brains Numerous activities contribute to better brain health in old age, including education, physical activity, and cognitively stimulating hobbies. Bilingualism, however, stands out as a unique cognitive workout. Mark Antoniou, an associate professor specializing in bilingualism, notes that using language in daily life provides continuous cognitive engagement that surpasses other enriching experiences, such as playing musical instruments. The cognitive bene?t of bilingualism lies in the constant mental effort required to inhibit the mother tongue while recalling words in another language, known as cognitive inhibition. This process is associated with improved executive functioning. The concept of cognitive reserve suggests that by enhancing these cognitive processes, the brain becomes more resilient to impairments caused by diseases like dementia, potentially delaying the onset of symptoms. Landmark studies, such as the 2007 paper from Toronto researchers, indicate that bilingual individuals with dementia develop symptoms, on average, four years later than their monolingual counterparts. While subsequent studies have reported similar ?ndings, some research remains inconclusive. Later-Life Learning: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities While the bene?ts of bilingualism for those who have used multiple languages since early adulthood are evident, the landscape shifts when considering language learning as a hobby in later life. Research on the cognitive bene?ts of learning a second language in ones 60s presents a more nuanced picture. Studies by Dr. Antoniou and colleagues indicate that older Chinese adults engaging in a six-month language learning program demonstrated cognitive improvements, comparable to those playing games like Sudoku. However, other studies in 2023 found minimal differences in cognitive performance after language-learning programs. Challenges in the research process include highly motivated volunteer participants, potential variations in the length and frequency of language interventions, and the need for representative samples of the population. Despite these challenges, Dr. Antoniou suggests that language lessons, while not equivalent to a lifetime of bilingualism, can offer cognitive bene?ts through intellectual stimulation. Beyond cognitive advantages, the potential for learning another language extends to personal enrichment, connecting with new communities, and exploring the world. My fathers French language journey, for instance, resulted in lasting connections and travels, showcasing that the bene?ts of language learning go beyond cognitive outcomes. As we navigate the intricate relationship between language, cognition, and aging, lets re?ect on our experiences. Have you ventured into learning a new language later in life? What bene?ts or challenges did you encounter? Join our forum and share your linguistic adventures, contributing to a collective exploration of the multifaceted impacts of bilingualism on our cognitive well-being. Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/16/well/mind/dementia-bilingual-language.html?searchResult Position=7 French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal will visit a cattle farm on Sunday, his office said, as agricultural unions prepare to mount a "siege" on the French capital to pressure the government into meeting their demands on pay, tax and regulations. The leaders of two of France's largest farming unions said Saturday that members from the regions around Paris "will begin an indefinite siege of the capital." "All the major roads leading to the capital will be occupied by farmers," they added. Farmers from the Lot-et-Garonne region, one of the hotspots of the protest movement in southern France, had already announced their intention to "go to Paris" on Monday. They intend to blockade the massive Rungis wholesale food market south of the capital. French farmers are furious at what they say is a squeeze on purchase prices for produce by supermarket and industrial buyers, as well as complex environmental regulations. But the last straw for many was the phasing-out of a tax break on diesel for farm equipment. Attal's visit to a cattle farm in the western region of Indre-et-Loire comes two days after he announced a number of concessions following blockades by farmers of major routes into Paris and in the south of the country. "You wanted to send a message, and I've received it loud and clear," said Attal, who is facing his first major crisis as prime minister. - 'Ready to explode' - Attal said the government would "put an end" to the rising cost of diesel fuel used for farming machinery, a consequence of tax breaks on the fuel having been phased out. There would also be an emergency fund to help cattle farmers battle illnesses among their livestock. Early on Saturday, some roadblocks were being lifted and traffic began running normally on motorways. But the latest announcement by the FNSEA farmers' union and the Jeunes Agriculteurs ("Young Farmers"), which together represent most farmers in France, puts the pressure back on Attal. His concessions have "not calmed the anger, we need to go further", said FNSEA President Arnaud Rousseau. "We have a government that doesn't care about its farmers," said Lucie Delbarre, general secretary of the Pas-de-Calais FDSEA branch. "As you can see, it's a pressure cooker ready to explode." - 'Set a course' - The demonstrators have also attacked free trade agreements between the European Union and food exporters, especially a deal with the South American bloc Mercosur that is still in the works. One group of protesters hung an effigy of a farmer in overalls from mock gallows by the A10 motorway west of Paris. But farmers appeared to be divided over whether Attal's concessions were enough. The government has been trying to keep discontent among farmers from spreading just months ahead of European Parliament elections, which are seen as a key test for President Emmanuel Macron's government. Francois Ruffin, a lawmaker with the left-wing France Unbowed (LFI) party, said the government needed to "set a course for French agriculture". "We need to tell it what it should be doing: is its aim to compete with factory farms in Brazil or Ukraine, or is its aim to feed the French properly?" jmi/pvh/jj/tym/sn The once bright green Andean forest where Maria Yadira Jimenez worked as a tour guide has been reduced to ashes. Since Monday, forest fires have been advancing on Nemocon, a rural area with beautiful landscapes about 60 kilometers (37 miles) outside the Colombian capital Bogota. Though usually cool, the mountains surrounding the town have become a hellscape, with the blazes driving out residents and wildlife. Distraught, Jimenez joined volunteers who -- along with firefighters, rescuers, police and the military -- are fighting to extinguish one of the 34 fires that the government has detected in Colombia, which has declared a "natural disaster" amid hot, dry conditions due to the El Nino climate phenomenon. Fires have razed more than 17,000 hectares (42,000 acres) across Colombia since November, when the drought started and temperatures started to rise, authorities say. With no experience in emergency response or any fireproof clothing, the volunteers follow in the footsteps of firefighters and use jugs of water to cool areas that have been brought under control. With picks, shovels and machetes, they stir up the smoldering earth to make sure the fires don't spark back up. "This is a disaster that is going to bring very serious consequences. Birds were burned, native species were lost and everything was affected," the 46-year-old Jimenez tells AFP. The area's environmental authority rescued a disoriented fox and an owl from the smoke, but other animals were not so lucky, perishing in the flames. - Sun that stings more - In Bogota, a thick column of smoke rises from the mountain range that edges the city of eight million inhabitants. The sound of helicopters pouring water on the flames echoes all day in the east. Faced with the "natural disaster" decreed by the government, President Gustavo Petro has sought help from international partners. The Environment Ministry says at least 20 fires are still active, affecting forests, farmland and the mountain ecosystems that provide water to lower altitudes. Locals in Nemocon have accused a power company of causing the fire, which spread unchecked among the area's parched pine trees. When consulted by AFP, the company said the fire was caused by "climatic conditions generated by the heat wave" and that its officials have shut down supply lines that cross the area. January 2024 is forecast to be the hottest month in Colombia since records began 30 years ago, according to environmental authority Ideam. "The sun didn't sting so much before," Jimenez explains worriedly. Francisco Mendoza, 52, loads a pump with water to stop flames from reaching his property. "We haven't stopped day and night," he says, on the verge of tears, wearing glasses and a mask to protect from the smoke. "Everyone's property is my property, so when a neighbor is at risk, we are all at risk. We are trying to support each other in that way," he adds. In Nemocon and Bogota, Indigenous people have been performing rituals asking for rain, but science is not very optimistic. Ideam anticipates February will be even hotter, and only in March will rainfall alleviate the situation. For Mendoza, it's a message from nature. "It is Mother Earth crying for help because we are behaving very badly with her." bur/mdl/acb Venezuela's political opposition demanded Saturday that the Supreme Court reinstate the electoral eligibility of one of its leaders, as anxiety swirled around this year's still unscheduled vote. The court, loyal to President Nicolas Maduro, on Friday upheld a 15-year ban on Maria Corina Machado from holding public office, and also confirmed the ineligibility of a possible opposition stand-in -- two-time presidential candidate Henrique Capriles. The head of the opposition delegation in a dialogue with the government, Gerardo Blyde, alleged at a news conference that the process against Machado was rife with irregularities. There was a "violation of the due process and violation of the right to defense," Blyde said. Machado's disqualification follows a deal between Maduro's government and the opposition, reached in Barbados last year, to hold a free and fair vote in 2024 with international observers present. That agreement saw the United States ease sanctions against Venezuela, allowing US-based Chevron to resume limited oil extraction and leading the way to a prisoner swap. Machado overwhelmingly won support in a primary vote last October. But she was disqualified from holding office by authorities for alleged corruption and for backing sanctions against Caracas. Washington on Saturday warned that it could restore sanctions on Venezuela in response to Friday's Supreme Court decision -- a move criticized by Venezuelan government spokesman Hector Rodriguez. Sanctions "are not the answer, the answer is dialogue," he said. In its ruling, the Supreme Court said Machado would remain disqualified "for being involved... in the corruption plot orchestrated" by opposition leader Juan Guaido. Guaido, now in exile, was recognized by dozens of countries as the legitimate winner of elections in 2018 that saw Maduro inaugurated for a second successive term despite widespread fraud claims. Maduro has not confirmed that he will seek a third term, but is widely expected to do so. Earlier this week, Maduro said the Barbados agreement was "mortally wounded" after government authorities claimed to have foiled numerous plots to assassinate him. Blyde also denounced what he called violations of the agreement, with parties and civil society groups having "been attacked" in recent weeks -- citing the recent vandalization of Machado's party headquarters and the arrest of three of her team members. ba/mel/nro/bbk/acb The Welsh government has been accused of 'wandering blindly toward disaster' as its own impact assessment into Wales' post-Brexit agricultural scheme paints a bleak picture. The assessment, which was commissioned by the Welsh government, examined the impact of the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) proposals. Based on the potential economic effects of the previous 2022 outline proposals for the SFS, the modelling predicts a near 11% fall in livestock numbers, representing 122,000 units. There would also be an 11% cut in labour on Welsh farms the equivalent of losing 5,500 jobs based on current employment levels on farms. The National Sheep Association said it was 'deeply concerned' with the report as the new scheme could 'threaten the future of the sector in Wales'. NSA is alarmed by results from the Welsh governments own impact assessment that paints a bleak picture for Welsh agriculture as a whole," said NSA chief executive Phil Stocker. "It is incredibly damaging for an industry already under immense strain to have proposals that now seem flimsy and lacking in genuine support for a critical infrastructure sector." The modelling, undertaken on the 2022 SFS proposals as part of the impact assessment, indicates the scheme would result in a 122,200 reduction in Welsh livestock units and an 11% reduction across the national flock. The NSA said that the magnitude of the reductions, with or without a top-up payment, highlighted the significant difficulties for businesses to find alternative income sources. With 12 months until the SFS introduction, the body warned that the Welsh government was 'wandering blindly towards a disaster for the industry'. Furthermore, any adjustment or diversification would be limited by policy constraints. Mr Stocker added: "There must be action now to ensure there is meaningful capacity to maintain livelihoods of those working in agriculture. NSA Cymru development officer, Helen Roberts warned that the agricultural sector was 'operating on a knife edge' with increasing pressures on the bottom line. She said: "It is concerning that Welsh government is only giving businesses 12 months to consider the implications of entering the SFS, with little pilot process planned or dynamic implementation process. "NSA is concerned that if Welsh government doesnt take action it will result in devasting effects not only on farming businesses but those that rely on them. The Welsh government commissioned assessment was carried out by ADAS, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) and the University of Dublin. The SFS Keep Farmers Farming consultation, launched by the Welsh government, closes for responses on 7 March. Jay Leno has applied for conservatorship over his wife Mavis. Jay Leno has applied for a conservatorship over wife Mavis The former 'Tonight Show' host took legal steps on Friday (26.01.24) to be put in charge of his wife's affairs after she was diagnosed with dementia, and explained in court documents obtained by TMZ he wants to set up a living trust for his spouse to ensure she has "managed assets" to provide her with future care should be pass away. The 73-year-old comic stated his wife - who he married in 1980 - doesn't contest a conservatorship being established and does not prefer another person to act as conservator. Jay also asked the judge to approve Mavis, 77, not attending a court hearing on the matter because it would be "detrimental to her mental and physical health." It is unclear when Mavis' condition was diagnosed but the pair have been seen out and about together, most recently in November. And when the former talk show host was recovering from burns injuries he sustained in a fire at home in 2022, Dr. Peter Grossman, a doctor and plastic surgeon at the Grossman Burn Center and West Hills Hospital, where Jay was treated, said that Mavis was "obviously very concerned" about her spouse. He added: "She's by his side. They have a very close relationship, and she's doing as well as you can expect a wife who is concerned about her husband. And Jay admitted after being injured, his first thoughts were for his wife, opting to go home first instead of straight to the Los Angeles burns clinic doctors had recommended. He explained on 'Today' in December 2022: "My wife doesn't drive anymore and I didn't want her stuck and not knowing what was going on. "It just seemed like the right thing to do, and I think it was." Host Hoda Kotb asked: "So you loved your wife more than you worried about yourself? Jay replied: "Yeah, that's it!" Kim Kardashian would love her children to run her beauty brand one day. Kim Kardashian wants her children to run her beauty brand The 43-year-old star is launching a new make-up line for her SKKN BY KIM, and the brunette beauty has revealed that she likes the idea of her daughters running the company one day. Kim - who has North, ten, Saint, eight, Chicago, six, and Psalm, four, with her ex-husband Kanye West - told Bustle magazine: "I think that they will have their own ideas of what they want to do. And if one of 'em wants to take it over, they gladly can. "I would love them to be involved, but I also want them to do whatever makes them happy. And that could be totally not in the beauty business and that would be OK with me." Earlier this month, Kim to took to social media to hail the "determination and ambition" of her daughter Chicago. The reality star - who was married to Kanye between 2014 and 2022 - heaped praise on her daughter in a heartfelt message. Alongside a series of photos, Kim wrote: "Happy 6th Birthday Chicago! I honestly didnt know too much about what raising a Capricorn girl would be like but you make it so easy and fun and silly!!! I can already see the determination and ambition you have within you. You are so smart, sweet, silly and so lovable to everyone around you especially your cousins! Its magical to see you all together and all the love that exists between the tribe. I love you so much Chi Chi and cant believe you are 6 years old! [heart emoji] Im so so so happy to be your mommy! (sic)" The Bangladesh Bank recently included the Chinese yuan in the real-time gross settlement (RTGS) system, in which there is a continuous and real-time settlement of fund-transfers, individually on a transaction-by-transaction basis. The yuan can be exchanged at the interbank level in the country beginning February 4 through a specialised online platform for rapid and large transactions, the central bank announced. The bank started automated clearing operations in five foreign currenciesUS dollar, pound sterling, euro, Japanese yen and Canadian dollarin September 2022. The Bangladesh Bank has included in the real-time gross settlement system the Chinese yuan, which can be exchanged at the interbank level from February 4. Automated clearing operations in US dollar, pound sterling, euro, Japanese yen and Canadian dollar began in September 2022. There is no limit on the foreign currency amount that can be exchanged at one go. The RTGS service allows a bank to procure a large amount of a specific foreign currency from another bank in a maximum of 30 seconds. There is, however, no limit on the amount of foreign currency that can be exchanged at one go, according to domestic media reports. Commercial banks have to follow the guidelines for foreign exchange transaction while using RTGS services. A foreign currency account has to be opened first with clear specification of the account type, the central bank added. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) Anurag Dobhal Skips Bigg Boss 17 Finale: As the highly anticipated seventeenth season of India's biggest reality show Bigg Boss (Hindi) approaches its climax, the creators are gearing up for an enthralling and exhilarating final episode. The grand finale of Bigg Boss 17 is set to commence at 6 pm tonight (January 28), where one of Ankita Lokhande, Munawar Faruqui, Mannara Chopra, Arun Srikanth Mashettey, or Abhishek Kumar will emerge victorious, clinching the coveted winner's trophy. In the episode aired on January 27, seasoned journalist Diband made a special appearance on the controversial reality show, interacting with the housemates and delving into their journey and the controversies surrounding their time in the house. Additionally, Amruta Khanvilkar, Pooja Bhatt, Karan Kundrra, Sandiip Sikcand, and Shalin Bhanot also stepped into the Bigg Boss house to extend their support to Ankita, Mannara, Munawar, Arun, and Abhishek respectively. BIGG BOSS 17 GRAND FINALE TIMINGS AND OTHER DETAILS The grand finale of Bigg Boss 17 has commenced on Colors TV and Jio Cinema at 6 pm, promising an evening of celebration until midnight. A star-studded party is underway, with notable personalities like Bharti Singh, Krushna Abhishek, and Orry, among others, adding to the unforgettable atmosphere. Guest appearances by former contestants Neil Bhatt, Aishwarya Sharma, Soniya Bansal, Rinku Dhawan, Isha Malviya, Samarth Jurel, and others are adding to the excitement of the grand finale. However, there have been reports suggesting that Anurag Dobhal is not attending the finale as he's upset with the makers. Yes, you read that right! WHY ANURAG DOBHAL IS NOT ATTENDING THE BIGG BOSS 17 FINALE? Revealing the reason behind Anurag's absence from the finale, a source informed News 18, "He is not attending the grand finale. He is upset because of his journey in the show and the way he was eliminated. Anurag is sure that he does not want to be a part of the show's grand finale." Anurag faced elimination from the Bigg Boss 17 house on January 1, with the majority of housemates voting against him. His eviction led to disappointment among many of his fans, who deemed it "unfair." In a subsequent interview, Anurag stated that he had anticipated his elimination and accused the show's producers of wanting him out as quickly as possible. Keep watching this space for more updates! BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. Senior foreign officials are discussing the possible deployment of Arab peacekeeping forces in the Gaza Strip to help the Palestinian enclave maintain order after the conflict ends, Trend reports. According to the information, Israeli representatives reject this idea and propose stationing multinational forces under Israeli control in the enclave. According to American diplomats, Arab leaders opposed such an idea. Photo Credit: After the much-hyped release of his latest family actioner titled 'Guntur Kaaram,' written and directed by Trivikram Srinivas, Mahesh Babu seems unperturbed by the film's critical acclaim and is quickly getting in shape for his next, SS Rajamouli's globe-trotting adventure drama referred to as SSMB 29. Mahesh Babu is said to have been undergoing a special medical-based body workout abroad under the guidance of a German doctor. The actor, who puts his body image on a pedestal than anything else, is reportedly undergoing several trainings to get into the character of the protagonist as envisioned by SS Rajamouli and written by his father, writer Vijayendra Prasad. SSMB 29 will be made on a mammoth budget of about Rs 1000 Crore if the rumours are to be believed. Given the scale and set-up of the film that has SS Rajamouli as its helmer, nobody wonders why. No Remuneration For Mahesh Babu For SSMB 29? On the other hand, the latest buzz about SSMB 29 is about the remuneration of Mahesh Babu. The actor, who is the biggest superstar and the highest-paid Tollywood actor, is allegedly waiving off his remuneration for the film until the filming is completed or the movie gets released. An enthusiastic movie updates page on the X platform, PaniPuri, in an exclusive post mentioned that Mahesh Babu is not getting any remuneration for Rajamouli's film. They also shared information as follows. Rajamouli, who was worried about blocking Mahesh Babu for two years at least was assured by Mahesh Babu a time of up to 3 years. The actor is keen on the output and wants to make SSMB 29 an epic. Rajamouli, like he did with Prabhas for Baahubali 1 and Baahubali 2, wanted to make Mahesh Babu a partner in the film, rather than pay him remuneration as compensation. Check out the tweet below. Mahesh Babu As One Of The Producer For SSMB 29? The movie SSMB 29 is being produced by KL Narayana, but SS Rajamouli is managing the finances and budgeting of the movie. Mahesh Babu is said to have advised the filmmakers not to worry about his remuneration until the movie is shot. Not only that but Mahesh Babu is also going to be the producer of this prestigious film. According to the information that is doing the rounds on the internet, SS Rajamouli and the producers of SSMB 29 are reportedly in talks with Priyanka Chopra, the global actress to play the film's female lead. If not Priyanka, Rajamouli is keen on roping in an actress with global acclaim to fit the bill. Full capital market separation and US listing of its North American business Transaction intended to be executed as a spin-off, benefitting all shareholders Creating the leading pure-play North American building solutions company US listing of North American business expected to complete in H1 2025 Holcim post US listing of North America to further strengthen its position as leader in innovative & sustainable building solutions ZUG, Switzerland, Jan. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Holcim announces its intent to list its North American business in the US with a full capital market separation. This process will create the leading pure-play building solutions company in the region. The newly-listed business will be committed to driving long-term growth in the rapidly expanding North American market and unlocking value for all its stakeholders. Holcim post US listing of North America is expected to remain included in the Swiss Market Index and the leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions. The Board has tasked Jan Jenisch to lead the planned US listing of Holcim's North America business. Jan Jenisch, Chairman and CEO: "Holcim has reached a new level of financial performance and a superior earnings profile with industry-leading margins and a strong balance sheet. The success of our North American business makes it the leading pure-play building solutions company in the region. With a US listing, we will unleash its full potential to be the partner of choice for our customers in one of the world's most attractive construction markets. As we fully capitalize on the region's infrastructure and construction boom, we will accelerate growth and unlock value for our stakeholders. "Holcim post US listing of North America will further advance its leadership in innovative and sustainable building solutions. With decarbonization and M&A as drivers of profitable growth, the company will continue to deliver leading margins and attractive shareholder returns. "This next step of growth and value creation is possible thanks to the outstanding leadership of our empowered teams around the world delivering record results year after year." US listing of North America The listed North American business will be the leading pure-play building solutions company in the region, with an estimated EBITDA1 margin of more than 27% for 2023. This business has a proven track record of outstanding profitable growth with an average annual growth rate of over 20% and an over-proportional growth in EBIT of more than 26%, on average, over the past four years. It will execute an accelerated growth strategy to achieve more than USD 20 billion in net sales and more than USD 5 billion in EBIT with industry-leading margins by 2030. With over 850 state-of-the-art operations, this business is a leader in advanced roofing systems, the no. 1 player in cement, and strongly positioned in aggregates and ready-mix. Building on its leading footprint, the North American business is ideally positioned to capitalize on the strong construction spend and once-in-a-generation infrastructure investments across the region. The listed company will pursue a US Dollar-based tailored capital structure and capital allocation priorities, creating a distinct and compelling investment profile. With its pure-play focus on North American customers and market opportunities, it will drive deeper strategic and operational priorities. Holcim post US listing of North America Holcim post US listing of North America will advance its leadership position in innovative and sustainable building solutions, with an estimated EBITDA1 margin of over 23% for 2023. The company will aim to grow net sales to around CHF 22 billion, EBIT to more than CHF 4 billion, and free cash flow to more than CHF 3 billion by 2030. Building on its superior financial performance, the company will accelerate its leadership in decarbonization and circularity as drivers of profitable growth, advancing sustainable building solutions for its customers. It will continue its portfolio transformation with disciplined value-accretive transactions, including expanding into the attractive Solutions & Products segment, focusing on advanced mortars and insulation for repair and refurbishment. Holcim post US listing will strengthen its ability to maximize value creation with its well balanced footprint and leading market positions across Europe, Latin America and Asia, Middle East & Africa. It will deliver industry-leading margins, cash generation and attractive shareholder returns through dividends and share buybacks, offering a compelling investment profile. Transaction Details Holcim is preparing a full capital market separation and US listing of its North American business. The transaction is intended to be executed as a spin-off, with the final structure to be communicated in the second half of this year. Holcim plans to hold Capital Markets Days for both entities in the same timeframe. The US listing is expected to be completed in the first half of 2025. It will be subject to shareholder approval at an Extraordinary General Meeting expected in the first quarter of 2025, as well as other customary approvals. Holcim post US listing of North America is expected to remain included in the Swiss Market Index. Both companies will pursue tailored strategies and capital structures to support growth and value creation. The transaction is intended to unlock value by creating two distinct and compelling investment profiles with attractive shareholder returns. Goldman Sachs International and Perella Weinberg Partners are acting as financial advisors and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Bar & Karrer AG are serving as legal advisors. Webcasts Holcim will host three webcasts on Monday, 29 January 2024: Media conference: 09:00 am CET / 3:00 am ET 09:00 am CET / 3:00 am ET Analyst and investor conference 1: 10:00 am CET / 4:00 am ET 10:00 am CET / 4:00 am ET Analyst and investor conference 2: 4:00 pm CET / 10:00 am ET The company has posted an accompanying presentation to the investor relations website here . In order to participate in the analysts' conference, please register here for the 10:00 am CET / 4:00 am ET session and here for the 4:00 pm CET / 10:00 am ET session . Media contacts +41 (0) 58 858 87 10 +41 (0) 58 858 87 12 +41 (0) 79 511 17 63 About Holcim Holcim is a global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions with net sales of CHF 29.2 billion in 2022. Driven by its purpose to build progress for people and the planet, its 60,000 employees are on a mission to decarbonize building, while improving living standards for all. The company empowers its customers across all regions to build better with less, with its broad range of low-carbon and circular solutions, from ECOPact to ECOPlanet. With its innovative systems, from Elevate roofing to PRB's insulation, Holcim makes buildings more sustainable in use, driving energy efficiency and green retrofitting. With sustainability at the core of its strategy, Holcim is becoming a net-zero company with 1.5C targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Learn more about Holcim on www.holcim.com , and by following us on LinkedIn . Sign up for Holcim's Building Progress newsletter here and follow our journey to a net-zero future. Important disclaimer - forward-looking statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements do not constitute forecasts regarding results or any other performance indicator, but rather trends or targets, as the case may be, including with respect to plans, initiatives, events, products, solutions and services, their development and potential. Although Holcim believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions at the time of publishing this press release, investors are cautioned that these statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Holcim, including but not limited to risks associated with sustainability, climate change, energy prices and access to raw materials, as well as the other risks described in Holcim's annual report available on its website (www.holcim.com) and uncertainties related to market conditions, the implementation of our plans, to pursue the separation of the North American business and our ability to achieve any of the benefits that we expect to achieve from the separation, as well as the risks described in the registration statement relating to the separation which is expected to be filed with the SEC. Accordingly, we caution you against relying on forward-looking statements. Holcim does not undertake to provide updates of these forward-looking statements. Words such as "anticipate(s)," "expect(s)," "intend(s)," "plan(s)," "believe(s)," "plan(s)," "may," "will," "would," "could," "should," "seek(s)," and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could lead to actual results differing materially from those projected, forecasted or expected. Although we believe that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained. Risks and uncertainties relating to the proposed separation that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, but are not limited to: an unexpected failure to complete, or unexpected delays in completing, the necessary actions for the proposed separation, or to obtain the necessary approvals to complete these actions; that the potential strategic benefits, synergies or opportunities expected from the separation may not be realized or may take longer to realize than expected; costs of implementation of the separation and any changes to the configuration of businesses included in the separation if implemented; the potential inability to access or reduced access to the capital markets or increased cost of borrowings, including as a result of a credit rating downgrade; the potential adverse reactions to the proposed separation by customers, suppliers, strategic partners or key personnel and potential difficulties in maintaining relationships with such persons and risks associated with third party contracts containing consent and/or other provisions that may be triggered by the proposed separation; the risk that any newly formed entity to house the North American business would have no previously established credit rating and may not have access to the capital markets on acceptable terms; unforeseen tax liabilities or changes in tax law; requests or requirements of governmental authorities related to certain existing liabilities; and the ability to obtain or consummate financing or refinancing related to the transaction upon acceptable terms or at all. These forward-looking statements reflect management's judgment as of this date, and Holcim assumes no (and disclaims any) obligation to revise or update them to reflect future events or circumstances. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy of any projections, statements or information contained in this document. It is understood and agreed that any such projections, targets, statements and information are not to be viewed as facts and are subject to significant business, financial, economic, operating, competitive and other risks, uncertainties and contingencies many of which are beyond our control, that no assurance can be given that any particular financial projections ranges, or targets will be realized, that actual results may differ from projected results and that such differences may be material. While all financial projections, estimates and targets are necessarily speculative, we believe that the preparation of prospective financial information involves increasingly higher levels of uncertainty the further out the projection, estimate or target extends from the date of preparation. The assumptions and estimates underlying the projected, expected or target results are inherently uncertain and are subject to a wide variety of significant business, economic and competitive risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to di?er materially from those contained in the financial projections, estimates and targets. The inclusion of financial projections, estimates and targets in this press release should not be regarded as an indication that we or our representatives, considered or consider the financial projections, estimates and targets to be a reliable prediction of future events. This press release does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to (i) sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer to purchase or subscribe for, any securities of any legal entity of Holcim, or (ii) to enter into any contract, agreement or commitment whatsoever with any legal entity of Holcim. 1 Before leases Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2328258/4516634/Holcim_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/holcim-intends-to-list-its-north-american-business-in-the-us-302046235.html ZUG, Switzerland, Jan. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Holcim's Board of Directors appoints Miljan Gutovic as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Holcim, effective 1 May 2024. He will succeed the current CEO Jan Jenisch, who will focus on his role as chairman and will stand for re-election at the AGM in May. Also, the Board has tasked Jan Jenisch to lead the planned US listing of Holcim's North America business. Miljan Gutovic, an Australian national, has been a member of the Group Executive Committee since 2018. He served as Head of the Region Middle East and Africa, followed by the Region Europe and Operational Excellence. Under his leadership, Holcim strengthened its market positions while delivering industry-leading margins and making decarbonization a driver of profitable growth. Miljan Gutovic holds a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering and a PhD in Material Sciences and Engineering from the University of Technology in Sydney. Jan Jenisch: "I am very pleased that the Board has appointed Miljan as the new CEO of Holcim. He is a highly qualified successor who has played an instrumental role in Holcim's successful transformation to become the leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions. Miljan has strengthened our business with record profitability in Europe, closing strategic transactions and building winning teams. "I am honored to stand for re-election as the chairman of the Board and to lead the planned US listing of Holcim's North America business. I will continue to dedicate all my efforts to the future of Holcim and all our stakeholders." Miljan Gutovic: "I thank the Board of Directors for trusting me to lead Holcim into its next chapter of success. As a civil engineer who is passionate about the construction industry, Holcim is the best company to be part of. With decarbonization and advanced technologies transforming how we build, there has never been a more exciting time for our sector. I look forward to working with the Holcim teams around the world to advance our leadership." See Holcim.com for Miljan Gutovic's full bio. About Holcim Holcim is a global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions with net sales of CHF 29.2 billion in 2022. Driven by its purpose to build progress for people and the planet, its 60,000 employees are on a mission to decarbonize building, while improving living standards for all. The company empowers its customers across all regions to build better with less, with its broad range of low-carbon and circular solutions, from ECOPact to ECOPlanet. With its innovative systems, from Elevate roofing to PRB's insulation, Holcim makes buildings more sustainable in use, driving energy efficiency and green retrofitting. With sustainability at the core of its strategy, Holcim is becoming a net-zero company with 1.5C targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Learn more about Holcim on www.holcim.com , and by following us on LinkedIn . Sign up for Holcim's Building Progress newsletter here and follow our journey to a net-zero future. Important disclaimer - forward-looking statements: This document contains forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements do not constitute forecasts regarding results or any other performance indicator, but rather trends or targets, as the case may be, including with respect to plans, initiatives, events, products, solutions and services, their development and potential. Although Holcim believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions as at the time of publishing this document, investors are cautioned that these statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Holcim, including but not limited to the risks described in the Holcim's annual report available on its website (www.holcim.com) and uncertainties related to the market conditions and the implementation of our plans. Accordingly, we caution you against relying on forward-looking statements. Holcim does not undertake to provide updates of these forward-looking statements. Media Relations:media@holcim.com Investor Relations:investor.relations@holcim.com +41 (0) 58 858 87 10 +41 (0) 58 858 87 87 Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2328258/4516634/Holcim_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/miljan-gutovic-to-become-new-ceo-of-holcim-302046236.html CLAYMONT, DE / ACCESSWIRE / January 28, 2024 / After months of extensive research, Ralph S. Albert, food and nutrition professional, released his latest ebook unveiling the secrets of Shilajit, an ancient superfood known for its rejuvenating effects. Ebook: Natural Remedies Unveiled: A Comprehensive Guide to Shilajit The cover page of Ralph S. Albert's Shilajit Ebook Ralph S. Albert's Shilajit ebook, Natural Remedies Unveiled: A Comprehensive Guide to Shilajit, explores the fascinating history and modern applications of this prized health remedy used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine. Ralph explains, "Shilajit has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine for its numerous health benefits. With a history deeply intertwined with the Indian subcontinent, this remedy has been long celebrated in traditional medicine for its potential contributions to vitality, brain functioning, and altitude sickness relief, among other benefits." Readers will discover how Shilajit can help boost energy levels, support healthy aging, enhance memory and cognition, strengthen immunity, and improve endurance. Ralph outlines the key characteristics and health benefits of Shilajit, including recommended dosages and the best ways to incorporate it into your daily routine. But the ebook doesn't stop there; it also delves into practical tips for purchasing authentic Shilajit and how to avoid counterfeit products that are flooding the market. Ralph's ebook aims to educate readers on how to make informed decisions when buying Shilajit, ensuring they get the best quality product for their health needs. In addition, Natural Remedies Unveiled includes a section on frequently asked questions about Shilajit, addressing common concerns and misconceptions surrounding this potent health supplement. Ralph also provides additional resources for readers who want to further explore the world of Shilajit and its benefits. The release of this ebook marks an essential contribution to the growing body of knowledge on traditional remedies and their modern applications. As more people turn towards natural and holistic approaches to health and wellness, Ralph hopes his ebook will serve as a valuable resource for those looking to incorporate Shilajit into their wellness routines. About Ralph S. Albert author: With over 15 years of experience in nutritional science, Ralph S. Albert has dedicated his career to providing consumers with practical solutions supported by scientific evidence. He is committed to innovating, complying, and making complex research accessible to the public. As a nutrition and food professional, he leads initiatives to develop innovative nutraceutical solutions based on ancient wisdom and cutting-edge science. With the release of The Definitive Guide to Shilajit, Ralph continues his mission to provide knowledge about herbs, remedies, supplements and the education to use them effectively. The ebook is available as a pdf download to provide free access to the audience. Contact Information Ralph S. Albert Food and Nutrition Professional salbertralph@gmail.com SOURCE: Ralph S. Albert View the original press release on newswire.com. Nitesh Tiwaris Ramayan is getting bigger day by day. Ranbir Kapoor has been roped in to play Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana. A report by Pinkvilla now states Sunny Deol has been signed to play Lord Hanuman. Sunny Deol is all charged up to have gotten once in a lifetime opportunity to play Lord Hanuman. Its a casting made in heaven, as Lord Hanuman stands for Strength, and who better than Sunny Deol in the present times to play the part with utmost conviction, a source told the portal. Advertisement It added, While Ramayana: Part One features Sunny Deol in a guest appearance, the second and third part of the epic trilogy will have his complete presence. The makers are confident that after Dara Singh, its Sunny Deol who would be synonymous with Lord Hanuman in modern times. Apart from this, Sunny Deols line-up includes films like Baap, Surya, Safar, Gadar 3, and Lahore 1947. About Ramayan After Animal, which saw Ranbir Kapoor in a fragile and ferocious character thats still attracting debatable reactions, he plays what is arguably his most challenging and ambitious character- Lord Ram. He plays this character in Nitesh Tiwaris magnum opus Ramayan, which will see Yash and Sai Pallavi too. Ranbir Kapoor to quit alcohol and meat for Nitesh Tiwaris Ramayan Advertisement Sources revealed that South beauty Sai Pallavi enjoys a clean, controversy-free image, whereas that is not the case for Rockstar actor Ranbir Kapoor . Although the Sanju star is not exactly a wild child, he is definitely not Sri Ram in his personal life either. Sources further added that Ranbir Kapoor will be staying away from alcohol and meat during the shoot of Ramayana. Sources also informed, These are not things he would avoid just for his public image, but also as a dedicated actor Ranbir wants to feel as pure and clean as Sri Rama. In any case, Ranbir is not into late nights and wild parties. A re-match is likely between Joe Biden and Donald Trump in the 2024 US presidential elections. After Iowa, the former presidents New Hampshire victory in the GOP primary has further cemented the possibility. Heres a roundup of key developments from around the world this week The first month of 2024 is ending soon. From politics to health, the fourth week of January saw a myriad of important developments around the world. The United States is a step closer to an expected re-match between Joe Biden and Donald Trump in the November presidential elections. A battle voters do not want but are likely to get. Advertisement Australia and Canada have made decisions to curb immigration. Will their plans affect Indians? We will explore this later. Scientists are now warning that a new pandemic could occur due to the unleashing of zombie viruses. We will talk about this too in the piece. As we bid adieu to January in three days, lets turn back the pages to check what transpired this week globally. Heres our weekly roundup of explainers of the key news from across the world. 1. Donald Trump is the frontrunner to become the Republican partys presidential candidate in November. After Iowa, the former US president won the New Hampshire GOP primary, defeating his only remaining Republican rival in the race Nikki Haley. With this, Trump has become the first non-incumbent Republican candidate in the modern era to win both Iowa and New Hampshire. Advertisement Haley is not done though and has vowed to carry on. This race is far from over Im a fighter. And Im scrappy. And now were the last one standing next to Donald Trump, she told her supporters at a post-election party in Concord. However, she is unlikely to succeed. Polls show Haley trailing behind Trump in the GOP primary race by a large margin at the national level. Advertisement Joe Biden is facing Minnesota Representative Dean Phillips and author Marianne Williamson in the Democratic race. However, his path to the nomination for a second term is clear. America seems more and more likely to heading toward a contest between Biden and Trump. To know more about this, read our story here . Advertisement 2. Social media was rife with speculation with users wondering whether Russian president Vladimir Putin is planning to take back Alaska from the US and has signed a decree for the same. Russia sold Alaska to America on 30 March 1867, with the territory coming under the US possession in October of that year. Why did Russia sell Alaska and how true are the claims of Putin declaring the decree illegal? Read this explainer to find out. Advertisement 3. Australia has scrapped its golden visa scheme for the ultra-rich as part of a wider immigration overhaul, saying it was delivering poor economic outcomes. The initiative, aimed to lure foreign business, granted wealthy overseas investors the right to live in the country. However, critics argued it was being used by corrupt officials to park illicit funds. Experts say the development is not very likely to impact Indians. Heres our explainer on the now-axed scheme. Advertisement 4. Canada has said it will put a two-year limit on international student admissions. Immigration Minister Marc Miller said earlier this week that Canada intends to issue 360,000 undergraduate study permits this year, a significant drop from about 900,000 approved in 2023. This will lead to a 35 per cent reduction in approved study permits. Advertisement The government seeks to ease pressure on housing and healthcare in the country. The development will hit Indian students as Canada is one of the most popular destinations for desis to study abroad. In fact, Indians make for the largest group of international students in Canada. Read our report to know how the cap will affect Indian students. Advertisement 5. In a historic move, Saudi Arabia will be opening its first liquor store in the capital Riyadh for non-Muslim diplomats. This comes as the kingdom aims to shed its ultra-conservative image under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. While alcohol is forbidden in Islam, liquor wasnt always banned in Saudi Arabia. A ban was implemented only in the early 1950s. Why did Saudi Arabia ban alcohol? Read our report here to understand. Advertisement 6. A Christian Dior handbag has become a headache for South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol. A controversy broke out in the East Asian country after footage of first lady Kim Keon-hee receiving the $2,200 (Rs 1.83 lakh) handbag from a Korean-American pastor surfaced. The matter has snowballed into a political crisis for the ruling People Power Party (PPP) ahead of South Koreas parliamentary elections in April. Check out our explainer on the Dior bag scandal. Advertisement 7. Scientists have warned that Methuselah microbes, also known as zombie viruses, could cause a major health threat in the future. These viruses have been trapped in the permafrost in Siberia for tens and thousands of years. Now, experts say ancient viruses frozen in the Arctic permafrost could be released by the warming climate of the Earth, triggering a major disease outbreak. Read our report here to know more. Advertisement You are all caught up for the week. To keep track of our explainers, you can bookmark this page . The development comes amid a deafening buzz that Nitish would rejoin the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), bringing an end to the Mahagathbandhan rule in the state Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) national president Nitish Kumar arrived at the Raj Bhavan in Patna and handed over his resignation to Governor Rajendra Arlekar on Sunday. Calling on the Governor at Raj Bhavan, Nitish told him, We have decided to sever ties with the Mahagathbandhan in the state. The development comes amid a deafening buzz that Nitish would rejoin the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), bringing an end to the Mahagathbandhan rule in the state. Advertisement The fast-changing political events in the state were triggered by a social media post from former CM and RJD chief Lalu Yadavs daughter, Rohini Acharya, in which she took a swipe at the JD(U) saying that while the socialist party styles itself as progressive, its ideology shifts with the changing wind patterns. If Nitish crosses over, it would mark the fourth time that he would be switching sides. In the Bihar Assembly of 243, the RJD has 79 MLAs; followed by the BJP at 78; JD(U) at 45, Congress at 19, the CPI (M-L) at 12, CPI(M) and CPI at 2 each, and the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular)s at 4. Another two seats are with the AIMIM and an Independent. Advertisement Earlier, in a fresh post, Rohini Acharya said her fight against communal forces will continue till death. Our fight against the communal forces will continue till our last breath, she posted on X. A month ago, the peaceful and visitor-friendly city of Prague heard the terrifying sound of gunfire. The incident left fourteen people dead and nearly twice that number wounded. In a place that has enjoyed a great deal of peace Prague even escaped the worst of the damage of the Second World War news of the incident brought back wartime memories, when gunfire broke its quietude. Advertisement A memorial to that decades-past incident lies in a cathedral in a quiet corner of the city. A cathedral with bullet marks on its walls. A cathedral where a paratrooper and a priest stand side by side. Carved in stone. To understand the relationship between these contrasting figures, one needs to go back in time to Pragues past, to a time when it came under the jackbooted rule of German occupation. Prague under the Germans It was in October 1938, prior to the Second World War, that a part of Czechoslovakia, called Sudetenland, was occupied by Germany. In March the following year, Hitler declared the entire country to be the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia with the real power of this state residing in the hands of a Reich Protector. From being a democracy, the country effectively was now a German-run police state. Advertisement The immense industrial capacity of this region made it the arsenal of a Germany that would plunge the world into conflict months later. The loss of their freedom, the threat of being forcibly merged into a greater Germanic identity and being forced to be part of a regime they hated led to the creation of a resistance movement among Czech patriots. Advertisement The terror of Hangman Heydrich Matters turned worse with the appointment of Reinhard Heydrich as Deputy Reich Protector of this protectorate. Heydrich, one of the darkest figures of the Nazi regime, was the founder of the dreaded SD responsible for arrests, deportations and murders through the regime. A task force created by him was responsible for the murder of more than two million people in German-occupied Europe. Advertisement Within five days of his arrival in Prague, 142 people were executed and several thousand sent to concentration camps. In his own words, his mission here was to Making this Czech garbage into Germans must give way to methods based on racist thought." Operation Anthropoid and its aftermath The Czechoslovak government-in-exile decided to eliminate Heydrich, for which Czech patriots trained by the British Special Operation Executive (SOE) were parachuted into the area. Among them were Jan Kubis and Jozef Gabcik. Advertisement On May 27, 1942, they attacked Heydrichs car. When Gabciks submachine gun jammed, Kubis threw an anti-tank mine into the car with the resulting explosion severely wounding Heydrich. After enduring a slice of the agony he had inflicted on millions of others, Heydrich died on June 4. The Nazi regime unleashed a wave of reprisals, including the depopulation of two Czech villages, in which adult male inhabitants were shot while all the others were taken to a concentration camp. Amidst this, Heydrich was given a grand funeral in Germany while a manhunt was launched to nab Kubis, Gabcik and any others who provided support to them. The hunt climaxed in the unlikeliest of places, a place of worship. Advertisement Recollecting church history Built in the 1730s, the St. Cyril and Methodius Cathedral is a fine baroque structure. Originally, it was called the St. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church, named after a 16th century archbishop of Milan. It was part of a home for retired priests and an underground level contained a crypt for the tombs of these priests. Advertisement An order of the Austrian emperor changed it from a church into an army storehouse in 1783. In 1869, the place became a Czech technology centre and eventually, in 1921, the Czech Orthodox Church made it their cathedral. In the middle of 1942, the patriots who had assassinated Heydrich took shelter in the building, having found it impossible to penetrate the German dragnet spread through Prague. Advertisement Last battle The seven men who took shelter in the cathedral were betrayed and on June 18, 1942, the place was surrounded by hundreds of German soldiers. A savage gun battle followed. The defenders fell back into the underground crypt and unable to break through, the Germans used fire hoses to flood the place. With odds of 100:1, lack of ammunition and no escape, the one-sided battle could only have one end. Advertisement Three of the defenders were killed in the battle while four others took their own lives rather than fall into the hands of the enemy. The Germans didnt stop with just the armed defenders. Over the next two months, members of the Orthodox Church who had helped the Czech patriots take refuge within were executed. Advertisement A memorial Today, as a visitor enters the cathedral, the magnificence of the structure is striking, even in a city which has other superb churches. The upper level is richly embellished, with paintings and divine figures. But when one goes to the crypt below, the mood is sombre. Busts of the martyrs, their uniforms, written accounts of their individual stories and personal items like uniforms and weapons make it a strange place to see, just below a place of worship. Drawings of visiting children show the respect with which the sacrifice of the martyrs is held. Advertisement On the outer wall of the cathedral, above one of the openings through which the Germans filled water within the crypt, are bullet marks preserved to keep the memory alive. Above the opening is a plaque listing the names of the men who died, both the defenders as well as members of the clergy. Flanking that list are a paratrooper and a priest. Standing by each other the way they did in life over eight decades ago. And unlike the shooter of December 2023, the patriots of 1942 fought for a cause. The author is a heritage explorer by inclination with a penchant for seeking obscure sites. A brand consultant by profession, he tweets @HiddenHeritage. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost_s views._ Read all the Latest News , Trending News , Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram . I was simply overwhelmed and overjoyed. I also felt immensely grateful to God, my parents, gurus, musiclovers, the UK government and everyone who made this possible! says musician Jyotsna Srikanth describing her response to receiving, a few weeks ago (December 2023), the prestigious MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) from His Majesty King Charles. Internationally acclaimed violinist and composer Jyotsna is the first Carnatic musician ever to receive the MBE, UKs third highest civilian award. Advertisement The investiture ceremony by King Charles was held in December, 2023, at Windsor Castle in UK. Says Jyotsna: I had previously visited Windsor Castle as a wide-eyed visitor along with hordes of other tourists, after I had moved to the UK. Never did I ever imagine then, that I would come here one day, to receive an MBE from King Charles himself. I had also visited Buckingham Palace when I came to the UK along with other tourists. Years later I had the unforgettable honour of meeting Her Majesty the late Queen Elizabeth, and performing before her. These were surreal experiences for her. Jyotsna, now a British citizen, met Her Majesty late Queen Elizabeth a few years ago when she performed before her at Buckingham Palace for the inauguration of the Commonwealth heads meeting. Many years before that, she had performed for the British Parliament in the presence of the-then MPs and British Prime Minister. The UK press and music-connoisseurs have showered praise on her. Leading UK newspapers have variously described her as an amazing, extraordinary, versatile artiste and called her music often mesmerising. Advertisement Jyotsna was very diffident, even apprehensive, and slightly nervous when she moved to the UK in 2002, when she followed her husband, Shreekantha Sharma, who had been posted there on work. At that point, she had spent years of effort and hard work building up her career and reputation as a violinist in Indian music circles and among Indian audiences. She recalls thinking at that time: Now that I have uprooted myself from my native country, I have to begin building my career from scratch in a new country and a foreign culture. I told myself that I have to work very, very hard to gain acceptance in this new environment. Advertisement Look where all that hard work and determination got here! Not only did Jyotsna gain acceptance in the UK, and receive the honours already mentioned but she has also performed at the countrys most prestigious venues, taught the violin for courses at the University of Cambridge and other educational institutions, and even toured all over Europe and played the violin to applause at the continents best-known festivals and venues and collaborated with several Western music legends and upcoming artistes. She has composed for and performed with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and many famous string quartets and bands. Advertisement It was natural, considering that Jyotsna is thoroughly trained in both Carnatic and Western classical music. She has also given talks and held workshops and lec-dems at universities, music conservatories and music-fests worldwide. She has contributed her talent to the world of cinema too: she has played the violin for over 300 south-Indian films, the background scores in many Italian, French, Portuguese films, as well as English TV documentaries. She has featured in a wide gamut of musical genres like Carnatic, Western classical, jazz, western contemporary, south-Indian contemporary, pop, jazz, Bollywood, south-Indian cinema, Hollywood, etc. Advertisement Jyotsna thus has demonstrated extraordinary success in a wide variety of musical scenarios. This has been made possible because of the eclectic, broad-based training she received and her cosmopolitan outlook both as a person and professional. Born into a Telugu family hailing from Andhra Pradesh and settled in Karnataka; she was born and brought up in Bengaluru, a city she loves and idolises; lived for decades in London; constantly travels around the world, and thus been exposed to many influences. She adds: Besides the Western and Carnatic classical streams that I am trained in, I also listen to many genres: folk-music including Irish folk, Nordic music, flamenco, Klezmer style (Eastern Europe), jazz, film music. I pay special attention to how the violin is played in all these genres. All this has given her what she calls a 360-degree vision of the violin. Advertisement Jyotsnas musical journey began at the age of five when her mother and first teacher, musician Rathna Srikantiah, initiated her into Carnatic music. She received advanced training under the renowned seven-string-violin master R R Keshavamurthy. She gave her first concert at age nine. After that, for years, she performed around India both as a solo artiste and also accompanist to young artistes as well as maestros. For example, she first accompanied the Carnatic icon M. Balamuralikshna when she was just 15 years old! Advertisement Jyotsna, who is a mother of two children, also became a postgraduate medical doctor but has almost stopped practising except during the pandemic in UK when she went to help because all doctors on hand were needed. She also gave up her career in IT after working for TCS. This after becoming the worlds first medical doctor to study C, C ++, Java, and earn Sun Certification in Java! Yes, I did give up two lucrative professions, medicine and IT for the violin, but my love of music was so overpowering, she exclaims. Advertisement In the world of classical music, perhaps in any art and even sports, there is no substitute for sheer hard work, discipline, intense focus, and sustained practice to gain success. Jyotsna believes in all these means. How and why did she foray into Western classical music? I was listening to Ilayarajas album How to Name It in which I heard the violin played by V S Narasimhan in different shrutis (pitches) on a single violin. I was fascinated and wanted to learn this technique. I wanted to understand the potential of the bowing technique in Western music. This was followed by a thorough grounding in the Western classical-style violin at the Bangalore School of Music and VS Narasimhan. She has also worked in film music for Ilayaraja whom she admires a lot. Advertisement Well, after all, the violin is an instrument of Western origin which arrived in India, a few centuries ago and has now become ubiquitous in Indian classical music. So, it is interesting that an Indian violinist wanted to explore its depth and breadth as a Western classical-music instrument. However, Jyotsna has had her fair share of setbacks and obstacles. The music-fraternity in India is well aware of the prejudices among several male classical musicians including leading ones, against performing with female accompanists, whether violinists or mridangam-and-ghatam-players. She reveals: I too faced this negativity. Many a time, after receiving a concert opportunity, I was quietly told that I would not be allowed to perform as the male musician had objected saying he only wanted a male accompanist only. So, I had to withdraw. Yes, it was both frustrating and humiliating. Fortunately, there are also male classical musicians in India who are merit-oriented and have allowed me to accompany them. In cinema playback music too, many opportunities have been lost at various stages, for various reasons. If you ask me, these prejudices against women have prevailed for a long time and will continue to do so. Advertisement This was one of the reasons that Jyotsna was spurred to become a music-events organiser who gives opportunities to anyone based on merit and regardless of background, gender, etc. I also wanted to give back to the art of music, she adds. She became founder and curator of the London International Arts Festival (LIAF) in 2012. The LIAF showcases world music with a focus on her first love, Carnatic music. She has also teamed up with Bangalore String Ensemble. Her brainchild is the Jyotsna Srikanth Project and part of this project is Jyotsna Srikanth Live which mainstreams the violin with the support of drums, piano, keyboard and Indian ethnic percussion. She is also founder of a not-for-profit organisation, the UK-based Dhruv Arts which provides music classes, workshops, etc., to further the cause of music. Advertisement Drawing on her rigorous training, vast theoretical knowledge, immense creativity, and eclectic influences, she continues to impress audiences at every performance, whether as a performeras a soloist, accompanist, or one among a group of collaborating musiciansor a composer. However, she is constantly aware that all the accolades have come after tremendous effort. As Jyotsna says: My track-record might look good but I know how tough the journey was and is, and the endless hours of sadhana and many sacrifices that have gone and are going into it. I also know the journey ahead is tougher. There are countless challenges to becoming an accomplished and appreciated artist. The more I learn, the more I realise what a vast amount of knowledge is out there still waiting to be acquired. I just want to be able to explore that world of music as much as I can. The writer is a journalist, photographer, translator and author of Forgotten Composers. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Read all the Latest News , Trending News , Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram . With his innovative microfinance bank, Yunus is credited with helping millions of people escape poverty, but he has angered Bangladeshs longstanding prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who has accused him of sucking blood from the underprivileged Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel laureate from Bangladesh, pledged on Sunday to win several legal battles that his supporters claim are politically driven to further his economic and environmental goals. Our dream is to create a new world, 83-year-old Yunus told reporters outside court, after he was formally granted bail in his appeal against a six-month prison sentence in a case widely criticised by human rights groups. Advertisement With his innovative microfinance bank, Yunus is credited with helping millions of people escape poverty, but he has angered Bangladeshs longstanding prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who has accused him of sucking blood from the underprivileged. Hasina, who was inaugurated in for a fifth term this month following an overwhelming triumph in an opposition-banned election, has used repeated foul language jabs at the widely acknowledged 2006 Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Yunus was found guilty on January 1 of violating labour laws, but according to his attorneys, he is still facing at least 170 cases, including serious corruption allegations that may land him in jail for years if proven true. He denies every wrongdoing. Yunus, in an emotionally charged speech, said he had dedicated his life to supporting those most in need and was committed to continuing his work. Advertisement His Three Zero plan is aimed to slash carbon emissions, end unemployment and cut poverty. We have chased a dream, Yunus said. We have incurred the annoyance of someone because of chasing this dream, he added, without specifying names. In the most recent case, Yunus and three colleagues from Grameen Telecom, one of the firms he founded, were accused of violating labour laws when they failed to create a workers welfare fund in the company. Advertisement Yunus alleged the case was brought by a government department, but Minister of Transport Obaidul Quader said the case was filed by the workers. Hasina has rejected calls to pardon Yunus and said instead he should seek forgiveness from his employees. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 28. French interior minister ordered to strengthen security measures around Paris due to threats from striking farmers to block the capital and the largest food market. The French farmers' union has announced its intention to organize a complete blockade of Paris and its suburbs to prevent the supply of goods to the capital. The promotion will begin on Monday night and will last at least five days. The farmers are not satisfied with the government's promises and plan to continue their protests. The promotions began due to the announced increase in the cost of diesel fuel. Farmers are also unhappy with the drop in income due to growing imports of agricultural products from Ukraine. When the landing attempt failed, the aircraft struck a car that was parked on the street next to the airfield in Spa, igniting a fire in both vehicles At an airport in eastern Belgium, a light aircraft struck a car when it was trying to land in strong winds on Sunday, killing two persons, according to authorities. When the landing attempt failed, the aircraft struck a car that was parked on the street next to the airfield in Spa, igniting a fire in both vehicles. Advertisement Unfortunately, we have two people dead in the plane. It seems it was a failed landing, local police commander Jean-Michel Lejeune was quoted as saying by news agency AFP. The officer stated that although the pilot was German, the passengers nationality is still being looked into. The driver of the car reportedly escaped for a cigarette break, which is likely what saved his life, according to media reports. Images on Belgian media show the burned-out wreckage of the car and dense clouds of black smoke rising close to the runway, while emergency vehicles are obstructing traffic. According to reports, environmental protection authorities are also present to make sure that the well-known spring water that is bottled in Spa is not contaminated. Advertisement (With agency inputs) In a statement released on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani stated that he strongly condemned the attack that happened in the province of Sistan and Baluchestan, which is near Irans border with Pakistan Nine Pakistanis were slain in an armed attack in Irans Saravan city, which came a day after Islamabad referred to it as a heinous crime and urged Tehran to prosecute those responsible. This occurs weeks after airstrikes on each others territory, which Iran and Pakistan said were in retaliation for terrorist attacks. Advertisement In a statement released on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani stated that he strongly condemned the attack that happened in the province of Sistan and Baluchestan, which is near Irans border with Pakistan. Saravan was the scene of an attack on Saturday by unidentified attackers. Mehr News Agency, a semi-official news agency in Iran, said that no organization or person has yet taken credit for it. Kanaani extended his sympathies to the Pakistani government and the families of the victims. The Foreign Ministry spokesman further noted that the responsible bodies have launched an investigation into the attack, adding that Iran and Pakistan will not let the enemies damage brotherly relations between the two nations, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Advertisement Relations between the two nations deteriorated earlier this month after Iran launched missile and drone strikes on Pakistans Balochistan province, claiming the raids were intended to target a terror stronghold used by the Sunni militant group Jaish al-Adl. According to Pakistani officials, civilians were killed in the strike, and the government issued a warning about possible reprisal. Additionally, Islamabad called back its Iranian ambassador. Advertisement Two days later, Pakistan launched military operations against what it claimed to be separatist strongholds in the province of Sistan and Baluchestan in Iran. The attack that happened on Saturday happened in this same province. Since Washingtons 2018 exit from a historic nuclear deal that provided Iran economic relief in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear activity intended to prevent it from obtaining an atomic bomb, Tehran has been subject to crushing US sanctions Three satellites were launched into space simultaneously by Iran on Sunday, the country announced. This came almost a week after the Revolutionary Guards launch of a research satellite caused outrage in the West. The satellites were launched into a minimum orbit of 450 kilometers (280 miles) and were transported by the two-stage Simorgh (Phoenix) satellite carrier. Advertisement According to the official IRNA news agency, Irans Space Agency constructed the 32-kilogram Mahda satellite, which is intended to test sophisticated satellite subsystems. The purpose of the other two, Kayhan 2 and Hatef, which weigh less than 10 kg apiece, is to test narrowband communication and space-based locating technology. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran launched the research satellite Soraya into space last week. A declaration denounced by Britain, France, and Germany for being interventionist was rejected by Iran. The United States and other Western nations have cautioned Iran against these launches on multiple occasions, citing the possibility of using the same technology for ballistic missiles, which might carry a nuclear weapon. Iran has retaliated, saying that it is not pursuing nuclear weapons and that it only launches satellites and rockets for military or commercial uses. Advertisement The Islamic republic has previously had multiple unsuccessful satellite launches. The United States chastised it severely after it launched Nour-1, its first military satellite, successfully into orbit in April 2020. Since Washingtons 2018 exit from a historic nuclear deal that provided Iran economic relief in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear activity intended to prevent it from obtaining an atomic bomb, Tehran has been subject to crushing US sanctions. Advertisement Iran has consistently maintained that its actions are wholly benign and denies having any desire to acquire nuclear weapons. (With agency inputs) Germany, Britain, Italy, Australia, and Finland are among the donors who have followed suit with the United States, which said on Friday that it has stopped giving the organisation more cash in response to the allegations After staff members suspected of being involved in the October 7 incident were fired, Israel pledged on Saturday to cease operations of the UN humanitarian assistance organisation in Gaza after the war and demanded the resignation of the agencys head. The UN refugee agency, UNRWA, said on Friday that it has dismissed many staff members due to Israels complaints. The organisation also pledged to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations, which remained unspecified. Advertisement Germany, Britain, Italy, Australia, and Finland are among the donors who have followed suit with the United States, which said on Friday that it has stopped giving the organisation more cash in response to the allegations. The resignation of UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini was demanded by Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz. Mr Lazzarini please resign, Katz said on social media platform X late on Saturday in response to a post by the UNRWA chief warning that funding cuts meant the agencys operation in Gaza was about to collapse. Katz had said in an earlier statement that the UNRWA must be replaced with agencies dedicated to genuine peace and development in Gazas rebuilding. Hamas slammed Israeli threats against UNRWA on Saturday, urging the United Nations and other international organisations not to cave in to the threats and blackmail. Relations between Israel and UNRWA have been strained for years but deteriorated in recent days, with the UN body condemning tank shelling it said had hit a shelter for displaced people in Gazas main southern city of Khan Yunis. Advertisement The agency said tens of thousands of displaced people had been registered at the shelter and Wednesdays tank shelling killed 13 people. The Israeli military 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. Advertisement Lazzarini slammed Wednesdays bombardment as a blatant disregard of basic rules of war, with the compound clearly marked as a UN facility and its coordinates shared with Israeli authorities. The Israeli army is the only force known to have tanks operating in the Gaza Strip. Vital role The war in Gaza was sparked by Hamass unprecedented October 7 attacks that resulted in about 1,140 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures. Advertisement 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 Gazas health ministry says the Israeli military offensive has killed at least 26,257 people, about 70 percent of them women and children. Advertisement UNRWA struggled to meet funding requirements before the fighting broke out. Its chronic budget shortfalls worsened dramatically in 2018 when former US president Donald Trump cut funding. But US President Joe Bidens administration fully restored support, providing $340 million in 2022, making it the agencys largest bilateral donor. The US State Department said Friday it had temporarily paused additional funding while it reviewed the claims about UNRWA staff. Advertisement Several key donor countries said Saturday they would halt funding. Lazzarini responded that it was shocking to see a suspension of funds to the agency in reaction to allegations against a small group of staff. Top EU diplomat Josep Borrell praised the agency Friday for playing a vital role over many years supporting vulnerable Palestinian refugees. Advertisement But he said the bloc expected full transparency, as well as immediate measures against staff involved. The Palestinian Authority, based in the occupied West Bank, urged donors to reverse their suspension, calling on Saturday for maximum support. Johann Soufi, a lawyer and former director of UNRWAs legal office in Gaza, told AFP the agency had always had a zero-tolerance policy for violence and incitement to hatred. Advertisement Sanctioning UNRWA, which is barely keeping the entire population of Gaza alive, for the alleged responsibility of a few employees, is tantamount to collectively punishing the Gazan population, which is living in catastrophic humanitarian conditions, he said. The accusations against UNRWA staff came hours after the UNs top court ruled on Friday that Israel must prevent possible acts of genocide in Gaza, its first judgement in a landmark case brought by South Africa. Advertisement Soufi said the timing of the allegations against UNRWA raises questions. Gohar promised to raise the tax bracket and alter the tax system in his remarks about the nations economy. He added that farmers will get a subsidy to help them get back on their feet Barrister Gohar Khan of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf unveiled the partys election platform on Sunday, pledging social and constitutional improvements, with less than two weeks till the general elections on February 8th. Claiming that officials were preventing party-backed candidates from running for office, the PTI released the manifesto during national election campaigns. Gohar said that the PTIs manifesto was called Shandaar Pakistan, Shandaar Mustaqbil aur Kharaab Maazi sey chutkara during a news conference in Islamabad. According to Dawn, he claimed that the party leaders who were behind the paper couldnt make it to the press conference out of concern that they would be arrested. Advertisement According to local media reports, the PTI leader promised to establish a truth and reconciliation commission in order to redress the injustices that the average man must endure when discussing the manifesto. Gohar promised to raise the tax bracket and alter the tax system in his remarks about the nations economy. He added that farmers will get a subsidy to help them get back on their feet. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif delivered the partys election manifesto on Saturday, one day before the polls. Speaking at a party in Lahore, Nawaz Sharif declared that if the PML-N is elected to power, its platform will be fully implemented. Nawaz Sharif hoped that the manifesto would be read by people. Advertisement Nawaz Sharif declared that the manifestos most significant component was Pakistans economy. Despite his removal as Pakistans prime minister in 2017 and his political vendettas against the PML-N, he saw it as a strange coincidence that his Sharif claimed he wasnt in the mood to complain or meant to express his grievances. Advertisement Sharif claimed he wasnt in the mood to complain or meant to express his grievances. In reaction to Israels battle against the Palestinian terrorist organisation Hamas, Yemens Houthis, who are backed by Iran, have conducted many strikes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden that are aimed at Israeli-affiliated boats The latest attack on ships in the Indian Ocean saw suspected Somali pirates boarding and taking control of a Sri Lankan fishing vessel with six crew members, the navy of Colombo said on Sunday. Our information is that they were captured by Somali pirates, said Sri Lankan navy spokesman Gayan Wickramasuriya, adding that the Lorenzo Putha4 had been seized on Saturday some 840 nautical miles southeast of the Somali capital Mogadishu. Advertisement In reaction to Israels battle against the Palestinian terrorist organisation Hamas, Yemens Houthis, who are backed by Iran, have conducted many strikes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden that are aimed at Israeli-affiliated boats. With the first successful Somali piracy case since 2017, international naval troops have been redirected northward from the Gulf of Aden into the Red Sea, raising concerns of resurgent pirates taking advantage of the opening. This was noted in December. Sri Lanka has alerted the Combined Maritime Forces, Wickramasuriya told AFP, referring to the international anti-piracy coalition. He stated that the Sri Lankan navy was getting ready to send a ship to the region, and that the navy of nearby India had already dispatched a cruiser to conduct an investigation. Before a steep decline in recent years, pirate assaults off the coast of Somalia peaked in 2011 with gunmen conducting attacks as far as 3,655 kilometres (2,270 miles) out into the Indian Ocean. Advertisement Somali pirates took control of the bulk freighter MV Ruen last month. On December 16, Somali pirates took control of the Bulgarian-owned, Malta-flagged tanker 380 nautical miles east of the Yemeni island of Socotra. The pirates, who released one injured sailor into the care of the Indian navy, took the MV Ruen and its remaining 17 crew members to Somalias semi-autonomous state of Puntland. Advertisement Earlier this month, Sri Lanka announced it was joining a US-led maritime taskforce in the Red Sea to protect international shipping against attacks by Houthi rebels. However, the cash-strapped island is yet to send a vessel. President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that Houthi attacks had raised freight costs and were impacting Sri Lankas exports of garments and tea. Two masked individuals carried out the attack at the Santa Maria church in Istanbuls Sariyer district at approximately 11:40 (0840 GMT), according to posts made by Ali Yerlikaya on social media During a religious service on Sunday, two men opened fire on an Italian church in Istanbul, killing one person, according to Turkeys interior minister. Two masked individuals carried out the attack at the Santa Maria church in Istanbuls Sariyer district at approximately 11:40 (0840 GMT), according to posts made by Ali Yerlikaya on social media. Advertisement He also mentioned that an inquiry had been started. Police and an ambulance were visible outside the elaborate church in television footage. The pastor announced that one of the people in attendance at the service on Sunday, CT, had passed away as a result of the armed assault. We strongly condemn this vile attack, Yerlikaya told the media. The attacks motivation was not immediately apparent. 32 people were seized by Turkish security authorities in December on suspicion of having connections to IS militants who were preparing assaults against Iraqi embassies, churches, and synagogues. Extremists from IS have attacked Turkey on multiple occasions, most notably in 2017, when they stormed an Istanbul nightclub, killing 39 people. Advertisement (With agency inputs) Ukraines SBU security service said that current and former senior officials of the defence ministry and heads of affiliated companies attempted to steal almost UAH 1.5 billion ($40 million) from the budget by purchasing 100,000 mortar rounds for the Armed Forces Through a fictitious armaments procurement plan, Ukrainian defence officials and business executives attempted to embezzle almost $40 million, the nations principal intelligence and security agency said on Saturday. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence verified the accusations of corruption and issued notifications of suspicion to the officials involved. They occur at a time when Republicans in the US oppose US President Joe Bidens attempts to provide Ukraine with further help, and when former US President Donald Trumpwho has publicly opposed US military assistance for Kyivseems to be heading straight for the Republican candidature. Advertisement Ukraines SBU security service said that current and former senior officials of the defence ministry and heads of affiliated companies attempted to steal almost UAH 1.5 billion ($40 million) from the budget by purchasing 100,000 mortar rounds for the Armed Forces. They allegedly signed a contract to buy the shells from the arms supplier Lviv Arsenal in August 2022, after which the defence ministry transferred the full amount stipulated in the signed document to the companys accounts. The money was then transferred to a foreign commercial company that was meant to supply the ammunition, but the SBU claims that not a single artillery shell was ever shipped to Ukraine. The current and past chiefs of the defence ministrys Department of Military and Technical Policy, Development of Armaments and Military Equipment, and the head of Lviv Arsenal are among the officials accused of taking part in the scam. Advertisement While trying to flee Ukraine, one of the suspects was apprehended by the SBU and is being held. The general prosecutor of Ukraine claims that the pilfered money has been apprehended and will be reimbursed to the defence budget. In recent months, Ukraine has seen a number of corruption scandals, some of which have included the army ministry. Advertisement In August 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyyy sacked all the officials in charge of military recruitment across the regions to end a system in which some people were being allowed to escape conscription. Reining in corruption is one of the conditions the European Union has set for Ukraine as it seeks membership. Following Israels accusations, Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Finland joined the US, Australia, and Canada in halting money to the relief organization, which is a vital source of support for those living in Gaza In response to claims that certain employees of the refugee agency took part in the October 7 Hamas strikes on Israel, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pledged on Sunday to hold any UN employee involved in acts of terror accountable. However, after nine nations stopped funding the United Nations refugee agency for Palestinians (UNRWA), Guterres pleaded with governments to keep on supporting the organization.In response to claims that certain employees of the refugee agency took part in the October 7 Hamas strikes on Israel, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pledged on Sunday to hold any U.N. employee involved in acts of terror accountable. Advertisement However, after nine nations stopped funding the United Nations refugee agency for Palestinians (UNRWA), Guterres pleaded with governments to keep on supporting the organization. Any U.N. employee involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution, the U.N. chief said in a statement. The Secretariat is ready to cooperate with a competent authority able to prosecute the individuals in line with the Secretariats normal procedures for such cooperation. Simultaneously, he declared, It is not right to penalize the tens of thousands of men and women who serve for UNRWA, many of whom are in some of the riskiest conditions for humanitarian workers. They must provide for the extreme demands of the impoverished populations they serve. In his initial candid remarks regarding the matter, the UN head provided information regarding the UNRWA employees who were accused of the abhorrent alleged acts. He stated that out of the twelve people involved, nine had been fired, one had been declared deceased, and the names of the other two were still being investigated. Advertisement Following Israels accusations, Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Finland joined the US, Australia, and Canada in halting money to the relief organization, which is a vital source of support for those living in Gaza. While I understand their concerns I was myself horrified by these accusations - I strongly appeal to the governments that have suspended their contributions to, at least, guarantee the continuity of UNRWAs operations, Guterres said. Advertisement (With agency inputs) Approximately 2,500 US soldiers are presently stationed in Iraq as part of the alliance that was established in 2014 to assist the Iraqi government in defeating ISIS During the first round of negotiations between the US and Iraq over the future of US military engagement in Iraq, Baghdad discussed expectations that would result in a schedule for reducing US military deployment. Iraqs prime minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, met on Saturday in Baghdad with high-ranking representatives of the US-led coalition and the countrys armed forces, according to an Al Jazeera report. Advertisement Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani said in a statement that the joint commission marked the commencement of the first round of bilateral dialogue between Iraq and the United States of America to end the coalition in Iraq. Military experts will oversee ending the military mission of the Global Coalition against Daesh (ISIL), a decade after its initiation and after the successful achievement of its mission in partnership with Iraqi security and military forces, the statement read. Approximately 2,500 US soldiers are presently stationed in Iraq as part of the alliance that was established in 2014 to assist the Iraqi government in defeating ISIS. In response, the US stated that it intended to form a committee to negotiate the conditions of the missions termination, which were initially deliberated about a year ago. Advertisement But while Israels battle in Gaza deepens, militants with ties to Iran regularly attack US forces in Syria and Iraq, prompting US retaliation and Iraqs accusations of US aggression against its territory. (With agency inputs) This May, the Swedish city of Malmo will host the 68th Eurovision Song Contest. While other countries are choosing their representatives and actively preparing for the show, Romania has refused to participate . This is due to a lack of funds to support the country's delegation at the contest. ADVERTISIMENT The Romanian broadcaster Societatea Romana de Televiziune reported that their budget does not have enough money to guarantee the country's participation in the international song contest in accordance with the high standards of Eurovision. In general, the history of Romania's participation in the contest is marred by similar cases when financial problems prevented musicians from performing on the international music scene. OBOZ.UA will tell you more about it. Thus, in 2024, Romania, which has been a member of the European Union since 2007, will not go to the Eurovision Song Contest with the following reasoning: "The Board of Directors has approved SRTv's 2024 budget, which does not contain sufficient funds to guarantee Romania's participation in accordance with the increasingly high standards of the international competition. This year, in addition to the existing productions, TVR is allocating significant resources to other priority productions and projects. These include the broadcast of the Summer Olympics in Paris, the continuation of the re-engineering process - the automation of SRTv channels, investments in the news production system, further investments in TVR's new headquarters in Craiova and other long-awaited modernization projects." ADVERTISIMENT Romania first participated in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994. However, the first such attempt took place a year earlier, in 1993. However, the country failed to qualify for the final. That year, the number of applicants for the contest increased dramatically. The organizers decided to introduce a pre-final qualifying round, and Romania failed to pass it. In addition, Romania did not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest from 1995 to 1997, as well as in 1999-2001 due to poor performance in recent years. ADVERTISIMENT But in 2016, the EU member state was unable to join the contest because of the Romanian broadcaster's debts to the European Broadcasting Union. Romania has never won the competition, but in 2005 and 2010 it took third place. At that time, the country was represented by Luminita Anghel & Sistem with the track Let Me Try and Paula Seling & Ovi with the song Playing With Fire, respectively. But Romania's worst result was last year, when the country finished with zero points in the semifinals. As OBOZ.UA previously reported, the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 bookmakers' ranking has undergone significant changes for the first time in a long time. The outsider country Iceland, which previously balanced somewhere on the verge of the 20th place, has sharply risen up, overtaking Ukraine, which was at the top of the table. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The major oil export facility for Yemen, located in the port of Ras Issa in the Hodeida region, is the target of two airstrikes by the United States and Britain, according to the Houthis Al-Masirah television Hours after the rebels supported by Iran set fire to a British tanker in the Gulf of Aden with a similar munition, US forces blasted an anti-ship missile in Houthi-held Yemen that they said was prepared to fire on Saturday. In an effort to lessen the Houthis capacity to target ships passing through the vital Red Sea commerce route, US and British forces have joined forces to undertake joint operations. The rebels claim that these bombings are in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where Israel and Hamas are at war. Advertisement The Houthis have promised to keep up their attacks, despite Washingtons numerous unilateral airstrikes. The US militarys Central Command, CENTCOM, said it had carried out another strike early Saturday on a Houthi anti-ship missile aimed into the Red Sea and which was prepared to launch. Forces subsequently struck and destroyed the missile in self-defence, it said on social media platform X. The major oil export facility for Yemen, located in the port of Ras Issa in the Hodeida region, is the target of two airstrikes by the United States and Britain, according to the Houthis Al-Masirah television. Washington and London did not promptly confirm the strike, and the Houthis did not offer any information on the attacks scope or damage. Advertisement Yahya Saree, the military spokesperson for the Houthis, stated that the Marlin Luanda, an oil tanker owned by the British company Trafigura Group, had been struck by missiles launched by the rebels the previous evening. The strike was direct, and resulted (in) the burning of the vessel, Saree said. Tanker ablaze CENTCOM later confirmed the hit, saying it had started a major fire. Advertisement Other vessels had come to the ships assistance, including the USS Carney, the French Navy Frigate FS Alsace and Indian Navy Frigate INS Visakhapatnam. Thanks to this rapid response by the U.S., Indian and French navies, the fire is now extinguished, it said in an update Saturday. There were no casualties in the attack, the ship remains seaworthy and has returned to its previous course, it added, confirming an earlier statement from Trafigura. Advertisement In its statement, the company said that no further vessels operating on behalf of Trafigura are currently transiting the Gulf of Aden. The Indian Navy said the Marlin Luanda has 22 Indians and one Bangladeshi onboard. It said a fire-fighting team of 10 Indian naval personnel battled the blaze for six hours along with the ships crew before bringing it under control. Advertisement On Friday the Houthis also fired an anti-ship ballistic missile from Yemen toward the Carney in the Gulf of Aden, CENTCOM said. The missile was successfully shot down by USS Carney. There were no injuries or damage reported, it added. Global trade disruption The Houthis began targeting Red Sea shipping in November, saying they were hitting Israeli-linked vessels to show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Advertisement They have since declared US and British interests to be legitimate targets as well. British Defence Secretary Grant Shapps on Saturday said his government remains as committed as ever to protecting freedom of navigation following the latest intolerable and illegal attack by Houthi rebels. 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. Advertisement The United States is leading a coalition to protect Red Sea shipping an effort the Pentagon has likened to a highway patrol for the waterway. Washington is also seeking to put diplomatic and financial pressure on the Houthis, redesignating them a terrorist organisation last week after previously dropping that label soon after President Joe Biden took office. Advertisement The attacks by the rebels who are part of an anti-Israel, anti-West alliance of Iranian proxies and allies have disrupted trade in the Red Sea, which carries around 12 percent of international maritime traffic. Several shipping firms are avoiding the waterway, instead taking the longer and more expensive route around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. Advertisement This new pressure follows difficult years for the industry during the Covid-19 pandemic, when freight rates reached unprecedented levels due to disruptions to supply chains. Separately on Saturday, the Houthis released an 18-minute video showing fighters in military fatigues conducting military drills against hypothetical US and Israeli targets. The video, published by one of the rebels military propaganda arms, showed fighters using rocket-propelled grenades to strike buildings, Humvees, and tanks adorned with US and Israeli flags. The court, which supports President Nicolas Maduro, declared on Friday that Maria Corina Machado is unable to serve as a stand-in for the opposition for a term of 15 years and that Henrique Capriles, a two-time presidential candidate, is not eligible to serve in that capacity With trepidation surrounding this years still-unscheduled referendum, Venezuelas political opposition sought on Saturday that the Supreme Court restore one of its leaders right to vote. The court, which supports President Nicolas Maduro, declared on Friday that Maria Corina Machado is unable to serve as a stand-in for the opposition for a term of 15 years and that Henrique Capriles, a two-time presidential candidate, is not eligible to serve in that capacity. Advertisement At a press conference, Gerardo Blyde, the leader of the opposition team engaged in negotiations with the administration, said that there were several anomalies in the process against Machado. There was a violation of the due process and violation of the right to defense, Blyde said. Machados disqualification comes after an agreement made in Barbados last year between Maduros administration and the opposition to organise a free and fair election in 2024 with the presence of foreign monitors. As a result of the accord, US sanctions on Venezuela were also loosened, opening the door for a prisoner swap and for US-based Chevron to resume limited oil extraction. Machados exclusion was referred to by Blyde as a violation of the agreement. In a primary held in October of last year, Machado garnered a landslide victory. Advertisement However, officials barred her from government because they said she was corrupt and supported sanctions on Caracas. In reaction to the Supreme Courts ruling on Friday, Washington issued a warning on Saturday that it would reimpose sanctions on Venezuela; Hector Rodriguez, a spokesperson for the Venezuelan administration, denounced this move. Sanctions are not the answer, the answer is dialogue, he said. Advertisement Neighboring South American countries also criticized Machados disqualification Saturday, with the Uruguayan foreign ministry saying it was contrary to the Barbados Agreement. Ecuadors foreign ministry said it rejects the Supreme Court ruling, while Argentina said its government was following the political situation in Venezuela with concern and regrets the court decision. In its ruling, the Supreme Court said Machado would remain disqualified for being involved in the corruption plot orchestrated by opposition leader Juan Guaido. Advertisement Guaido, now in exile, was recognized for a time by dozens of countries as the legitimate president of Venezuela after a 2018 election that saw Maduro inaugurated for a second successive term despite widespread fraud claims. Maduro has not confirmed that he will seek a third term, but is widely expected to do so. Advertisement Earlier this week, Maduro said the Barbados agreement was mortally wounded after government authorities claimed to have foiled numerous plots to assassinate him. Blyde also denounced what he called violations of the agreement, with political parties and civil society groups having been attacked in recent weeks citing the recent vandalization of Machados party headquarters and the arrest of three of her team members. On January 25, 2024, the reception celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France was held at the National Centre for the Performing Arts. President Xi Jinping delivered a video speech. Xi Jinping pointed out that 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. 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 Jinping stressed that the unique history of China-France relations has shaped the "China-France spirit" featuring independence, mutual understanding, foresight, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. In the face of the new era, China and France need to uphold the original aspiration of the establishment of diplomatic relations, actively look forward to the future, and dare to make greater progress. The two sides need to steadfastly 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 people-to-people and cultural exchanges and promote closer people-to-people bonds. The two sides should jointly advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, 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. Facing the next 60 years, China and France will work together to create greater glories. 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 ready to join hands with China to address global challenges and promote the resolution of international crises. The year 2024 is the France-China Year of Culture and Tourism, and the two sides will hold a variety of activities. 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. On January 31, the two countries will also hold an event to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France and the opening of the Culture and Tourism Year at the Palace of Versailles in Paris, and broadcast video speeches from the two heads of state. Epic Games has confirmed Fortnites return to iOS devices in 2024, introducing the Epic Store on the platform in the EU. This follows Apples decision to allow third-party app stores for iOS users in the European Union as part of the Digital Markets Act, set to be implemented in March this year. In 2020, Fortnite was removed from the App Store when Epic Games violated Apples guidelines. Now, Epic plans to operate the Epic Store on iPhones in the EU, where users can download Fortnite. Despite this, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney criticizes Apples changes, calling them a devious instance of malicious compliance. Apple charges a 0.50 euro fee per user per year for apps outside the App Store, but there are no commissions or in-app fees. Sweeney argues against Apples payment as junk fees and also questions the notarization process that could potentially block Epic from launching the Epic Games Store on iOS. While Epic aims to launch the store later this year, challenges may arise due to Apples oversight of third-party app stores. Epic has long wanted to bring its game store to the iPhone, offering lower fees than Apples App Store. The launch is expected to cover parts of Europe governed by the Digital Markets Act, though specific details about availability are yet to be disclosed. Source China has opened the deepest and largest underground laboratory in the world. The expanded facility is located at a depth of about 2,400 meters under the Jinping Mountains. ADVERTISIMENT In this laboratory, Chinese scientists intend to study dark matter, a mysterious substance that probably makes up more than 80% of the mass of the Universe. However, it is not yet known how to observe it at all as this dark matter does not interact with other matter and does not reflect or absorb light. The first section of the China Jinping Underground Laboratory (CJPL) was opened in 2010. In 2020, construction began on a 50-fold expansion called CJPL-II, which was completed in December 2020. After the renovation, the size of the laboratory surpassed the previous record holder, the Gran Sasso National Laboratory in Italy. CJPL was built huge for a reason. Scientists at the new facility will be able to hunt for dark matter thanks to the protection provided by the rocks. They will become a kind of screen that will prevent cosmic radiation from affecting dark matter detectors. ADVERTISIMENT As Marco Selvi, a physicist at the National Institute for Nuclear Physics in Bologna, Italy, explained, trying to hunt for dark matter directly from the surface is like "trying to hear the tiny voice of a child in a stadium where everyone is screaming." Scientists will hunt for dark matter using a modernized liquid xenon detector weighing 4 tons called PandaX-4T. Scientists hope that dark matter particles will interact with a xenon atom. During this interaction, enough light should be emitted to be reflected on the detector's photosensors. "With better sensitivity, we will be able to work with the detector and test different types of interactions," said Ning Zhou, a member of the PandaX-4T team, a physicist at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Another detector called the China Dark Matter Experiment (CDEX) will also operate there. It is designed to detect one type of dark matter particle. It uses germanium, a rare chemical element that scientists hope to use to detect signs of weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs). These particles are one of the most promising candidates for the role of dark matter. ADVERTISIMENT Subscribe to OBOZ.UA on Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events. Famous Ukrainian featherweight boxer Arnold Hegay (21-1-1, 13 KOs) secured a swift victory over Spain's Jon Martinez (14-9-5, 2 KOs). The bout in Barcelona concluded with a technical knockout. ADVERTISIMENT The 31-year-old native of Lymanske (Odesa region) took control of the ring from the first minutes. Our compatriot skillfully worked "on the floors," compelling his opponent to adopt a defensive stance. In the third round, a barrage of body and head punches led the Spaniard to opt out of continuing the fight. As reported by OBOZ.UA, in July 2023, Hegay knocked out Nicaraguan fighter Freddy Lines (17-4, 12 KOs). The bout at the show in Dubai ended prematurely. ADVERTISIMENT In May of last year, Hegay defeated Mexican Ruben Tostado Garcia (25-10, 8 KOs). The fight in Cologne, Germany, concluded in the 2nd round. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! 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%. Wisconsin Guard Fights Elements in Urban Operations Training By Staff Sgt. Kati Volkman, January 26, 2024 VOLK FIELD, Wis. -- For 24 frigid hours Jan. 17-18, Wisconsin Army National Guard Soldiers with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, used the High Risk Entry Facility and grounds at Volk Field part of the Regional Emergency All-Climate Training Center to train and perfect their urban operations in preparation for training at the Joint Readiness Training Center. Sgt. 1st Class Charles Hensen, a platoon sergeant with Company A, explained the importance of conducting these kinds of training events. "Some of these guys are potentially a year and a half away from combat," Hensen said. "Whether they see combat or not is not my decision it's my decision to make sure they are ready for it." Staff Sgt. Justin Swiersz, weapons squad leader for Company A's 1st Platoon, was stationed at JRTC for four years, completing 37 rotations with the opposition forces. He explained that the training Company A is doing will be useful for its Soldiers. "It gets our feet wet, because we haven't typically done shoot houses in the National Guard," Swiersz said. "The additional training and unique situations that we've gotten to see has definitely improved our lethality and confidence in completing these mission-oriented tasks." 2nd Lt. Reed Matz, Company A's 2nd Platoon leader, was impressed with how his Soldiers performed. "There are things we need to get consistent on as a platoon, like communication plans and methods of marking," Matz reflected. "Overall, we were able to breach the building, use some simulation rounds to take down the bad guys, and learn a lot in the process." Hensen sees training opportunities like this as a chance to set his Soldiers apart from others who have come before them. "It ripped the Band-Aid off on the things our Soldiers can work on at the individual level," Hensen said. "I enjoyed observing the thought processes, the fact that it's a situation our teams aren't used to, and we saw that they were able to utilize what they had and adjust as they needed." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hokanson Explores National Guard Cooperation with Kingdom of Denmark By Sgt. 1st Class Zach Sheely, National Guard Bureau January 27, 2024 COPENHAGEN -- On the last leg of a four-country trip to strengthen security cooperation between the National Guard and European partners, the Guard's senior-most officer talked with Danish Armed Forces leaders about the prospect of deeper engagements between the Guard and the Kingdom of Denmark. As a founding member of NATO and stalwart U.S. Ally, Denmark is a steady contributor to multinational operations. The Danish Armed Forces are considered a capable military force. So why work with the National Guard? Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, National Guard Bureau chief, outlined the Guard's ability to deliver a wide range of capabilities. "The National Guard is 20% of the Joint Force," Hokanson said. "We have eight divisions in the Army Guard and 90 wings in the Air Guard. Because we are the combat reserve of the Army and the Air Force, we can leverage our training, personnel and equipment to support civil authorities at home during times of crisis. "We also work with partner nations across the globe through the State Partnership Program to build capacity and compatibility," he said. "Because many of our Guardsmen serve in the same units over their entire careers, they build lasting relationships with their international counterparts." The State Partnership Program is a Defense Department program managed by the Guard Bureau and executed by the states, territories and the District of Columbia. Through the SPP, the Guard is partnered with 100 nations in collaborative, mutually beneficial relationships to support State Department, DOD and combatant command security cooperation objectives. One practical and strategic advantage the CNGB sees in partnering with Denmark is the ability for Guardsmen to potentially engage with the entire Kingdom of Denmark that also includes Greenland and the Faroe Islands. "The Kingdom of Denmark is of strategic importance to NATO and the whole region," Hokanson said. "It would be extremely beneficial for Guardsmen to train in Greenland and develop the capabilities to operate in the Arctic environment." Greenland, the largest island in the world, is a self-governing Danish territory. The Danish Armed Forces are responsible for defending and securing its nearly 840,000 square miles. Denmark's Joint Arctic Command, headquartered in Nuuk, Greenland, commands the nation's forces operating there. The foundations for greater collaboration between the Guard and Danish Armed Forces are already in place. Last September, the New York National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing trained with Danish counterparts during exercise ARCTIC LIGHT in Greenland. In November 2023, Army Maj. Gen. Ray Shields, New York's adjutant general, and Danish Maj. Gen. Sren Andersen, commander of Denmark's Joint Arctic Command, signed a statement of intent to establish joint training and exchanges in Greenland between the New York Guard and the Joint Arctic Command. Through this agreement, Denmark and the New York Guard plan to conduct joint training, key leader discussions and exchange observers this year and in 2025. The New York Guard's 109th Airlift Wing regularly flies missions to Greenland and Antarctica to resupply U.S. research stations. 109th Airmen operate the only ski-equipped LC-130 Hercules aircraft in the DOD. Andersen agreed with the CNGB: "It takes expertise and training to deliver operational effects in the Arctic," he said. He added that the Danish Armed Forces' focus areas in Greenland include disaster relief, infrastructure protection, support to local authorities, icebreaking and search and rescue. Last December, Copenhagen and Washington finalized a Defense Cooperation Agreement that allows U.S. service members and military equipment to be based on Danish soil. Northwest Greenland is already home to Pituffik Space Base, formerly Thule Air Base, the DOD's northernmost installation. For years, Denmark has actively contributed to NATO's military defense of the Baltics. Copenhagen is preparing to dispatch a frigate to participate in Operation Prosperity Guardian, the U.S.-led, multinational operation to ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. Danish pilots have trained with National Guard pilots and other international Allies in Tucson, Arizona. Ukrainian pilots will soon train in Denmark. Later this year, Denmark is planning to send F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters to Ukraine to support Ukraine's continued fight against unprovoked Russian aggression. General Flemming Lentfer, the Danish Chief of Defense, told Hokanson he sees great opportunities to work with the National Guard in the areas of cyber defense and hybrid threats. The Guard has cyber units in 42 states that can help civil authorities, if needed. "I'm looking forward to any opportunity to work together in the future," Lentfer said. Hokanson also met with Kasper Heg-Jensen, Denmark's deputy permanent secretary for security policy and operations at the Danish Ministry of Defense, where explained that partnering with the Guard can be as much, or as little as the partner nation wants. "As a Kingdom, we're always looking to expand our cooperation with the U.S.," Heg-Jensen said. "This sounds like something that would be beneficial for all." Eric Durr, Jaclyn Lyons and Staff Sgt. Sean Madden, New York National Guard, contributed. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Houthis Strike M/V Marlin Luanda Operating in the Gulf of Aden U.S. Central Command Press Release | Jan. 27, 2024 USCENTCOM Jan. 26, 2024 Release Number 20240126-02 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TAMPA, Fla. -- On Jan. 26, at approximately 7:45 p.m. (Sanaa time), Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists fired one anti-ship ballistic missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and struck the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker M/V Marlin Luanda. The ship issued a distress call and reported damage. USS Carney (DDG 64) and other coalition ships have responded and are rendering assistance. No injuries have been reported at this time. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Finland to suspend its funding to UNRWA Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland Press releases, 27.1.2024 The allegations of the involvement of 12 employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the 7 October Hamas terrorist attack on Israel are serious. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is calling for an independent and thorough investigation of the matter. UNRWA is a humanitarian agency of the UN that provides basic public services, such as education, healthcare and social services, to Palestinian refugees. UNRWA employs approximately 28,000 Palestinians. Finland has a four-year agreement (2023-2026) with UNRWA to provide humanitarian assistance, amounting to EUR 5 million a year. Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio has decided that Finland's payments to UNRWA will be suspended due to the allegations. "We must make sure that not a single euro of Finland's money goes to Hamas or other terrorists. The suspicion that employees of an organisation receiving humanitarian assistance are involved in a terrorist attack is the reason for suspending the payments. The case must be investigated thoroughly," Minister Tavio says. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Fresh Hezbollah attacks hit Israeli regime's military positions IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 27, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Lebanese Hezbollah Resistance Movement has targeted the secret command center of the Israeli regime in the northern occupied territories with missiles and rockets. Hezbollah fighters hit the center at the Zabdin barracks in the occupied Shebaa farms with "Falaq-1" missile, inflicting losses on the Israeli regime, IRNA reported citing Beirut-based Al Mayadeen news network on Saturday. The resistance movement said in a statement that its forces had also targeted the positions of the Israeli regime forces around the Shomera base. Hezbollah also emphasized that it had hit the occupying regime's spying equipment around the Naqoura base with appropriate weapons, and as a result, a number of occupation troops were directly targeted. Israel waged the Gaza war on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas, carried out a surprise operation into the occupied territories in retaliation for the regime's ceaseless atrocities against the Palestinian people over the past seven decades. With the Israeli war continuing unabated and killing Palestinian civilians in the besieged territory, resistance movements and groups in the region, including Lebanon's Hezbollah, Yemen's Ansarullah, and Iraq's fighters launched military operations against US and Israeli interests in an effort to exert pressure on the regime to end its genocidal war. 3266**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address South Africa determined to fight apartheid in world: Ambassador IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 27, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- South Africa's Ambassador to Iran Francis Molloy has once again stressed his country's determination to ensure that there is no place in the world for apartheid and occupation. South Africa filed a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against the Israeli regime's genocide in Gaza on December 29. On Saturday, a day after the ICJ delivered its interim ruling on emergency measures requested by South Africa, IRNA's correspondent went to the South African Embassy to conduct an interview with Ambassador Molloy. As our correspondent arrived at the diplomatic mission, a quote on one of the walls of the embassy building caught his attention. The quote, from South Africa's late president and global anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela read: "Our freedom cannot be complete while others in the world are not free", which can makes clear many things about South Africa's support for the people of Palestine. The following is the first part of the interview: Q: What was the main reason for South Africa to initiate the genocide case against the Israeli regime? A: Well, the case that South Africa has brought in the ICJ against Israel has got to be understood in the context of our own history and experience as South Africans. And we see that the struggle of the people of Palestine is very similar to our own struggle for freedom and justice under apartheid. And in the case of South Africa, for instance, I mean, we have experienced long, long years of colonialism, racism, and apartheid for a period of 350 years. And when we achieved our freedom in 1994, that was as a result of long years of struggle, but most importantly, tremendous solidarity that was shown to the people of South Africa by the people of the world in our struggle against apartheid, colonialism, and racism. And in that struggle, many countries around the world supported us, including Iran, including the Palestinians. They were there with us in our struggle for freedom and justice. And as I say, we achieved our freedom in 1994, but the Palestinians themselves are still engaged in that struggle for self-determination. So, their struggle and our struggle has always been the same. And as you correctly point out, it was said by President Mandela that our freedom as South Africans will not be complete. We will not be complete unless and until the freedom of the people of Palestine has been achieved. So it is in that context that we have taken this case, because we believe very strongly that in this day and age, there is no place for apartheid in the world. There is no place for occupation in the world. There is no place in the world where a people can be denied of their right to self-determination. And we as South Africa have taken that case up in order to ensure that we can achieve all these objectives. Q: With threats from some Zionist officials, are South African authorities worried about the consequences of the lawsuit against Israel in the international court? A : What I'll say is that, you know, the struggle for justice, the struggle for freedom is, is not an easy struggle. Obviously, the Palestinians this time around, they are faced with a very formidable opponent or state. And Israel has a tremendous amount of support from many countries around the world. We, we were cognizant of the fact that there will be many countries around the world who support Israel, who will not be happy about, about the position that you have taken. And you have referred to some of the statements that were made by Israeli spokespersons, literally denouncing the cause of action that we have taken, including other European countries as well, that said that our case is meritless, it is baseless. There is no reason for us to do this. But the Israeli spokespersons, they are saying that, you know, the Israeli spokespersons even use very, very strong language to say, for instance, to accuse us of being the legal arm of, of Hamas, essentially accusing us of being in cahoots with, with Hamas. And we are aware that some of the countries have been saying that there will be even more repercussions and consequences for us. Well, given our own history, our own experience, we know that the struggle for justice and freedom is not going to be easy. But the important thing is not to be swayed, not to lose focus, because we know we are on the right side of history, we are on the right side of justice, and we, we will need to, to continue. Despite the threats, despite the, the challenges that we will endure. Besides, the people of Palestine have already endured so much in the last 75 years. And they still continue to be subjected to a very horrible system of government. You have oppression there, you have occupation, you have denial of human rights. That is already tough enough. That is already tough enough. And it is also not going to be easy for those that support the struggle of the people of Palestine.We see what is happening on university campuses across the world. We see what other authorities in other countries, what are they doing against those that are protesting in support of the Palestinians. So, we know that these are challenges, these are challenges that we will face. We should not give up. Q: Were there any specific pressure or threat to stop South Africa from supporting Palestine in the International Court of Justice? A: Well, all that I can say is that from the statements that we have heard,particularly from the Israeli spokespersons, and some of the statements that we have heard from, you know, officials of other governments in Europe,as well as in the U.S., we have heard that, you know, officials of other governments in Europe, as well as in the U.S., we haven't seen specifically what is it that they are saying they are going to do order to put pressure on us or to punish us for the cause of action that we have taken. We have taken note of their statements. So, we will have to wait and see what happens. Q: One of the issues raised at the court is the terms used by Israeli authorities to describe the Palestinian people. For example, the Zionists have announced that they are fighting against human animals. What do you think makes them use such expressions? A: Well, we know from observing, how Israel has been treating the Palestinians for all these decades, we are very aware that the dehumanization of the Palestinians is one of the strategies that they use in order to oppress and to repress the Palestinians. We are not surprised because the use of words like human animals, flattening Gaza, these are words that we think and we now know that are consistent with the Israelis' attitude towards the Palestinians. And what is even more disturbing about these words and these statements, these are genocidal statements. They now clearly show us the ultimate goal of Israel as far as the Palestinians are concerned. They have to be dehumanized; they have to be called all these names to justify why. Israel treats them in that way. And if I may just say this, that we listen very carefully to the arguments or the defenses that Israel put before the ICJ.And one of their arguments is that there is no intent when they're part of Israel and its officials to commit genocide. And if you listen to many scholars and people who are experts on genocide and cases such as this, they always say it is very difficult to prove intent. And it has always been difficult to prove intent precisely because, one, there is no country that says, states as its official policy that they will commit genocide, number one. Number two, the officials of these states that have been accused of genocide do not say these genocidal statements openly. So, you just have to deduce intent from the actions on the ground. And that has been the challenge in proving, that there is no intent. But in the case of Israel, these words are said openly. These words are said by the highest-ranking state functionaries in Israel, from the president, the prime minister, members of cabinet, members of the so-called war room or war cabinet in Israel, and high-ranking officials in the military, spokespersons, as well as ordinary civilians and the soldiers and everybody else. So, in this case, this is a textbook case of genocide because the statements have been made to the entire world for us to know exactly what is it that Israel intends in the case of Gaza. So essentially, the charge sheet that is there in the ICJ against Israel was essentially written by Israel itself as evidenced by the specific words and statements which are really genocidal, that the high-ranking officials in the government of Israel have uttered. 9341**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In Kyiv, 124 objects with names associated with the USSR or the aggressor country still remain unrenamed. There are more than 1,000 of them in the Kyiv region. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported in the Telegram channel of the public organization "Decolonization. Ukraine". Decommunization in the country is still not complete. "We have updated the map with the number of streets to be renamed in the process of decommunization/decolonization by region. Renaming continues every day, so there are probably a few less streets," the statement said. According to the NGO, 124 objects in the capital of Ukraine still have old names, names associated with the USSR or the aggressor country of Russia. In Kyiv region, there are 1036 such objects. It should be added that Vinnytsia region has the most unrenamed streets, while Lviv region has the least. ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, five libraries in Kyiv have been renamed after ideological figures of the Russian aggressor country. The relevant decisions were made on Thursday, January 18, at a meeting of the Kyiv City Council by the majority of deputies. As OBOZ.UA previously reported, the St. George's ribbon, which was placed on the wall along the entire platform, has finally been removed from the Heroiv Dnipra metro station in Kyiv. Subway workers painted over it. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Iraqi Islamic Resistance conducts rocket attack on US base in Syria IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 27, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Iraqi Islamic Resistance has targeted a US military base in Koniko gas field in eastern Syria with rockets. According to news reports, the US military base in Koniko gas field came under rocket attack on Saturday evening. The attack was conducted by the Iraqi Islamic Resistance group that fired several rockets. Beirut-based Al Mayadeen news network also reported that the US was moving its forces from a base in al-Hasakah, northeast Syria, to another one in the same region. This comes as part of a redeployment effort carried out by US forces in an attempt to protect themselves against attacks by Iraq-based resistance groups who consider the US military presence as a source of instability in the region and have been pushing for the expulsion of American troops from their country. According to Al Mayadeen's sources, the US forces have been attacked around 100 times since the Islamic Resistance in Iraq announced that, in support of Gaza, it would start operations against US forces in Syria and Iraq. The operations began in response to the Israeli aggression on Gaza, as well as the US support for the regime's brutal crimes against Palestinians in the besieged territory. Israel waged the Gaza war on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas, carried out a surprise operation into the occupied territories in retaliation for the regime's ceaseless atrocities against the Palestinian people over the past seven decades. With the Israeli war continuing unabated and killing Palestinian civilians in the besieged territory, other resistance movements and groups in the region, including Lebanon's Hezbollah, Yemen's Ansarullah, and Iraq's fighters launched military operations against US and Israeli interests in an effort to exert pressure on the regime to end its genocidal war. 3266**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US, UK launch fresh strikes against Yemen IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 27, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The United States and the United Kingdom have carried out a fresh round of airstrikes against Yemen. Yemen's Al-Masirah TV channel reported on Saturday that the Ras Isa terminal in the Red Sea port of Al-Hudaydah was targeted by US and UK airstrikes. The airstrikes came a day after the Yemeni armed forces targeted a British oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden after transiting the Red Sea as part of their campaign of support for the Palestinians in Gaza. The US and the UK have launched multiple rounds of strikes against Yemen since the country's armed forces began attacking Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea in mid-November. Earlier in the day, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that it had conducted a new strike hitting an anti-ship missile of Yemen's Ansarullah. In a post on X, CENTCOM alleged that the anti-ship missile was aimed into the Red Sea and ready to launch. Yemen has vowed to continue with its attacks in the Red Sea until the Israeli regime halts its genocidal war in the besieged Gaza Strip. 4353**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address British oil tanker hit by missile was carrying fuel for Israeli jet fighters: Report IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 27, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- A British oil tanker, which was targeted by the Yemeni army on Friday night, was carrying fuel for Israeli jet fighters, Lebanese media have reported. Beirut-based Al Mayadeen news network, citing informed sources, reported on Saturday that the British ship targeted by the Yemeni Navy in the Red Sea was headed for the occupied Palestinian territories, not Greece. The sources told Al Mayadeen that two American and British ships were escorting the targeted vessel, but they ran away and left the British vessel carrying gasoline alone as Yemeni forces approached and clashes broke out. The spokesman for the Armed Forces of Yemen Brigadier General Yahya Saree said in a statement on Friday that the Yemeni forces "carried out an operation targeting British Oil Tanker 'Marlin Luanda' in the Gulf of Aden, using a number of appropriate naval missiles." "The hit was direct, leading to its burning," he added. Saree said the forces would continue their operations until the Israeli aggression against Gaza is stopped and food and medicine are allowed into the besieged Palestinian territory. Yemen kicked off those operations in mid-November, more than a month after the Israeli regime began its ongoing war on Gaza following Al Aqsa Storm operation carried out by the Palestinian territory's Resistance movement, Hamas. More than 26,200 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in the brutal onslaught so far, while nearly 64,800 others have been injured. 3266**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah hits several military bases of Israeli regime IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 27, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Lebanese Resistance Movement, Hezbollah, has targeted several military bases of the Zionist regime in the north of the occupied Palestinian territories with rockets. Beirut-based Al Mayadeen news network reported on Saturday that Hezbollah targeted a military base near the Zionist settlement of Shlomi, setting off sirens there. Hezbollah also conducted rocket attacks on several more Israeli military bases including Jal Al-Alam. The resistance movement has been engaged in operations against Israeli positions at Lebanon's border since October 8, a day after the regime unleashed its war on Gaza following Al Aqsa Storm Operation by the Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas, earlier that day. Hezbollah has time and again said that its operations targeting the northern parts of the occupied territories are aimed at providing support to the Palestinian resistance fighters battling Israeli forces in Gaza, which is located at the border with the southern parts of the Israeli-occupied land. 6125**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah uses new guided missile against Israeli regime IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 27, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah used a new missile system in its attacks against Israeli positions in the north of the occupied territories on Friday. Now, Beirut-based Al Mayadeen news network, affiliated to Hezbollah, has released new details about the missile system. The newly unveiled missile, which was used to target a spying dome at the Israeli regime military's Jal Al-Alam base, is an advanced missile system, according to a Saturday IRNA report citing Al Mayadeen. The news network said that the missile, which can be used in combat operations, is capable of hitting invisible targets, while the weapon itself may not be detected by drones. Also, the missile has high-level penetration, as it has an empty body but an adaptable warhead carrying munitions. According to Al Mayadeen, the missile can be launched either by a fixed or portable launcher or a special drone. It has a camera, and operates and detects its targets via TV guidance. There has been no official statement from Hezbollah about the type of the missile used in the Friday attack. The resistance movement only released footage of its attack against Jal Al-Alam base, saying that the operation was conducted using a special guided missile. Hezbollah has been engaged in operations against Israeli positions at Lebanon's border since October 8, a day after the regime unleashed its war on Gaza following Al Aqsa Storm Operation by the Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas, earlier that day. Hezbollah says it has inflicted heavy losses on the regime, but Israeli authorities hide real numbers of military fatalities and the extent of the material damage caused. The movement has also time and again said that its operations targeting the northern parts of the occupied territories are aimed at providing support to the Palestinian resistance fighters battling Israeli forces in Gaza, which is located at the border with the southern parts of the Israeli-occupied land. 4194**4261 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran: ICJ's ruling bears testimony to bitter fact in Gaza IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 27, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani has said that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling bears testimony to the bitter fact that what is going on in Gaza is an example of international crimes, for example, genocide. "The provisional order by the International Court of Justice (#ICJ) and the Zionist regime's hostile reaction showed that this regime is founded on violence and discrimination and does not respect international norms and legal regulations," Kanaani wrote on his X account on Saturday. "On the other hand, the U.S. government's response to the ICJ's injunction indicates that Washington is using international judicial mechanisms as an instrumental use," he added. "The ICJ's ruling bears testimony to the bitter fact that what is going on in #Gaza is an example of international crimes, namely #genocide, which are committed and continue with the United States' unending support for the Zionist regime," he noted. "Now, the world is facing a question: Do international organizations and institutes, preserving international peace and security, need any more permission to force the #ZionistRegime to stop its genocide?" Kanaani asked. On Friday, the ICJ delivered its ruling on the emergency measures requested by South Africa in its genocide case against the Zionist regime over its war on the Gaza Strip. The president of this international court emphasized that it cannot accept the Israeli regime's request to dismiss South Africa's complaint, it added. "The court said, among others, that Israel must take steps to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza but stopped short of ordering a ceasefire," it noted. "The judges have not ruled on the merits of the genocide allegations, which may take years to decide." 9376**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah vows increase in missiles range if war expands IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 27, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Deputy Secretary General of Lebanon's Hezbollah Resistance Movement Sheikh Naim Qassem has vowed to increase the range of missiles if the scope of war expands. If Tel Aviv expands its attacks, we will develop the fourth stage of the range of missiles with impressive power and capabilities, Naim Qassem was quoted by Sama News Agency as saying. Any political discussion about the southern front will be postponed until after the end of the war in Gaza, he added. We will continue fighting the Zionist regime and helping the people, and we are ready to participate in the presidential elections if an agreement is reached, he noted. Hezbollah has been launching attacks on targets controlled by Israel in a bid to keep up pressure on the regime to end its genocidal war on Gaza. The Israeli army has recently targeted Lebanon border crossings. So far, tens of thousands of Zionists have left the Lebanese border areas for fear of resistance attacks. 9376**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Media discloses details of German intelligence agent's meeting with Hezbollah deputy chief IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 27, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- A Lebanese media published details of a senior German intelligence official's trip to Beirut and his meeting with the deputy secretary-general of the Lebanese Hezbollah. The Lebanese media "Al-Akhbar" announced that Vice President for Core Tasks of Federal Intelligence Service Ole Diehl visited Beirut about two weeks ago for one night to talk to Deputy Secretary-General of Hezbollah Naim Qassem, but he did not meet with any of the Lebanese officials. Elaborating on the objectives of the trip, the media said that the trip was made in line with the West's efforts to keep the Lebanese front separate from the Palestinian front. It added that the trip was in line with the carrot and stick policy, which is applied by the West against Lebanon. On the one hand, they offer incentives to the Lebanese authorities to convince Hezbollah to stop the war, and on the other hand, they convey the threats and warnings of the Zionist enemy about Netanyahu's insane action and the fear of the possibility of a large-scale war against Lebanon if the resistance operation continues. The meeting did not bring any serious results and Germany has not been able to convince the resistance to stop its operations. The Palestinian resistance groups started the Al-Aqsa Storm from the Gaza Strip against the Zionist regime in response to decades of occupation and aggression. To retaliate, the regime closed Gaza's crossings and started bombarding the enclave. After 45 days of conflict, a truce was established between the two sides, but the Zionist regime resumed attacks on Gaza after that. Over 26,000 Palestinians including thousands of women and children have been killed by the Zionist regime in Gaza. 9376**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US carries out new airstrike on Yemen IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 27, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The US Military has conducted a new strike on Yemen amid escalating tensions in West Asia over the Israeli regime's war against Palestinians in Gaza. US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced early on Saturday that its new strike hit an anti-ship missile of Houthis, a term Western states and media use for Yemen's Ansarullah Movement, which is part of the resistance front in West Asia and is in control of some parts of Yemen including the capital Sana'a. CENTCOM made the announcement on its X account, formerly Twitter, and claimed that the missile had presented an imminent threat to navigation in the Red Sea and American forces in the region. "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 identified the missile in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, and determined it presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and the U.S. Navy ships in the region." CENTCOM also said that its strike was aimed at protecting international shipping. "U.S. Forces subsequently struck and destroyed the missile in self-defense. This action will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy vessels and merchant vessels." The US, along with the United Kingdom, stated the same claims when they launched airstrikes on Yemen more than two weeks ago. Since then, the two Western states have conducted several rounds of airstrikes against the Arab country. Yemen has been conducting military operations in the Red Sea since mid-November but has made it clear that its operations only target Israeli-linked ships and are aimed at forcing the regime to stop its genocide in Gaza and allow basic supplies into the besieged Palestinian territory. Despite the US-UK strikes, which Yemen has labeled as an of aggression, the Arab country has continued its attacks on Israeli vessels or ships bound for ports in the occupied Palestinian territories, as it has promised to keep supporting Gazans until the ongoing brutal war against them comes to an end. 4194**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraq's Islamic resistance attacks US bases in Syria IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 27, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Iraq's Islamic resistance has announced that it attacked two military bases of the United States in Syria by drones. The drone attacks occurred in response to the Zionist regime's crimes against the people in Gaza, IRNA reported on Saturday citing Lebanon's news channel Al Mayadeen. The US bases attacked by the Islamic resistance in Iraq were one in Koniko gas field in northeastern Syria and the other near al Khazra Village in the same location. Since the start of the Zionist regime of Israel's war in Gaza and its ceaseless bombardment against the residential units and medical centers, each of the resistance groups across the region has performed a duty to support the oppressed Gazans. In a related development, the Shafaq news website reported on Friday that Erbil International Airport in the Iraqi Kurdistan region has been targeted by a drone. A Kurdish official in the region said no individual or group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. The official did not give any further details about the incident or its possible casualties. Since October 7, 2023, over 26,000 including thousands of women and children have been killed in Gaza. 1483**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, hundreds of attacks on military enlistment offices have been carried out on the territory of the terrorist country of Russia. Russian officials complained that 220 such events were recorded in total. ADVERTISIMENT Moreover, since July 2023 alone, there have been 113 attacks, which together indicates a significant increase in such cases. This was reported by the UK military intelligence on the social network X. According to the director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, Sergei Naryshkin, Western officials are allegedly to blame for the attacks on Russian military enlistment offices. He believes that the Russians are committing such actions "on the instructions" of the West. At the same time, British intelligence notes that the increase in attacks on military enlistment offices is apparently due to a sense of dissatisfaction with the war among the Russian population. In particular, citizens of the terrorist country fear that Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin will announce another wave of mobilization. ADVERTISIMENT However, at his annual press conference at the end of 2023, the Kremlin leader promised that a second wave of mobilization to Russia was not planned. British intelligence has noted that Russian citizens do not believe this promise, so they continue to set fire to military commissariats. In the intercepted conversation, the occupier complained about methods of intimidation and coercion to participate in the war against Ukraine. In particular, he spoke about a case in Sochi when a Russian man who did not want to serve was forcibly taken into the army by being pushed into a trunk. Earlier, it was reported that mobilization continues in the temporarily occupied territories of Donbas. However, there are few people willing to go to war against Ukraine and die there. On the contrary, men are fleeing en masse. ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZ.UA, the statement of the scandalous Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev about the addition of another 500 thousand people to the Russian army in 2023 is an exaggeration. British intelligence believes that this figure is significantly overstated. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! UNSC to meet to discuss ICJ ruling on Israeli genocide in Gaza Iran Press TV Saturday, 27 January 2024 6:21 PM The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is set to meet next week to discuss the decision by the body's top court ordering the Israeli regime to prevent genocide in the besieged Gaza Strip. The meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, was called by Algeria after a closed-door discussion of the UN's 22-member Arab group on Friday. This came after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a preliminary ruling on a genocide case brought by South Africa against the Israeli regime earlier in the day. Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it would give a "binding effect" to the pronouncement of the ICJ "on the provisional measures imposed on the Israeli occupation." Palestine's UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour also said the decision gives the "clear message" that to do all the things that the ICJ is asking for, there needs to be a ceasefire. "So fasten your seat belts," he said. On Friday, ICJ called on Israel to prevent genocidal acts in its ongoing war in Gaza but stopped short of ordering a ceasefire. The order by the UN top court was part of its interim ruling on the emergency measures requested by South Africa in its genocide case against Israel over its war on the Gaza Strip. The Hague-based court said Israel must do everything to "prevent the commission of all acts within the scope" of the 1948 UN Genocide Convention while refraining from ordering an immediate halt to the almost four-month-old war. 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 26,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children. The Tel Aviv 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. South Africa has been one of the outspoken critics of Israel's ongoing onslaught against Palestinians and has led some initiatives to hold Israel accountable for its actions in Gaza. The African country, which has experienced long years of an apartheid regime, has been praised by activists as the vanguard of the global conscience and voice of the oppressed. South African President Cyril Ramphosa has welcomed the ruling by ICJ, saying it "marks an important first step in our quest to secure justice for the people of Gaza." ICJ rulings on Israel 'binding' Meanwhile, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has stated that the rulings issued by ICJ are "binding" "The Secretary-General recalls that, pursuant to the Charter and to the Statute of the Court, decisions of the Court are binding and trusts that all parties will duly comply with the Order from the Court," his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, said on Friday. This is while Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the ICJ ruling, saying Israel will continue "to defend itself and its citizens while adhering to international law." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gaza's major health facility collapses amid Israeli attacks: MSF Iran Press TV Saturday, 27 January 2024 4:21 PM Major health organizations have sounded alarm bells on the collapse of vital medical services at Gaza's largest functioning health facility, amid Israel's relentless bombardment in Khan Younis in southern Gaza. The charity organization Doctors Without Borders, known by its French acronym MSF, said in a statement on Saturday that services at Nasser Hospital have collapsed, leaving people with no options to go for treatment. It said most of the staff at Nasser Hospital, along with thousands of displaced people sheltering in the facility, fled in the days leading up to the evacuation order by Israeli military forces. "The hospital's surgical capacity is now almost non-existent, and the handful of medical staff remaining in the hospital must contend with very low supplies that are insufficient to handle mass casualty events - large influxes of wounded people," MSF said in a statement. MSF said at least one patient at the hospital died on Wednesday because there was no orthopedic surgeon available. "Between 300 and 350 patients remain at Nasser Hospital, unable to evacuate because it is too dangerous and there are no ambulances." MSF's medical coordinator in Palestine Guillemette Thomas said that Nasser and the European Gaza Hospital are "unreachable" and there is no longer a health care system in Gaza. "These systematic attacks against health care are unacceptable and must end now so that the wounded can get the care they need. The entire health system has been rendered inoperative," Thomas said. The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday that fighting continues in the vicinity of the hospital and the facility "is running out of fuel, food and supplies." "We appeal for an immediate ceasefire so that we can replenish urgently needed lifesaving supplies," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on X. Israel started its genocidal war on Gaza after it was caught off guard by Hamas's unprecedented operation against the regime on October 7, 2023. At least 26,083 Palestinians have so far been killed, and 64,487 wounded in Gaza, a majority of whom are women and children, according to the latest figures from the Gaza Health Ministry. Only in the past 24 hours, were 183 Palestinians killed and 377 injured. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas slams Israel over threats to stop UNRWA activities in Gaza after war Iran Press TV Saturday, 27 January 2024 1:41 PM The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has condemned the recent Israeli regime's "threats" against the United Nations Relief Works and Agency (UNRWA), urging the world body and other international organizations not to "cave in to the threats and blackmail." The resistance group made the remarks in a statement on Saturday, after Israel accused several UNRWA staff of involvement in Hamas's attack against the occupying entity in early October and threatened to stop the UN body from operating in the besieged Gaza Strip after the war. Earlier in the day, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in a post on social media platform X that Tel Aviv is aiming to ensure "UNRWA will not be a part of the day after". The latest development comes a day after Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the agency, vowed to hold "accountable, including through criminal prosecution" any UNRWA employee found to have taken part in "acts of terror." He added that the UN agency had sacked several employees accused by Israel of involvement in Hamas attack in early October. UN chief Antonio Guterres also pledged to conduct an "urgent and comprehensive independent review of UNRWA." Separately on Saturday, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) called on countries that have decided to suspend their support for the UNRWA to "immediately reverse their decision," stressing that such a move "entails great political and humanitarian relief risks". PLO Secretary General Hussein al-Skeikh made the remarks in a post on X, after Australia and Canada said they had suspended their funding to the agency following a similar step by the US. "At this particular time and in light of the continuing aggression against the Palestinian people, we need the maximum support for this international organization and not stopping support and assistance to it," he said. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a post on X on Saturday that she was "deeply concerned" by the allegations against the UNRWA, adding that Canberra is "speaking with partners and will temporarily pause disbursement of recent funding." She also welcomed "UNRWA's immediate response, including terminating contracts and launching an investigation, as well as its recent announcement of a full investigation into allegations against the organization." Canada's International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen also announced that Ottawa had "temporarily paused any additional funding to UNRWA while it undertakes a thorough investigation into these allegations." "Canada is taking these reports extremely seriously and is engaging closely with UNRWA and other donors on this issue," he wrote on X on Friday. This came after the US announced that it has "temporarily" halted its funding to UNRWA, while reviewing the allegations against 12 employees who "may have been involved" in the Hamas attack in early October. The Israeli regime waged the war on Gaza on October 7 after 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 26,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children. The Tel Aviv 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Malaysia hails ICJ's ruling against Israel's 'genocide' in Gaza Strip Iran Press TV Saturday, 27 January 2024 11:08 AM Malaysia has welcomed a ruling issued by judges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague against Israel's war on Gaza which continued on Saturday. Malaysia's foreign ministry said it is "vindicated in its call for Israel to be held accountable for the atrocities, crimes against humanity and genocide committed on the Palestinians in the Gaza strip, following the landmark ruling" by the top UN court earlier in the day. "Malaysia welcomes the decision of the ICJ in the case initiated by South Africa against Israel concerning the application of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide," it added. Malaysia also ordered the Tel Aviv regime to "(i) prevent the commission of genocide in Gaza, in accordance with its obligations under the Genocide Convention; (ii) ensure with immediate effect that its military does not commit any acts of genocide; (iii) prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to genocide; (iv) enable the provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life in Gaza; (v) prevent the destruction and ensure the preservation of evidence related to allegations of genocide; and (vi) submit a report to the ICJ on all measures taken to give effect to the Order within one month." South Africa, one of the outspoken critics of Israel's ongoing onslaught against Palestinians, filed the lawsuit against Israel at the end of December, noting that Israel's actions 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 application also said Israeli attacks breach the UN's Genocide Convention, and urged the court to "order Israel to cease killing and causing serious mental and bodily harm to Palestinian people in Gaza." Israel launched hostilities in Gaza 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. More than 100 days into the campaign, the regime has achieved no objectives despite killing at least 26,083 people in Gaza, around 70 percent of them women and children. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address No let-up in Israeli bloodshed in Gaza despite ICJ's genocide case ruling Iran Press TV Saturday, 27 January 2024 11:01 AM The Israeli military has intensified its bombardment campaign in the Gaza Strip, even as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered the Tel Aviv regime to take steps aimed at preventing acts of genocide against Palestinians in the besieged coastal sliver. The official Palestinian news agency Wafa, citing medical sources, reported on Saturday that a number of dead bodies and wounded individuals arrived at the al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in central Gaza, one of the last functioning medical facilities in the territory, following intense Israeli airstrikes targeting several homes in Deir al-Balah city. At least nine civilians, including women, were further killed when Israeli warplanes shelled multiple homes in Khan Younis city in southern Gaza. Earlier in the day, two people were killed and others were wounded when Israeli fighter jets struck a house in the al-Geneina neighborhood, east of Rafah. Furthermore, at least 28 civilians were killed and several others wounded as a result of the ongoing Israeli shelling of the city of Khan Younis. According to Gaza's Health Ministry, at least 183 Palestinians have lost their lives and another 377 sustained injuries as a result of Israeli military offensives in the enclave over the past 24 hours. The Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement, announced in a brief statement that its fighters had targeted an Israeli armored personnel carrier with a Yassin 105 anti-armor missile in the al-Amal neighborhood of Khan Younis. The Israeli military also asserted that its aircraft, tanks and infantry troops had killed at least 11 Palestinian fighters over the past 24 hours in battles in Khan Younis. The forces targeted fighters who were trying to plant explosives near troops and others firing rifles and rocket-propelled grenades at soldiers, a statement from the Israeli military asserted. Immediate ceasefire 'only way' to implement ICJ ruling Meanwhile, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said an immediate ceasefire is "the only way" to implement the ICJ interim ruling. It condemned the "continuation of the ongoing genocidal war against our people" in a statement, which it said shows "Israeli determination to complete the destruction of the Gaza Strip". It also highlighted the fact that not a single high-ranking Israeli official promised to abide by the ruling, and top officials, including Benjamin Netanyahu, promised to continue the war, effectively undermining the ruling. The ICJ order for Israel to prevent genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip has renewed calls for the suspension of weapons transfers to the occupying Tel Aviv regime. Legal experts stress that the ruling goes beyond Israel as it highlights the legal and political obligations that world countries must take to prevent the unfolding genocide in Gaza. That includes arms shipments to Israel that could be used in its war on Gaza. Israel launched hostilities in Gaza 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. More than 100 days into the campaign, the regime has achieved no objectives despite killing at least 26,083 people in Gaza, around 70 percent of them women and children. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Jan. 26: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Iran Press TV Saturday, 27 January 2024 9:34 AM By Press TV Website Staff Resistance groups in Palestine and across the region continue their operations against Israel and its Western backers amid the regime's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, which has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, mostly children and women. The operations carried out by the Palestinian and regional resistance groups on Friday, January 26, are as follows: Al-Qassam Brigades' operations on Jan. 26: Targeted an Israeli military force inside a building west of Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, with an anti-personnel rocket, resulting in the killing of one soldier and several injuries. Engaged in clashes with an Israeli infantry force consisting of eight soldiers in the Sheikh Ajleen area, southwest of Gaza City, causing casualties. Destroyed six Merkava tanks and a military D9-bulldozer in various battle zones throughout the besieged Gaza Strip. Ambushed and attacked seven Israeli soldiers at the entrance of a tunnel, northwest of Maghazi Camp, resulting in casualties. Targeted an Israeli military convoy with Yassin 105 shells, in Maghazi Camp, central Gaza. Al-Quds Brigades' operations on Jan. 26: Shot dead an Israeli soldier in the western axis of Khan Yunis city, southern Gaza. Shelled Israeli military vehicles and soldiers in them with a barrage of mortars in the western and southwest axes of Khan Yunis city. Shelled Ashkelon, Sderot, Nir Am, and other settlements in the northern Gaza Strip with rockets. Shot down an Israeli military drone during its spying mission, east of Shuja'iyya. Shelled an Israeli military site "Kusufim" with a salvo of rockets. Shelled Israeli regime soldiers east of the Bureij Camp. Shelled a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the vicinity of the "Abu Safiya" military site with mortars. Shelled a gathering of Israeli soldiers east of Al-Masdar village with several mortars. Targeted an Israeli military vehicle with a "Tandem" rocket, east of Maghazi Camp. Mujahideen Brigades' operations on Jan. 26: Shelled gatherings of Israeli forces in the eastern Bureij with multiple rockets. Shelled "Nahl Oz" with a rocket barrage. Shelled Yiftah" military site, headquarters of the 1st Battalion of the Israeli military's Northern Brigade in the Gaza Division. Al-Aqsa Brigades' operations on Jan. 26: Shelled gatherings of Israeli soldiers and their vehicles with mortars, west of Khan Yunis. Hezbollah's operations on Jan. 26: Eastern sector: At around 8:10 local time, a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the vicinity of Hunin Castle was targeted with appropriate weapons. At around 13:00 local time, the Maale Golan Barracks was targeted with Falaq 1 missiles. At around 16:10 local time, a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the Maale Golan Barracks was targeted with a large barrage of Katyusha rockets. At around 23:05 local time, the position and deployment of Israeli soldiers near Metulla were targeted with missiles. Western sector: At around 21:00 local time, a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the vicinity of the Birkat Risha site was pounded. At around 21:00 local time, a sniper targeted the newly created Israeli military surveillance site mounted in the Zarait barracks. At around 21:55 local time, the Zarit Barracks was targeted by a Burkan missile. At around 22:00 local time, a gathering of Israeli soldiers on Cobra Hill was targeted with two Burkan missiles. At around 22:40 local time, one of the buildings in the Avivim settlement was targeted with appropriate weapons. Iraqi resistance's operations on Jan. 26: Attacked the US occupation Ain al-Asad base in western Iraq with drones, causing large-scale damage and likely casualties. Targeted the US occupation base near Erbil Airport in northern Iraq with drones, causing large-scale damage and likely casualties. Attacked two US occupation bases in the Green Village and the Conoco field deep in Syria with drones, resulting in destruction. Yemeni military's operations on Jan. 26: British oil tanker Marlin Luanda was successfully targeted with missiles in the Gulf of Aden, resulting in massive fire and destruction. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah fighters destroy Israeli military surveillance system in 'night of fire' Iran Press TV Saturday, 27 January 2024 8:35 AM Fighters from the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement have targeted and destroyed a surveillance system at an Israeli military outpost, in response to the ongoing Israeli genocidal war on the besieged Gaza Strip. Lebanon's Arabic-language al-Mayadeen television news network, citing a Hezbollah statement, reported that the group struck the newly-installed system at an outpost in the town of Zar'it, close to the border with Lebanon, at around 9 p.m. local time (1900 GMT) on Friday. The development came shortly after Hezbollah announced in a separate statement that it had launched surface-to-surface Falaq-1 (Dusk-1) missiles, for the first time since the outbreak of the Israeli onslaught on Gaza, against Ma'ale Golani barracks in the west part of the occupied Golan Heights. Lebanese resistance fighters also targeted gatherings of Israeli forces stationed near the Hunin Castle in Margaliot in the northern part of occupied Palestinian territories near the Lebanon border. Moreover, Hezbollah rained down rockets and anti-tank guided missiles on other Israeli military sites and settlements, including Hanita barracks, Avivim settlement, Doviv settlement, Metula and the Shlomi settlement, for over an hour across the border. Israeli media described it as a "night of fire." These attacks came after the Israeli army launched air raids on several areas against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, including Beit Lif, in which four Hezbollah fighters lost their lives. The Israeli regime launched its devastating hostilities in the Gaza Strip on October 7 after the territory's Hamas-led Palestinian resistance groups carried out a surprise retaliatory attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, against the occupying entity. The Israeli military has also been carrying out attacks against the Lebanese territory since then, prompting retaliatory strikes from Lebanon's resistance movement Hezbollah in support of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. The movement has vowed to keep up its retaliatory operations as long as the Tel Aviv regime continues its onslaught on Gaza. The Israeli campaign in Gaza has killed at least 26,083 people, most of them children and women. Another 64,487 individuals have also been wounded. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US attacks Yemen after operation against UK tanker in solidarity with Palestinians Iran Press TV Saturday, 27 January 2024 7:29 AM US forces have attacked Yemen, hours after a British oil tanker was struck with a missile and set alight in the Gulf of Aden after transiting the Red Sea. The US military's Central Command (CENTCOM) said it had carried out a strike early Saturday morning on a Yemeni "anti-ship missile aimed into the Red Sea and which was prepared to launch." "Forces subsequently struck and destroyed the missile," it added in a statement published on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. On Friday evening, an oil tanker operated on behalf of the commodities group Trafigura was struck in the Red Sea by a missile, a company spokesperson said in a statement. Yemen's armed forces have declared US and British ships as legitimate targets after the two countries launched strikes at different locations across the Arab nation in support of Israel. Yemen has been targeting Israeli vessels in solidarity with the Palestinians in order to force Tel Aviv to stop its destructive war on Gaza. 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, which has offices in Britain, said. "Military ships in the region are underway to provide assistance." Trafigura said the vessel is flagged under the Marshall Islands. Yemeni Armed Forces later claimed responsibility for the attack, describing the vessel as a "British oil ship." Yemeni forces used a "number of appropriate naval missiles. The strike was direct and resulted in the burning of the vessel," the Yemeni military spokesperson Yahya Saree said in a statement. Earlier on Friday, Yemeni naval forces fired an anti-ship ballistic missile from Yemen towards the USS Carney destroyer in the Gulf of Aden, CENTCOM said. Yemenis have declared their open support for Palestine's struggle against the Israeli occupation since the regime launched a devastating war on Gaza on October 7 after the territory's Palestinian resistance movements carried out a surprise retaliatory attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, against the occupying entity. The United States and United Kingdom have been carrying out strikes against Yemen after the Biden administration and its allies offered the Tel Aviv regime unqualified support, and said that Yemeni forces bear the consequences of their attacks against Israeli-owned ships or merchant vessels heading to the occupied territories. Yemeni Armed Forces have said that they won't stop their attacks until unrelenting Israeli ground and aerial offensives in Gaza, which have killed at least 26,083 people and wounded another 64,487 individuals, come to an end. Leader of the Ansarullah resistance movement, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, has said that it is "a great honor and blessing to be confronting America directly." The attacks have forced some of the world's biggest shipping and oil companies to suspend transit through one of the world's most important maritime trade routes. Tankers are instead adding thousands of miles to international shipping routes by sailing around the continent of Africa rather than going through the Suez Canal. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US urges China to push Iran to pressure Houthis over Red Sea attacks Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Bangkok. By Alex Willemyns for RFA 2024.01.27 -- U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has asked Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to use Beijing's influence on Iran to push it to stop the Houthis in Yemen from attacking Red Sea trade routes. The appeal came during two days of meetings in Bangkok between the pair, according to a senior Biden administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity according to rules set by the White House. Over 12 hours, the pair also discussed Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Myanmar's civil war, North Korea, Israel's war with Hamas, the South China Sea, fentanyl and artificial intelligence, the official said. It was their first meeting since Oct. 26, when Wang visited Washington in the run-up to Chinese President Xi Jinping's trip to San Francisco in November for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, during which he also held direct talks with U.S. President Joe Biden. The official said the meeting was meant to build on the commitments made during that summit, including to reinstate military-to-military talks and to stem illicit Chinese exports of precursors for fentanyl, which has been called a leading cause of death for American adults. A working group on counternarcotics would be established on Tuesday and both Military-Maritime Consultative Agreement Meetings and talks about regulating artificial intelligence would be held in the Spring. "The two sides are committed to continuing these strategic channels of communication," the official said, adding there would be "a telephone call between the two leaders at some point in the coming months." Diplomatic telephone On the apparently widening conflict in the Middle East that began with the attack on Israel by Hamas on Oct. 7, the White House official said Sullivan had pressed Wang to use Beijing's influence on Iran to push it to end attacks by Houthis on trade ships transiting the Red Sea. The Houthis' latest attack took place Friday and this time directly targeted a U.S. warship, the USS Carney, which was patrolling the area to try to prevent further attacks in the lucrative trade route. Both Hamas and the Houthis have been labeled "proxies" of Iran by the United States, with Tehran not viewed as having direct control of either group but being accused of funding and training both. The Houthis, meanwhile, are accused of targeting trade ships off Yemen's coast in response to Israel's invasion of Hamas-controlled Gaza. As a major trading nation, China had its own interests in stopping the attacks on the Red Sea route and had the ability to pressure Iran as one of the biggest buyers of its oil, the White House official said. "We would characterize both the economic and trade relationship as giving Beijing leverage over Iran to some extent. How they choose to use that, of course, is China's choice," the official said. "Iran's influence over the Houthis, and the Houthis' destabilization of global shipping, raises serious concerns not just for the U.S. and China but for global trade," they added. "There should be a clear interest in China in trying to quiet some of those attacks." The civil war in Myanmar was also discussed by Sullivan and Wang, building off talks between Sullivan and Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Friday, during which the official said Sullivan "stressed the importance" of getting humanitarian aid into Myanmar. However, the official said the United States was less hopeful about China's assistance in pushing North Korea to end its growing nuclear weapons program or its recent provision of ballistic missiles to Russia. "I'm not sure I would characterize anything recently as constructive," the official said, adding the United States still hoped China would come round to helping "bring us back to the path of denuclearization." Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content January not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address IDF Conducts New Raids Against Hamas in Gaza's Khan Yunis, Eliminates Multiple Fighters Sputnik News 20240127 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had continued raids on Hamas targets in the city of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, eliminating many armed fighters. The IDF also said its units killed several Hamas fighters armed with assault rifles and rocket launchers in the city. In November, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said that Hamas had been defeated in the northern part of the enclave and the Israeli military would now mover to the center and south of the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military claims that about 9,000 Hamas fighters were eliminated in the three months since the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip. Various estimates put the total number of Hamas troops between 30,000 and 40,000. On October 7, the Gaza Strip-controlling Hamas movement launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel and breached the border, attacking both civilian neighborhoods and military bases. As a result, over 1,200 people in Israel were killed and some 240 others abducted. Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. Almost 26,000 people have been killed so far in the Gaza Strip as a result of Israeli strikes, local authorities said. On November 24, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the prisoners and hostages, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1. More than 100 hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address One person has lost life during an attack on church in Istanbul's Sar?yer district, during a service on Sunday, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said, adding that "large-scale investigation into the issue and efforts to catch the attackers have been initiated," Azernews reports citing Daily Sabah. "Today around 11.40 a.m. during the service at the Santa Maria Church in Sar?yer's Buyukdere neighborhood, C.T. among those attending the ritual was attacked with a gun by two masked people and unfortunately lost their life," Yerlikaya said in a post on his official social media account on X platform, formerly Twitter. "A large-scale investigation into the issue and efforts to catch the attackers have been initiated," he added. "We strongly condemn this vile attack," the minister said. The world-famous British supermodel of Afro-Jamaican and Chinese-Jamaican descent Naomi Campbell graced the March issue of the British magazine ELLE. For the famous glossy, the 53-year-old catwalk star posed in a black fluffy dress by the London-based Torisheju brand, and held a jacket by Ukrainian designer Lilia Litkovska. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported on the LITKOVSKA brand's Instagram page. Thus, the supermodel demonstrated a spectacular jacket called KIKIMORA from the REBIRTH collection. The most impressive element of the product is the sleeve decorated with a huge haystack. It is known that the black jacket was first presented at Paris Fashion Week in September 2023. For Campbell herself, this shoot was particularly symbolic. It was ELLE that was one of the first magazines to reveal the name of the model who later became one of the most famous and successful. The beauty posed for the pages of this glossy when she was 15 years old. "Life has a way of coming full circle, reminding us that every step we take eventually brings us back to where we started but with a deeper understanding and a wiser heart. I am grateful to have started this year with the cover of the March issue of Elle magazine. My first magazine cover was with Elle UK back in 1985 when I was just 15 years old. It seems like a lifetime ago, and we are still here, still making miracles together!" the celebrity commented. ADVERTISIMENT As you know, Lilia Litkovska founded her eponymous brand back in 2009. Since then, she has achieved a lot. In particular, in 2013, the designer was included in the Vogue Talents list as one of the most promising young designers in the world. At the same time, her brand debuted on the international market with a show during Paris Fashion Week. Only verified information on our Telegram OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Hezbollah Struck 9 Israeli Army Positions Near Border Sputnik News 20240127 CAIRO (Sputnik) - Lebanese movement Hezbollah said on Saturday it had conducted strikes against nine positions of the Israeli armed forces near the border on January 26. Missiles and other weapons were used in the attack, the movement said in a statement. Earlier in the day, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that it had identified a series of launches from Lebanon, which resulted in no casualties, adding that its artillery fired in response. The situation in southern Lebanon deteriorated after the start of Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli army and Hezbollah fighters regularly exchange fire in areas along the border. On October 7, the Gaza Strip-controlling Hamas movement launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel and breached the border, attacking both civilian neighborhoods and military bases. As a result, over 1,200 people in Israel were killed and some 240 others abducted. Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. Almost 26,000 people have been killed so far in the Gaza Strip as a result of Israeli strikes, local authorities said. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address READOUT: Under Secretary Brian Nelson's Roundtable with Humanitarian Groups on Ansrallah ("Houthis") Designation U.S. Department of the Treasury January 27, 2024 WASHINGTON -- On January 25, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson convened a roundtable with representatives of non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and U.S. government implementers to discuss the designation of Ansarallah ("Houthis") and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issuance of five additional general licenses. Under Secretary Nelson condemned the Houthis' attacks on civilian shipping, while emphasizing Treasury's continued commitment to ensure that U.S. sanctions do not stand in the way of humanitarian activities and the delivery of essential commercial goods to the people of Yemen. Roundtable participants highlighted the importance of engagement with the commercial sector to ensure that the people of Yemen continue to have access to essential goods and services. Under Secretary Nelson committed to work proactively with the private sector and humanitarian actors to preserve these activities. During the roundtable, representatives from OFAC described relevant available general licenses (GLs) in the Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations. In December 2022, Treasury issued or amended GLs to ease the delivery of humanitarian aid and ensure a baseline of authorizations for the provision of humanitarian support across many sanctions programs. In response to feedback received from humanitarian actors about the importance of certain commercial activities to their operations, OFAC issued five additional general licenses in conjunction with the announcement of the Houthis' designation to further minimize disruptions to the flow of humanitarian assistance, essential commercial goods, and personal remittances to Yemen. Those licenses are: General License 22 "Transactions Related to the Provision of Agricultural Commodities, Medicine, Medical Devices, Replacement Parts and Components, or Software Updates Involving Ansarallah" General License 23 "Authorizing Transactions Related to Telecommunications, Mail, and Certain Internet-Based Communications Involving Ansarallah" General License 24 "Authorizing Noncommercial, Personal Remittances Involving Ansarallah" General License 25 "Authorizing Transactions Related to Refined Petroleum Products in Yemen Involving Ansarallah" General License 26 "Authorizing Certain Transactions Necessary to Port and Airport Operations Involving Ansarallah." In addition to these GLs, OFAC issued public guidance in the form of a Frequently Asked Question available here. This FAQ reiterates that Yemen is not subject to jurisdiction-based sanctions, nor will it become subject to jurisdiction-based sanctions on February 16, 2024. OFAC will issue further guidance on this designation in the near term. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Serious allegations against UNRWA staff in the Gaza Strip UNRWA 27 Jan 2024 26 January 2024 From Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General AMMAN, "The Israeli Authorities have provided UNRWA with information about the alleged involvement of several UNRWA employees in the horrific attacks on Israel on 7 October. "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. 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". ENDs- Background Information: UNRWA is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. The United Nations General Assembly established UNRWA in 1949 with a mandate to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to registered Palestine refugees in the Agency's area of operations pending a just and lasting solution to their plight. UNRWA operates in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, The Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. Tens of thousands of Palestine refugees who lost their homes and livelihoods due to the 1948 conflict continue to be displaced and in need of support, nearly 75 years on. UNRWA helps Palestine Refugees achieve their full potential in human development through quality services it provides in education, health care, relief and social services, protection, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Netanyahu Says Israel Will 'Act According to What Is Required' for Security By VOA News January 27, 2024 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defiantly declared Saturday that Israel will "decide and act according to what is required for [its] security" in response to the International Court of Justice rebuke of Israel regarding the extent of death and destruction in Gaza. Since the ICJ ruling Friday, Israel's military is under increasing scrutiny to comply with the court's report. In a majority ruling of at least 15 out of 17 judges, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide against the Palestinians and do more to help civilians. The court's binding ruling, however, stopped short of ordering a cease-fire. Earlier Saturday, 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, also known as the UNRWA. So far, nine countries have paused funding to the aid agency after Israel's 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. Agency chief Philippe Lazzarini said it would be "immensely irresponsible" to sanction the agency and the community it serves at such a desperate time for Palestinians, especially after the agency swiftly fired the "small group" of staffers. The 13,000-strong agency, which relies almost entirely on countries' contributions, said it now runs shelters for upwards of 1 million people, and its lifeline "can collapse anytime now." Set up to help refugees of the 1948 war at Israel's 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. 174 Palestinians killed in 24 hours 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 Gaza's southern Khan Younis area. Witnesses said Saturday that three Palestinians were killed in an airstrike that Israel's 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 on Saturday. Over the past week, it said its commandos killed more than 100 militants and raided weapons warehouses. Hamas said its fighters launched 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. Israel's 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 by phone with hospital directors and medical staff 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. Netanyahu pressures Qatar about hostages Netanyahu intensified public pressure on Qatar to broker the release of the hostages in Gaza on Saturday, saying the Gulf emirate should apply the leverage it has as a host and funder of the Hamas militants holding them. "Qatar hosts the leaders of Hamas. It also funds Hamas. It has leverage over Hamas," Netanyahu said in a televised news conference. "So, they should be so good as to apply their pressure. They positioned themselves as mediators so please go right ahead, let them be so good as to bring back our hostages." Netanyahu's remarks came on the eve of what Reuters sources have described as a meeting at an undisclosed location among the Qatari prime minister and intelligence chiefs from Israel, the United States and Egypt to discuss a potential new deal 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. 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel is preparing to attack Lebanon: Report IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 28, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- A Lebanese television network has revealed citing sources on Saturday night that the Zionist regime is preparing for a large-scale attack deep into Lebanon amid growing tensions between the two sides since the launch of Israel's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip. The LBC television channel said that an Arab country without mentioning its name or source told Hezbollah officials in a confidential message about Israel's planned attack on Lebanon with the aim to create chaos in the country. Israeli media have also reported the movements of the Zionist forces along Lebanon's southern border, saying thousands of soldiers who left Gaza have reached the areas along Lebanon and hundreds of tanks also moved towards Lebanon. Itamar Ben Guer, a far-right Israeli minister, in an interview with Channel 14 on January 24 also acknowledged the regime's plan, saying the attack of the Zionist army on Lebanon's Hezbollah and the continuation of the war against the Gaza Strip will keep going. A few days after the launch of the Israeli war on Gaza on October 7, Lebanon's Hezbollah was the first resistance group to officially join the Al-Aqsa storm operation by carrying out attacks Israeli targets in the occupied Palestinian territories. Hezbollah and the Israeli regime have been exchanging artillery and rocket fire almost on a daily basis over the past three months. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address ICJ ruling on Gaza genocide reflects our demand: Erdogan IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 28, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has welcomed an interim ruling delivered by the International Court of Justice over the Gaza genocide case that was filed by South Africa against the Zionist regime. "The decision of the International Court of Justice reflects our slogan that the world is bigger than the five countries (permanent members of the United Nations Security Council) with veto", Erdogan said while reacting to the ruling by the top UN court. He asked Israel to pay attention to the voices of society and international institutions and immediately stop its attacks and killings of Palestinians. Erdogan welcomed the provisional decision of The Hague court, describing it as "valuable". "We will continue to follow the court process to ensure that the war crimes committed against innocent Palestinians do not go unpunished," he said. Many countries, including Iran and some European nations have hailed a special verdict announced by the world court over South Africa's complaint against the Israeli regime for committing genocide in Gaza. They called on the Zionist regime to abide by the ruling. According to the ruling, the Israeli regime must take necessary measures to prevent crimes of genocide and improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ansarullah warns US, UK against Yemen invasion IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 28, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- A top official of Yemen's Ansarullah Movement has warned that any ground invasion of his country by American and British forces would expand the domain of Yemeni attacks in the strategic water off the country's west coast. Mohammed Al-Bakhiti a member of Ansarullah's political office told the Al-Mayadeen network that the Yemeni armed forces would stop attacks on Israel-bound ships given that the United States, Britain and the Zionist regime stop deadly aggression in Gaza. "Military operations against the Zionist regime will not stop until the aggression against Gaza is stopped", he reiterated. This Ansarullah official also reported an attack on a British warship that was closer to an American ship. Our desire is to fight directly with the Americans", he underlined, referring to the US aggression against Yemen over the country's support for Palestinians. Yemeni operations continue US Central Command confirmed the Yemeni army's missile attack on another ship in the Red Sea on Sunday morning. In a statement quoted by Al Jazeera, CENTCOM said the Yemeni army targeted a Marshall Islands-flagged ship with an anti-ship ballistic missile in the Gulf of Aden. "The attack caused a big fire on the vessel, which was extinguished with the help of American, Indian and French navies", the statement said, adding that the ship continued its voyage by returning to its previous route. The attacks came hours after the Yemeni army confirmed that it had hit a British oil tanker that initially claimed to be heading for Greece but its actual destination was later ascertained to be an Israeli port. The Yemeni army has targeted over two dozen Israeli ships or those bound for ports in occupied Palestine in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait in support of the Palestinian resistance against the ongoing Israeli genocide in the Gaza Strip. The Yemeni army says it remains committed until the Israeli regime stops its attacks and ends its blockade on Gaza. False US claim Meanwhile, a US representative for Yemen affairs claimed on Saturday night that the Yemeni army and Ansarullah's actions in the Red Sea complicate the effort to transfer aid to the Gaza Strip. Tim Lenderking to Al Jazeera that the Ansarullah must know that peace cannot be achieved while threatening the world economy. The claim of the US representative for Yemen affairs has raised questions about Washington's own policies in the region, especially by giving its all-out support for the Israeli regime. The US is also accused of threatening regional peace by fomenting various war and helping the Zionist regime in its genocidal war on the people of Gaza. Also, in recent weeks, the United States and Britain have launched aggression against Yemen in violation of international law and the UN charter. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN Immediately Began Probing Allegations Linking Staff to Hamas, Official Says By VOA News January 28, 2024 United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement Sunday that an investigation by the U.N. Office of Internal Oversight Services was "immediately activated," following allegations that 12 staff members of the U.N. Relief and Works Agency, the organization's Palestinian refugee agency, were involved in the October 7 Hamas terror attacks on Israel. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini "immediately identified and terminated" nine of the implicated people, Guterres said. One person is confirmed dead, and the identities of two other people are "being clarified," according to the secretary-general. Any U.N. employee found to have been involved with acts of terror will be held accountable, Guterres said, "including through criminal prosecution." He said the U.N. "is ready to cooperate with a competent authority able to prosecute individuals in line with the Secretariat's normal procedures for such cooperation." On January 17, UNRWA had announced a full, independent review of the organization, Guterres said. Guterres also appealed to the countries that have suspended their UNRWA funding, following the allegations about UNRWA staff, to continue their contributions for the 2 million civilians in Gaza who depend on UNRWA for their daily survival and for the tens of thousands of men and women who work for UNRWA, "many in some of the most dangerous situations for humanitarian workers." Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz called Saturday for UNRWA to be "replaced with agencies dedicated to genuine peace and development." In a social media post, Katz urged that countries follow the example of the United States, Australia, Canada, Britain, Italy and Finland in pausing UNRWA funding. So far, nine countries have paused funding to the agency. UNRWA chief Lazzarini said it would be "immensely irresponsible" to sanction the agency and the community it serves at such a desperate time for Palestinians, especially after the agency swiftly fired the "small group" of staffers. The 13,000-strong agency, which relies almost entirely on countries' contributions, said it now runs shelters for upwards of 1 million people, and its lifeline "can collapse anytime now." Set up to help refugees of the 1948 war at Israel's 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. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defiantly declared Saturday that Israel will "decide and act according to what is required for [its] security," in response to the International Court of Justice rebuke of Israel regarding the extent of death and destruction in Gaza. Since the ruling Friday, Israel's military is under increasing scrutiny to comply with the court's report. In a majority ruling of at least 15 out of 17 judges, the court ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide against the Palestinians and do more to help civilians. The court's binding ruling, however, stopped short of ordering a cease-fire. Gaza casualties The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said Saturday that 174 Palestinians were killed and 310 were wounded in the previous 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 Gaza's southern Khan Younis area. Witnesses said Saturday that three Palestinians were killed in an airstrike that Israel's 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 on Saturday. Over the past week, it said its commandos killed more than 100 militants and raided weapons warehouses. Hamas said its fighters launched 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. Israel's 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 by phone with hospital directors and medical staff 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. Hostage negotiations Netanyahu intensified public pressure on Qatar to broker the release of the hostages in Gaza on Saturday, saying the Gulf emirate should apply the leverage it has as a host and funder of the Hamas militants holding them. "Qatar hosts the leaders of Hamas. It also funds Hamas. It has leverage over Hamas," Netanyahu said in a televised news conference. "So, they should be so good as to apply their pressure. They positioned themselves as mediators so please go right ahead, let them be so good as to bring back our hostages." Netanyahu's remarks came on the eve of what Reuters sources have described as a meeting at an undisclosed location among the Qatari prime minister and intelligence chiefs from Israel, the United States and Egypt to discuss a potential new deal 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. 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Operation Iron Swords - Day 113 - 27 January 2024 Today is Holocaust Memorial Day , the day for everyone to remember the millions of people murdered in the Holocaust, under Nazi Persecution, Jews Roma and Sinti people, disabled people, gay people, political opponents and others, and in the genocides which followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur. The two ministers in the Israeli War Council, Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot, confirmed that the return of detainees in the Gaza Strip is a top priority, during a meeting with the families of the prisoners. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz quoted an informed source as saying that Hamas and Israel had reached understandings on most of the terms of the prisoner exchange deal agreement, and the outstanding issue is whether or not there will be a ceasefire at the end of the truce, as it will last for 35 days and will include the release of all Israeli prisoners. CIA Director Williams Burns will meet in Paris with senior officials from Egypt, Israel, and Qatar to try to reach an agreement on the release of detainees in the Gaza Strip, amid leaks indicating the possibility of reaching an agreement between the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas) . ) and Israel. A security source from a country participating in the negotiations confirmed information reported by the American newspaper The Washington Post, stating that President Joe Biden intends in the near future to send Burns to Europe to try to negotiate the release of detainees in Gaza in exchange for a two-month truce. Burns, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, Mossad chief David Barnea, and Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel are scheduled to meet in the coming days in Europe, to discuss efforts to obtain an agreement to release the detainees. It is expected that Burns' discussions in Europe will depend on his phone conversations with his counterparts, in addition to the work of the US special envoy to the Middle East, Brett McGurk, who this week held related meetings in Doha and Cairo. The Washington Post revealed that Burns was being sent to Europe to help reach an ambitious agreement that includes the release of Israeli detainees in the Gaza Strip and a ceasefire for the longest period since the start of the war. According to the newspaper, the talks will address the longest period of cessation of the conflict in Gaza, and the release of all prisoners, while the newspaper did not address the duration of the expected cessation of the conflict. The White House expressed its hope that progress would be made in talks to release detainees held by Hamas in Gaza, in light of McGurk's return to Washington after concluding a visit to the region. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that McGurk returned after holding talks about prisoners and detainees in the region, and stressed that there is no imminent announcement in this regard. Israel does not want a permanent ceasefire at the current stage as long as he does not achieve the goal of weakening Hamas, supported by the American position. Israel does not want to pledge a complete withdrawal from Gaza, as long as he does not complete his mission there, even though the American position wants Israel to do so, but gives an unspecified deadline to accomplish. Israel does not want to adhere to the "all for all" principle. Israeli Channel 12 reported Hamas conditions for a new prisoner exchange deal: 100 Palestinian prisoners for every Israeli prisoner. Complete withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Gaza Strip. A lull of 10-14 days before releasing any Israeli prisoner. A two-month cooling-off period between each stage of the deal. Hamas does not mind that the deal begins with the release of civilian groups, such as: women, the elderly, and the sick, and the number of these may reach 40, provided that this is part of a comprehensive vision for a deal that ends with a ceasefire, and it rejects that this be merely a stage that Netanyahu takes advantage of to relieve public pressure on him and then the war resumes. Movement requires: The first phase begins with a ceasefire, until the full deal is completed. Any deal must end with a comprehensive ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of the occupation forces from the Gaza Strip. The existence of guarantees regarding Israel not attacking Gaza, or re-arresting released Palestinians. Hamas "sought a truce that would last for several months, while Israel wanted to release all detainees within weeks." Over the past few weeks, American and Qatari mediators were able to bring the two sides closer to agreeing on a 30-day process, which includes the release of all detainees, the entry of more aid into Gaza, and the release of Palestinian prisoners. Hamas still possesses a military force with which it can inflict significant losses on the occupation, as evidenced by the raid operation in which 21 Israeli soldiers were killed at once, through a double bombing of a tank and a house with explosives belonging to the occupation soldiers. Such specific operations will increase the repercussions of the crisis inside Israel, by During the escalation of demands to conclude a comprehensive deal with Hamas, even if it leads to stopping the war. A senior Hamas official told Reuters that one of the offers made by Israel was to end the war if Hamas removed 6 senior leaders from Gaza, but he added that Hamas absolutely rejects this proposal. The source said that the list includes the masterminds of the Al-Aqsa flood attacks, who are: the head of the Hamas movement in Gaza, Yahya Al-Sinwar , the head of the military apparatus , Muhammad Al-Deif , in addition to the leader Marwan Issa , in addition to the military commander, Muhammad Al-Sinwar . In addition to two other names of Phalange leaders that were previously mentioned by Israeli sources: Rafi Salama and Izz al-Din al-Haddad. However, it is important to point out that this proposal was not included in any of the initiatives, but rather was conveyed orally through mediators. The Hamas movement, which has the prisoner card, in addition to the effectiveness of the resistance, faces a complex situation that requires it to rush to stop the war, represented by the possibility of running out of ammunition over time, in addition to the stifling suffering that the Palestinian people are experiencing under the stifling siege, in addition to the heavy civilian losses. Moreover, the end of the bet on raising the ceiling of the so-called axis of resistance to effective participation in the battle, and the opening of fronts for fighting, especially in Lebanon with the entity, in a way that may lead to reducing pressure on Gaza, and perhaps stopping the war in the end. Hamas wants the United States, Egypt and Qatar to ensure implementation, and is concerned that the Netanyahu government will resume fighting once Hamas releases civilian detainees, even if Israeli soldiers remain detained. An American source also told Reuters that Hamas sought during this round to release all Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons, including those who participated in the attacks of last October 7 (an all-for-all deal), which Israel still opposes. The Financial Times newspaper revealed that the British government proposed a 5-point plan to end the war in the Gaza Strip , and Britain raised the proposal with America, Europe and the Arab countries. The newspaper explained that British Foreign Secretary David Cameron discussed the plan this week with Palestinian and Israeli leaders. Britain's plan calls for stopping hostilities, releasing hostages, and negotiating a permanent ceasefire. It also calls for defining a political horizon for establishing a Palestinian state and forming a competent government to manage the West Bank and Gaza. According to the proposal, the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) must release all detainees and commit to stopping attacks against Israel, which the countries of the region will guarantee. The proposal includes that senior Hamas leaders in Gaza, including Hamas head in Gaza Yahya Sinwar , leave the Strip for another country. In this context, a British official quoted by the newspaper said, What we are trying to do is to establish the idea that when you get this temporary pause, you have to work hard to turn it into a permanent ceasefire, and focus on realistic and achievable things that can actually lead to a ceasefire that is permanent and sustainable." According to a comment by the Financial Times, the United Kingdom believes that its plan is complementary to other initiatives, and has raised it with the governments of the United States and Europe, as well as Arab countries. "I think there is a growing consensus in the international community that the hostage deal and the temporary ceasefire are the keys to the chance of reaching a permanent ceasefire," the British official said. Operational Update A report by the American NBC network stated that Gershon Baskin, who brokered the Shalit deal, said, Sinwar will not repeat Yasser Arafats experience in 1982 and will not accept his deportation outside the Gaza Strip. He will continue to fight until the end, and he may prefer death and he is not afraid of that, because He believes that life in this world is short, but living in heaven will be eternal. The Wall Street Journal also revealed a secret US intelligence report indicating that the Hamas movement still possesses enough ammunition to strike Israel for months to come, and that the goal of destroying the movement has not been achieved, despite the intense Israeli air and ground campaign in the Gaza Strip. Therefore, Netanyahu is under a state of pressure that may push him to make concessions, and this is what many security experts are calling for, especially with the escalation of resistance operations. Expert Nahum Barnea says, The conclusion is clear: there are no absolute victories in the rounds of wars in the Palestinian arena. What we have learned in our wars is that whoever aspires to achieve more things than he is able to achieve on the battlefield, disaster will befall him. Violent Israeli artillery shelling continued since the early morning hours on Khan Yunis and Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip , amid a harsh wave of rain that the displaced are facing in their flooded tents, and the disappointment they feel over the International Court of Justice not imposing a ceasefire. Israeli bombing was also renewed in the vicinity of Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, which the Israeli forces have been besieging for days and preventing the evacuation of medical staff, the displaced, and the injured. Local sources confirmed hearing the sounds of violent clashes between the resistance fighters and the Israeli forces in several areas in Khan Yunis, while the Al- Qassam Brigades announced that they had targeted an Israeli troop carrier with an Al-Yassin 105 missile in the Al-Amal neighborhood, west of Khan Yunis. The HAMAS government media office in Gaza said that 70% of the medical aid entering the Strip cannot be used and is outside the priorities of medical teams. Doctors in the Gaza Strip had previously indicated that the medical aid they received contained tests for the Coronavirus. Military and strategic expert Major General Fayez Al-Duwairi confirmed that the Israeli tanks targeted by fighters of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades - the military wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) - in Khan Yunis are located in crowded residential areas, which makes them an easy target for the resistance fighters. Al Jazeera broadcast new scenes it obtained of the battles between the Al-Qassam Brigades and the Israeli army in Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip , and showed resistance fighters destroying vehicles of the occupation army. Al-Duwairi said that the occupation army believes that the decisive targets it seeks to reach are in these areas, especially the leaders of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the Israeli detainees held by the resistance, and the Israeli detainees in Gaza. He pointed out that the political leadership in Israel is determined to continue the war on Gaza, despite the ambiguity of the goals that the occupation army seeks to achieve. Decisive battles are taking place between the Palestinian resistance and the occupation forces in Khan Yunis Governorate, and Al-Duwairi confirmed that the focus is limited to the city of Khan Yunis, which is being attacked from 3 directions: north, west and south. Regarding what Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant and Chief of Staff Herzi Halevy said about the end of major military operations in the northern Gaza Strip, the military expert recalled contradictory statements by the same two ministers. The Minister of Defense stated more than two weeks ago that Israel had achieved its goals in the war, saying: We dismantled the Hamas organization, destroyed 700 rocket launchers, and killed 9,000 out of 14,000 Palestinian resistance fighters. However, the Chief of Staff later made the opposite statement, saying: The process of withdrawal of Israeli forces will allow Hamas to reorganize its ranks in the northern Gaza Strip. According to the military expert, the occupation army did not eliminate Hamas, but the management of the battle differed by the resistance, as they began to rely on an approach that had not been applied before. Al-Duwairi said that the main battlefield of the Palestinian resistance and the occupation forces is taking place in the southern region of the Strip. He stated that the northern region of the Gaza Strip is witnessing clashes and limited incursions by the Israeli occupation forces in order to achieve certain goals, which is the same role they were playing before the battles of Jabalia and al-Tuffah. Limited clashes are also taking place in northwest Gaza. As for the central region, after the occupation forces suffered major setbacks, the 99th Division, which was replaced by the 36th Division, succeeded in establishing a different military approach, by separating the camps, Al-Bureij from Al-Nuseirat, Al-Nuseirat from Al-Zawaida, Al-Zawaida from Al-Maghazi, and Al-Maghazi from Al-Bureij. Although the 99th Division - Al-Duwairi adds - surrounded the camps area, it has not yet been able to enter it, indicating that most of what is happening there are clashes and attempts to carry out infiltration operations, even though the occupation has 3 main brigades and elite units in this area. As for the southern region of the Gaza Strip, specifically Khan Yunis, it is the main location, in the opinion of the military and strategic expert, noting that the occupation was unable to establish itself there, despite the deployment of new forces, and despite the bombing operations and the destruction of residential areas. Regarding the video broadcastby the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades - the military wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) - of battles with the Israeli army in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, Al-Duwairi pointed out that most of the weapons used by the resistance in its battles are homemade and were carried out inside tunnels, and all of them were adopted. What Al-Duwairi called the reverse engineering approach, stressing that the resistance succeeded in finding modest but effective means. Al-Duwairi added - in his daily military analysis - that most of the destruction of Israeli vehicles is carried out with BBG or Tandum shells, which are more or less the same design. An investigative report in the French newspaper Le Monde stated that crossing the Rafah crossing - the only way out of the hell of Gaza - has become a lucrative business for those who benefit from the war and an unbearable burden for those who want to leave. The report, prepared by writer Ilan Salon, stated that a network of intermediaries and travel agencies sell exit permits from the Gaza Strip to Egypt at exorbitant prices amounting to several thousand dollars. As the Israeli army tightened its grip on the southern Gaza Strip, after more than 100 days of war that claimed the lives of more than 25,000 Palestinians, the number of these intermediaries increased even among those who could benefit from the evacuation mechanism established in November 2023 for foreign citizens. and wounded Palestinians, to collect exorbitant sums of money to leave the Gaza Strip. According to an investigation conducted by the Corruption and Organized Crime Reporting Project and the Sahih Misr website, intermediaries sell these permits for amounts ranging between $4,500 and $10,000 to Palestinians, and between $650 and $1,200 to Egyptian citizens. Independent brokers, with sometimes questionable credentials, embarked on this highly lucrative business. The writer stated that investigators from the Corruption and Organized Crime Reporting Project and the Sahih Misr website contacted 15 Palestinians and Egyptians who used these mediators. Only two of them were able to leave the Gaza Strip, and each of them paid $4,500. Three others were defrauded by intermediaries and lost their money, while others are still seeking to collect the required amount by selling their gold or personal property, borrowing from relatives, or Online fundraising. This is the case of Rasha Ibrahim, from whom the mediator asked for more than $40,000 to get her out of the Gaza Strip with her husband and their three children. The existence of a parallel system that allows Gaza residents to purchase transit permits to Egypt is not a new matter. Since 2007, the opening of the Rafah crossing has been random. Egypt closed it almost completely after 2013 until May 2018, when restrictions were eased. In 2018, a report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs noted the existence of a dual-list system, allowing Gazans to obtain a transit permit more quickly than others. In the town of Beit Furik, east of the city of Nablus in the northern West Bank, confrontations broke out between Palestinian youth and the Israeli occupation forces, which stormed the town with their vehicles and conducted patrols in several neighbourhoods. This led to the outbreak of these confrontations, as the youth threw stones and empty bottles towards the invading forces. For its part, the Al- Aqsa Martyrs Brigades - the military wing of the Palestinian National Liberation Movement ( Fatah ) - announced that it targeted the Beit Furik checkpoint east of Nablus with a heavy barrage of bullets at dawn. Palestinian medical sources said that a young man was martyred after he was shot by Israeli occupation forces during their storming of the village of Deir Abu Daif, east of the city of Jenin, while confrontations broke out between Palestinian resistance fighters and the occupation forces in several areas in the West Bank. The Palestinian Red Crescent said that the occupation forces stormed the village of Deir Abu Daif, closed its entrances, and fired live bullets and gas bombs at Palestinian youth, which led to the outbreak of confrontations between the youth and the forces storming the center of the village. Qassam Ahmed Abdel Karim Yassin (27 years old) died of his wounds after being hit by live bullets in the abdomen. He was taken to the hospital in serious condition. Following the announcement of Yassins martyrdom, a march took place in front of the hospital, with participants carrying the martyrs body on their shoulders, amidst chanting slogans denouncing the occupations crime against him, and the crimes it is committing against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon announced that it had targeted the headquarters of an Israeli secret unit at the Zabdine barracks in the occupied Shebaa Farms with a "Falaq 1" missile. They also targeted spy equipment at the Maroun al-Ras site and an assembly of Israeli Occupation Forces near the "Shomera" barracks using appropriate weapons, confirming direct hits. Prior to that, the Resistance had targeted the "Khirbet Ma'ar" site as well as three gatherings of Israeli occupation soldiers. The first was in the vicinity of the "Dovev" barracks, the second in the south of the occupied Abbad site, and the third in the vicinity of the occupied Jal al-Alam site using Burkan rockets. Reportedly, the operations achieved direct hits. In turn, Israeli media reported that sirens went off in northern "Israel", following suspicions of a possible drone infiltration. Furthermore, the Al Mayadeen correspondent in southern Lebanon reported that an Israeli airstrike targeted the town of Ayta al-Shaab. Additionally, Israeli artillery targeted Rashaya Al-Fakhar and Hebbariyeh. An Israeli occupation drone also targeted the outskirts of the town of al-Naqoura. v In support of the Palestinian people and their Resistance, Hezbollah launched multiple attacks on Israeli military sites in occupied Lebanese and Palestinian territories. Importantly, the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon announced that it used Falaq-1-type rockets to target one of the sites, which marked a first since Hezbollah launched its operations in support of the Palestinian people on October 8. At 8:10 am, Hezbollah's fighters launched an attack on a grouping of Israeli soldiers positioned in the vicinity of the Hounin Castle, using the appropriate weapons. The castle is located in the Israeli-occupied Lebanese town of Hounin in al-Jalil Panhandle. Moreover, the group launched several attacks on the Israeli Barracks, "Ma'aleh Golan". The Resistance said it launched the first attack on the Barracks, which is surrounded by multiple other military sites and military installations, at 1:00 pm (local time). Hezbollah fighters attacked the Barracks with multiple Falaq-1 rockets. The second attack was launched at 4:10 pm (local time) and consisted of a "large barrage" of "Katyuhsa" rockets, a term that the Resistance uses to reference improved rocket artillery fired from multiple rocket launchers. In this attack, Hezbollah fighters targeted several groupings of Israeli occupation soldiers located in the Barracks and its vicinity. Later on Friday night, Hezbollah attacked a grouping of Israeli soldiers in the "Birket Risha" military site, confirming a direct hit on the soldiers at 9:00 pm. Hezbollah snipers also fired at and destroyed recently installed Israeli spyware, in the "Zar'it" Barracks. Shortly after, at 9:00 pm, the same Barracks came under attack with a Burkan rocket, and it was directly hit. At 10:00 pm, a gathering of Israeli occupation soldiers on "Cobra Hill" was attacked with two Burkan rockets, achieving a direct hit. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq targeted the Ain al-Assad base in Anbar in western Iraq with a drone. The Iraqi resistance announced that it would continue to target American military bases because of its full support for the Zionist entity in the war crimes committed by this entity against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. The United States launched a new strike against Yemen, targeting the Ras Issa area in Al-Hudaydah Governorate, western Yemen, with two raids. The US Army claimed to have destroyed an anti-ship missile that was prepared to be launched into the Red Sea. On the other hand, the British maritime security company Ambrey said that a security team on board a commercial ship exchanged fire with gunmen traveling in a small boat that approached the ship near the Omani coast. Maps All maps are lies. Not only is it easy to lie with maps, it is essential, wrote cartographer Mark Monmoneir in his book How to Lie with Maps. He showed that condensing complex, three-dimensional spaces onto a two-dimensional sheet of paper is bound to be reductive. But it is impossible to comprehend the war in Gaza without reference to maps, otherwise the entire conflict is reduced to an endless series of meaningless acts of random violence and the suffering of civilians. The first characteristic of guerrilla warfare is the loss of a front line. Evidently, different mappers have different ideas of how to depict the war in Gaza, notably those that seek to depict Israeli progress in the ground campaign. Part of the problem is latency. The news that forms the basis of the maps takes time to filter out to mappers, and the cartographers take time in crafting their maps, and it takes time to curate them. These processes are uneven among mappers, so their maps may differ in detail. Probably there is some ideological bias, or at least thematic apperception, which is understandable in wartime. It may come as no surprise that al-Jazeera maps depict rather less Israeli territorial progress than other sources. Finally, there remains the epistemological question of just exactly what are the colored in areas depicting. Naively, this might be understood as areas of Israeli control, that are no longer contested by the HAMAS. Or possibly these are areas of Israeli presence, in many of which the possibility of an RPG-wielding HAMAS militant popping out of a tunnel unexpectedly remains a live possibility. With the "zero-range" combat characterized by small unit tactics on both sides, maps may be prey to a fallacy of misplaced concreteness. Indeed, by late January 2024 mappers were rather less exuberant in their depictions of IDF advances. While by the end of 2023 maps suggested that it was "mission accomplished" in North Gaza which was depicted as entirely pacified, by late January 2024 enclaves of IDF elements were depicted at the margins of Gaza City, much of North Gaza was now depticted as either HAMAS-controlled, or "contested". Another noteworthy cartographic ambiguity is found to the south of Khan Yunis in the stretch of Salah Al-Deen avenue running north from Al-Nasr through al-Fukhari to the vicinity of Tawhid Mosque in the environs of Khan Yunis proper. By the end of 2023 some cartographers indicated that a large swath of territory centered on this avenue had been liberated by the IDF, while other cartographers professed no knowlege of an IDF presence in that part of the Strip. By late January 2024 there are suggestions that while the avenue itself is an IDF permissive corridor for nearly the full length of the Strip, much of adjacent territory is not. Bystanders The UN Security Council will meet on Wednesday 31 January 2024 to consider the decision of the International Court of Justice, which called on Israel on Friday to prevent any possible act of genocide in the Gaza Strip, according to what the French presidency of the Council announced. This meeting, which is being held at the request of Algeria, comes in order to give binding force to the ruling of the International Court of Justice regarding the temporary measures imposed on the Israeli occupation, according to the Algerian Foreign Ministry. The spokesman for the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Stephane Dujarric, said yesterday, Friday, that the Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, will immediately refer the notification of the interim measures of the International Court of Justice to the UN Security Council. Dujarric added in a press conference that Guterres affirms that the decisions of the International Court of Justice are binding, and he is confident that all parties will abide by them in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the system under which the court was established. He also clarified that the position of the Secretary-General of the United Nations is clear regarding the independence of the International Court of Justice, and he had called for a ceasefire for humanitarian purposes and respect for international humanitarian law. He also called for the release of the hostages. The International Court of Justice ordered Israel to take measures to prevent genocide in the Gaza Strip and direct incitement to it, and also rejected the Israeli request to dismiss the lawsuit brought by South Africa. Israel has sought for years to end the work of UNRWA because of the moral harm its presence poses to Israel and the future of the conflict with the Palestinians. Israel's relationship with the agency under all the various governments that passed was tense and involved a lot of push and pull. Israeli officials believed that the presence of UNRWA perpetuated the conflict, but at the same time they wanted it to exist because the relief it provided to the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank was a way to prevent an explosion there. As time passed, the Israeli desire to get rid of the agency and its role increased. In 2018, Netanyahu called for placing Palestinian refugees under the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and ending the presence of UNRWA. He considered it to work for the benefit of the Palestinians and perpetuate the refugee issue. In the case brought by South Africa against Israel on charges of committing war crimes, the International Court of Justice took into account UNRWA reports on the suffering of the Palestinians. The court referred to the UNRWA report in which it said, The bombing continues on Gaza and has caused a large displacement of residents. They have been forced to leave their homes to places that are not safer. More than two million people have been affected and will be harmed psychologically and physically, and the children are terrified. The agency's reports had greater credibility than talking about the massacres committed by the occupation against civilians in Gaza, which angered Israel and made it more willing to get rid of the agency and its role. UNRWA announced, The Israeli authorities provided UNRWA with information about the suspected involvement of a number of its employees in the October 7 attack inside Israeli territory. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said in a statement: In order to protect the agencys ability to provide humanitarian assistance, I have decided to immediately terminate the contracts of these employees and open an investigation until the truth is proven without delay. He continued: "Every employee involved in terrorist acts must be held accountable, including through judicial prosecutions." He stated that "more than two million people in Gaza have depended on the vital assistance provided by the Agency since the beginning of the war" and that "anyone who betrays the core values of the United Nations also betrays those we serve in Gaza, in the region and elsewhere in the world." As soon as the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees ( UNRWA ) announced that it had received information from the Israeli occupation regarding the participation of agency employees in the Al- Aqsa flood battle on October 7, a number of Western countries began to stop funding the international agency. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said: The Israeli authorities provided UNRWA with information about the alleged involvement of a number of UNRWA employees in the horrific attacks on Israel on October 7. Lazzarini did not reveal the number of employees said to be involved in the attacks nor the nature of their alleged involvement. But he said: Any UNRWA employee involved in terrorist acts will be subject to accountability, including criminal prosecution. Despite this, Israeli government spokesman Elon Levy was quick to accuse UNRWA of announcing the news while global attention was focused on the International Court of Justice , which ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide against the Palestinians and to make more efforts to help civilians in the Gaza Strip . Levy wrote on the X platform: On any other day, this would have been a headline: Israel presents evidence of UN staff involvement with Hamas . Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz said that his country will seek to prevent UNRWA from working in the Gaza Strip after the end of the war, after Tel Aviv accused employees of the UN agency of participating in the attack on October 7, 2023. Katz wrote on the X platform that the Foreign Ministry aims to ensure that UNRWA is not part of the stage that follows the war, adding that he will seek to mobilize support from the United States, the European Union, and other major donors. Katz called for changing UNRWA into an agency that dedicates its work to real peace and development, urging countries around the world to follow the example of countries that suspended their funding to UNRWA. The United States announced a temporary suspension of all future funding to this UN agency, which is at the heart of distributing aid to civilians in Gaza amid the raging war waged by the Israeli army on the Strip. Italy, Canada and Australia announced the suspension of their funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees ( UNRWA ) after the United States took the same step, following Israeli allegations of the participation of some of the agencys employees in the Al-Aqsa Flood operation carried out by the Palestinian resistance. The United States was the agency's largest donor in 2022, contributing more than $340 million, according to the UNRWA website. The United States had previously suspended its support to UNRWA during the rule of former President Donald Trump, before current President Joe Biden restored funding to the agency. Pro-Israel right-wing groups in the United States and Republicans have long argued for defunding the agency, and said that its exclusiveness to the Palestinian refugee file, and granting refugee status not only to the first generation of refugees (at the time of the Nakba in 1948) but to their descendants, perpetuates conflict and a culture of dependence among Palestinians. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant expressed his satisfaction with the American decision and considered it an important step towards holding UNRWA accountable. He wrote on the X platform: Major changes must be made so that international efforts, funds and humanitarian initiatives do not fuel Hamas terrorism and the killing of Israelis, he said. While Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said : I congratulate the United States, Britain, Italy, Canada, Finland and Australia on the decision to stop funding UNRWA. The time has come to create an alternative organization that will not raise generations of Palestinian children to hate and will not cooperate with Hamas. While the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) condemned what it described as "the Israeli campaign of incitement against international institutions." The Hamas movement said - in a statement - that it strongly condemns the Israeli campaign of incitement against UN institutions, which contributes to relief for our people who are subjected to genocide, as it put it. It added that the latest incitement campaign was the hollow accusation against the World Health Organization, of what they called collusion with the Hamas movement, by repeating the false claim about the movements use of hospitals in military operations. HAMAS added that the incitement against UNRWA comes "with the aim of cutting off its funding and depriving the Palestinian people of their right to the services of these international agencies." Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Taiani wrote on the X platform that the Italian government suspended funding for UNRWA after what he described as a brutal attack on Israel last October 7, indicating that some of Romes allies had already taken the same decision. In turn, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed "deep concern" about the accusations leveled against UNRWA, and wrote on the X platform, "We are communicating with our partners, and we will temporarily suspend the payment of funds." She added, "We applaud UNRWA's immediate response, including terminating contracts (with employees), as well as announcing an investigation into the accusations against the organization." For his part, Canadian Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussein said yesterday, Friday, that Canada has temporarily suspended any additional funding for UNRWA while it conducts an in-depth investigation into these accusations. He wrote on the X platform Canada takes these accusations very seriously, and is closely engaging with UNRWA and other donors on this issue, The Palestine Liberation Organization called on the countries that announced the cessation of their support for UNRWA to immediately reverse their decision, considering that it entails major political and relief risks. The Palestinian Hamas movement that rules the Gaza Strip, and which is classified as a terrorist organization in the United States and other countries, called on the United Nations and international institutions not to yield to what it described as Israels threats and blackmails. It is noteworthy that an Israeli report said, at the end of last December, that there were attempts by the government in Israel to remove UNRWA from the Gaza Strip, in the wake of the current war. Israeli Channel 12 reported that the top-secret Foreign Ministry report includes recommendations that this step take place in three stages, the first of which is to reveal in a comprehensive report the alleged cooperation between UNRWA and the Hamas movement, which is listed on the American terrorist lists. The Israeli channel's report indicated that the second phase "may include reducing UNRWA's operations in the Palestinian Strip, and searching for different organizations to provide education and social care services to the Palestinians in Gaza." The third stage will be "the process of transferring all UNRWA's functions to the body that will govern Gaza after the end of the war." A number of legal experts praised the International Court of Justice decision, which they described as historic, criticizing at the same time the International Court of Justices failure to address an immediate and explicit cessation of the war. American lawyer Francis Boyle - who won two cases before the main judicial body of the United Nations - expressed his happiness at the overwhelming legal victory of the Republic of South Africa on behalf of the Palestinians and all of humanity. Boyle indicated in his interview with Al Jazeera Net that the world must "stop shedding crocodile tears, and commit to preventing genocide in accordance with Article 1 of the Genocide Convention," adding, "I advise the Arab and Islamic countries to act now, because the door is wide open to join South Africa and practice... More pressure." For his part, expert in public international law, Pierre-Emmanuel Dupin, considered that yesterdays decision represents an acknowledgment by the court that the details of the South African file are reasonable, and that the acts that fall within the definition of genocide under the 1948 Convention are documented and were actually committed against civilians, in addition to the martyrdom of the court judge. Through official statements by Israeli officials calling for and inciting this act. Dupin also praised the judges' "honest" behavior because they took a position contrary to their governments, such as the German judge who supported these temporary measures even though his country's government expressed its rejection of the lawsuit, and the French judge despite the fact that the new French Foreign Minister Stephane Segournet spoke out last week against South Africa. In turn, Abdel Majeed Marari, international law expert and director of the Middle East and North Africa department at AFDI International, said that the Court of Justice puts an end to impunity and affirms the right of the Palestinians to be protected from acts of genocide. Marari added in an interview with Al Jazeera Net that this decision "will strengthen our efforts before the International Criminal Court, and we consider that it constitutes a strong legal basis that it can rely on in all its investigations, and would put the Public Prosecutor in a comfortable position to issue arrest warrants against war criminals." While legal experts welcomed the court's decision because the temporary measures would allow humanitarian aid to reach the Gaza Strip, some expressed their disappointment because it excluded the directive to order an immediate cessation of the war. In response, lawyer Nariman Qatina Burgnat explained that the orders issued by the court - which include precautionary measures based on the Genocide Convention - do not contain a systematic procedure ordering the accused state to stop fighting, just as there is no ceasefire in the terms of the Court of Justice, but rather a cessation of Israeli military operations. Speaking to Al Jazeera Net, the Palestinian-French lawyer described the court's approach to the case as "smart" because it asked Israel to take all measures to ensure that it does not incite or commit acts of genocide, indicating that it cannot continue waging war as it is doing now. As for the legal aspect, Nariman believes that todays decision effectively put Israel in the dock and marked its loss before international law, noting that the governments and countries that supported the occupying state will have to think seriously to avoid being accused of complicity. For his part, Emmanuel Dupin considered that the courts request to the Israeli army to refrain from committing acts that meet the definition of genocide was unfortunate, because the goal was to go further and to request a complete ceasefire. It is noteworthy that the precautionary measures decided by the Court of Justice must enter into force immediately, while the 30-day period relates to the report that Israel must submit to the court. Commenting on this, Boyle does not believe that this period will make any difference, because Israels report will contain lies, as they lied during the 3 hours of oral arguments they presented, but what concerns us here is the courts order to prepare the report. As for Lawyer Nariman, she believes that the period proposed by the court is reasonable, because it was not possible to submit a written report before the Court of Justice within one week, and if Israel does not comply with this order, it will be additional evidence in favor of South Africa, and will feed its argument on the merits of the case. She pointed out that the report was requested to be sent after 4 months in other cases, "and since this file is still under consideration, Israel is taking a big risk if it does not comply and respect the court order by submitting this report within the specified period." The temporary measures are emergency measures and care must be taken to implement them as soon as possible, according to Le Pen. Speaking to Al Jazeera Net, the expert in international law confirmed that, If we see in the coming days that the Israeli army snipers people carrying the white flag again, this will mean a clear violation of the courts decision. Despite the possibility of the United States using its veto power in the Security Council , all these international experts agreed that South Africas referral of the file to the Council is a next step if Israel refrains from implementing the courts decision. Dupin said, "We will then see if the American representative votes against it and uses his veto power before the entire international community, in clear defiance of a decision issued by the main judicial body of the United Nations." He added that this applies to European countries that have taken a position of unconditional support for Israel, especially France, which has always praised the role of the International Court in ensuring the peaceful resolution of disputes and the rule of international law. Lawyer Qatina agrees with this trend by saying that the Security Council may be a possible option, because the Court of Justice does not have the military means to force Israel to implement its decision, and in this case, Israels failure to respect the Councils decision will make it an outlaw state. She explained, "We are facing two different issues. There is international law proven by the Court of Justice, then there is the desire of the member states of the United Nations - especially the Security Council - to impose this by force, and above all there are possibilities of imposing sanctions against Israel and its leaders as well, or submitting complaints to the national courts." In the context of non-implementation of a decision issued by the International Court of Justice, the Security Council can take measures within the framework of Chapter VII and Article 41 of the United Nations Charter, including imposing economic sanctions. As for lawyer Francis Boyle, he believes that stopping the war and genocide in Gaza has become an urgent and urgent matter before the situation gets out of control in the region, especially with Yemen in the Red Sea and the aggressive actions carried out by the Americans in Iraq and Syria in support of Israel, as he put it. "People tend to have a bifurcated vision of what this court is and what it can do, said Kate Cronin-Forman, a professor at London College who studies genocide cases. In her statements to the New York Times , Forman said: Either they believe that the United Nations will come with black helicopters to implement orders, or they believe that the courts rulings are just empty words that have no effect. Experts believed that the reality lies somewhere in between, as the court does not have direct enforcement powers to implement its decisions on the ground, but such a decision could have an impact by changing the political calculations of the countries concerned and their allies. Friday's decision is considered preliminary, meaning that the court has not yet decided whether Israel is committing "genocide" in Gaza, as it is likely that a final decision will be made within years, according to the "New York Times." However, South Africas partial victory should not be seen as an indication that the court will necessarily rule in its favor later, because meeting the requirements for winning a genocide case on the merits is much more difficult than meeting the low threshold for interim measures, Foreman said. She continued: I dont think anyone expected them (the court) to order a ceasefire... I think the court did not want to be seen as ruling on the legality of Israels alleged right to self-defense, which is what many would have thought from a call for suspension of hostilities." Instead, Foreman said the justices "adhered closely to what they did in the interim measures order in Gambia v. Myanmar (Burma)," referring to another case before the court, in which Gambia accused Myanmar of committing genocide against the Rohingya minority. She continued: An order from the International Court of Justice cannot do much to change the incentives of a state engaged in a military campaign whose leaders feel is necessary to protect its national security, but it can make allied governments think twice about their support for that campaign. Israeli officials, who have strongly denied accusations of genocide, denounced the ICJ's provisional measures order, but expressed relief that the court did not order a ceasefire. Michael A. Baker, professor of law at Trinity College Dublin, said it was "not surprising that the court did not grant South Africa's request for a complete suspension of military activities." But he added in his statements to the New York Times that the wording of the court's decision was "striking" because of its focus on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Baker said many countries have domestic laws prohibiting military support for governments that violate human rights. He added: "Because the court's decision can be understood as saying that the situation in Gaza raises at least serious questions about the risk of genocide, this would give rise to legal obligations under domestic law, regarding the provision of military support to Israel." He considered that the court's willingness to acknowledge the extent of human suffering in Gaza, and to emphasize that the humanitarian situation should not be allowed to deteriorate further, "could change the political narrative about the conflict, creating a new space for political action." Proving genocidal intent will be a challenge, said Adel Haq, professor of international law at Rutgers University in New Jersey. Although South Africa hailed the Court of First Instance's decision as a "decisive victory for the rule of international law," it remains unclear what impact the decision will have on the ground. Even if these obligations were legally binding, countries may choose to ignore them, just as Russia did when the International Court of Justice ordered it to stop its war in Ukraine. The only way to implement the order of the International Court of Justice is through a vote of the United Nations Security Council. Any of the five permanent members of the Council, including the United States, could veto any such measure. Speaking to the American newspaper, The Washington Post, Haqq said, Israel, by defending itself in court, accepts its legitimacy, and this will make it more difficult to challenge court orders at a later time. A Palestinian expert in international law told Al Jazeera Net, "The decision of the International Court of Justice places the Palestinians before important entitlements and redoubled efforts during the next stage, the first of which is monitoring Israeli performance during the next month, and beginning to mobilize international public opinion to impose sanctions on the occupation." Munir Nusseibeh, professor of international law at Al-Quds University, said, What was required, and was not issued by the court, was a request for the occupation to stop its military operations in the Gaza Strip , but the content of the decision reaches the same result. He added that a doubled effort awaits the Palestinians at the international level and UN organizations to communicate the decision and determine what is required of countries regarding the occupation. According to the Palestinian expert, Israel's accountability for its crimes will not stop, even if the shooting stops, or a political path opens, or even if a Palestinian state is established. The following is the text of the interview: First, what were the Palestinians hoping for from the International Court of Justice that was not included in the resolution? What was required was for the court to issue, in frank and clear language, a request to the occupation to stop its military operations in the Gaza Strip. The court did not accept this language, but nevertheless the decision reaches the same result in one way or another. How can genocide operations be stopped and incitement to genocide be stopped? Collective action without stopping Israeli military operations? The court ordered that the genocide stop, that humanitarian corridors and services be fully opened, that the occupation not destroy evidence, and that it stop incitement to genocide. All of these matters the occupation will not be able to adhere to without a ceasefire. Since South Africa requested a halt to the genocide, the court ordered that genocide be halted, abstained from, and punished, and even those who incite it. What should Israel do after the decision is issued? Now, according to the courts decision, the Israeli public prosecutor must begin indicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , Minister Yoav Galant, and other criminals involved in the crime of genocide in the Gaza Strip. If the Israeli occupation adheres to what the court ordered, it will indeed refrain from continuing the war. After the court's decision, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich renewed his call for the displacement of the residents of Gaza, while Netanyahu pledged to continue the war. How will this affect the proceedings of the court? Who talks about expelling the residents of the Gaza Strip or continuing the war? He wants to continue the genocide, and therefore they are turning their backs on the court. This means that we must now begin analyzing and monitoring their actions based on the courts decisions in order to prepare for the report that will be issued by the Israeli occupation a month from today, in which it will claim that it has adhered to the courts decisions. As for what will be proven? The implication - if this approach continues - is that they will continue to commit genocide in its entirety, and this will expose them to further accountability and prosecution. Can Israel ignore court orders to submit a report on the precautionary measures it requested within a month? Israel can do anything, but it is legally obligated to submit its report to the court. However, if she decides to refrain from carrying out her duty and the courts order, she will have neglected another of the courts requests. But I think that they will try to interpret the court orders in a way that is comfortable for them, and that they will abide by the court orders, even though in reality they will continue the policy of denial and say that they did not commit crimes in the past or after the decision. They are not ready at this moment to abide by the court orders as the law requires. Palestinian officials said they were hoping for a ceasefire decision. Should the court have made a ceasefire decision? South Africa did not ask the court for a ceasefire, but rather requested that Israel stop military operations in the Gaza Strip. A ceasefire means that both sides will adhere to it, and the court cannot issue decisions binding the resistance factions because it is not a state. For your information, a group of human rights activists - myself included - asked the resistance factions to announce that if the court ordered the occupation to stop its military operations, and a ceasefire was obtained by the occupation, they would adhere to the ceasefire, even though the court would not have ordered them to do so, and the goal is to Pretexts are withdrawn even from the court itself. But in the end she decided to focus on the main topic; It is the issue of genocide, and what the court decided was the same desire as South Africa, which wants to stop the genocide and the injection of Palestinian blood, and allow people to return to life normally in their country, and not displace them. This is what South Africa wants. In conclusion, the decision is good and a lot can be built upon, and it will only be built upon through a major diplomatic struggle in the corridors of the United Nations , especially the General Assembly, which has a lot to offer, more than we are accustomed to. Now that the court's decision has been issued, and it is expected that the occupation will violate it and will not respond to it, the occupation must know that its long siege of the Gaza Strip is nearing its end and that in the future it will not be able to escape from the world, and continue to prevent medicine, drink, water and electricity from the besieged Strip. Now South Africa has placed the occupation under the lens of the International Court, and this is only the beginning, and it will continue for many years in which it will present a lot of evidence about the crimes of the occupation in the Gaza Strip, and the court will reach many results that will affect the stability of this occupation, and it will not be able to continue with genocide, occupation and racist separation. I know that people are frustrated with international law and the various institutions of the international community, but what we went through yesterday is not what we will go through tomorrow, God willing. This is not blind optimism, but rather because Israel has committed crimes in a way that it cannot hide, and then we went to a court whose decision is mandatory and not advisory or merely recommendations, reports, and the formation of committees. This day is a historic day. Is there any possible American role or intervention that might empty the decision of its content? The United States is not a god. It is a country with great power and ability to oppress and mobilize, but its capabilities are ultimately limited. It is true that it uses its veto to protect Israel from Security Council sanctions and can support it with weapons and billions of dollars to commit crimes, but it cannot prevent all countries from punishing the occupation, and this is what we want. We want a general assembly to decide on sanctions that some countries in the world will abide by, and then we will expand this circle, as in the experience of South Africa, on its way to getting rid of racism that was supported by world powers, led by America and Europe. What should Palestine do after the decision, whether politically or legally? What is immediately required is a diligent follow-up of the precautionary measures and documentation of Israeli activity and the extent of its response to these orders. This is a task whose basis is the integration of the Palestinians as a political system and civil organizations. They are required to document and write their reports. There is an important and essential role for the PLO , the authorities , and the ambassadors. Each in his own country, especially in the international organizations in New York who must mobilize various countries for a strong resolution from the United Nations General Assembly that specifies sanctions on the occupation, not recommendations. What should the Palestinians ask the General Assembly? Palestinian officials must determine what is required, for example: Is it to stop diplomatic relations with the Israeli occupation? Is it to stop the activities of the occupying state in all United Nations institutions? Is it to besiege the occupation by not allowing its ships to dock in any port in the world or to fly in the airspace of other countries? There are countries that have already announced that they will abide by the courts decisions, such as Belgium, Canada, and Ireland, and we will find friends in the world who support us. We are talking about a heavy issue in international law. It is the crime of genocide. To what extent can popular movements, federations and unions benefit from the decision in strengthening calls for a boycott? Civil action, of which the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement is a part, represents most Palestinian civil society organizations, and can convince the world more strongly with the issuance of the International Court of Justices decision, and help more in conveying the message to the whole world. That the genocide must stop, and that the occupation must be punished so that international law and human rights are respected. If we assume that the shooting stops, or that a political process opens in the coming months, will this affect the proceedings of the court? If the war stops, corridors are opened, and humanitarian aid enters, we are in an excellent place in terms of precautionary measures, but the issue remains that Israel committed genocide and must bear responsibility for a past act and for violating an international agreement and causing great harm to the Palestinian people. It must pay its price and let peoples blood not be wasted. . Even if negotiations take place and a Palestinian state is established, this will not affect the proceedings of the court. Any final addition? I call on our people to be optimistic that is accompanied by work. If we are too pessimistic, this is surrender that may lead to failure, but the optimism that comes accompanied by hard work, thinking and planning for the next stages is necessary. We have to know what to ask for and plan for the issue and what the occupation must do to end these crimes? What are the things that he must uproot to dismantle his racism? We must prepare ourselves well for the next stage, the battle for the final decision. After years, the court will answer the question: Did Israel commit genocide? I imagine the answer would be: yes. Then what are the consequences of this? Is it compensation, reparation, an apology, or guarantees of non-recurrence that constitutes a change in the military system? Axis of Resistance A UK-based lawyers' group on Palestinian rights described the latest International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling as a "much-needed light in the darkness". Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights (LPHR) said in a statement, "It is a historic day for clearly recognizing the fundamental human rights of Palestinians, including their fundamental right to life, and an important vindication of the vital resort to law to uphold fundamental rights." The LPHR also noted that "Israel" is now bound to the law, so countries and official international organizations must follow up with the occupation's conduct in Gaza and ensure that it complies with the court order, which has been sent to the UN Security Council. The group acknowledged the vitality of the case but reiterated that an immediate ceasefire is the goal, as only that will ensure the security of Palestinians and reduce suffering in Gaza. "Whilst this historic legal case takes its course, we strongly re-emphasize that it remains deeply imperative that all diplomatic measures be urgently exercised to deliver an immediate ceasefire," it said. Allied for Democracy Netanyahu does not want to appear defeated in any agreement, at the same time that he is searching for a way out of his armys continued failure to achieve an achievement on the ground, and therefore we find him escalating on the ground, especially in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, where he believes that he can achieve an achievement or He won victory by killing or arresting Hamas leaders or part of them, then showing that he entered the negotiation process from the position of the victor. Netanyahu is also always keen to say that it is military pressure that will force Hamas to conduct an exchange, even though the humanitarian truces took place in light of the ceasefire, as the military force subsequently failed to release any Hamas prisoner. However, he faces mounting pressure and sharp criticism for continuing the war, which many Israelis consider to stem from his desire to remain in power. He also stated to Haaretz newspaper that if he agreed to end the war, this would require signing international guarantees that cannot be violated, and if this was coupled with his saying that Israel is ready to make concessions for the sake of a new deal, this means that he would accept stopping the war without achieving the goal of eliminating Hamas. Without guarantees through which he could say that he emerged victorious, this confirms what he previously said to the families of the prisoners: If we stop the fighting, we will not be able to resume it. However, Netanyahu is still subject to the extremist ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich , who are threatening to withdraw from the government if the war stops, which is what pushes Netanyahu to side with them so that they do not cause the fall of the government, which may result in Netanyahu being put on trial in the corruption cases filed against him. The Israeli media - in its ongoing discussions of the war on Gaza - focused on the performance of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , and his attempts to thwart the exchange of prisoners and detainees with the Palestinian resistance in the Gaza Strip and postpone judicial investigations on the grounds that they harm military performance. Reserve Major General Nimrod Shabir - a former Chief of Staff of the Air Force - said that Netanyahu wants as much as possible to delay the deal to release detainees held by the Palestinian resistance, and that indications show that he does not want the war to end. He added - in a discussion on Channel 13 - that Netanyahu, because of his political situation, is very afraid that this war will end, and said that he (Netanyahu) is thwarting deals regarding the release of detainees. For his part, Michael Shemesh, political affairs correspondent for Kan 11, accused Netanyahu of trying to postpone the investigation of State Comptroller Netanyahu Engelman into the issue of the war on Gaza, under the pretext of harming the war effort. The reporter said that Netanyahu sent Government Secretary Yossi Fuchs to meet with the State Comptroller, asking him to postpone the investigation into the war case, and to postpone the investigation, whether related to the Prime Ministers Office or other security agencies. Nir Devori, military affairs correspondent for Channel 13, revealed that the State Comptroller sent a response letter to Chief of Staff Herzi Halevy, which stated, All senior officials and relevant government bodies are subject to oversight, and there is no intention to obstruct the armys war effort. He also said that the State Comptroller recently sent an exceptional letter to the Prime Minister's Office warning that they, along with the National Security Council, would be subject to investigation, and that they must keep all relevant recordings. The State Comptroller General requested that records be submitted of all meetings held during the war period and the decisions taken during it, so that they could be examined. The Chief of Staff criticized the State Comptroller's intention to investigate the army's performance during and before the war on Gaza. The Israeli media reported on the state of suspicion and lack of trust between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the army, as participants considered the Comptroller Generals request for military documents for the purpose of oversight an attempt to confuse the army during the war. Channel 13 said that the army was angry because of Comptroller General Netanyahu Engelman, who requested documents for oversight purposes at the height of the fighting, and quoted its correspondent for military affairs, Or Heller, that the talk was about instructions that came from above, in reference to Netanyahu and not just an initiative on his part, according to senior army commanders. The correspondent pointed out that there is a very serious suspicion, as the General Controller was employed to confuse the army during the war and during the fighting, revealing that the armys suspicions indicate that another person is occupying the State Controller in order to push the army to initiate investigations, while the brigades, division commanders, and fighters "Everyone is busy fighting." The State Comptroller in Israel reports to the Knesset (Parliament) and examines and monitors the work of the government and audits its policies and operations. The channel reviewed Chief of Staff Herzi Halevy's letter - which it described as exceptional - to the Comptroller General, in which he said that "oversight in the form specified during the fighting will distract the commanders' attention from the fighting, and will affect the ability to conduct a quality operational investigation." Halevy added, "Oversight will not allow the necessary lessons to be drawn in order to achieve the goals of the war," noting that "there is no precedent for conducting an oversight review during fighting in the form that I set as a state observer." In turn, Tali Gottlieb, a member of the Knesset from the Likud Party, accused the Internal Security Agency ( Shin Bet ) of communicating with the leader of the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, before the seventh of last October. Gottlieb asked, "Where are the enormous intelligence services of the State of Israel? Where is the clear intelligence that the Shin Bet is tasked with collecting? Where were you, when in Gaza they were conducting artillery training in front of you for an entire year?" In turn, Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter - former head of the Shin Bet - described these accusations as ridiculous, baseless statements that cannot have a basis. Israeli media discussions also touched on the role played by the former commander of the Gaza Division , Reserve Major General Mickey Edelstein, who is responsible for relations with the settlements in the Gaza envelope . Edelstein said - during a meeting with settlers who have been away from their homes for 4 months - that the threat of rocket launches from Gaza will continue while it exists, adding, "There may remain a remnant of the threat." The head of the Israeli Internal Security Service (Shin Bet), Ronen Bar, called on the government in his country to immediately form an official investigation committee to examine the "failures" that occurred during the attack launched by Hamas on Israel on the seventh of last October. Israeli Channel 12 reported that Bar requested, during the security mini-ministerial council session on Thursday, the formation of a government investigation committee now, adding that citizens are in dire need of this to happen, and the Shin Bet as well. He added, according to what was reported by the Times of Israel newspaper , This will put an end to lies and conspiracies, referring to allegations that the attack, which reached this level of surprise and bypassed all defenses, was aided by betrayals from within the country. These allegations were promoted by a member of the Knesset from the Likud Party, Tali Gotlev, who recently spoke about a conspiracy linking the demonstrators against the judicial reform law and the attack carried out by the Hamas movement, which is listed on the US terrorist lists. The head of the Shin Bet categorically denied these accusations, according to the "Times of Israel", which indicated that although there are high expectations among Israelis that the worst security disaster the country has faced will be investigated, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has, so far, resisted forming a government committee to investigate. In the failures that caused the October offensive. Bar faced a question during the small security council meeting, where Transportation Minister Miri Regev asked him to clarify the veracity of the allegations made by MK Gottlief. The Shin Bet chief responded: Just lies, and what you did crosses a red line. A report by Israeli Channel 12 indicated that Bar earlier this week sent an urgent letter to the Speaker of the Knesset, the Attorney General, and other senior officials, in which he criticized Gottliefs promotion of conspiracy theories and strange allegations about the supposed actions of a Shin Bet employee, which may put his life and the life of his family in danger. International newspapers and websites confirm - in reports and articles they published - that the decision of the International Court of Justice regarding the lawsuit filed by South Africa against Tel Aviv is a blow to Israel, and a source of headache for its Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. The Court of Justice approved a package of temporary measures on Tel Aviv, which did not include a ceasefire. It ordered Israel to take measures to prevent and punish direct incitement to genocide in its war on the Gaza Strip. According to "The Hill" website, Israel received a "blow" after International Justice rejected its request to cancel the lawsuit filed by South Africa regarding genocide , "as the court found the case reasonable enough to consider and pursue it." The website quoted analysts as saying, "What the court came out with complicates Israel's justifications for continuing its war and limits support for its allies." In the same context, Haaretz newspaper said in an article that the measures approved by the International Court of Justice, which Israel must adhere to, will be a source of great headache for Netanyahu and his hard-line ministers who reject any steps towards ending the war. The article in this Israeli newspaper stated that the ruling issued by the Court of Justice is considered, on the other hand, a warning to Israel that it is close to violating the Genocide Convention. As for the Guardian newspaper, it focused on Israels position on the decision, as it wrote in an article that Tel Aviv may ignore the ruling of the Court of Justice, but it will be difficult for the United States and Britain to do so. The article added that ignoring the ruling leads to questioning the way in which it is held accountable. Russian President Vladimir Putin . On the other hand, the Telegraph newspaper touched on, in a report, what it considered to be US President Joe Bidens fears about the political costs that might result from his support for Israel if the number of Palestinian civilian deaths (martyrs) continues to rise. The Telegraph referred to reports that Biden urged Netanyahu to end the war before the US elections, and a political analyst told the newspaper that Bidens pressure in this direction is not surprising, as the divisions threaten to harm his electoral base, which he relied on in 2020. As for Lotan magazine, it shed light on the Israeli army camps and detention centers to which thousands of Palestinians have arrived from Gaza since the beginning of the war on the besieged Strip . The report presents testimonies of those returning from them who said that they faced multiple forms of torture and ill-treatment. It also conveys the fears of human rights groups about the continuation of arrests in The ranks of civilians and the absence of a reliable count of those taken by Israeli forces to detention centers. Senior officials in at least 10 different departments in the US government are working on an array of deals to end the war in Gaza, according to the New York Times. The newspaper said that senior officials in the United States, Israel, and Arab countries are seeking to formulate three parallel, but interconnected, agreements that include three axes. The first axis is to end the fighting in Gaza, the second is to put the final touches on the status of the Strip in the post-war period, and finally to define the obligations related to the establishment of a Palestinian state. The main discussions currently focus on reaching a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which includes the release of more than 100 Israeli hostages and thousands of Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons. The second track focuses on restructuring the Palestinian Authority, as American and Arab officials are looking to restructure its leadership in order to prepare it to rule the Gaza Strip after the war, instead of Hamas or Israel. In the third track, the newspaper says that American and Saudi officials are pressuring Israel to agree to the conditions for establishing a Palestinian state in exchange for Saudi Arabias willingness to establish official relations with Israel for the first time ever. The newspaper pointed out that there are obstacles facing these moves, namely the Israeli governments unwillingness to grant full Palestinian sovereignty over Gaza, which raises doubts about whether progress can be made on other main fronts in the negotiations. The other obstacle is convincing Hamas to step down, as the Israeli military campaign has not yet succeeded in destroying it and it still controls part of Gaza. According to the newspaper, the United States is the party trying to link all these data together in order to reach a solution. A senior State Department official was quoted as saying that White House Senior Advisor for Middle East Affairs Brett McGurk was in the region last week, and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken spoke to him several times on the phone. The newspaper indicates that the White House administration wants to ensure that a senior American official speaks face to face at all times with Israeli and Arab leaders. The newspaper says that American officials are discussing several proposals, whether they are temporary or long-term or face strong opposition from some parties, the most prominent of which are: First: Transferring power within the Palestinian Authority from the current president, Mahmoud Abbas, to a new prime minister, while allowing Abbas to retain a ceremonial role. Second: Sending an Arab peacekeeping force to Gaza to support the new Palestinian administration there. Third: Issuing a resolution in the Security Council, with the support of the United States, that would recognize the Palestinians right to establish a state. The newspaper explained in detail the road map for the three tracks, based on interviews with more than a dozen diplomats and other officials participating in the talks, all of whom spoke anonymously in order to discuss it more freely. The newspaper says that American officials believe that the first thing that must be done is to end the war. The talks in this regard coincide with negotiations for the release of more than 100 hostages held by Hamas. Hamas says it will not release the hostages until Israel agrees to a permanent ceasefire, a position that conflicts with Israel's stated goal of continuing the war until Hamas is expelled from Gaza. Currently, officials from the United States, Israel, Egypt and Qatar are discussing an agreement that would halt the fighting for up to two months. One of the proposals being discussed stipulates the release of hostages in stages during a ceasefire period of up to 60 days in exchange for the release of Palestinians detained by Israel. Some officials suggested releasing Israeli civilians first, in exchange for the release of Palestinian women and minors held by Israel. The detained Israeli soldiers are then exchanged with Palestinian activists serving long-term sentences in Israeli prisons. The Palestinian Authority briefly took control of Gaza after Israeli forces left in 2005, but Hamas forced it out of power two years later. Now, some want to return power to Gaza and play a role in governing the Strip after the war. To make this idea more attractive to Israel, which opposes it, there is a push by the United States, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries to reform the authority and change its leadership, according to the newspaper. The newspaper adds that the Palestinian Authority, under its current president Mahmoud Abbas (88 years old), is viewed as corrupt and authoritarian. The newspaper continues that the mediators are encouraging Abbas to play a more ceremonial role and cede executive authority to a new prime minister who can oversee the reconstruction of Gaza and reduce corruption. American officials say the goal is to make the Authority more acceptable to administering a future Palestinian state. Israeli officials also stress that the authority needs to change its educational system, which they say does not promote peace, as well as stop financial payments to those convicted of committing acts of violence against Israelis. The newspaper notes that some of Abbas's critics want him to be replaced by Salam Fayyad, the Princeton University professor who is credited with modernizing power during his prime ministership a decade ago. Others also want Nasser al-Qudwa, the former Palestinian envoy to the United Nations who broke away from Abbas three years ago, to assume the responsibility of heading the Palestinian Authority. But diplomats say Abbas is pushing for another candidate close to him, such as Mohamed Mustafa, his longtime economic advisor. The newspaper also says that some officials proposed forming an Arab peacekeeping force to help the new Palestinian leader maintain order in Gaza after the war. Israeli officials reject this idea, but they have proposed the idea of establishing a multinational force under Israel's supervision in the Strip. But American diplomats told the Israelis this month that Arab leaders opposed this idea, according to the newspaper. According to the newspaper, the administration of US President Joe Biden has revived discussions with Saudi Arabia to make it agree to establish official diplomatic relations with Israel. Such a tripartite agreement was under discussion before the October 7 attacks, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman seemed ready for it because Washington was offering him the signing of a US-Saudi defense treaty, cooperation in establishing a civilian nuclear program, and more arms sales. American officials say that under this arrangement, the Saudis would have accepted relatively simple Israeli concessions on the Palestinian issue in exchange for normalization. The newspaper notes that after the war broke out, Saudi Arabia and the United States raised the price for Israel, as they now insist on the need for Israel to commit to a process that leads to the establishment of a Palestinian state and includes granting governance to the Palestinians in Gaza. American officials also told the Israelis that Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries would not agree to provide money for the reconstruction of Gaza unless Israeli leaders committed to a path that would lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly rejected this proposal, and recently pledged to maintain Israeli military control over the entire West Bank and Gaza Strip. Many Israelis support this, although some American officials wonder whether this position comes within the framework of Israel's attempts to obtain a good negotiating position, according to the newspaper. Butcher's Bill / Oasis of Martyrs On 7 October 2023, Hamas and other armed groups present in the Gaza Strip carried out an attack in Israel, killing more than 1,200 persons, injuring thousands and abducting some 240 people, many of whom continue to be held hostage. It was the second largest loss inflicted on the Israeli forces after the 1973 war. Palestinian armed groups launched thousands of missiles at Israel Following this attack, Israel launched a large-scale military operation in Gaza, by land, air and sea. The 1,200 Israelis killed on the first day would be the equivalent of 36,000 Americans killed in an attack, as a proportion to Israels population of 9.3 million people (compared to 332 million in the USA). Israeli President Isaac Herzog stated: Not since the Holocaust have so many Jews been killed in one day". PM Netanyahu stated "On October 7th, Hamas murdered 1,400 Israelis. Maybe more. This is in a country of fewer than 10 million people. This would be equivalent to over 50,000 Americans murdered in a single day. Thats twenty 9/11s. That is why October 7th is another day that will live in infamy." The HAMAS Ministry of Health in the besieged sector announced that the number of victims of the Israeli operation its beginning had risen to 26,083 martyrs, and the killing of nearly 10,000 Palestinian children and 6,600 women killed. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. The number wounded was 64,487. The Palestinian Government Media Office in Gaza had said much earlier that the number of missing people had risen to more than 8,000, including including 4,700 children and women, amid expectations that the toll will be double thi figures. The IDF intensified its military operations in the West Bank, and increased the pace of incursions and raids into cities, towns, and camps, resulting in the martyrdom of 342 Palestinians, the injury of about 3,950, and the arrest of 5,780, according to official HAMAS sources. As of 17 January 2023, the Israeli escalation in the West Bank led to the death of 360 Palestinians, the injury of nearly 2,200, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, and the arrest of about 6,000, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Club. More than 130 Hezbollah fighters were killed in Lebanon during exchanges of bombing operations with Israel. Israel revised down the death toll from the October Hamas attacks in southern Israel from 1,400 to 1,200. IDF had said previously it was holding 1,500 bodies of terrorists, a total that now would increas to about 1,700. With the Israeli army announcing the killing of 24 soldiers, the total number of Israeli deaths has risen to 559 since the start of the war on October 7, including 229 killed since the ground invasion as a result of the ongoing clashes with the Palestinian resistance [other sources report the total number of deaths of the army had risen to 222 since the start of the ground invasion]. Among them were at least 56 with the rank of platoon commander, 43 with the rank of company commander, 9 with the rank of battalion commander, and 5 with the rank of brigade commander. These officers constitute 23% of the total deaths of the Israeli army in the war on Gaza. Israeli media reported that 27% of the Israeli military casualties in the war were officers. In detail, the media highlighted that three brigade commanders, four battalion commanders, and other senior officers have been killed in the war so far. The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reported that 29 of the army's deaths were caused by "friendly fire" and operational incidents since the start of the ground war in Gaza, late last October. The Israeli authority explained that "18 army soldiers were killed by friendly fire, two were killed as a result of gunfire (without explanation), and 9 Israeli soldiers were killed in ammunition, weapons, or run-over accidents." The Jerusalem Post newspaper revealed that 15 soldiers were killed in the Strip without their bodies being found. According to some reports statistics indicate that 20% of the Israeli losses were due to friendly fire. Because the nature of the battle has become completely different from what was expected, and it lacks a front line. According to the latest data published by the army, the number of wounded soldiers and officers had risen to 1,152 since the start of its ground attack on Gaza on October 27, including 228 seriously wounded, while the total number has reached 2,602 wounded since the outbreak of the war on the 7th of October. The Israeli army reported that 2,710 officers and soldiers were injured, including 407 who are still receiving treatment for their injuries in the Gaza battles, and the condition of 48 of them is serious, while 405 were seriously injured, 692 were moderately injured, and 1,562 were described as having minor injuries since the start of the war. The Israeli army also said 26 January 2024 that since the beginning of the ground attack on Gaza, 258 soldiers have been seriously injured. There are 423 moderate injuries, compared to 577 minor injuries. At least 13,599 Israelis were injured, according to i24 TV. Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper had reported that 5,000 soldiers had been wounded since the beginning of the war on October 7, and that the Ministry of Defense had recognized 2,000 soldiers as disabled so far. An estimate by the Israeli Ministry of Defense expected that the number of soldiers with disabilities in the war taking place in the Gaza Strip since October 7 of last year would reach 12,500 soldiers. The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth said that the Soldiers' Rehabilitation Department of the Ministry of Defense has dealt with 3,400 soldiers who were classified as disabled in the army since last October 7. The Israeli army revealed that about 9,000 of its soldiers have received psychological assistance since the beginning of the war on the Gaza Strip on October 7, and about a quarter of them have not returned to combat. This came according to a new statement revealed by the Army Medical Corps, according to Channel 12 and the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth. According to the statement, nearly 9,000 soldiers have applied for psychological assistance since the beginning of the war, and approximately a quarter of them have not returned to combat. The statement continued, "In total, about 13,000 regular and reserve soldiers required accompaniment or medical treatment at some level during the fighting, and thousands of them were injured in the battles." Al Jazeera military and strategic expert Major General Fayez Al-Duwairi expressed his conviction that the numbers of dead and wounded announced by Israel cannot represent the truth, due to a discrepancy between the Israeli armys data and the Walla website, which is close to the army itself. In an interview with RT, Military strategist retired Tunisian Brigadier General Tawfiq Didi said that the number of Israeli army deaths in the Gaza battles is much greater than what Israel announces. Didi explained in an interview with the Best Saying program on RT channel, The number of people killed in battles can be easily known, as the equation in wars is that for every 3 wounded there is a dead person, and the numbers now in Israel hover around 12,500 wounded and disabled people, and when we divide by Three, we find that the death toll exceeds 4,000, especially after eliminating more than a thousand tanks and armored vehicles, and I know what happens when Kornet missiles hit a tank. Its ammunition explodes and no one is left alive. He added, "The Israelis announce their dead only of those of Jewish origin and of the first race, meaning all Arabs, Falash, and those who are among them. They are not counted because they are of the second category. So I am sure that the number exceeds 4 thousand dead, and this is a very easy military calculation." He pointed out, "The Palestinian resistance documented everything it did, unlike the Israelis. The resistance documented shooting at tanks and armored vehicles and destroying the houses in which the Israeli soldiers were holed up, and we saw them being killed... We saw the Kornet hitting the tanks, we saw Al-Yassin 105, so the difference is clear." Hostages The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ), published a new message in which it addressed the families of Israeli prisoners that if Benjamin Netanyahus government continues the war on the Gaza Strip , they should expect news of the killing of all prisoners in their army raids. In a design published by the Al-Qassam Brigades on their account on the Telegram platform, a television screen appears displaying breaking news that says: Al-Qassam Brigades: We announce the killing of all our prisoners after they were targeted by raids from Zionist warplanes. The following sentence was written below the design, in Hebrew and Arabic: If Netanyahu continues the war, be prepared for such news. In the same context, thousands of Israelis demonstrated in several cities to demand the dismissal of their government, coinciding with the demonstration of the families of prisoners detained in the Gaza Strip in front of the home of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu . Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper said, "Thousands of Israelis demonstrated in the city of Haifa (north) at the Horev intersection against the (Israeli) government and demanding that elections be held immediately." It explained, "The march started from the Carmel area in Haifa to the demonstration center at the Horev intersection." In the city of Kfar Saba (north), near Tel Aviv, hundreds demonstrated under the slogan Elections Now, according to the newspaper. The demonstrators demanded Netanyahu's dismissal and elections to be held immediately. Hundreds also demonstrated in the city of Rehovot, near Tel Aviv, to demand the dismissal of the government. Netanyahu faces repeated criticism from the Israeli street and a number of politicians, including those belonging to the War Council, against the backdrop of the crisis of Israeli detainees in the Gaza Strip and the failure to find any path to guarantee their return alive to Israel. In another context, dozens of families of prisoners detained in the Gaza Strip demonstrated in front of Netanyahus house in the city of Caesarea (north) to demand the release of their sons. "For the second week in a row, families of prisoners in Gaza are demonstrating in front of Netanyahu's house in the city of Caesarea," Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported. For his part, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a press conference on Saturday evening that "we have no alternative to overwhelming victory and the return of our abductees in the Gaza Strip." He added that he would not back down from any course of pressure on Hamas, saying that the State of Qatar could exert this pressure, noting that Qatar hosts Hamas leaders and therefore can exert pressure regarding the kidnapped people. Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed have been held as hostages in Gaza since 2014 and 2015, respectively. Unlike the roughly 240 people kidnapped in the Hamas October 7 terrorist attacks, the campaign for the release of Mengistu and al-Sayed has received little publicity. Mengistu is known to suffer from what HRW deemed "serious" mental health issues. "Avera crossed one of the safest borders in the world, under the eyes of the security services," recalled Gil Elias, a relative. "We're talking about a mentally ill person who got lost." The calls for the release of Mengistu and al-Sayed have been barely audible during the many years they have been held captive in Gaza. Israel had previously estimated there were 116 living hostages in Palestinian custody. Israel declared 20 out of 136 people in Gaza captivity dead in absentia, after announcing its forces had recovered the bodies of two hostages. By another count, 132 of them are still being held in Gaza, and 25 of them have been confirmed dead. Israel considers those still held by Hamas to be hostages regardless of whether they are dead or alive. Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy earlier had told reporters that Hamas still held 137 captives. The resistance released 10 Israeli detainees, 4 Thais and 2 Russian women, who were released outside the agreement. Over the course of 6 days, Israel has received 102 detainees, women and children, including 78 Israelis, in exchange for the release of 234 Palestinian prisoners, women and children. Eylon Levy, the Israeli government spokesperson, told reporters 01 December 2023: Hamas still held 137 hostages from the October attacks, in addition to four others who went missing before the war The hostages include two children aged four and 10 months, who, Hamas now claims, are dead 117 male hostages are still kept in Gaza, including the two children, as well as 20 females 126 hostages are Israelis, and 11 others are foreign nationals Foreign nationals are eight Thais, one Nepalese, one Tanzanian and one French Mexican citizen Ten of the remaining hostages are 75 and older. There are seven missing people since the October 7 attack Hamas had released 110 hostages so far 86 Israelis and 24 foreign nationals. Some of the rest are soldiers, seized when Hamas raided military bases in Israel. They may end up being held the longest. The Israeli military had not specified how many soldiers were captured, nor their ranks. According to some estimates, Hamas was initially holding nearly 210 of the 240 hostages, while Palestinian Islamic Jihad was holding the remaining 30. About 40 Israelis remained missing. More than 40 hostages taken from Israel into Gaza on October 7th are not currently in the custody of Hamas, the group responsible for the attack, according to a CNN report based on a diplomatic source briefed on the negotiations, CNN's prior reports had indicated that an estimated 40 to 50 hostages were held by Palestinian Islamic Jihad or other unidentified groups or individuals. Abu Ubaida, the spokesperson for the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, said on Hamas telegram account that 23 bodies of the 60 missing Israel hostages were trapped under the rubble. It seems that we will never be able to reach them due to the continued brutal aggression of the occupation against Gaza, he said. The Palestinian Prisoners' Club revealed that about 11,000 arrests were carried out by the Israeli army during the year 2023 in the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, in addition to arrests from the Gaza Strip before the seventh of last October. The number of people arrested by the Israelis in the West Bank since that date has exceeded 6,255. The total number of prisoners in Israeli prisons is 8,800, as documented by the club until the end of December 2023. Palestinian prisoner institutions said more than 3,290 administrative detainees, which is the highest percentage since the years of the 1987 Intifada, and 661 who were classified as unlawful combatants from Gaza, and this is the number available only as a clear given. The Prisoners' Club stated that cases of arrest among women amounted to (300), and this toll includes women from the occupied interior detained after October 7, while the number of cases of children reached 1,085. The arrest campaigns affected all groups, including women and children, as the number of women who were arrested reached about 200, while the number of arrests among children until the end of last December exceeded 355 children. Israel said on 14 January 2024 that, since the beginning of the war, approximately 2,700 wanted persons have been arrested throughout the Judea and Samaria Division and the Bekaa and Valleys Division, approximately 1,300 of whom are affiliated with Hamas. On 08 January 2024 it was reported that more than 1,350 wanted persons had been arrested throughout the Judea and Samaria Division and the Bekaa and Valleys Division, more than 870 of whom are associated with the terrorist organization Hamas. The institutions added in the statement that the occupation arrested 210 women during the aforementioned period, and this statistic includes women who were arrested from the territories in 1948, and more than 355 children, pointing out that the outcome of the arrest campaigns includes all those who were arrested from homes, and through military checkpoints, Those who were forced to surrender themselves under pressure, and those who were detained. It explained that "the number of arrests among journalists reached 50, of whom 35 remain in detention, and 20 of them were transferred to administrative detention." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 27 January 2024 - Day 702 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 Russia continues its offensive across multiple axes, in line with its strategic objective to capture the Donbas. Russian forces have seized the hamlets of Krokhmalne, Kharkiv on 21 January 2024 and Vesele, near Bakhmut on 18 January 2024; however, these are strategically insignificant. Vesele had a pre-war population of 102 and Krokhmalne, 45. This represents a continuation of Russia's minor incremental gains whilst Ukraine focuses on active defence. The assessed main priority for Russian forces is the city of Avdiivka. The Russians are mounting a three-pronged attack to encircle the city from the south and north, and also fighting on the outskirts of the eastern quarter of Avdiivka city itself. Russian forces have suffered heavy personnel and armoured vehicle losses, frequently caused by Ukrainian uncrewed aerial vehicle munitions. Russian forces are reportedly attempting to bypass Ukrainian fortifications by entering the city edges via service tunnels; this is a method of infiltration they have been attempting since October 2023. Ukrainian counter-attacks are holding Russian forces from progressing further within the city. As the main supply route remains intact, and Ukrainian forces make local counter-attacks, Avdiivka is likely to remain in Ukrainian control over the coming weeks. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of January 27, there were 64x combat engagements. Russian forces launched 1x missile strike and carried out 35x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the Russian attacks have resulted in civilian casualties and injuries. Residential private and apartment 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. More than 30x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Yeline, Bleshnya, Karpovychi, Leonivka (Chernihiv oblast), Chuikivka, Iskryskivshchyna, Andriivka, Volodymyrivka, Basivka, Popivka (Sumy oblast), Udy, Kozacha Lopan', Ohirtseve, Vovchans'k, Budarky, Kolodyazne (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, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast). Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 11x assaults near Terny, Yampolivka, Tors'ke (Donetsk oblast) and Bilohorivka (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 Karmazynivka, Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Tors'ke, Dibrova, Serebryanka, Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, Spirne, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast). Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 6x attacks in the vicinities of Ivanivske, Klishchiivka (Donetsk oblast), where the Russian occupiers made unsuccessful attempts to improve their tactical situation. Around 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Vasyukivka, Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, New York (Donetsk oblast). Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 8x attacks near Stepove, Avdiivka, and 12x more attacks near Tonen'ke, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast). In that area, Russian forces made unsuccessful attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. The invaders fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Novobakhmutivka, Berdychi, Avdiivka, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast). Mar'inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the invaders in the vicinities of Heorhiivka and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). In that area, Russian forces made 10x failed attempts to improve its tactical situation. The settlements of Maksymil'yanivka, Heorhiivka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka were under Russian artillery and mortar fire. Shakhtars'ke axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 3x assaults south of Zolota Nyva and west of Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Vodyane, Vuhledar, Bohoyavlenka, Staromaiors'ke, Zelene Pole (Donetsk oblast). Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 1x assault west of Verbove (Zaporizhzhia oblast). More than 15x settlements, including Levadne, Hulyaipole, Charivne, Mala Tokmachka, Novoandriivka, Lobkove (Zaporizhzhia oblast), came under Russian artillery and mortar fire. Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: Russian forces fired artillery at the city of Kherson and vicinities of settlements of Beryslav, Antonivka, Dniprovs'ke (Kherson oblast) as well as Ochakiv (Mykolaiv oblast). On top of that, Russian forces launched MLRS strikes at the vicinities of Ivanivka and Antonivka (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 1x unsuccessful assault on positions of Ukrainian troops. During the day of January 27, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 4x Russian concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment. The Ukrainian missile troops hit 1x artillery system, 2x ammunition depots of the Russian invaders. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces repelled five attacks launched by assault groups of AFU 32nd mechanised, 103rd territorial defence brigades near Sinkovka (Kharkov region) and Terni (Donetsk People's Republic). The enemy lost up to 25 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, and three motor vehicles. In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Force repelled two attacks launched by assault groups of the 63rd Mechanised Brigade and the 44th Rifle Battalion of the AFU close to Yampolovka (Donetsk People's Republic) and Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic). In addition, strikes were delivered at AFU manpower and hardware near Kirovsk (Donetsk People's Republic) and Serebryansky forestry. The enemy has lost up to 100 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, and one D-20 howitzer. In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by artillery repelled two enemy attacks close to Shumy and Bogdanovka, and inflicted fire damage on AFU manpower and hardware near Krasnoye, Kleshcheyevka, Andreyevka, Georgiyevka, and Novomikhailovka (Donetsk People's Republic). Up to 250 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, and one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system have been eliminated. In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces repelled four attacks of assault groups of the AFU 127th Territorial Defence Brigade near Priutnoye (Zaporozhye region), as well as inflicted losses on AFU manpower and hardware close to Makarovka (Donetsk People's Republic). The enemy has lost up to 115 troops, three motor vehicles, as well as two Akatsiya self-propelled artillery systems. In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces supported by artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 63rd Mechanised Brigade close to Rabotino and Nesteryanka (Zaporozhye region). The enemy has lost up to 20 Ukrainian troops, one armoured fighting vehicle, and two motor vehicles. In the course of the counter-battery warfare, one Akatsiya and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems were destroyed. In Kherson direction, as a result of actions of the Russian Group of Forces, the enemy has lost up to 15 Ukrainian troops and two motor vehicles. In addition, four Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems were destroyed during counter-battery warfare. Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged one S-300 SAM system close to Cherkassy region, POL bases and air-delivered ordnance depots near Kirovograd and Dnepropetrovsk regions, as well as AFU manpower and hardware in 102 areas during the day. Air defence systems have intercepted seven HIMARS and Vampire MLRS projectiles during the day. In addition, 28 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were intercepted near Zolotaryovka (Lugansk People's Republic), Spornoye, Belogorovka, Kleshcheyevka, Nikolayevka (Donetsk People's Republic), and Kazachyi Lageri, Novaya Myachka, and Peschanovka (Kherson region). In total, 568 airplanes and 265 helicopters, 11,283 unmanned aerial vehicles, 456 air defence missile systems, 14,805 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,210 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,881 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 17,940 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The odious American politician Donald Trump said that he intends to fight the Senate agreement on the US state border to the last. He also praised House Speaker Mike Johnson for declaring the bill dead upon arrival in the lower house. ADVERTISIMENT In addition, Trump criticized President Joe Biden's actions on the southern border. This was reported by Politico. The former US president called the opening of the border a "terrible betrayal of America" and said he would fight for it with all his might. "There is no way that I will support this terrible betrayal of America, which involves open borders. It will not happen, and I will fight it to the end. Many senators are trying to blame me for this. Please blame me, but it's better to have no bill than a bad bill," Trump said. It is worth noting that although the text of the bill has not yet been published, the emergence of details this week caused a stir in the US Congress. Bipartisan negotiators have been trying to rally Republicans in the Senate to support a policy that would change national immigration law. However, Trump has further complicated the negotiations by wading into the debate in an attempt to scuttle the deal. ADVERTISIMENT Notably, the migrant issue has long been a political headache for Biden, who has seen record levels of border crossings since taking office. According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Border Patrol agents reported a record 302,034 encounters with migrants in December 2023. Only verified information on our Telegram OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Iran condemns E3 statement against Sorayya satellite launch IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 27, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The spokesman of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the statement issued by the three European countries (UK, France, and Germany) about the recent launch of a home-grown Sorayya satellite. Despite interpretations of some countries based on unilateralist inclinations, there is no restriction on Iran's scientific activities in the area of space, Nasser Kanaani said on Saturday. The Islamic Republic of Iran has an absolute right to have access to scientific and research achievements, he said adding that such comments would not prevent the determined Iranian nation from achieving more successes. In his remarks, the spokesman said the Islamic Republic strongly rejects such abnormal attitudes. He went on to say that the Islamic Republic preserves its right to use peaceful technology in line with upgrading its scientific development, so the country does not care about comments of certain countries which are after imposing their opinion on others. On January 20, Iranian Space Agency announced it had successfully placed a home-made satellite into space's orbit. The satellite, dubbed Sorayya which means Pleiades, a space constellation, in Persian, was placed into an orbit of 750 kilometers above the earth's surface. Commenting on the issue, London, Paris, and Berlin said it would let Iran test a technology for developing its ballistic missile program. 1483**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Biden, Xi Set for Spring Call; Blinken to Visit Beijing By Nike Ching January 27, 2024 U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping are scheduled to have a phone call in the spring, while Secretary of State Antony Blinken is slated to make another trip to Beijing this year as the two nations pursue additional high-level diplomacy to manage competition in the bilateral relationship. On Saturday, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi concluded their more than 12 hours of talks during a two-day meeting in Bangkok, Thailand. A senior U.S. administration official said "the quiet low-profile channel" between Sullivan and Wang is "an important way to manage competition and tensions responsibly" between the two countries. The official also confirmed to VOA that top U.S. diplomat Blinken will return to Beijing this year. Blinken was the first U.S. Cabinet official to travel to China last year, and his counterpart has since traveled to the United States on a reciprocal visit. The White House described the talks in Bangkok as candid, substantive and constructive discussions that touched on global and regional issues, including Russia's war against Ukraine, the Middle East, North Korea, the South China Sea, and Burma. In a statement, the Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry said both countries will make good use of current strategic communication channels to properly handle sensitive issues. Houthi aggression During the latest talks, Sullivan asked Wang to use Beijing's "substantial leverage" over Iran to call for an end to the attacks on Red Sea trade routes by Yemen-based Houthi rebels. U.S. officials have expressed reservations about whether China is "actually raising" the issue, despite repeated requests from Washington. "We're looking to actually facts on the ground, and those attacks [by Houthis] seem to be continuing," said the official when asked if China is playing a positive role during a Saturday phone briefing. Earlier Saturday, the U.S. Central Command said its forces had destroyed an anti-ship missile in Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen, which posed an imminent threat to merchant vessels and U.S. Navy ships in the Red Sea. The missile was prepared for launch into the Red Sea. This action follows sanctions and military strikes earlier this month from the U.S. and its allies against the Houthis. In Beijing, Chinese officials criticized military strikes by the U.S. and United Kingdom against the Houthis rebels. "We believe that the [United Nations] Security Council has never authorized the use of force by any country on Yemen, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Yemen and other coastal countries of the Red Sea need to be earnestly respected," said Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs during a briefing last week. He said tension in the Red Sea is "a manifestation of the spillover of the Gaza conflict" and the priority is to push for a cease-fire in Gaza. The Houthis have launched attacks on commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden since November, which they said are in support of Palestinians in conflict with Israel. The U.S. has condemned these actions by the Houthis as disruptions to international supply chains and violations of navigational rights and freedoms. Counternarcotics efforts The U.S. and China will hold a formal working group on counternarcotics in Beijing on January 30-31. As the U.S. and China resumed their counternarcotics cooperation, American officials said Washington is seeing a reduction in the amount of precursor chemicals originating from China at some U.S. airports. U.S. officials have identified China as the main source of precursor chemicals used in the synthesis of fentanyl by drug cartels in Mexico. The working group is aimed at stopping the flow of synthetic drugs and precursor chemicals into the U.S. that contribute to the fentanyl crisis. Myanmar military coup While in Bangkok, Sullivan held talks with Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, the Thai foreign minister. The senior U.S. official told VOA they discussed the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, also known as Burma, and efforts to provide humanitarian aid to the Burmese people. Civil war has engulfed Myanmar following a military coup on February 1, 2021, that overthrew the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyy. "It's fair to say that China certainly does have influence in that region," the official noted. "We hope to have follow up discussions at [a] lower level in the coming weeks and months, given the need to really remain focused on promoting a return to the path of democratic transition in Burma." Upcoming AI, military talks In addition, the U.S. and China are preparing for a dialogue on artificial intelligence in the spring, along with the upcoming counternarcotics working group talks in Beijing next week. Both countries also will hold Military Maritime Consultative Agreement meetings this spring, alongside communications between defense ministers and theater commanders. Sullivan and Wang have been holding talks approximately every four months outside the U.S. since last May. They met in Vienna on May 10-11, 2023, in Malta on September 16-17, 2023, and in Bangkok on January 26-27. They also had discussions in Washington last October during Wang's visit to the U.S. capital. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Background Press Call on APNSA Jake Sullivan's Meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi of the People's Republic of China January 27, 2024 National Security Council Via Teleconference 10:31 A.M. EST MODERATOR: Good morning, everyone. And thank you for joining us on a Saturday morning. Quickly, to go over ground rules, this call will be embargoed until the conclusion of the call. It's attributable to a senior administration official. For awareness but not for reporting, joining us on today's call is [senior administration official]. And with that, I will waste no time and I will hand it over to [senior administration official]. SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Thanks so much. And, folks, thanks for giving up part of your Sunday mor- a or Saturday morning for this. I wanted to give you a bit of a readout of the National Security Advisor's meeting with Chinese Communist Party Politburo Member Director Wang Yi a and Foreign Minister a Wang Yi. The two met over 12 hours over two days, here in Bangkok. The discussion built on the candid and constructive meetings we've had not only in this channel, but also between President Biden and President Xi Jinping in Woodside, California, in November 2023. The last meeting between Mr. Sullivan and Director Wang took place October 2023 in Washington, D.C. And I think altogether now, this is the fourth meeting in this channel with Director Wang but the eighth meeting between directors and national security advisors. As folks will remember, the previous incumbent of the role was Yang Jiechi. And Jake Sullivan often met frequently with that individual too. This quite low-profile channel between the National Security Advisor and Director Wang is an important way to manage competition and tensions responsibly. The two-day format of these meetings, which is what we've done in every case, allows us to dive deeply into substance and have a strategic, thoughtful conversation about the direction of the relationship and key issues both countries face. The two sides are committed to continuing this strategic channel of communication and agree to pursue additional channels of communication not just at the cabinet level, visits in both directions, but also a telephone call between the two leaders at some point in the coming months. We've said this before, but it bears repeating, that U.S. diplomacy, these channels of communication, do not indicate a change in approach on the PRC. Mr. Sullivan underscored during the meeting that the United States and the PRC are in competition but that the United States does not seek conflict or confrontation, and there are areas of cooperation in the relationship. During the meeting, Mr. Sullivan and Director Wang took stock of progress on key issues following the Woodside summit, including resuming military-to-military communication, advancing bilateral counternarcotics cooperation, and addressing AI safety and risks. The United States and the PRC will launch a working group on counternarcotics, as agreed by the two leaders, on January 30th. I think we'll have some more details and an announcement for you on that tomorrow. On military-to-military channels, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Brown, held a virtual meeting with his counterpart on December 21. And the Defense Policy Coordination Talks, essentially a communication mechanism at DOD with their Ministry of Defense counterparts, took place in early January. As next steps, we look forward to the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement meetings sometime this spring, as well as communications between theater commanders and at the minister or secretary level in the coming months. On AI, both sides reiterated their interest in discussing emerging challenges such as safety and risks posed by advanced forms of AI. We also discussed next steps towards the U.S.-China dialogue on this issue. We expect to hold it sometime in the spring; don't have a date for you yet on that. Mr. Sullivan underscored continued concern with the PRC's unfair trade policies, non-market economic practices, and retaliatory actions against U.S. firms. He reiterated President Biden's commitments a or, rather, comments to President Xi that the U.S. will continue to take actions to prevent advanced U.S. technologies from being used to undermine our own national security but that we are focused on de-risking, not decoupling. And our approach remains a small yard, high fence a that is we're focused on the narrow band of technologies that are the most advanced and present military challenges. The two sides welcomed ongoing communication on this issue in economic channels, including between Secretary Yellen and Secretary Raimondo and their counterparts. Mr. Sullivan raised other specific issues in the bilateral relationship where we have differences. None of these would surprise you; they're issues we consistently raise in conversations with PRC counterparts. The two sides also discussed important global and regional security issues, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Middle East including the Red Sea, DPRK, the South China Sea, and, of course, Burma. They discussed cross-Strait issues. Mr. Sullivan reiterated that the United States remains committed to our One China policy guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, Three CommuniquAs, and Six Assurances. He indicated the U.S. opposes unilateral changes to the status quo from either side, that we do not support Taiwan independence, and that we expect cross-Strait differences to be resolved peacefully. The two sides, as I mentioned before, discussed additional high-level diplomacy between the United States, and we're committed to continuing consultation in key areas through the mechanisms that we've announced previously. I'll stop there, and happy to answer any questions you might have. MODERATOR: With that, we'll open it up to questions. We'll go to Trevor Hunnicutt with Reuters first. Q Hey, thanks so much for doing the call. Two questions. Just curious if there was any specific date for the Biden-Xi call beyond the coming months. And then also, I was wondering if you could give a little bit more detail around the conversation on Iran and its support for the Houthis, whether China had made any progress in terms of convincing Iran to change its support for the Houthis. Thank you. SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Thanks so much. On the phone call, I don't have a date for you yet, but we're expecting it to take place this spring, some point in the coming months. This leader-level channel is absolutely critical to maintaining direction in the relationship and following up on some of the issues from Woodside. So, I think important that both sides go ahead with this. And, of course, at Woodside the two leaders discussed maintaining communication through telephone calls. On the Red Sea, we certainly underscored that Iran continues to take irresponsible actions that exacerbate regional tensions and instability, including by supporting the Houthis' attacks against civilian ships in the Red Sea. Mr. Sullivan raised the importance of Beijing using its substantial leverage with Iran to call for an end and bring an end to these dangerous attacks. You know, we certainly a this is not the first time we've called on China to play a constructive role. Beijing says they are raising this with the Iranians, and I think you've seen that reflected in some of the press reporting. But we're certainly going to wait to see results before we comment further on how effective we think a or whether we think they're actually raising it. MODERATOR: Next, we'll go to Michelle Jamrisko with Bloomberg. Q Hi, yes, Michelle from Bloomberg. Thanks for doing this. I just wanted to ask on the fentanyl piece. In previous discussions and previous rounds of trying to negotiate around this with China, there wasn't a seemed to be much change in what they were doing. I'm wondering what kinds of measures may have been discussed in terms of holding them to account for delivering on the sort of cooperation on counternarcotics. SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Sure. Great question. I think we briefed on some of this back a right after the Woodside summit, so I'm going to pull from some of those discussions. So when we announced the restart of the counternarcotics working group last November, that was a company that (inaudible) by actions the Chinese side took, including releasing a notice to their precursor chemical a actually their entire chemical industry a about trafficking in precursor chemicals to the United States. It listed out potential criminal liability. Specific, I think it included DEA's list of chemicals of concern, called for additional scrutiny on pill presses and equipment. So that notice that was sent out to the chemical companies, we've already seen tangible impact on the ground. China has moved to shut down a number of companies and operations that were trafficking in the illicit chemicals and precursors. We have also seen, we understand, reductions in precursor chemicals seized at some U.S. airports, originating from China. So we are already starting to see immediate impact. However, this type of cooperation, because of the nature of the drug trade, really needs to be continuous and ongoing. It's not just one snapshot in time. So our goal is to use this counternarcotics working group, which will include participation from a broad cross-section of agencies on our part, to really ensure that what we're doing is iterative, that we're continuing to share information on cases on particular points of origin of these precursor chemicals. MODERATOR: Next, we'll go to Nike Ching with Voice of America. Q Good morning. Thank you so much for the call briefing. On South China Sea, how was this issue being discussed? And how worried is the United States that escalating tensions between the People's Republic of China and the Philippines over South China Sea may trigger a conflict in the Indo-Pacific? And separately, if I may, was there a discussion on a potential trip by Secretary of State Antony Blinken this year to Beijing? And finally, how was Burma discussed? How does the United States assess the Chinese influence over the junta to put an end to the conflict? Thank you. SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Thanks for those questions. First, on South China Sea, Mr. Sullivan underscored the importance the United States places on the South China Sea, that we remain committed to promoting freedom of navigation and overflights, respect for international law, and the peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea, in close coordination, of course, with our allies and partners, namely Philippines, in the case you're mentioning. I think diplomacy plays an important part of that peaceful resolution of disputes. We support ongoing diplomacy between the two parties there. And I'll leave it at that for now. You asked about Burma as well. Of course, while he was in Thailand, Mr. Sullivan also met the Thai prime minister and deputy prime minister and foreign minister. In those meetings, he discussed Burma, as well a the efforts to address the worsening crisis there; discussed the importance of providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Burma; welcomed efforts to advance meaningful implementation of the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus. In his follow-up, then, with Director Wang Yi the following day, you know, I think it's fair to say that China certainly does have influence in that region. But Mr. Sullivan and Director Wang discussed the ongoing crisis, and we hope to have follow-up discussions at lower level in the coming weeks and months, given the need to really remain focused on promoting a return to the path of democratic transition in Burma. You asked one more question, which somehow has a oh, Blinken's travel. We didn't discuss specific dates, and I would refer you to the Department of State for any conversations on that. But we do expect at some point that Secretary Blinken would make another trip this year. That channel is incredibly important. And, of course, Secretary Blinken was the first Cabinet official last year to travel to China, and his counterpart has since traveled to the United States on a reciprocal visit. So it would be up for him to return to Beijing at some point soon. MODERATOR: Next, we'll go to Sangho Song with Yonhap News. Q Thank you for doing this. You briefly mentioned the two sides also discussed the DPRK, so can you elaborate on that? Was there any discussion, ongoing concerns about the (inaudible) rhetoric and weapons tests, and cooperation between Russia and North Korea and China's role vis-A -vis North Korea (inaudible)? Thank you. SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yeah, thanks for that question. Yes, the two sides did discuss DPRK. I think we are deeply concerned a I know we are deeply concerned about the recent testing of weapons. We are deeply concerned about the growing relationship between Russia and the DPRK and what that might mean for Mr. Kim's intentions. We raised those concerns directly with China, given their influence on Pyongyang. And we hope these discussions will continue further between our two envoys. For example, I think the Chinese just sent their vice foreign minister to Pyongyang this week, if I'm not mistaken. So our next step would be a call between our envoy and the vice foreign minister upon his return. MODERATOR: And our last question will go to Demetri with the FT. Q Thanks. Good morning. So, two questions. Again, on North Korea, can you give us a sense of is China actually playing a constructive role? Because it seems to be they haven't been doing very much recently. Is that changing? And secondly, on Iran, can you just give us a sense of where you think China has leverage over Iran and where might they not have leverage? I mean, how much leverage do they have and why? SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Thanks for the question, Demetri. On DPRK, I'm not sure I would characterize anything recently as constructive. Russia certainly has a growing role there and growing influence. But certainly, Beijing certainly maintains influence as well. And I think our expectation would be that they have to use that to bring us back to the path of denuclearization. On Iran, you know, China is one of, I think, Iran's largest trading partners, obviously buys substantial quantities of Iranian oil. I think we would characterize both the economic and trade relationship as giving it leverage a as giving Beijing leverage over Iran to some extent. How they choose to use that, of course, is China's choice. But Iran's influence over the Houthis and the Houthis' destabilization of global shipping raises serious concerns, not just for the U.S. and China but for global trade. So, again, I think there should be a clear interest in China in terms of quiet some of those attacks. But whether it chooses to use that leverage in that way, I think that remains to be seen. Q And you've been talking to Iran a to China about Iran for a couple of months. Have you seen any indications that they're playing ball in a positive way? SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: We've seen in public press reporting, and it mirrors what the Chinese are telling us directly, that they are raising it with Iran. But, you know, I think we're looking to actually facts on the ground, and those attacks seem to be continuing. I'll leave it there for now. MODERATOR: That concludes our call. Thank you all for joining us. You can anticipate that a transcript of the call will be out later today. Thank you. 10:49 A.M. EST NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Meeting with Chinese Communist Party Politburo Member, Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi January 27, 2024 National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met on January 26-27 with Chinese Communist Party Politburo Member, Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Bangkok to follow up on the Woodside Summit between President Biden and President Xi last November. This meeting was part of the effort to maintain open lines of communication and responsibly manage competition in the relationship as directed by the leaders. Mr. Sullivan stressed that although the United States and China are in competition, both countries need to prevent it from veering into conflict or confrontation. The two sides discussed next steps on a range of areas of cooperation discussed at Woodside. Mr. Sullivan and Director Wang Yi recognized recent progress in resuming military-to-military communication and noted the importance of maintaining these channels. They also discussed next steps towards holding a U.S.-China dialogue on AI in the spring. Mr. Sullivan and Director Wang welcomed advances in cooperation on counternarcotics issues, including the launch of the U.S.-China Counternarcotics Working Group on January 30. The two sides held candid, substantive and constructive discussions on global and regional issues, including those related to Russia's war against Ukraine, the Middle East, DPRK, the South China Sea, and Burma. They discussed cross-Strait issues, and Mr. Sullivan underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The two sides committed to maintain this strategic channel of communication and to pursue additional high-level diplomacy and consultations in key areas between the United States and the People's Republic of China, including through a call between President Biden and President Xi. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Talks Held between Vice Foreign Ministers of DPRK and China Korean Central News Agency of DPRK Pyongyang, January 27 (KCNA) -- Talks were held between Pak Myong Ho, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and Sun Weidong, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China who is heading a PRC foreign ministry delegation on a visit to the DPRK, at the People's Palace of Culture here on Friday. At the talks the, both sides discussed the issues related to celebrating the "year of DPRK-China friendship" and agreed to expand and develop the friendly exchange and practical cooperation between the two countries in different fields. They reaffirmed the importance of cooperation between the diplomatic fields of the two countries in dealing with various regional and international issues including the situation in Northeast Asia. -0- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Korea, China agree to boost strategic communications, defend common interests Iran Press TV Saturday, 27 January 2024 8:00 AM North Korea and China have agreed to bolster tactical cooperation and defend their common interests. In a statement, the Chinese foreign ministry said Beijing and Pyongyang have agreed to strengthen strategic communications "at all levels" and deepen their cooperation, a few hours after Chinese Foreign Vice Minister Sun Weidong met with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui in Pyongyang. According to the statement, both sides reaffirmed their "unswerving stance" on maintaining, consolidating and developing bilateral ties. The North's official KCNA news agency said Saturday the two senior officials agreed to strengthen tactical cooperation and defend common interests. North Korea, which is under harsh sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council and the United States over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs for years, strives to further strengthen its ties with its two traditional closest allies, namely permanent members China and Russia. Moscow and Beijing used to vote against Pyongyang's ballistic missile and nuclear programs, but since 2017, they have refused to join in imposing more sanctions on the peninsular country. Since then, they have backed the North's position that it is exercising its right to self defense, stressing that only thorough dialog and diplomatic means the North's issue can be solved. China and Russia have been using their veto powers at the UNSC against efforts spearheaded by the US to pile up more sanctions on North Korea over Pyongyang's missile tests, which have been growing in response to the US's increasing military presence and joint war games with allies, South Korea and Japan, in the Korean Peninsula. North Korea, for its part, has backed Russia over the war in Ukraine, insisting that the "hegemonic policy" of the US-led NATO military alliance of Western governments forced Moscow to take military action to protect its national security interests. North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un has repeatedly said his government is building up its military arsenal in preparation for potential war by the West that could "break out at any time" on the peninsula. Pyongyang has previously warned that the US is increasing provocations of a "nuclear war" by deploying nuclear-capable bombers to the region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Qatar, US committed to deal on Iran's access to unfrozen assets: Qatari FM Iran Press TV Saturday, 27 January 2024 6:36 PM Qatar's Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani says his country and the United States are committed to a deal on Iran's access to its $6 billion of recently unfrozen funds. The Qatari foreign minister made the announcement in a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Saturday. The Qatari foreign minister said executive procedures are underway in accordance with an agreement between the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) and Qatar Central Bank. Iran and the United States agreed in August 2023 to a Qatar-brokered deal to exchange prisoners and secure the release of some $6 billion of Iranian funds that had remained blocked in two South Korean banks since 2018 under the pretext of US sanctions. The money was successfully transferred in September 2023 to accounts held by six Iranian banks in Qatar's Ahlibank and Dukhan Bank. The administration of US President Joe Biden claimed at the time that the funds and the proceeds of Iranian oil sales to South Korea could only be spent on "humanitarian" purposes. However, Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi underscored Tehran's full authority on its assets, saying it is the Islamic Republic that decides how to spend the funds and that the money will be spent "wherever we need it." The Qatari foreign minister, who also serves as his country's prime minister, lauded growing relations between Tehran and Doha. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Raeisi: Iran-Pakistan border must be safeguarded against insecurity Iran Press TV Saturday, 27 January 2024 3:16 PM Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi says the border between Iran and Pakistan must be safeguarded against any sort of insecurity. Raeisi made the statement in a meeting with Pakistan's new Ambassador to Tehran Muhammad Mudassir Tipu on Saturday as the diplomat submitted his credentials to the president. "The Islamic Republic of Iran believes borders are an opportunity for economic exchanges and the promotion of security of the neighboring countries," the president said. Raeisi urged the two countries to implement common plans to battle terrorism and organized crime. He stressed the importance of strictly countering any negative atmosphere in relations between Tehran and Islamabad. The Iranian president warned against the "very destructive" consequences of the activities of the US-led terrorist groups in the region, particularly in Iraq and Syria, over the past years. The presence and activities of these terrorist groups pose a threat to all the countries in the region, Raeisi said, emphasizing that Tehran welcomes regional cooperation to counter terrorism. The Pakistani envoy, for his part, hailed Raeisi's effective role in settling recent tensions between the two countries and welcomed the Iranian president's roadmap to a coherent community of regional countries. Mudassir said senior Pakistani officials are resolute on strengthening cordial ties with Iran. Despite efforts by enemies and ill-wishers to disrupt bilateral cooperation, the two countries have historical and strategic ties and Islamabad is ready to open a new chapter in its fraternal relations with Tehran, the diplomat said. In a post on his X account earlier in day, Mohammad Jamshidi, the Iranian president's deputy chief of staff for political affairs, also pointed to the meeting between Raeisi and Mudassir. "It's the US that benefits from terrorism. Our borders are opportunity, not threat," Jamshidi wrote. On Friday, Rasoul Mousavi, director general of the South Asian affairs department at Iran's Foreign Ministry, said that Mudassir Tipu and Iran's Ambassador to Islamabad Reza Amiri Moqaddam returned to their respective posts earlier in the day. "Strong Pakistan and Iran are critical for region and to promote historic people to people ties. Time to turn a new leaf," Mudassir wrote in his X account. Amiri Moqaddam also commended the Iranian and Pakistani governments and officials for the "deft & tactful diplomacy". "Long live Iran and Pakistan friendship," the Iranian ambassador tweeted. The two neighboring countries witnessed an escalation of cross-border tensions over Iran's counter-terrorism operations. On January 16, Iran launched simultaneous drone and missile attacks on two bases of Jaish ul-Adl, a terror outfit that was formed in 2012 and has conducted several attacks on Iranian soil in recent years. The group claimed responsibility for an attack in December 2023 on a police station in the southeastern city of Rask that killed at least 11 Iranian police officers. On January 10, another attack by the group on a police station in the city killed one officer. Pakistan carried out strikes on January 17 against what it called bases of the separatist Baloch Liberation Front and Baloch Liberation Army in regions close to Iran's border. Tehran condemned the attack as unacceptable and unbalanced. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Commander: Iranian Navy to furnish indigenous hovercraft with long-range missiles Iran Press TV Saturday, 27 January 2024 3:11 PM The commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy says the force is going to equip new domestically-designed and manufactured hovercraft with long-range naval missiles in the near future. Rear Admiral Shahram Irani stated on Saturday that the primary mission of the Iranian Navy is to guard and secure the country's maritime borders, emphasizing that the naval forces' fleets of vessels, submarines and aircraft have been overhauled and renovated by Iranian military experts and specialists. He went on to describe the Navy's 86th flotilla, which comprised domestically-manufactured Dena destroyer and Makran forward base ship, and arrived home on May 18 last year after completing an overseas mission and sailing around the world, as an outward manifestation of the Iranian nation and government's authority. The high-ranking Iranian commander noted that a series of new indigenous hovercraft will join the Navy soon, which are armed with long-range missiles. The Navy's Caspian Sea fleet has been furnished with sophisticated Deylaman destroyer which enjoys outstanding capabilities, while the missile prowess of the southern fleet has been enhanced both in terms of quantity and range, and the missiles can now strike and destroy targets at a distance of 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) away, Irani pointed out. He also praised the development of dual-purpose torpedoes, stating that major achievements in the production of such munitions will be soon put on display. Iran's Navy has in recent years achieved self-sufficiency in manufacturing surface and sub-surface vessels. It has also increased its presence in international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for merchant vessels and tankers. Iranian military experts and engineers have in recent years made remarkable breakthroughs in manufacturing a broad range of indigenous equipment, making the armed forces self-sufficient. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran condemns armed attack near border with Pakistan IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 28, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's foreign ministry spokesman has strongly condemned an armed attack by unidentified gunmen on Saturday morning in the suburbs of Saravan, a border town of the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan. Naser Kanani, in a statement, said that Iran's judicial and intelligence authorities have launch an investigation into the attack, which according to initial reports resulted in the death of 9 Pakistani citizens and the wounding of 3 others. While extending condolences to the government of Pakistan and the families of the victims, the Iranian spokesman underlined that Tehran and Islamabad will not allow their enemies to harm the fraternal relations between the two countries. Earlier, the deputy security and law enforcement officer of Sistan and Baluchestan Province informed that police team was immediately arrived at the scene of the attack. Ali Reza Marhamati said that those who survived the attack told the police that three armed assailants shot at these foreigners, killing nine people and injuring three of them before fleeing the scene. He expressed sympathy with the victim's families and pledged a thorough investigation to ascertain the reason and culprits behind the deadly attack. Saravan located 347 km southeast of Zahedan, the capital city of Sistan-Baluchestan, borders with Pakistan. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The city of Beryslav, Kherson region, is regularly shelled by Russian troops, including crowds of people. It is very dangerous in the town, and the enemy army has almost destroyed it. ADVERTISIMENT The head of the press office of the Kherson Regional Military Administration, Oleksandr Tolokonnikov, said this on the air of United News on January 28. He noted that local residents are gradually being evacuated from Beryslav. At the end of January 2024, about seven thousand residents remained in the coastal towns of Beryslav district. "We bring a lot of humanitarian aid and water, and organizations also bring it. As for the shops, they hardly work. There is no electricity, but there are resilience points where people can recharge their gadgets and use Starlink. But, of course, this is not the same Beryslav that was there even a year ago. The Russian military is now targeting crowds more, shooting at civilians, deliberately dropping explosives on them," Tolokonnikov said. ADVERTISIMENT If necessary, emergency services can respond to a call and transport a patient to other settlements. Mobile outpatient clinics operate nearby. The city hospital is not functioning, as the occupiers have dropped bombs on it five times. "And there were a lot of shells that came in. The medical facility was heavily damaged. All the doctors who worked there were mostly distributed to other locations," said the head of the press office of the Regional Military Administration. ADVERTISIMENT As OBOZ.UA previously reported: - On November 9, seven Russian invaders in balaclavas stopped a 51-year-old resident of the Kherson region on the way out of the village of Vilna Ukraina in the Kakhovka district. The servicemen of the aggressor country robbed him, beat him, and tortured him with electricity. - Meanwhile, in the occupied Mariupol, Russian "real estate agents" are selling apartments that are not occupied by their rightful owners. One of these "entrepreneurs" showed her client a living space that had been severely damaged by shelling by the occupying army. This three-room apartment in the city center still contained the belongings of Ukrainians. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Iraq's Nujaba undeterred by Baghdad's renewed push for US withdrawal Iran Press TV Saturday, 27 January 2024 4:56 PM A major Iraqi resistance groups says it will continue attacks on US positions in the Arab country and in the wider region despite a renewed attempt by the government to end the mission of US forces in Iraq. The Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba said on Saturday that it will not pay any attention to US claims that it will withdraw its forces from Iraq based on a timing discussed with the government in Baghdad last year. Nujaba has contributed to attacks by resistance forces in Iraq on US positions in the country, in neighboring Syria, as well as to attacks on Israeli targets in areas in occupied Palestine, since the Israeli regime launched a military aggression against Palestinians in Gaza under direct support from the United States in early October. "We will continue the military operation in response to American-Zionist aggression against Gaza until final victory is reached and up to the point where the last occupying soldier is expelled from our land," said the group in a statement. It came after the office of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said it had sponsored "the commencement of the first round of bilateral dialogue between Iraq and the United States of America to end the mission of the Coalition in Iraq." Both Iraq and the US announced last year that they had started talks on withdrawal of a US-led coalition of troops present in the country since the US invasion of Iraq in 2003. Calls for expulsion of US forces from Iraq increased in 2020 after Washington ordered the assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani and his Iraqi and Iranian comrades in an airstrike in Baghdad. The Iraqi resistance forces have launched attacks on US positions almost on a daily basis since the conflict began in Gaza. The attacks are part of a wider regional campaign to force the US to end its support for Israel's hostilities in Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraqi resistance groups: US only understands language of force Iran Press TV Saturday, 27 January 2024 9:25 AM Iraq's anti-terror resistance groups say Washington's approval of Baghdad's request for the formation of a committee on US troop withdrawal results from the "strikes of resistance" and proves that the US understands nothing but the "language of force." The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which is a coalition of anti-terror fighters, made the remarks in a statement on Friday after Baghdad and Washington agreed to set up a committee to start negotiating a timetable for a phased withdrawal of US forces from Iraq. "The calls of the Islamic Resistance, the decision of the the parliament, and the popular support for the expulsion of foreign forces have all failed to be implemented for years due to American manipulation to fulfill its malicious agenda in Iraq and the region," the statement said. "The American acquiescence to the Iraqi government's request to form a committee to arrange the status of their forces would not have happened without the strikes of the Resistance and the blessings of the martyrs' blood. This proves that Americans only understand the language of force," it asserts. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq cautioned against treacherous acts by the United States as the agreement would allow Washington to "buy time" to perpetrate further crimes in the Arab country. "We have known nothing but treachery and tyranny from the criminal American enemy, as we have experienced over the years of confrontation. This attempt is nothing but a way to shuffle the cards, turn the tables on the resistance, and buy time to carry out more crimes and diabolical plans to harm our people and nation," the statement said. The statement added, "It is preferable that there be no dialogue about this supposed withdrawal until the reality of their intentions and the seriousness of their commitment to withdraw their invading forces from Iraq becomes clear." Iraq's anti-terror resistance groups said the "US commitment" would be proved in the departure of its drones and warplanes from Iraqi airspace, handing over the Joint Special Operations Command to Baghdad and the removal of its officers from the center. "We warn of the danger of granting immunity to any foreign force for any reason, as well as any commitment by the government or its security apparatus to protect these invading murderers," the statement added. "If this happens, it is a historical betrayal of Iraq and the blood of its martyrs." The Islamic Resistance of Iraq also announced in a statement that it had targeted two US military occupation bases in the al-Khadra area and in the Conoco gas field in the eastern Syrian province of Dayr al-Zawr. The Iraqi resistance stressed that the attacks were in response to the illegal US presence in the region and Washington's support for the Israeli genocidal war in Gaza. Earlier in the week, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin confirmed meetings "in the coming days" to discuss the "transition" of the coalition based on the outcomes of a meeting between Baghdad and Washington in August 2023. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shi'a 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 advisors in the Arab country, including the American ones. Senior Iraqi officials have said the end of the US-led coalition was a necessity for the security and stability of Iraq. There are roughly 2,500 American troops in Iraq and some 900 in Syria as part of what Washington claims to be a fighting force against Daesh. The US has maintained its presence, although, the Arab countries and their allies defeated the Takfiri terrorist group in late 2017. According to US officials, over 118 attacks against American troops in Iraq and Syria have been reported since mid-October as anti-US sentiments are running high across the region over Washington's firm support for the Israeli war on Gaza. The Iraqi resistance forces have targeted major US-occupied military bases in Iraq and Syria, warning the United States against funding and supporting Israeli war crimes against Palestinians in Gaza. More than 26,000 Palestinians, some 70 percent of whom are women, children, and adolescents, have been killed in the brutal onslaught so far, while upwards of 64,100 others have been injured. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Battles raging across Rakhine have big ramifications for Myanmar and its neighbors The Arakan Army's battlefield successes, and separatist inclinations, add complexity to an already fraught conflict. A commentary by Zachary Abuza 2024.01.27 -- The Three Brotherhood Alliance of ethnic armies that launched Operation 1027 three months ago is consolidating their gains and establishing administrative control over newly acquired territory across large swathes of Myanmar. While a Chinese brokered ceasefire in Shan state has been repeatedly violated, the loci of violence has shifted north to Kachin, where the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has made steady advances, and west to Rakhine, the domain of the The Arakan Army (AA). It is the fighting in Rakhine that is the most consequential for both the civil war and the inclusive federal democracy espoused by the opposition National Unity Government (NUG). Residents have been fleeing the Rakhine capital Sittwe in anticipation of a looming battle between the rebel ethnic Arakan Army (AA) and junta soldiers. The fall of the fortified administrative and military hub in far western Myanmar would be the latest in a string of victories by the ethnic Rakhine forces. The Arakan Army (AA) had fought the military to a stalemate in 2020. Following the Feb. 1, 2021 coup d'etat, the AA made a tepid pledge of support for the NUG. But the AA did not break its ceasefire with the military, instead consolidating its political power, especially in the north of Rakhine, Myanmar's westernmost state. Although the Rakhine ceasefire broke down in 2022, neither side had a stomach for a wider war. The military could ill afford a new front, while the AA realized that it was achieving substantially more autonomy by not fighting, leaving the army to focus their efforts elsewhere. The AA and their political arm stepped-up civil administration and neutralized rivals. To the dismay of the NUG, the AA and military negotiated a ceasefire in November 2022, though tensions remained. After Cyclone Mocha ravaged Rakhine in May 2023, the military blocked international aid agencies into the state - further legitimizing the AA, which provided the majority of humanitarian assistance to the local population. Arakan Army on a roll Following Operation 1027, the AA - a member of the Three Brotherhood Alliance - broke its ceasefire with the government on Nov. 13. Since then they have captured over 40 military and police posts and several towns. On Jan. 18, the entire Light Infantry Battalion 539 surrendered to the AA. Video, shared widely on social media, shows the soldiers and their family members being marched in handcuffs and under guard. The AA has captured large caches of weapons, including artillery and multiple launch rocket systems, which has allowed the offensive to continue. On Jan. 25, the AA took over Kyauktaw and are currently moving south, with fierce clashes in Mrauk-U and Minbya townships. AA now controls almost all of northern Rakhine. As important, they captured the river port city of Paletwa in southern Chin state. That has resulted in steady air attacks, which forced over 50,000 people from their homes. On Jan. 8, the AA attacked the Danyawaddy Naval Base near Kyaukphyu. The navy plays a key role in ferrying troops in the region, but has also been used to attack civilian populations. On Jan. 21, the AA again fired a barrage of rockets into the naval base, though it's not clear the extent of damage they caused. Rethinks by India and China? The war in Rakhine matters for five reasons. First, the AA's offensive has forced the military to deploy men, planes, and other resources that they desperately need elsewhere. The military cannot countenance a counter-offensive in Shan state, when they are now fighting one of the best armed and largest ethnic armies. Indeed, additional troops are being deployed to Rakhine. Second, the AA's success is forcing India to reevaluate their stance. Narendra Modi's government, which has seen substantial democratic backsliding of its own, has since the coup sided with Myanmar's military, fearful that a weak and isolated junta would become too dependent on China. India has not only not disarmed some 700 Myanmar troops who crossed into Mizoram, but flew some troops to Sittwe, the Rakhine capital. A Myanmar Air Force transport plane that was dispatched to return several hundred troops skidded off the runway on Jan. 23. But the AA's gains complicate the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, a project connecting the eastern Indian seaport of Kolkata to northeastern India's landlocked Mizoram state via Sittwe and Paletwa ports The $484 million project includes a 110-kilometer (68-mile) road from Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram, to the border and then a 62-kilometer (38-mile) road to Paletwa, where goods continue to Sittwe via the Kaladan River. A parallel train route between Aizawl and Sittwe is being planned. New Delhi's insecurity over eastern India, which is connected by the 22-kilometer (13-mile) wide Siliguri Corridor in Sikkim, is palpable. Mizoram, Assam, Nagaland and Manipur are home to several insurgencies and transnational criminal groups, with several Myanmar ethnic armies and people's defense force (PDF) militias situated along the border. China's encroachment in Bhutan's Doklam Plateau, just north of the Siliguri Corridor, further heightens India's insecurity. Rakhine megaprojects India has been no friend of the NUG, participating in and hosting Thai-led Track 1.5 dialogues. India said nothing when Myanmar Air Force jets bombed the Chin National Front's headquarters Camp Victoria on Jan. 10 and 11, 2023, violating Indian air space. India has also turned over anti-government forces to the junta. But with AA taking control over Palweta, and thus the Kaladan project, New Delhi may be forced to rethink its relationship with the State Administrative Council, the three-year-old Myanmar junta's formal name. Mizoram's economic growth is dependent on connectivity to Sittwe, and the Kaladan corridor is the analog to the nearby China Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) to Kyaukphyu. That leads to the third implication: China, too, might have to reevaluate its position. Beijing is known to be frustrated with the lack of progress on the CMEC and the Kyaukphyu port and special economic zone, which date to a 2011 memorandum of understanding. In December 2023, the junta offered additional terms to placate China, which didn't extend an invitation to regime leader Min Aung Hlaing to the October Belt and Road Initiative summit in Beijing. Fighting has intensified in the port's neighboring Ramree. The loss of control even around Kyaukphyu, the terminus of China's oil and gas pipelines, will further stall the project. Clashing visions for Rakhine Fourth, the AA's advances have important implications for the country's inclusive, democratic, and federal future. Of all the ethnic resistance organizations, the Arakan Army is the most predisposed towards independence; and have expressed skepticism towards the NUG's proposed Federal Democratic Charter for the multi-ethnic country of 55 million people. The AA mistrusts the majority Bamar population to ever fully share power and agree to substantial devolution of political authority. Likewise, the AA had a bad relationship with the deposed National League for Democracy government of Aung San Suu Kyi, whose members still dominate the NUG. More importantly, the AA is not in favor of democracy. Their political arm, the United League of Arakan, has moved to eliminate rivals and the AA leadership has shown little interest in sharing power. They see Rakhine's future as a one-party state. The AA's capture of Palweta has also caused tensions with the Chin National Front (CNF) and other Chin organizations, who view the strategic river town as theirs and mistrust the AA's long-term intentions. Indeed, on Jan. 25, the Mara Defense Forces, a local people's defense force under the AA, attacked the Chinland Defense Forces, a PDF under the CNF. While this could be merely a localized conflict, it could erode trust. Finally, the AA's advance will impact the return of the one million Rohingya refugees who are living in squalid and dangerous refugee camps in neighboring Bangladesh. The Buddhist-dominated AA has fought the Arakan Rohingya Solidarity Organization, whose attacks led to the military's 2016-2017 ethnic cleansing campaign. The AA has stated that the Rohingya can return - but talk is cheap, and they have been less clear than the NUG's stated position that the Rohingya are an ethnic group of Myanmar who deserve full legal rights. The AA's advances may be key to the defeat of the Myanmar military, but they also pose challenges as planning for a post-military union is deliberated. Zachary Abuza is a professor at the National War College in Washington and an adjunct at Georgetown University. The views expressed here are his own and do not reflect the position of the U.S. Department of Defense, the National War College, Georgetown University or Radio Free Asia. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content January not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Enemies want to disrupt Iran-Pakistan ties: Islamabad IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 28, 2024 Islamabad, IRNA -- Pakistani Foreign Minister, Jalil Abbas Jilani says common enemies of Iran and Pakistan are trying to sow the seed of discord between the two neighboring countries through "terrorist acts". In a message posted on his official X account, Jilani expressed regret over the death of 9 Pakistani nationals following an attack by unidentified armed assailants in Saravan, a town across the border in Iran's Sistan and Baluchistan province, early Saturday. "The action is yet an attempt to disrupt Pakistan-Iran relations by our common enemies", he said in his post. While offering condolences to the families of the victims, Jilani asked the Iranian government to take firm actions against the perpetrators of the attacks. Calling the attack "terrorist incident", the Pakistan's foreign ministry separately said that it is in touch with Iranian authorities and has asked Tehran to investigate the incident thoroughly. Meanwhile, newly-appointed Pakistani ambassador to Tehran, Muhammad Mudassir Tipi, also expressed shock over the killing of his country's nationals in the Iranian border town. "Deeply shocked by horrifying killing of 9 Pakistanis in Saravan. Embassy will extend full support to bereaved families," the Pakistani envoy said on the social media platform X on Saturday. "We called upon Iran to extend full cooperation in the matter," he added. The shooting occurred as officials in Iran and Pakistan are working to normalize ties after recent cross-border missile attacks, which the two countries said, were aimed at terror groups operating on each other's soil. The shootings also occurred ahead of a planned visit on Monday to Pakistan by Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian at the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart, Jalil Abbas Jilani. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan congratulates Tuvalu on election amid diplomatic concerns ROC Central News Agency 01/27/2024 04:59 PM Taipei, Jan. 27 (CNA) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Saturday congratulated Tuvalu on completing its major elections smoothly while rejecting media reports that Taiwan might be dealing with yet another diplomatic blow in the Pacific region. Taiwan's ambassador to Tuvalu Ling Tung-heng () has congratulated Governor-General Tofiga Falani of Tuvalu and the elected parliamentarians on Friday's elections on behalf of the Republic of China government and its people, MOFA said in a press release. The Republic of China (ROC, Taiwan's official name) and Tuvalu established formal diplomatic relations in 1979, and bilateral ties over the past 45 years have remained "stable and strong," MOFA said. Taiwan looked forward to further working with Tuvalu on promoting the Pacific island nation's development and climate change response, it said. In a separate statement also issued Saturday, MOFA rejected recent media reports suggesting that after its parliamentarian elections Tuvalu might follow in the footsteps of Nauru to sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favor of China. "The majority of the known newly elected members of the parliament are supportive of the Taiwan-Tuvalu relationship," MOFA said, noting that those people "maintain a friendly stance [towards Taiwan] and "back the continuation of the ties between the two countries." The ministry described it as "regrettable" that some media outlets had suggested Taiwan was facing a potential diplomatic setback after a small number of pro-Taiwan politicians lost in Tuvalu's elections. Despite MOFA's tone, the media speculation may not be entirely groundless. Tuvaluan Finance Minister Seve Paeniu, who reportedly secured a seat on Friday and is a contender for the country's leadership, told Reuters earlier this week that Tuvalu's ties with Taiwan "need to be debated and reviewed in the new parliament." Paeniu argued that the voters of Tuvalu wanted more financial support from the international community to help the island nation address climate change and other issues. In contrast, incumbent Tuvaluan Prime Minister Kausea Natano, who had pledged support for Taiwan, lost his seat in the elections, according to media reports. The elections of Tuvalu, a tiny island nation with a population of about 11,000, were closely watched following Nauru's diplomatic switch from Taipei to Beijing on Jan. 15, shortly after Vice President Lai Ching-te () was elected president. That left Taiwan with only 12 countries that formally recognize the ROC. Taipei has criticized Beijing for poaching Nauru, calling the move "a retaliatory act against democratic values and a clear challenge to the stability of the international order." (By Teng Pei-ju) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Wang Yi reiterates sensitivity of the Taiwan question in 'candid, substantive and fruitful' talks with Sullivan Global Times By Global Times Published: Jan 27, 2024 10:47 PM Senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi held a new round of talks with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Bangkok on Friday and Saturday, where the two sides engaged in "candid, substantive, and fruitful" strategic communication on implementing the consensus reached by the two heads of state at the San Francisco summit and properly handling important and sensitive issues relating to China-US relations. Wang, also director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs and a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, stated that 2024 marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the US. Both sides should take this opportunity to summarize experiences, learn lessons, treat each other as equals rather than jostling for a commanding position, seek common ground while reserving differences rather than emphasizing divisions, and genuinely respect rather than undermine each other's core interests. Both sides should work together to promote mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, and build the right way for China and the US to coexist. The Taiwan question is a matter of China's own internal affairs, and the elections in the Taiwan region cannot change the basic fact that Taiwan is part of China, Wang emphasized. The biggest risk to peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits is "Taiwan independence," and the biggest challenge to China-US relations is also "Taiwan independence." The US side must abide by the one-China policy and the three joint communiquAs between China and the US, and implement its commitment of not supporting "Taiwan independence" in action, supporting China's peaceful reunification, Wang noted. Wang pointed out that all countries have national security concerns, but they must be legitimate and reasonable, and should not engage in politicization or pan-securitization, let alone use these issues to contain and suppress the development of other countries. Both sides agreed to further discuss the boundaries between national security and economic activities. The two sides agreed to jointly implement the "San Francisco vision": the two heads of state will maintain regular contact to provide strategic guidance for bilateral relations; promote exchanges at various levels and in various fields between China and the US, make good use of current strategic communication channels, as well as diplomatic, military, economic, financial, business, and climate change dialogues and consultations; continue discussions on guiding principles for China-US relations; launch the China-US anti-drug cooperation working group in the near future; hold the first meeting of the China-US government-to-government dialogue mechanism on artificial intelligence this spring; take further measures to expand people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. Both sides also discussed international and regional issues such as the Middle East, Ukraine, the Korean Peninsula, and South China Sea. The communication mechanism between Wang and Sullivan is one of the most straightforward and credible mechanisms between China and US, and their talks have touched on extensive topics that are most urgent, important and sensitive in bilateral relations, Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Saturday. Through multifaceted dialogues and cooperation, the two countries seek to expand the positive aspects in bilateral relations and deal with thorny issues in a calm, controllable manner, Li said. It is hoped that the momentum of engagement can continue in the year 2024, despite the complexity of US domestic politics creating uncertainty for China-US relations, analysts said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US approves sale of F-16 jets to Turkey after Ankara ratifies Sweden's NATO membership Iran Press TV Saturday, 27 January 2024 6:43 PM The sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey has been approved by Washington after Ankara this week ratified Sweden's NATO membership. The US State Department notified Turkey on Friday that Congress had agreed to sell Ankara the warplanes. The Department of State's notification came just hours after Turkey's parliament ratified Sweden's delayed accession to NATO. US President Joe Biden wrote a letter to key congressional committee leaders, urging them to approve the F-16 sale "without delay." The $23 billion sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey includes 40 Lockheed Martin F-16s and equipment to modernize 79 of its existing F-16 fleet. Ankara has long sought to upgrade its F-16 fleet and made its ratification of Sweden's membership contingent on the approval of the sale of the new planes. In the meantime, the Swedish government and defense forces issued a warning to Swedes for the possibility of a Russian attack on the country. Swedish citizens were asked to be on alert for the possibility of a war with Russia. The warnings caused the public to panic and criticize the country's leaders. A multitude of people flocked their way to the market in order to procure fuel and bundles of indispensable and crucial provisions "crisis kit". In the past months, leaders worldwide have been warning each other about the growing threat of WW III breaking out. In this regard, Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, pointed out that the danger of World War III breaking out across the globe is a real threat. Lavrov, in his comments to Russian media outlets, said that given the current tensions between Russia and the West, the danger of World War III is "real" and blames the US-led NATO forces for engaging in a proxy war against Russia through Kiev. "And I think that the NATO encroachments, and the furthering of NATO interests throughout Europe as they get closer and closer to Russia's borders, justify some reaction from Russia, and the United States is going to continue pushing in their interest, which is only going to get us closer to World War III," he added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Reports Intensified Russian Attacks As Details Of Plane Crash Remain Disputed By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service January 27, 2024 KYIV -- Ukrainian officials on January 27 said Russia had intensified attacks in the past 24 hours, with a commander saying the sides had battled through "50 combat clashes" in the past day near Ukraine's Tavria region. Meanwhile, Kyiv and Moscow continued to dispute the circumstances surrounding the January 24 crash of a Russian military transport plane that the Kremlin claimed was carrying Ukrainian prisoners of war. Kyiv said it has no proof POWs were aboard and has not confirmed its forces shot down the plane. General Oleksandr Tarnavskiy, the Ukrainian commander in the Tavria zone in the Zaporizhzhya region, said Russian forces had "significantly increased" the number of offensive and assault operations over the past two days. "For the second day in a row, the enemy has conducted 50 combat clashes daily," he wrote on Telegram. "Also, the enemy has carried out 100 air strikes in the operational zone of the Tavria Joint Task Force within seven days," he said, adding that 230 Russian-launched drones had been "neutralized or destroyed" over the past day in the area. Battlefield claims on either side cannot immediately be confirmed. Earlier, the Ukrainian military said 98 combat clashes took place between Ukrainian troops and the invading Russian army over the past 24 hours. "There are dead and wounded among the civilian populations," the Ukrianian military's General Staff said in its daily update, but did not provide further details about the casualties. According to the General Staff, Russian forces launched eight missile and four air strikes, and carried out 78 attacks from rocket-salvo systems on Ukrainian troop positions and populated areas. Iranian-made Shahed drones and Iskander ballistic missiles were used in the attacks, it said. A number of "high-rise residential buildings, schools, kindergartens, a shopping center, and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed or damaged" in the latest Russian strikes, the bulletin said. "More than 120 settlements came under artillery fire in the Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhya, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, and Mykolayiv regions," according to the daily update. The General Staff also reported that Ukrainian defenders repelled dozens of Russian assaults in eight directions, including Avdiyivka, Bakhmut, Maryinka, and Kupyansk in the eastern Donetsk region. Meanwhile, Kyrylo Budanov, chief of Ukrainian military intelligence, said it remained unclear what happened in the crash of the Russian Il-76 that the Kremlin claimed was carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war who were killed along with nine crew members. The Kremlin said the military transport plane was shot down by a Ukrainian missile despite the fact that Russian forces had alerted Kyiv to the flight's path. Ukrainian military intelligence spokesman Andriy Yusov told RFE/RL that it had not received either a written or verbal request to secure the airspace where the plane went down. The situation with the crash of the aircraft "is not yet fully understood," Budanov said. "It is necessary to determine what happened - unfortunately, neither side can fully answer that yet." Russia "of course, has taken the position of blaming Ukraine for everything, despite the fact that there are a number of facts that are inconsistent with such a position," he added. Russian President Vladimir Putin has insisted Ukraine shot down the plane and said an investigation was being carried out, with a report to be made in the upcoming days. In Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced the creation of a second body to assist businesses in the war-torn country. Speaking in his nightly video address late on January 26, Zelenskiy said the All-Ukraine Economic Platform would help businesses overcome the challenges posed by Russia's nearly two-year-old invasion. On January 23, Zelenskiy announced the formation of a Council for the Support of Entrepreneurship, which he said sought to strengthen the country's economy and clarify issues related to law enforcement agencies. Decrees creating both bodies were published on January 26. Ukraine's economy has collapsed in many sectors since Russia invaded the country in February 2022. Kyiv heavily relies on international aid from its Western partnes. The Voice of America reported that the United States vowed to promote at the international level a peace formula put forward by Zelenskiy. VOA quoted White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby as saying that Washington "is committed to the policy of supporting initiatives emanating from the leadership of Ukraine." Zelenskiy last year presented his 10-point peace formula that includes the withdrawal of Russian forces and the restoration of Ukrainian territorial integrity, among other things. With reporting by Reuters and dpa Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-civilian- casualties/32794175.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Air Defenses Destroy Ukraine's Uragan Missile Over Belgorod Region Sputnik News 20240127 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian air defenses struck down a rocket over the Belgorod region fired by Ukraine from a self-propelled 220 mm multiple rocket launcher (MLRS) Uragan. "At around 8:30 p.m. [17:30 GMT] on Jan. 27, we foiled an attempt by the regime in Kiev to conduct a terrorist attack against targets in Russia using a multiple rocket launcher Uragan. On-duty air defense forces destroyed the rocket over the Belgorod region," the ministry said in a statement. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Air Defenses Downed Seven HIMARS and Vampire MLRS Rockets in 24 Hours a MoD Sputnik News 20240127 Moscow's forces have achieved significant success in repelling Ukrainian attacks across multiple fronts, inflicting substantial losses on the Kiev regime's troops. The latest updates from the Russian Defense Ministry detail successful defenses in Donetsk, Zaporozhye, and other regions, coupled with precision strikes on Ukrainian air defenses and military installations. The intense clashes have seen Ukrainian forces suffer significant casualties, impacting both the Kiev's regime troops and military equipment. In a recent development, Russian forces effectively thwarted two attacks launched by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Donetsk region. The Ukrainian side suffered substantial losses, including up to 250 soldiers, two armored vehicles, and an Akatsiya self-propelled howitzer, according to information from the Russian Ministry of Defense. Battlegroup Yug, operating in the Donetsk area, successfully repelled the attacks in the Shumy and Bogdanovka regions through precise artillery strikes. Additional Ukrainian personnel and military equipment were neutralized in various settlements of the Donetsk People's Republic, including Krasnoye, Klescheyevka, Andreyevka, Georgiyevka, and Novomikhailovka, as highlighted in the ministry's briefing. Success on Zaporozhye Front The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that the Kiev regime incurred losses of up to 20 soldiers, a combat armored vehicle, and two cars in the Zaporozhye region. The operation involved the use of artillery support, targeting Ukrainian troops and military equipment of the 63rd Mechanized Brigade in specific areas, including Rabotino and Nesteryanka in the Zaporozhye region. Notably, the self-propelled artillery units Akatsiya and Gvozdika were destroyed during counter-fire combat. Four Attacks Repelled in South Donetsk In the South Donetsk region, Russian forces successfully repelled four attacks launched by Ukrainian troops. The engagements resulted in significant losses for Ukraine, including up to 115 servicemen and two Akatsiya self-propelled howitzers. Units of the Battlegroup Vostok played a pivotal role in repelling the attacks near the settlement Priyutnoye in the Zaporozhye region and Makarovka of the Donetsk People's Republic. The Ukrainian losses, as reported by the Russian Ministry of Defense, included 115 soldiers, three cars, and two 2S3 Akatsiya self-propelled artillery units. In a separate incident, Russian air defenses successfully intercepted seven rockets launched from HIMARS and Vampire multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS). Additionally, 28 Ukrainian drones were destroyed across various areas in the Donetsk People's Republic, Lugansk People's Republic, and the Kherson region within a day. Ukraine Suffers in Kupyansk and Krasnoarmeysk Areas Russian forces successfully repelled a total of seven attacks on the Kupyansk and Krasnoarmeysk outskirts within a day, resulting in Ukrainian losses of up to 125 soldiers. The Battlegroup Zapad repelled five attacks in the Kupyansk area, while Battlegroup Tsentr successfully repelled two attacks in the Krasny Liman region. Ukrainian losses included 125 troops, two combat armored vehicles, three cars, and a D-20 howitzer. Russian Forces Hit S-300 Complex, Fuel Depots, and Aviation Facilities Russian aviation and artillery conducted targeted strikes on a Ukrainian S-300 SAM system in the Cherkasy region, as well as fuel depots and aviation facilities in Kirovograd and Dnepropetrovsk regions. The military briefing highlighted that troops and military equipment of the Kiev regime in 102 areas were affected during the operation. Russian Units Decimate Ukrainian Troops in Kherson In addition, Russian units reported destroying up to 15 Ukrainian soldiers and four Gvozdika self-propelled howitzers in the Kherson region within a day. Overall, since the start of the special military operation, Russian forces have eliminated 568 aircraft, 265 helicopters, 11,283 drones, 456 air defense systems, 14,805 tanks and armored vehicles, 1,210 MLRS combat vehicles, 7,881 field artillery and mortar pieces, along with 17,940 units of special military vehicles, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Germany has called on European partners to increase their support for Ukraine, which is defending itself against Russia's full-scale aggression. Currently, European countries are not doing enough. ADVERTISIMENT However, in order to prove their commitment to the fundamental values that united European states, they must immediately increase aid to Ukraine. This was stated by German Finance Minister Christian Lindner, according to the German TV channel n-tv. Speaking at the conference of the European Liberal Party in Berlin, Lindner said that European partners are "not doing enough" for Ukraine and called on European governments to provide more assistance to the Ukrainian army. He reminded that Germany is already contributing to the support of Ukraine, providing half of the aid that Ukraine receives from Europe. "We are not abandoning our commitments," the official said. Lindner emphasized that Germany would "mobilize even more" if necessary. However, the finance minister emphasized that official Berlin is not ready to pay for everyone and increase its own spending "so that others can continue to do too little." ADVERTISIMENT He also reminded that Europe is a community of values, "and this must be proved in this hour". Earlier, the German Ministry of Defense told what kind of assistance Ukraine will receive in 2024. The German government plans to strengthen Ukraine's defense by supplying Sea King Mk41 helicopters, additional Iris-T anti-aircraft systems, and Gepard tanks. It was also reported that President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky thanked German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for increasing German military assistance to Ukraine. Despite various challenges, Ukraine has managed to keep our struggle for independence in the focus of international attention - address by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy President of Ukraine 27 January 2024 - 19:40 I wish you good health, dear Ukrainians! This day, this week is coming to an end. It's time to summarize the first outcomes of January - for Ukraine and our relationships with partners. Despite various challenges and many difficulties, Ukraine has had success in keeping our Ukrainian struggle for independence in the focus of international attention. We have added even more resilience to our state - a key argument in international communication. It's about what you are capable of, what you can endure, and what you can overcome. The world pays attention to the resilient and bold. First, this month we signed an ambitious security agreement with the United Kingdom. It now serves as a baseline reference point for working with other partners. Negotiations for new security agreements concerning bilateral documents implementing the G7 security declaration are ongoing - and not only with European states. I am confident that soon there will be new results regarding the provision of security commitments to Ukraine. I'm grateful to all our partners who are assisting. Second, practically in this month, our teams from Ukraine and Poland have reset relations. We have a good understanding of each other, clear benchmarks that are important for our societies and security interests. By the way, Poland has joined the G7 security declaration, with a total of 32 countries now working with us in this direction. Third, there is a positive result in relations with the European Union. Substantial preparations for the start of negotiations have begun - the process of screening of Ukrainian legislation. It is the official assessment of Ukrainian legal acts for compliance with EU law. There is already an understanding of the schedule of meetings and all the necessary next steps. It is important for the Ukrainian government team to be sufficiently mobilized for this work: Ukraine is interested in achieving as much results as possible in relations with Europe this year. Fourth, I am grateful to Switzerland for very good, fruitful negotiations during the visit, as well as for the effective organization of the advisors' meeting regarding the Peace Formula. An agreement has been reached on organizing the first Peace Summit at the leaders' level in Switzerland. Very active contacts regarding this continue. It's a truly powerful narrative - we are working on it. Fifth, defense packages for Ukraine. We have seen decent trends over the month. Of course, we need more to gain control in the sky and greater capabilities on the ground, especially in artillery. But no matter how difficult it is for us, we have deliveries of artillery, missiles, and ammunition for air defense. I thank every country supporting our soldiers, protecting Ukrainian lives. Hundreds of Russian missiles and drones have been shot down this month. And we continue to work with our partners. We await the appropriate decision from the United States - it's crucial for us. I thank every country that announced new support packages at the recent Ramstein meeting, including nine support packages and, in particular, some critical items for our defense. We are already preparing for more agreements with partners in February. I would like separately emphasize the results of talks with partners regarding Russian assets: this month, we have come closer to the decision we need, one that will be fair. All Russian assets - those of the state-terrorist and associated individuals - frozen in various jurisdictions, should work to protect against Russian aggression. They must be confiscated. We are doing everything to ensure that this decision is well prepared in the near future. Thank you to everyone who is helping us advance this mechanism of justice. And of course, sanctions. A new European Union sanctions package is needed, and we are preparing it. We are also preparing new steps to limit Russia's ability to bypass sanctions. Every manifestation of pressure on Russia is a step toward peace. Every act of assistance to Ukraine is protection of lives. I am grateful to everyone standing with Ukraine! Thank you to all who fight and work for our state, our independence, and our people! Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President signed decrees establishing the Council for Entrepreneurship Support in the Conditions of Martial Law and the Ukrainian Economic Platform "Made in Ukraine" President of Ukraine 27 January 2024 - 13:49 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed Decree No. 30/2024 on "Urgent Steps to Ensure Economic Security during the Period of the Legal Regime of Martial Law." According to the decree, a consultative advisory body, the Council for Entrepreneurship Support in the Conditions of Martial Law, is established under the President of Ukraine. The Council aims to consolidate efforts between the state and business during martial law, preserving and developing entrepreneurial potential. The Council's main tasks include a systematic analysis of ensuring the right to doing business during martial law, shaping state policy to guarantee the right to entrepreneurship, and developing proposals for the President of Ukraine to address problematic issues. The Council for Entrepreneurship Support is expected to facilitate effective collaboration between the government and business entities, relevant public associations, and the dissemination of the best international practices. The decree also approves the composition of the Council for Entrepreneurship Support. Furthermore, to ensure effective dialogue and the collaboration of efforts between the government and business in overcoming challenges and consequences caused by the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, stimulating business activity among Ukrainian producers, popularizing and promoting Ukrainian products, improving the investment climate, and creating economic conditions for the recovery, modernization, and growth of Ukraine's economy, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed Decree No. 31/2024, inaugurating the Ukrainian Economic Platform "Made in Ukraine." The platform is established under the patronage of the President of Ukraine for continuous communication and coordination of interactions between government bodies, representatives of relocated enterprises, large-, medium-, and small-sized Ukrainian businesses, entrepreneurial public associations, foreign investors, political figures, scholars, and experts. The Office of the President of Ukraine, the Cabinet of Ministers, regional state administrations, in collaboration with business associations and experts, are tasked with presenting the concept and structure of the "Made in Ukraine" platform's functioning and ensuring a start of the platform within a month. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Putin Falsely Claims 'De-Nazification' of Ukraine as Pretext for War By VOA News January 27, 2024 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 policy...in 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Americans to redeploy nuclear weapons in UK amid fears of WW3 Iran Press TV Saturday, 27 January 2024 4:08 PM The United States is planning to redeploy nuclear weapons in Lakenheath, eastern England. Pentagon documents seen by The Telegraph reveal the United States plans to move nuclear weapons to the UK after a 15-year absence. The documents show that Washington has procured the new facility at the Royal Air Force (RAF) in Lakenheath, Suffolk. The new facility will allow the US to house tactical nuclear weapons that can be deployed by F-35 fighter jets, media reported last week. The US removed its nuclear warheads from the UK in 2008, after risk assessments back then stated that the Cold War threat from the Russians had diminished. The Pentagon's unredacted documents on the US Defense Department's procurement database reveal plans for a "nuclear mission" that will take place "imminently" at RAF Lakenheath, where nuclear weapons were stationed during the Cold War. The redeployment of American nukes in the UK takes place as the West's assessment of the threat posed by Russia increased after Moscow launched its special military operation in eastern Ukraine in 2022, prompting the West to flood Kiev with weapons and munitions. Meanwhile, the UK's military top brass, analysts and MPs have been sending a stark message about the growing threat of WWIII. A senior British army commander warned in a speech last week that a "citizen army" will be needed for any confrontation with Russia. General Sir Patrick Sanders said preparing for war against Russia should be a "whole-of-nation" undertaking, including what he described as "national mobilization". UK's Defense Secretary Grant Shapps warned recently that the UK is adapting to a "pre-war world". In response, the Kremlin announced that the deployment of US nuclear weapons in Britain would be viewed by Moscow as an "escalation" on their behalf and would be met with "compensating counter-measures". In past years, the US-led NATO forces have been mounting pressure on Moscow by expanding its sphere of military influence in Russia's direction, adding new members to the group, and extending huge shipments of military aid including weapons and munitions to pro-West countries surrounding Russia. Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, has pointed out that American nuclear weapons have been stationed in US bases across Europe for decades. Some of the European bases where US nuclear weapons are stationed include the UK's RAF Lakenheath, Germany's Volkel Air Base, Kleine Brogel Air Base, Buhel Air Base, Italy's Aviano Air Base, Ghedi Air Base and Turkey's Incirlik Air Base. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Dublin, Jan. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Consent Management Platforms: Global Strategic Business Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global consent management platforms industry is witnessing a substantial surge with projections estimating the market to ascend to US$2.6 billion by the year 2030, marking a steady compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3% over the analysis period from 2022 to 2030. Announcing the addition of a new strategic business report to its ever-expanding repository, the focus is on the market's rapid advancement and its comprehensive coverage extending from current trends to future predictions, ensuring stakeholders can navigate with actionable insights. Amidst this growth trajectory, the IT & Telecom sector stands out with a projected remarkable CAGR of 8.2%, potentially reaching a market valuation of US$831.7 million by the end of the forecast period. Accounting for dynamic post-pandemic recovery trends, the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) segment is recalibrating its growth prospects to a notable 6.6% CAGR, responding to evolving regulatory landscapes and increasing demand for robust data protection measures. The U.S. market takes the lead with an estimated value of US$439.7 million. China follows closely as a potent market player, anticipated to chart an impressive CAGR of 10.6%, flagging potential pathways to a US$606.1 million market size by 2030. Japan and Canada are also significant markets, expected to flourish at CAGRs of 2.3% and 6.7%, respectively, during the same period. Within Europe, Germany is earmarked for a convincing growth rhythm with a forecast CAGR of approximately 3.6%. For those looking to navigate the consent management platforms domain with acumen, or for enterprises seeking guidance amidst a burgeoning data regulatory environment, this report may serve as a critical barometer for strategic business decisions, ultimately contributing to responsible growth and robust alignment with market evolutions. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 158 Forecast Period 2022 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 $1.6 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $2.6 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 6.3% Regions Covered Global A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes BigID Civic CrownPeak Technology Didomi HIPAAT International Inc. OneTrust, LLC. Osano, Inc. Otonomo Piwik PRO PossibleNOW, Inc. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/g1y9yo 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. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Data Security Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2023 - 2028)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Data Security Market size is expected to grow from USD 24.31 billion in 2023 to USD 57.49 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 18.78% during the forecast period (2023-2028). Data volumes have been growing because of information applications, including storing and mining massive or commercial data. These applications are dynamic and multifunctional. Data Security is crucial for preserving the authenticity and integrity of the data as well as for preventing attacks. Additionally, hackers are deploying malware like Odinaff, Danabot, Camubot, Backswap, etc., which has increased data vulnerability to security threats, leading businesses and customers to demand more effective security solutions. Key Highlights According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and McAfee, cybercrimes cost the globe around USD 600 billion annually, or 0.8% of global GDP, and encompass data damage and destruction, money theft, lost property, intellectual property theft, and other sectors. The development of security and vulnerability management software and services is anticipated to be accelerated by such causes. The need for the data security market has grown due to rising digitalization trends and digital data generation. The creation of digital data has dramatically expanded over the last few decades, and this trend is anticipated to continue. The growing daily use of digital devices like smartphones and laptops is one of the main factors causing this rise in digital data generation. Additionally, the Data Security Market has expanded due to the rising popularity of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the data produced by numerous IoT devices. Strict laws, like GDPR, PCI DSS, ISO, and others, are being placed on businesses as they go through a digital transformation to protect systems from data breaches, irrespective of the sector or industry that the organization operates. Regulations and compliances require enterprises to implement efficient security solutions, which supports the expansion of the data security market. Implementing data security technologies like Data Auditing, Data Real-time Alerts, Data risk assessment, Data minimization, and Purging of stale data could help organizations prevent breaches, reduce risk, and sustain protective security measures to prevent data loss. Finding and analyzing sensitive data among the structured and unstructured data collected from various sources has become a significant concern, which is expected to hamper the market growth. Moreover, young start-ups' cybersecurity budgets must be increased to implement Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) and Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) technologies. Small businesses in emerging economies need help adopting data security solutions due to significant concerns, including a shortage of capital and limited investment. Since many employees work from home and connect the company's data, which is more important, government, public, and private businesses have launched many initiatives to overcome phishing attempts during COVID-19. Additionally, the use of third-party applications has grown significantly during the pandemic. As a result of all these factors, IT infrastructure is now more susceptible to viruses and cyberattacks. Companies have been compelled to enhance security measures, which has benefited the global data security market. For instance, spear-phishing email attacks related to COVID-19 have increased by 67% since December last year. A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes IBM Corporation Cisco Systems Inc 101 Data Solutions Microsoft Corporation Zimcom Internet Solutions Comforte AG Thales Lepide USA Inc Varonis Systems Inc Checkpoint Software Technologies Ltd Oracle Corporation For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ooub7 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 Rockville , Jan. 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a new study by Fact.MR, a market research and competitive intelligence provider, the global Mental Health Software Market , estimated at US$ 5.48 billion for 2024, is projected to expand rapidly at a CAGR of 18.8% from 2024 to 2034. Key factors driving market growth include government funding, rising use of mental health software, positive behavioral health reforms, government initiatives to encourage the use of EHRs in psychiatry hospitals and facilities, and high demand for mental health services despite a shortage of providers. For More Insights into the Market, Request a Sample of this Report: https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=9723 Key Segments of Mental Health Software Market Research Report By Deployment By Mode of Access By Function By Application By Region On-premise Subscription Desktops/Laptops Tablets/Smartphones Telehealth Payroll Revenue Cycle Management Ledgers Commercial Residential North America Europe Latin America East Asia South Asia & Oceania Middle East & Africa A specific set of digital tools called mental health software is intended to help mental health practitioners, patients, and organizations. It has features including appointment scheduling, telemedicine capabilities, electronic health records, evaluation tools, and billing administration. Mental health software programs are essential for better mental health care since they simplify administrative duties and improve patient care. By providing safe communication, individualized treatment planning, and outcome tracking, they eventually improve patient outcomes and advance the use of evidence-based procedures in the mental health industry. Key Takeaways from Market Study The global mental health software market is estimated at US$ 5.48 billion in 2024. Demand for mental health software is forecasted to rise fast at a CAGR of 18.8% from 2024 to 2034. The market is projected to reach US$ 29.45 billion by 2034-end. The market in East Asia is predicted to expand at a noteworthy CAGR of 18.9% through 2034. The on-premise segment is projected to advance at a CAGR of 18.5% through the forecast period. North America is predicted to account for 28.6% share of the global market in 2024. Governments worldwide are allocating funds and introducing initiatives to enhance mental health among their populations. This has led to a heightened awareness about the benefits of mental health services, as healthcare providers emphasize safe communication and individualized treatment planning, says a Fact.MR analyst. Integration of Mental Health Software with Electronics Health Records One of the main factors propelling the growth of the global mental health software market is the rising need for specialty-specific EMRs among specialized healthcare facilities worldwide. Furthermore, the global market expansion is being driven by favorable behavioral health reforms like the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and government programs that promote the implementation of electronic health records in behavioral health organizations. However, privacy and data security issues could impede the growth of the worldwide mental health software market. Market Developments There are a few major players in the somewhat competitive mental health software market. Prominent industry participants employ several tactics, including joint ventures and alliances, heightened procurements and consolidations, and novel product development. In the upcoming years, these trends in the mental health software market are anticipated to lead to explosive market expansion. October 2022: Calm, a mindfulness app that requires a subscription, made its debut on Calm Health, a clinical mental health platform. Programs tailored to specific conditions are offered by Calm Health to close the gap between mental and physical treatment. Get Customization on this Report for Specific Research Solutions: https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=RC&rep_id=9723 Report Attribute Details Value Projection (2034) US$ 29.45 Billion Growth Rate (2024-2034) 18.8% CAGR No. of pages 170 Pages No. of Tables 80 Tables No. of Figures 219 Figures Advancements in Mental Health Care: A Focus on China and the United States The Chinese government is actively working to improve mental health care, evident in initiatives like integrating mental health treatments into primary healthcare networks. The rise in mental health issues in China, attributed to societal pressures, work-related stress, and rapid urbanization, has prompted a growing interest in digital mental health solutions. The increasing demand for smartphones in the country, coupled with East Asian countries' adoption of mobile and digital health technology, is expected to boost the utilization of mental health apps in the foreseeable future. In the United States, the acknowledgment of mental health problems has led to a surge in demand for mental health services. A growing awareness has resulted in more individuals seeking therapy, counseling, and other forms of mental health support. The U.S. stands at the forefront of technological innovation, particularly in mental health software, with various platforms and apps offering treatment, counseling, telepsychiatry, self-help tools, and mental health assessments. The rapid adoption of software connected to behavioral and mental health is a key factor propelling this expansion. The smartphone adoption rate in North America, exceeding 80% in 2020 and projected to reach 85% by 2025 according to GSMA's 'The Mobile Economy Report 2021,' plays a pivotal role in this trend. Factors such as increased smartphone use, advancements in coverage networks, and the growing prevalence of the internet and social media contribute to this rise. More Valuable Insights on Offer Fact.MR, in its new offering, presents an unbiased analysis of the mental health software market for 2018 to 2023 and forecast statistics for 2024 to 2034. The study divulges essential insights into the market based on deployment (on-premise, subscription), mode of access (desktops/laptops, tablets/smartphones), function (telehealth, payroll, revenue cycle management, ledgers), and application (commercial, residential), across six major regions of the world (North America, Latin America, Europe, East Asia, South Asia & Oceania, and MEA). Checkout More Related Studies Published by Fact.MR Research: Software as a Medical Device Market : The global software as a medical device market currently accounts for a valuation of US$ 1.1 billion and is expected to boom at a CAGR of 16.7% to reach US$ 5.4 billion by the end of 2032. On-demand Wellness Software Market : The on-demand wellness software market is anticipated to register USD 952.42 Mn by 2032, registering at a CAGR of 8.4% over the forecast period. Software Defined Perimeter Market : The global software defined perimeter market is expected to strengthen its hold on the global market at a CAGR of 14.3% during 2022-2032. About Us: Fact.MR is a distinguished market research company renowned for its comprehensive market reports and invaluable business insights. As a prominent player in business intelligence, we deliver deep analysis, uncovering market trends, growth paths, and competitive landscapes. Renowned for its commitment to accuracy and reliability, we empower businesses with crucial data and strategic recommendations, facilitating informed decision-making and enhancing market positioning. With its unwavering dedication to providing reliable market intelligence, FACT.MR continues to assist companies in navigating dynamic market challenges with confidence and achieving long-term success. With a global presence and a team of experienced analysts, FACT.MR ensures its clients receive actionable insights to capitalize on emerging opportunities and stay ahead in the competitive landscape. On the left bank of the Kherson region, the Russian invaders are making efforts to strengthen their defense. They are actively building defensive structures - despite the fact that during the occupation of this part of the region, Russian troops have already built powerful defense lines on the second and third lines. ADVERTISIMENT This was stated by Natalia Humeniuk, head of the Joint Coordination Press Center of the Southern Defense Forces, during a telethon. She explained the actions of the invaders by the fact that they are aware of the inevitability of the advance of the Defense Forces. Gumenyuk stated that the invaders are actively building defensive structures on the left bank of the Kherson region in addition to those already built earlier. "They continue to form defensive structures despite the fact that their second and third lines are heavily fortified. The enemy troops have been there for a long time, so they had the resources and time to equip themselves," she noted. ADVERTISIMENT Humeniuk explained the occupiers' actions by the realization that "the advance of the Defense Forces is inevitable." The invaders are also actively mining the territory, while trying to remedy the consequences of the spontaneous mining that occurred after the explosion of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant. "Minefields set up along the water's edge were spontaneously moved by water to different distances. They are still working against the occupiers, and the undermining of their units continues," noted Humeniuk. The invaders are also preparing for defense in the temporarily occupied Crimea. On the peninsula, in particular in its northern part, the occupiers are also building defensive fortifications. The reason for this is the approach of the Defense Forces to these borders. Earlier, Humeniuk said that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are working to expand their foothold on the left bank of the Kherson region. They are doing this in extremely difficult conditions. ADVERTISIMENT The Russian invaders do not stop their assaults and attempts to drive Ukrainian soldiers from the bridgehead. However, the Defense Forces are not only repelling the attacks, but are also trying to take new positions. Humeniuk emphasized that the work of the soldiers on the left bank looks too slow from the outside, but in the conditions in which it is carried out, every meter of land liberated is a significant achievement. It has been half a year since the Honor Magic V2 was released in China, but at long last the phone has arrived in Europe with an event on Friday. Honor tried to get to the European launch faster than it did with the Magic Vs, however, it actually ended up being slower (the Vs was unveiled in China in November 2022 and got to Europe in February 2023). Better late than never, we guess. The Honor Magic V2 is well liked by our team. You only need to look at the dimensions to understand why it measures 156.7 x 74.1 x 9.9mm and 231g when closed. For comparison, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is 162.3 x 79 x 8.6mm and 232g, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.3mm and 221g. Of course, as a bar phone the V2 offers a fairly conventional 6.43 with 1,060 x 2,376px (20:9) display (well, its a 10-bit 120Hz LTPO panel, so its quite good, actually). But thats not why were here, are we? No, its the 7.92 10-bit 120Hz LTPO display on the inside. This is a mini tablet that fits comfortably in your pocket more comfortably than an S24 Ultra, in fact. Alas, the phone shows its age with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. But even a year old Honor has faster charging than Samsung and Apple at 66W (theres no wireless, however, that would have added to the thickness). And the 5,000mAh battery is as large as the Galaxys battery and larger than the iPhones. Add in the 50MP main, 20MP 2.5x tele and 50MP ultra wide cameras and we have a serious competitor. Before we continue, we should mention that the Honor Magic V2 carries a price tag of 1,700/2,000 for a 16/512GB unit. Who is the Magic V2 competing against? The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 for one. This one is also a year old (having launched at the same time as the V2), so it also has an SD 8 Gen 2 chip. Its decently compact when closed, though thick and a bit heavy (154.9 x 67.1 x 13.4mm and 253g). The 23.1:9 cover display is on the narrow side and the 7.6 inner display is smaller (and isnt an LTPO panel). The battery does have wireless charging (15W), but the battery is smaller at 4,400mAh (it also has 25W wired charging). the 50+10+12MP camera is similar to the S23/23+. Theres also the Google Pixel Fold with a very similar 7.6 inner display. The folded dimensions of 139.7 x 79.5 x 12.1mm are oddly proportioned and this one is an absolute brick at 283g. The Pixel camera includes a 48MP main and 10.8MP 5x periscope, plus a 10.8MP ultra wide. The battery is bigger at 4,821mAh and the charging speed is on the slow side for both wired and wireless chargers. The less said of the Tensor G2, the better. Theres also the OnePlus Open. This one also has a 20:9 cover display, a bit smaller at 6.3. The inside display is almost as large at 7.82, both are 10-bit 120Hz LTPO panels. Like the Magic and Galaxy, the Open has a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip. It pairs a 48MP main camera with a 64MP 3x tele module and a 64MP ultra wide. The 4,805mAh battery does 67W wired-only charging. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 Google Pixel Fold OnePlus Open Of course, these are due for a replacement later this year and the new models will bring updated hardware, which will make the generational gap with the Magic V2 more noticeable. Depending on where you live, you may also have access to the Tecno Phantom V Fold (its not available in Europe, though). This one is a more affordable option and uses the Dimensity 9000+ chipset. It has a pretty decent camera setup with a 50MP main, 50MP 2x tele and 13MP ultra wide, the 5,000mAh battery supports 45W wired-only charging. The cheaper build means this one is quite large at 159.4 x 72 x 14.2mm when folded and weighs a massive 299g. Unlike some pricier options, it has dual 10-bit 120Hz LTPO displays (6.42 at 21.25:9 cover and 7.85 inner displays). Theres also the vivo X Fold2 and Xiaomi Mix Fold 3, but they just arent widely available. The same goes for Huaweis foldables. Tecno Phantom V Fold vivo X Fold2 Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 Huawei Mate X5 You can check out our Honor Magic V2 hands-on review for more details on the phone. What do you think can this be your next phone? Your first foldable, perhaps? The situation around the semi-surrounded Avdiivka is quite critical. The Russian invaders are putting pressure on the Ukrainian Armed Forces from the air, attacking from both sides with assaults. However, Ukrainian defenders are bravely holding the line and counterattacking. ADVERTISIMENT This was stated by a soldier from the 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Serhii Volkov. According to him, Avdiivka is currently "a fortress of the Donetsk region". "Now they are using infantry groups' tactics to advance as much as possible. It is difficult to hunt them (with drones). But, nevertheless, the Russians are losing a large number of personnel. Unfortunately, they are clinging to some houses somewhere," the military said. According to Volkov, the invaders are now using the tactics of "exclusively small infantry groups." "They are constantly playing around in different ways, trying to surround or squeeze our troops from three sides but they fail. The situation is quite critical but we are holding the line," the defender added. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier ,it was reported that Russian troops were advancing in the area of the Tsarska Okhota restaurant. "Today they are not there, they were knocked out," Volkov said. The serviceman believes that the enemy was preparing to capture the city "very powerfully". "The enemy is working from the air, underground and with infantry. They spare neither manpower nor equipment, they throw absolutely everything to fulfill the task of their maniac and capture our Avdiivka," he explained. Charlie S. Hermosa, a business founder, an expert in shipping and logistics, an educator and a veteran, has confirmed a potential run for governor in the 2026 elections under the Republican Party. The chief executive officer and co-founder of Bella Wings Aviation LLC and a former general manager for the Guam-Micronesia operations of American President Lines, or APL, Hermosa is so far the only one to come forward to potentially face off with Democrat Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio in the next gubernatorial election. I can now confirm that I am considering and exploring running for governor under the Republican Party 2026, Hermosa told the Pacific Daily News. Unlike the current and former governors who previously served in other elected posts such as a member of the Guam Legislature, Hermosa comes from a non-political background. He set up a technology business from the ground up and managed shipping operations, served in the U.S. Marine Corps, has been helping veterans, and mentoring young minds by teaching at the University of Guam. I am not a career politician, Hermosa, a father to a 5-year-old girl, said. I will do everything I can to serve the people. I will give it my all. Doing his best to help reduce the costs of goods on Guam while also helping businesses to prosper, along with developing and inviting technology-heavy industries on the island, would be among his economic priorities should he make a final decision to run for governor. Being a former general manager for shipping industry giant APL, as well as Pasha Hawaii and Horizon Lines, Hermosa has vast knowledge of the ins and outs of shipping operations that allow for the movement of supplies to Guam and the region, and their impacts on the price of consumer goods and services. As an adjunct professor in supply chain management and entrepreneurship at UOG, as well as an educator for the universitys graduate degree program in business management, Hermosa has been helping to build a local pool of educated and technology-savvy people. We have so much talent here and we want them to remain here, and then bring back the talent who left Guam, he said. And Guam is such a gold mine for (technology) companies. He is operating the business he co-founded in 2020, Bella Wings Aviation LLC, which has been pioneering innovative drone technology on Guam. Hermosa was in the U.S. Marine Corps as a logistics officer, and served in Afghanistan. The former Marine captain said Guam needs someone who can sit across the table with Department of Defense officials and advance Guams interests and concerns when it comes to the military buildup, the development of a missile defense system and other national security issues amid threats from China and North Korea. Key decisions need to be made for Guam by Guam, he said, adding that a key understanding of socio-political issues is something he can bring to the table. Homelessness among veterans, he said, is another challenge that needs a closer look. Public safety, he said, will get better by improving the economy and strengthening law enforcement. We can beef up law enforcement by enhancing their ability to use technology. They need to be a step ahead of the bad guys who, for example, use drone technology to see whether youre home or not. Education and technology, those should go hand in hand, Hermosa said. New hospital, nuclear power Hermosa said hes in support of building a new hospital. He pointed out the importance of maintenance not only in building and operating a hospital but also power plants. We need to make sure we have a solid maintenance plan across the board. We cant wait for things to be broken to fix them, he added. As for Guams potential to host mobile, micro nuclear reactors, Hermosa said it would be foolish for the island to not consider the benefits, given the technological advancements and growing need for electricity. The Pentagons Project Pele team visited Guam as part of a cross-country assessment of potential sites to host these micro nuclear reactors. Some lawmakers and local activist group Prutehi Litekyan raised concerns about human and environmental safety as a result of bringing these types of technology to Guam. As for local politics, Hermosa said he believes in a business and bipartisan approach to addressing challenges, from the economy to public safety and security. Its not going to be about the party but about the people, he added. While the 2026 gubernatorial election is still two years away, Hermosa said hes been having exploratory discussions with members of the general public and different sectors on how best he can represent them, with the end goal of making Guam a better and safer place to live. Whos starting to raise funds for elections? Here are the individuals or groups that have so far filed their organizational reports with the Guam Election Commission so they can start raising and spending campaign funds for the 2024 and 2026 elections: The Committee to Elect Amanda Shelton Franklin J.Q. Champaco, who seeks to run for Malesso mayor Lt. Gov. Joshua, whos running for governor in 2026 Wayne S.N. Santos, who seeks to run for Chalan Pago-Ordot mayor The Committee to Re-elect Joe S. San Agustin 2024 The Committee to Elect Brian BJ Terlaje for Yona mayor Vincent A.V. Borja, seeking to run as a senator Committee to Elect Roy AB Quinata, incumbent senator Theyre among those who have already picked up candidate packets for the 2024 primaries. Pacific island ecosystems, cultural resources, infrastructure, human health, and livelihoods are all at risk of degradation because of climate change, but Pacific island communities can build resilience through actions driven by local and indigenous knowledge. This assessment is part of the recently released Fifth U.S. National Climate Assessment, a comprehensive report on climate change risks, impacts, and responses delivered to Congress and the U.S. president every four years. It is authored and reviewed by scientists, scholars, and public servants across the nation, including University of Guam faculty, who were among the 16 authors and 41 technical contributors who produced a chapter on Hawaii and U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands, UOG said in a press release. It is becoming increasingly evident that overall human well-being is threatened by climate change, said Romina King, UOG associate professor of geography and one of the authors for the regional chapter. As island communities, we must always be prepared to face these unfortunate new realities, and it starts with staying informed. We hope the information we have curated for this report will be an effective resource in the decision-making process. King serves as the UOG lead for the Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center, which has also provided support for the chapter. Other UOG personnel who provided technical contributions to the chapter include Laurie Raymundo, director of the UOG Marine Laboratory; Myeong-ho Yeo, associate professor of surface water hydrology; and PI-CASC Guam communications coordinator John I. Borja. The regional chapter emphasizes that: Climate change impairs access to healthy food and water. Increasing temperatures, altered rainfall, flooding, pollution, and fisheries decline will further affect food and water availability. Climate change undermines human health. Climate shocks and stressors compromise health care and worsen long-standing social and economic inequities that contribute to illness, but community strengths and adaptation measures can boost resilience. Rising sea levels harm infrastructure and island economies. Sea level rise intensifies loss of territory and disrupts livelihoods. Governments and communities are innovating through renewable energy, green infrastructure, and sustainable economic growth. Responses help to safeguard tropical ecosystems and biodiversity. Increased fire risk, severe droughts, and ocean changes have broad negative impacts on native plants and wildlife, and ocean ecosystems. Effective adaptation strategies include ecosystem protection and restoration, invasive species measures, and fire prevention. Indigenous peoples and their knowledge systems are central to the resilience of island communities amidst the changing climate. The assessment demonstrates that efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit climate change impacts are underway in every U.S. region, including the Pacific islands. A key addition to the National Climate Assessment since its last edition in 2018 is the chapters key message on human health and its emphasis on food security, integration of indigenous knowledge, and recognition of data inequities for the Pacific islands and U.S. Caribbean. The full National Climate Assessment is published as an interactive website at nca2023.globalchange.gov and Chapter 30: Hawaii and U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands at nca2023.globalchange.gov/chapter/30. Additionally, an informational webinar on the Hawaii and U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands chapter will be held at 9 a.m. ChST on Feb. 14. Register to attend free of charge at https://url.uog.edu/ethtJo. Sen. Chris Barnett addresses fellow lawmakers on Bill 30-37 during a legislative session held at the Guam Congress Building in Hagatna on Jan. 22, 2024. Haiti - Politic : The United States reiterates its support for the intervention mission in Haiti Saturday January 27, 2024, Matthew Miller, Spokesperson for the Department of State, regarding the deployment of a Multinational Security Support Mission (MMSS) in Haiti declared : "The United States commitment to the Haitian people remains unwavering. We reaffirm our support of ongoing international efforts to deploy a Multinational Security Support mission for Haiti, as requested by Haiti and authorized by UN Security Council Resolution 2699 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40642-haiti-flash-the-security-council-approves-the-intervention-of-a-multinational-force-in-haiti.html, and renew our calls for the international community to urgently provide support for this mission. The United States acknowledges the ruling by the Republic of Kenyas High Court regarding the deployment of Kenyan police in support of the Multinational Security Support mission to Haiti and the Government of Kenyas stated intent to challenge this ruling https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41527-haiti-flash-the-kenyan-government-appeals-the-high-court-verdict.html . It is urgent that the international community respond to the unprecedented levels of gang violence and destabilizing forces preying upon the Haitian people. At the same time, we call for the restoration of democratic order through an inclusive political process in Haiti. We continue to urge Haitian stakeholders to reach consensus on power-sharing and inclusive governance. The only legitimate path to long-term peace and stability is through free and fair elections." See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41529-haiti-security-canada-trains-soldiers-in-belize-for-the-mission-in-haiti.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41527-haiti-flash-the-kenyan-government-appeals-the-high-court-verdict.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41519-haiti-flash-the-high-court-of-nairobi-blocks-the-deployment-of-the-mission-in-haiti.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41365-haiti-kenya-news-about-the-multinational-security-support-mission.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41270-haiti-security-planning-of-the-multinational-mission-joint-statement.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41233-haiti-security-a-first-group-of-300-kenyan-police-officers-in-haiti-in-february-2024.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41202-haiti-kenya-the-commander-of-the-pnh-on-an-official-visit-to-nairobi.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41160-haiti-security-kenyan-delegation-in-haiti-last-step-before-sending-the-first-reinforcements-to-the-pnh.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40994-haiti-flash-the-kenyan-parliament-approves-the-sending-of-1-000-police-officers-to-support-the-pnh-but.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40701-haiti-politic-the-high-court-of-kenya-suspends-for-2-weeks-the-deployment-of-the-mission-in-haiti.html Other links on the international force led by Kenya : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40994-haiti-flash-the-kenyan-parliament-approves-the-sending-of-1-000-police-officers-to-support-the-pnh-but.html HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - FLASH : Moise Jean Charles promises at least 5 days of chaos The radical opposition plans to paralyze Haiti with the support of the population with demonstrations for at least five consecutive days on February 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, 2024. The call was launched by former senator Jean Charles Moise, leader of the radical opposition platform "Pitit Desalin", to resume anti-government mobilization from January 29, not only in the capital, but throughout the national territory. Charles Moise reiterated the objective of the demonstrations : overthrow Henry's Government and put an end to bourgeois domination. He asked the population to close the doors of public institutions without distinction and excluded any possibility of peaceful demonstrations, demonstrations which will have no time, no route, no destination. The former senator advised the police not to intervene to support Henry in this popular revolt. PI/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... Tourism : Strengthening links with the ILO Visit by Gustavo Santos, Director of the Commission for the Americas of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to the Haiti stand at FITUR, with the aim of strengthening ties with Haiti which works tirelessly to effectively revive tourism. Denial from the American Embassy The United States Embassy denies having made a statement to American citizens regarding the closure of Toussaint Louverture Airport. "We have not changed our security posture. We continue to encourage U.S. citizens not to travel to Haiti due to the security situation." Brain drain in the country The labor market continues to suffer the impacts of migratory movements, particularly through the Biden administration's humanitarian program of temporary humanitarian stay (Humanitarian wparole) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-38566-haiti-flash-new-us-entry-program-for-haitian-migrants-conditions-and-steps-to-follow.html and the increase in travel to Nicaragua https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41047-haiti-nicaragua-the-usa-takes-sanctions-against-operators-of-migratory-flights.html and https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40889-haiti-flash-conditional-stay-nicaragua-important-message-from-the-american-embassy.html . 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 the banking system's employees resigned during the 2023 fiscal year. DR : Consulate of Haiti in Santiago closed The Consulate General of Haiti in Santiago in the Dominican Republic informs the Haitian Community that on the occasion of the commemoration of the 211th anniversary of the birth of Juan Pablo Duarte, Founding Father of the Dominican Homeland, its doors will be closed Monday, January 29 and services will resume regularly on Tuesday January 30, 2024. PNH : Cases of serious corruption The Haitian National Police Union (SPNH-17) submitted another file to the Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC). These are cases of serious corruption involving police officers who died in the line of duty and whose checks continue to be printed without being given to the beneficiaries. The SPNH-17 asks the ULCC to conduct an investigation and verify the number of checks printed and to take into account police officers who have resigned, dismissed, deceased or in a situation of abandonment. Several countries expel Haitians In addition to the repatriations of our compatriots by the Dominican Republic https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41508-haiti-dom-rep-63-238-haitians-back-to-the-country-repatriated-pushed-back-or-volunteers-december-2023.html and hhttps://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41263-haiti-dom-rep-492-240-haitians-returning-to-the-country-repatriated-repressed-or-volunteers-in-11-months.html , since July 2023, 406 Haitians have been repatriated from the USA, 596 from the Bahamas, 1,649 from the Turks and Caicos Islands and 505 Haitian nationals from Cuba, Jamaica and Turkey. HL/ HaitiLibre Russia has a mechanism for recruiting foreign students for the war against Ukraine. Chinese, Nepalese, Uzbeks, Egyptians, Moldovans, and Sri Lankans are being recruited to serve. ADVERTISIMENT The main motivation of such mercenaries is financial. This was reported by the National Resistance Center on its website. The NRC noted that in recent years, foreigners fighting on the side of Russia have often been included in the Ukrainian plan. "During conversations with such prisoners of war, a number of factors were identified that point to an organized scheme to persuade foreign students to sign a contract with the Russian Armed Forces," the press service said. Around Moscow's higher education institutions, in particular the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, there are active advertisements for contract military service. Group supervisors and Russian students who are supposed to help foreigners with acclimatization and education tell them about the financial support of the Russian military. If a foreign student has problems with money or an urgent need for it (tuition fees, medical treatment, etc.), they are persuaded to go to the military enlistment office. ADVERTISIMENT "Often, these students are sent to steal money from them to create a sense of hopelessness and despair. Then they are blackmailed with the threat of deportation," the NRC wrote. Moreover, foreign students are targeted with targeted advertising on social media (YouTube, Tik-Tok) about serving in the occupation army. The main financial argument is the opportunity to earn money for further education and living in Russia. Foreigners are trained on the basis of the Avangard military-patriotic training center located in the Patriot military park in Moscow. "The Avangard Center was founded by the governments of Moscow and Moscow Region with the support of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. The idea of its creation was personally supported by dictator Vladimir Putin to promote military and civil service among young people. ADVERTISIMENT Formally, it is under the jurisdiction of the Moscow City Department of Education and Science, the Moscow Region Ministry of Education. Military training for young people aged 14-17 is regularly held on the territory of Avangard. This is also a cover for training foreigners there. On average, about 300 foreigners study there at any one time. Many of them speak Russian poorly, so they are taught gestural commands and keywords. The foreigners are given combat missions by Russian officers and sergeants. They lead them to the battlefield, but return to rear positions themselves. Foreigners in the Russian army are treated with disdain, carelessness, and are not particularly protected. Their situation is comparable to units formed from prisoners. ADVERTISIMENT The Center for National Resistance called for the dissemination of relevant information about potential threats to foreigners who are still studying or intend to pursue higher education in Russia. "Residents of the temporarily occupied territories, in case of contact with such persons, are advised to inform them about the possibility of surrendering to the Ukrainian Defense Forces, where they will be guaranteed proper treatment as prisoners of war in accordance with international humanitarian law," the NRC summarized. As OBOZ.UA previously reported, the National Resistance Center said that Cubans, Nepalese, Belarusians, and Serbs have been repeatedly spotted in the Russian Armed Forces. Recently, mercenaries from Malaysia, accompanied by an interpreter, as well as former Wagnerites, were spotted in the temporarily occupied territories of Donbas. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Ukraine could have won the war faster if it had received permission to strike Russian territory with weapons received from the West. In this case, the defense and offensive potential of the Defense Forces would have been stronger. ADVERTISIMENT Accordingly, the enemy would also behave differently on the battlefield. This opinion was expressed by Commander of the Ukrainian Navy Oleksii Neizhpapa in an interview with Sky News. "The sooner the Armed Forces receive the necessary capabilities to destroy enemy infrastructure, the sooner we will win," the Vice Admiral said regarding Western weapons. He is convinced that if Ukraine had greater capabilities in terms of weapons, this war would have unfolded differently. "If Ukraine had certain types of long-range weapons that could be used deeper into the enemy's territory, of course, Russia would behave differently, including on the battlefield," Neizhpapa explained. ADVERTISIMENT According to him, Russia, knowing the combat capabilities of the Ukrainian Defense Forces, "responds to the actions" of our defenders accordingly. "Putin is behaving like a small-time gangster who knows that if he receives the answer, he will not start a fight... If he realizes that Ukraine can fight back and make him really feel the pain, of course, he will stop all this," Neizhpapa said. Only verified information is available on our Telegram OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Sunday January 28, 2024 FILE - Somali migrant Amsa, 16, last name not available, watches the sunset as he stands aboard a ferry leaving the Sicilian Island of Lampedusa, Oct. 7, 2013. On September 27, 2009, Abdulkadir Mohamud called his mother in Columbus, Ohio, to tell her he was boarding a boat from Libya that evening, along with his cousin Nasteha Mohamed Hassan to reach Italy. The 96 people on the journey boarded one of the risky rubber boats, but that was not going to stop them as they set their sights on realizing their long-awaited journey to Europe. advertisements "We have not heard from him, dead or alive," says his mother, Nurto Mohamed Mohamud.Hassans mother, Maka Mohamud Ali, says none of the people on board reported arriving."But we are parents, we cannot give up someone we have not confirmed their death," she said, sounding sad and desperate. "We dont know what to do; God knows."Ali says her daughter was a smart, bright student who had about a year and half left until she finished university in Mogadishu. But she could not resist the temptation of migrating to Europe because people she knew traveled."Students she was studying with traveled even her teacher left," Ali said."She was overwhelmed, it got into her mindset eventually I said to her, 'Go, you have my blessing.'"The anguish over the lack of information about what happened has taken a toll on the parents."They are making us sad all the time," Mohamud said. "They are saying there are people held as slave workers who are chained, its so unbearable."Last year, Mohamud contacted a popular social media influencer who traces missing persons and recorded an interview. But the experience exposed her to fraudsters who were determined to exploit her vulnerability."A lot of people contacted me; some told me lies and said there are people who are being held hostage in the sea."One of the scammers, a woman who went to extreme lengths to get her trust, succeeded."This crying woman called me, saying she has been reunited with her missing son, saying he was found after captivity in the sea," she explained.The woman convinced Mohamud that there was a man who helps free people held in the middle of the sea.Mohamud was eventually connected to the man over the phone. Via mobile money service, Mohamud paid the $2,000 requested by the man. That was the last time she spoke to the fraudsters as they turned off their phones.Mariam Yassin Hagi Yussuf, Somalias special envoy for migration and children, said these fraudsters are common. "We saw many cases of people who died long ago but smugglers are still collecting money from them," she said."What happens is they beat up one of the migrants in their custody, and they torture them and threaten to kill them if they do not call vulnerable families. They order them to tell vulnerable family [members] that they have seen their missing loved ones."Ahmed Mohamud Dhuhyare has sent $14,500 so far to his son, Suldan, who is in Libya.Suldan Dhuhyare, 23, traveled from Bosaso, Somalia, in March 2022, to Yemen and ended up in Libya two months later a sign of the collaboration between smugglers.After five months of captivity, he eventually contacted his father via video call. Dhuhyare said he was shocked by the condition of his son."Skeleton hands and chest, his face unrecognizable," he said.Suldan Dhuhyare said he was beaten by the smugglers and was admitted to hospital recently because of his injuries. He also said he got infected with tuberculosis and was given medications by staffers from the International Organization for Migration, or IOM, in Tripoli. He said hes feeling well now.Suldan Dhuhyare paid a boat fee and is waiting for a trip to Europe not knowing how it will turn out.Despite the dangerous travels and horrifying experiences, the flow of migrants out of Somalia continues unabated.According to the IOM, a total of 26,352 movements (71% outgoing, 29% incoming) across the border were observed in October 2023, representing a 6% increase compared to September 2023, when 24,816 movements were observed. Most of the people entering Somalia are Ethiopian migrants.The IOM, which provides administrative, logistical and financial support to Somali migrants, received 132 voluntary returnees from Libya since the beginning of 2023.One of the returnees is Khadar Hassan Ibrahim, who entered Libya in March 2020.In early April 2022, Ibrahim was among more than 90 migrants who boarded a rubber boat from the coast of Az Zawiyah, Libya."We departed around 3 a.m., we were late because we should have left way earlier to go far into the sea to avoid detection and being intercepted by the coast guard," he said.At around noon, a helicopter flew over their boat, took pictures and sent their location to the coast guard, he noted. The nearest ship caught up with them and turned them back.In July 2022, he went to the Somali Embassy and the IOM, and registered to return. Ibrahim was on the waiting list until his return in May 2023.Ibrahim, 24, returned to his hometown, Wajale, and with the money he received from his parents and an additional $1,387 from the IOM, he bought a tuktuk and returned to his old job.This report originally aired on Investigative Dossier, a VOA Somali Service radio program. On January 26, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivered its order indicating provisional measures, in South Africas case against Israel. South Africa brought a case (also endorsed by the Arab League) against Israel to the ICJ in late December, alleging breaches of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. In its interim order, the ICJ directed Israel to take all measures possible to prevent breaches of Article II of the Genocide Convention, prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide, allow humanitarian assistance into Gaza, and submit a report to the court on the measures taken within a month. The court reiterated that provisional measures did not prejudice a future decision on the merits of the case. While this is standard in any contentious case, it assumes relevance for the prevention of genocide a peremptory norm in international law from which no derogation is permitted. Indeed, Judge Dalveer Bhandari in a separate declaration further added that an inference ofdolus specialis(special intent) for genocide by Israel could be drawn at a later stage, and that the current measures are triggered only by the plausibility of intent. Israel and the Courts order Even as it denounced the recent ICJ verdict, Israel has long engaged in a fervent diplomatic effort to garner international support for itself since its war in Gaza began, further proven by its decision to participate in current ICJ proceedings. Notwithstanding the lack of effective enforcement mechanisms, the ICJs rulings have binding effects on the parties involved. This puts Israels methods of war-fighting under enhanced scrutiny and effectively increases the need for a ceasefire South Africa maintains that the Courts call for allowing humanitarian aid cannot be fulfilled without it. The net political effect of this legal development then is greater incentive for Israel to wind down its attack if not end it entirely. Israel has evidently already shifted the articulation of its objectives, from the need to destroy Hamas completely to the need to eject Hamas from Gaza. The shift indicates that should the remaining Hamas leaders leave Gaza, it would credibly fulfil Israels aims at a lower threshold, making it easier for Israel to exit the war and declare its objectives met. Israel and Palestine at ICJ previously ICJ jurisprudence pertaining to Israel and Palestine has not tilted in Israels favour in the past too in 2004, the court (in a UN invoked advisory opinion) declared that Israels separation barrier in the West Bank was violative of international law. Further, a corpus of UN resolutions have consistently declared Israels occupation of Palestine to be illegal. Genocide, however, is a distinct matter entirely more politically loaded for a state that was founded by a group that itself was victim of genocide in World War 2. Israel then is paradoxically committed both to its current war aims in Gaza, as well as to an international trial of genocide which it cannot ignore in the context of its own history and the international narrative built around it. This makes the courts ruling, even if interim, both legally and politically significant for both Israel and its Middle Eastern neighbours. What happens in the Middle East now? The immediate reactions to the courts order from across the Arab states (and the Arab League), Turkey, and Iran were interpreted to be categorically against Israel an expected reaction given that the League officially endorsed South Africas case. Led by Saudi Arabia, these states have long been engaged in a determined diplomatic effort to impose a ceasefire (with Egypt and Qatar acting as direct mediators between Israel and Hamas). The puzzle, however, pertains to the long term. The October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas in Israel upended a slow but steady drift towards larger Arab-Israeli peace. Saudi Arabia recently asserted that it shall not normalise ties with Israel without agreement on a future Palestinian state the language used is still one of potential normalisation, indicative of new Arab strategic priorities. How peace in the region is possible The ICJ usually takes long to deliver a merits judgement on a case concerning alleged genocide the Croatia vs Serbia case was brought to the Court in 1999, the final order on merits was delivered in 2015, after 16 years. The ICJ is also considering Gambias case against Myanmar on its merits a case where multiple UN fact-finding missions have already submitted evidence, a feature missing from the South Africa-Israel case thus far. The ICJ verdict on Israel, when it comes, will be a fresh factor to reconcile with in the future. This increases the urgency to not only move beyond the present Gaza conflict, but seek a resolution of the larger political solution to the Israel-Palestine issue now. This explains the increasing willingness for Middle Eastern states to demand a broader political resolution and the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state, even as they push for a ceasefire. Saudi Arabias further assertion that it shall not help rebuild Gaza without a credible pathway to a Palestinian state, seeks to increase incentives for Israel to negotiate terms on the core issue defining Arab-Israel politics for decades, one seemingly side-stepped in earlier normalisation efforts. A political solution to the larger Israel-Palestine question then, with efforts at reconciliation and reconstruction, shall act as a cushion for absorbing any ICJ judgement on genocide, whether in favour of Israel or against. Bashir Ali Abbas is a Research Associate at the Council for Strategic and Defense Research, New Delhi, and a South Asia Visiting Fellow at the Stimson Center, Washington DC. In Eye on the Middle East, Bashir writes about the Middle East/West Asia region, and its larger implications for India. Views expressed are strictly his own. Sagittarius (22nd November to 21st December) Daily Horoscope Prediction says, Balance the office and personal life today Sagittarius Daily Horoscope Today, Jan 29, 2024. Both health and wealth will give positive results. Settle the minor tiffs in the love life. Professional life will give opportunities to prove their mettle. Financial success is accompanied by good health today. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Turbulence in the love life needs open communication. Officially, you may have a tight schedule but challenges will be resolved. Both health and wealth will give positive results. Sagittarius Love Horoscope Today Handle relationship-related issues with a mature attitude. Be cool while having discussions or arguments and do not lose your temper as this can cause serious consequences. Some natives, especially males will meet up with the ex-flame to rekindle the old affair. However, married persons need to be careful to not hurt the marital life. You can have the vacation to share pleasant emotions and you may also make final calls in the future. Sagittarius Career Horoscope Today No major issue will come up at the office. However, it is good to maintain a good rapport with seniors and team members. The Sagittarius natives who have recently joined an organization need to study the surroundings before expressing their opinions at meetings. Some accountants and bankers may be seriously brooding over putting down the paper. You may also have office-related travels. Entrepreneurs handling leather, textiles, electronics, books, and automobile spare parts will see good returns. Sagittarius Money Horoscope Today Your financial status will be good throughout the day. However, have control over the expenses. The first part of the day is good to renovate the home or buy jewelry. Some Sagittarius natives will buy a vehicle today. You are advised to not invest in the stock market and even to donate money to charity. Businessmen should not sign new financial deals, especially with clients abroad. Sagittarius Health Horoscope Today Your general health will be good. But be concerned about issues like diabetes, cholesterol, and lung-related issues. Some people may diagnose kidney-related ailments today. Females will develop migraine and skin-related infections while children may have bruises while playing. Those who are traveling must carry a medical kit. Keep a distance from oily, greasy food as that can also lead to more obesity. Sagittarius Sign Attributes Strength: Wise, Practical, Audacious, Beautiful, Lively, Energetic, Lovely, Optimistic Weakness: Forgetful, Careless, Irritating Symbol: Archer Element: Fire Body Part: Thighs & Liver Sign Ruler: Jupiter Lucky Day: Thursday Lucky Color: Light Blue Lucky Number: 6 Lucky Stone: Yellow Sapphire Sagittarius Sign Compatibility Chart Natural affinity: Aries, Leo, Libra, Aquarius Good compatibility: Gemini, Sagittarius Fair compatibility: Taurus, Cancer, Scorpio, Capricorn Less compatibility: Virgo, Pisces By: Dr. J. N. Pandey Vedic Astrology & Vastu Expert Website: https://www.cyberastro.com E-mail: caresponse@cyberastro.com Phone: 9717199568, 9958780857 Rana Talwar, the first person from Asia to head a global bank (Standard Chartered) passed away on Saturday at the age of 76 after being unwell for some time. Rana Talwar (Image courtesy: TOI) We regret to inform about the sad demise of non-executive director Gurvirendra Singh (Rana) Talwar, which was intimated to the company by the family members, real estate giant DLF said in a regulatory filing, reported the Times of India. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Talwar was a board member at DLF, having joined the realty major in 2006. He will be cremated at Delhi's Lodhi Road cremation ground on Sunday. Who was Rana Talwar? (1.) He began his career with Citibank India in 1969, swiftly ascending through the ranks to lead its retail businesses in Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Europe, and North America. (2.) Then, in the summer of 1997, the St Stephens alumnus joined Standard Chartered, assuming the position of CEO after some months, becoming the first Asian to head an international bank. (3.) There, he was instrumental in major acquisitions, including the Trade Finance business of UBS, Grindlays Bank in India and the Middle East from ANZ, and the Credit Card business from Chase Manhattan in Hong Kong. (4.) After moving on from Standard Chartered in 2002, the veteran banker founded Sabre Capital, a private equity firm. Interestingly, Sabre means a sword, which translates to Talwar in Hindi. (5.) He is survived by his wife, Renuka, whose father is DLF Group chairman emeritus KP Singh. The couple's son, Rahul, is also involved with DLF. There is no dearth of gloomy faces in view nowadays, what with all sorts of negativism uninvitedly bombarding our consciousness. But there are some rare beacons of light, those cheerful laugh-a-minute sorts, who are ready hipsters when it comes to regaling us. There are some rare beacons of light, those cheerful laugh-a-minute sorts. (iStockphoto) Some old-timers are able to emanate warmth and wit quite effortlessly, at most times, no matter what the world is going through. Such gems remind me of my grandfather who would always be on the lookout for an opportunity to unleash his wisecracks. He would tell me to fetch the dust from the stars, for instance, when he wanted to read the Stardust magazine! My grandmother was so much in love with him that she would laugh heartily even after 60 years of being married; even when she had heard each joke a million times. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. A friend of mine, Manish Jain, is forever playing with words (and names), whether in real-time conversations, or on WhatsApp groups. He is lightning quick when it comes to responding to a comment that demands a funny repartee, while the rest of us are struggling to put our thoughts together. He has also probably undertaken a course in typing skills, for he wins fastest-finger contests hands down. Stand-up comedians, however, are a different species. They have to prepare, plot and plan. Even if they appear to be utterly spontaneous, hours of practice have clearly gone into the prep for taking the stage. Yet, someone like Kapil Sharma will be quick on his feet too, and will blossom forth with hilarious one-liners as the show goes on. And with comely damsels around, the man on stage suddenly evolves into an entirely charming species. The art of cracking a joke or even relating an old story, is not everybodys forte though. An old write-up in the Readers Digest enlisted three types of joke-tellers: those who keep laughing while telling the joke, those who keep revising their joke in midstream and those who accomplish the job of recounting a funny story but end up making no one laugh at all. The last of the group just do not manage to get the hang of acing the punchline, somehow, and elicit hardly a response. If this category happens to be the boss, however, everyone is sure to guffaw at the end, since their promotions and increments might be at stake. The ability to find humour in duress is another matter altogether. Sam Manekshaws gritty words after taking nine bullets in the stomach were, A mule kicked me! Everyone cannot be like the great Field Marshal, but we can surely try to keep our chins up when testing times assail us. The online joke factories that abound these days are rather amazing as well. Within a few minutes of something major happening, there will be memes or witty forwards by the dozen, which more than bring a smile to our visages. My favourite recent online joke is about a young lad who was (wrongly) advised, by his teacher, to not worry too much about his spellings because autocorrect would always be around to correct him. He replied that he would truly be eternally grapefruit .for that advice! And while Indians might not be as famous for witty one-liners as the British are for their dry humour, we seem to be catching up. A recent visit to a small town marketplace brought out the humorous side of a gol gappa vendor. He appeared to be somewhat weatherbeaten by the vagaries of life, but he regaled customer after customer with his witticisms. The ability to infuse a general sense of humour into the environs that one works and lives in is perhaps a quality direly needed, especially in current times. It is another matter that light-hearted one-liners are often taken in the wrong spirit by grumpy others. Its no use joking about a friends lack of driving skills, when hes at the wheel. He might just prove you right! Be that as it may, my vote is perennially for the funny uncle or aunt, or whoever. May their ability to tickle our funny bones never die down! vivek.atray@gmail.com A 16-year-old girl in Jaipur was found two months pregnant after allegedly being raped by her uncle and his son for over three months, said a police official familiar with the matter. The family aborted a fetus and lodged a police complaint. (Representative Image) The incident came to the fore when the girls family found her pregnant and took her to a hospital to abort the fetus. The accused are absconding. We will nab them soon, said a senior police official. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. According to police, the girl was first raped in last October by both the accused in the absence of her family. Later, they raped her several times in the last three months by threatening her for life, said the officer quoting the FIR lodged by the girls brother on Friday. He also said, On Monday, the girl reported stomach-ache following which her family took her to a nearby hospital and found that she was two-months pregnant. They aborted the fetus immediately to save the familys reputation. Though the girl initially refused to talk about the incident, later she told them about the rape incident. After she got discharged from the hospital, the girls brother on Friday came to the Sadar police station to lodge the case against the two accused, said police. A case was filed under sections 376 D, 376 N, of the Indian Penal Code and also the relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The girls medical examination was conducted, the report of which is awaited. We will nab the perpetrators soon once the fact is ascertained. Further investigation is underway, said the officer. With the political temperature gradually beginning to rise in the run-up to this summers Lok Sabha elections, Samajwadi Party (SP) national president Akhilesh Yadavs post on Saturday saying that his partys alliance with the Congress is off to a good start with 11 strong seats (to the Congress) has triggered speculation in political circles in Uttar Pradesh. As Akhileshs post sparked speculations, those familiar with the issue said the SP was not willing to accommodate the Congress on more than 13 seats. (File) Indications are that the SP is not willing to give more than 13 Lok Sabha seats to the Congress even as the Bihar political developments and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjees tough talk against the Congress have made the INDIA bloc alliance in those states uncertain. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Uttar Pradesh has 80 Lok Sabha seats, the highest in the country. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP and its ally Apna Dal (S) won 62 out of the 80 seats in the state. The Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party alliance won 15 seats (SP 5 and BSP 10) and the Congress could only bag one seat. In a post on X on Saturday, Akhilesh Yadav said: Our cordial alliance with the Congress is off to a good start with 11 strong seats (to Congress). This trend will move forward with the winning equation. INDIA team and PDA (backwards, Dalits, and minorities) strategy will change history. READ | Nitish Kumar can be PM candidate if he remains in INDIA bloc: Akhilesh Yadav However, in their statements, none of the Congress leaders in Uttar Pradesh or Delhi made any mention of the 11 seats though all said that positive talks are on between the two parties. All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary (in charge of UP) Avinash Pandey said: The seat-sharing talks between the Samajwadi Party and the Congress were progressing well with all the positivity. He also said he had seen the SP chief Akhilesh Yadavs post about seat-sharing, but had no further information on the issue. As Akhileshs post sparked speculations, those familiar with the issue said the SP was not willing to accommodate the Congress on more than 13 seats. When the seat-sharing talks between the two parties began, the Congress had demanded 30 seats, including the 21 the grand old party had won in U.P. in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls. READ | Amid INDIA bloc talks, Akhilesh Yadav announces alliance with Jayant Chaudhary's RLD in western Uttar Pradesh A senior SP leader, not willing to be quoted, said that his party feels that Congress in Uttar Pradesh is not in any position to contest on more than 11 to 13 Lok Sabhs seats. Sharing information about the ongoing seat-sharing talks, the leader said that Congress has been vaguely putting forward the demand for the seats without even having a significant candidate to field on many of those seats. In turn, the SP interlocutors had asked the Congress to share specific names of the candidates it wanted to field, this leader said. The SP leaders, in their discussions with the Congress counterparts, have also made it clear that seat-sharing formula cannot be based on the 2009 results, in which the Congress won 21 seats (the SP had won 23 and the BSP 20). The SP feels politics in the state has changed since 2014 and seat-sharing should be done on present political realities where the SPs vote percentage has risen considerably and Congress fell drastically, he said. Meanwhile, the SP has already finalised its alliance with Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), giving it 7 seats. Sources say that of those 7 seats, the candidates on three to four will be given by the Samajwadi Party. Professor SK Dwivedi, a political analyst and former head of the department of political science at Lucknow University, said: I had earlier said that two issues will trouble the INDIA bloc--one is seat-sharing and the second is the leadership of the alliance. And both the issues are now troubling the alliance as we can see in Bihar and West Bengal. Akhilesh may have announced 11 seats, but all is cryptic. There is no clarity. While the names of the 11 seats have not been revealed by Akhilesh or his party, the offer to the Congress includes Amethi and Rae Bareli. Sources said in West UP, the SP has offered Saharanpur and Meerut. In east UP, the seats are Varanasi and Maharajganj. In central Uttar Pradesh, the SP is ready to leave Kanpur and Barabanki. It has also offered Lakhimpur or Dhaurara. Talking to Hindustan Times, a senior Congress leader from UP said: We had given a list of 30 seats to our central leadership. It is now up to the party high command to take a final call on the number of seats it agrees to in the alliance. After the Congress debacle in assembly polls in four states December last year in the backdrop of acrimony between the two parties over not giving any seats to the SP in Madhya Pradesh, Akhilesh had said: The arrogance is demolished, and now the results will help INDIA bloc (in seat-sharing issue) Decoding Akhileshs post, senior SP leader Sudhir Panwar, a probable candidate from a West UP Constituency, said: Akhilesh ji has given a clear signal that the alliance is on in UP. On the 11 seats to Congress, Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ameque Jamei said: Like Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav), Akhileshji has shown a big heart. LUCKNOW The dramatic political developments that unfolded in Bihar where its chief minister Nitish Kumar, an OBC leader, resigned to take oath afresh for the ninth time as states chief minister, this time with BJP backing and lending a powerful blow to the opposition alliance, will have its own impact in Uttar Pradesh. Janata Dal (United) KC Tyagi is a close aide of Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar. (FILE PHOTO) Hindustan Times spoke to Nitishs key aide and Janata Dal (United) general secretary KC Tyagi, a veteran socialist leader, on the kind of impact this political development will have in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the two states with 120 Lok Sabha seats, and if it meant curtains for the opposition unity plans. Excerpts from a telephonic interview: Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Q: Something went horribly wrong, somewhere to force such a drastic change in the political script. What was it? A: Yeah ... so much must have gone wrong to force the change in script. But what can you do? Q: What happens to the Nitish Kumar rallies that were planned in U.P? A: Rallies will be planned afresh with a newer approach (under the changed circumstances). The party work will go on. Q: U.P. and Bihar account for 120 Lok Sabha seats and the fast-paced, dramatic political developments surely will impact 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Isnt it? A: Barring west U.P, the rest of U.P. and Bihar have similar most backward classes, their issues, similar demand for caste census that has regularly been made by BJPs existing allies like the SBSP, Apna Dal (S) and the Nishad Party. Q: Now, with Nitish Kumar gone, does the opposition alliance still have any steam left? A: To put things straight, it was only Nitishji who was trying to make possible what otherwise was virtually impossible. See, all regional outfits of north India have got political space by fighting against the Congress. Be it Chaudhary Charan Singhs Lok Dal or Mulayam Singhs Samajwadi Party or Lalu Yadavs RJD or Kanshirams BSP. Now, again, the Congress isnt offering proper space to them. So, this fight will continue. Q: So, this whole issue that led to dramatic parting of ways by Nitish Kumar, was it limited to the RJD or was there this Congress factor too that played a part? A: Of course, there was this Congress issue too. We were very uncomfortable from the beginning with the Congress partys design as well. On September 27, 2022, Tejashwi Yadav and all of us had gone to attend Devi Lal Jayanti. It was here that Nitishji had first said that without Congress there cannot be any viable alternative against the BJP. Thus, it was Nitish Kumar, who got political acceptability for the Congress within the opposition space that comprised parties, including those that got political space by fighting the Congress. Q: So, are you saying without Nitish Kumar, a third front would have come up? A: Yes, for your kind information, a third front was indeed in the offing comprising K Chandrashekhar Rao, Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal and Akhilesh Yadav. It was Nitishji who got these parties to agree to co-exist with the Congress within that alliance. Q: Ok, what now? With Nitish Kumar out, will you be talking to Akhilesh Yadav as well and wean him away from the opposition alliance? A: That is out of the question and more so now that we are part of the NDA. But let me tell you, no one is comfortable in the opposition alliance. Neither DMK, nor Sharad Pawar, nor Mamata nor Akhilesh. Mark my words, now (with Nitish out), any coordination among these groups will be very difficult. Q: But Akhilesh Yadav has said seat-sharing talks with the Congress in U.P. were successful? A: I know that but is the Congress ok with the 11-seat offer? Most of the seats offered are those that are lost seats. Q: So, you arent optimistic about the alliance in Uttar Pradesh? A: Not just in U.P, but across the country too, I think the chances of the (opposition) alliance succeeding is slim. Q: These developments in Bihar, of course, appear to be a huge boost to the NDA in the state but how do you see it impacting U.P, where there is a huge Kurmi population for whom Nitish Kumars rallies were earlier scheduled? A: There are 48 seats in U.P. with a sizeable Kurmi population. From Bareilly to Varanasi, from Kanpur (Dehat) to Deoria, there is a sizeable Kurmi presence in Awadh, from Gonda, Bahraich ... I remember visiting Amethi when Sharad Yadav had contested against Rajiv Gandhi there in the 80s and there were many Kurmi voters not just there but across the area. Q: So, you seem to be suggesting that Nitish factor would help sweep Kurmi votes en masse the NDA way? A: Of course. Q: Since you are talking of the Kurmi spread even in Amethi and Rae Bareli, does it then also mean Nitish Kumar campaigning in these seats? A: That I cant say now, and I feel it wont be right to disclose so even if any of this were to happen. Q: The local JD (U) unit in U.P. had earlier sent a proposal wanting Nitish Kumar to contest from any of the Kurmi-dominated seats in Uttar Pradesh. Though the situation has changed now, does the possibility still exist? A: No, not now. I dont think so. It is true that there was a proposal for Nitishji to contest from U.P. and had he contested surely Akhilesh would have benefitted. Now, that is no longer on the cards. Q: When will Nitish Kumar begin campaigning in U.P? A: We will decide all of that in a few days. Today, he has taken oath again and let him seek a vote of confidence of the assembly again. MUMBAI: We have succeeded in getting justice for the Maratha community, exulted a visibly happy Manoj Jarange-Patil, as he called off his march to Mumbai on Saturday. The 41-year-old farmer-turned-activist from Jalna has emerged as the new hero of the Maratha community after he forced the Maharashtra government to accept his demand that Marathas with Kunbi antecedents be included in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category for reservation in government jobs and education. A large section of Marathas supporting him, especially youths, firmly believe that he put his life on the line to get them their rights. Jarange-Patils adroitness in getting the government to accept his demands has earned him a huge following in the community.(Raju Shinde/ HT Photo) Before launching the third phase of his agitation with Chalo Mumbai, Jarange-Patil had held two hunger strikes last year. The first one, begun on August 29, stretched for 17 days while the second one, which started on October 25, went on for nine days. Worried about the fallout of the agitation, CM Eknath Shinde turned up, glass of juice in hand, to break the activists first fast on September 14. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Also read: Decoding the Maratha claim for reservations After being convinced by a delegation that comprised retired judges M G Gaikwad and Sunil Shukre and four ministersUday Samant, Dhananjay Munde, Sandipan Bhumare and Atul SaveJarange-Patil called off his second hunger strike on November 2, giving two months to the government to fulfil its promise of giving Kunbi certificates through a special drive. On Saturday, chief minister Shinde reached Vashi in Navi Mumbai to once again break Jarange-Patils fast with a glass of juice. He handed him a copy of a draft notification which grants Kunbi certificates to the 57 lakh Marathas with Kunbi antecedents to enable them to avail of reservation benefits in the OBC category. Not just that, the notification grants reservation to the Kunbi certificate-holders blood relatives and relatives formed out of marriages in the same caste if they file affidavits confirming the relations. This time, Shinde was not just personally present to break the activists hunger strike but also praised him to the high skies. I felicitate the warrior (sangharsh yoddha) Manoj Jarange-Patil who struggled for the Maratha community, he eulogised. Not surprisingly, there was a profusion of placards on Saturday at the protest site at Vashi, declaring Jarange-Patil God. We have not seen God with our eyes but you are no less than a God, they said. Jarange-Patils adroitness in getting the government to accept his demands has earned him a huge following in the community. That is the major reason tens of thousands of people chose to press the pause button on their normal life and sacrifice their daily bread to march towards Mumbai in response to the call by the activist, who was unknown before a lathi charge on his followers in Jalna on September 1 last year. Their adoration was more than evident during the march when he could be seen meeting people who wanted to take his blessings or wave a lit lamp in front of (a ritual called aukshan) or take selfies. The Maratha activist hails originally from Beed district and settled in Shahgad in Jalna district after marriage. He joined the movement for Maratha reservation about 15 years ago, participating in several marches and protests, and even sold 2.5 acres of his four acres of agricultural land to fund his daily needs. His first 12-day hunger strike was held in January 2021, with the entire village of Sasht-Pimpalgaon in Jalna district participating in it. He then held a three-month agitation in the same village where hundreds of people joined him. The then chief minister Uddhav Thackeray invited him for a meeting in Mumbai, after which he withdrew his protest. However, there are a few Maratha activists who believe that the march to Mumbai has not wrought anything substantial for the community. Todays decision by the government is not really going to bring in any big change for the community, as there was no decision taken to incorporate Marathas in the OBC community, said Vinod Patil, a Maratha activist who has been fighting in the Bombay high court and Supreme Court. I will fight for those who do not have records of their Kunbi antecedents. As a result of a strike on the occupiers' training ground near Ilovaisk on January 24, where FPV drone operators of the Sudoplatov battalion were being trained, 38 Russian servicemen were killed, 20 were wounded, and two others went missing. ADVERTISIMENT In addition, two project instructors were killed in the strike. This was reported by the Telegram channel Spy Dossier, which is run on behalf of an employee of one of the special services. According to the channel, the occupiers' Sudoplatova battalion was conducting an exam for FPV drone operators at the "Eastern Training Area". The attack was carried out by three HIMARS missiles. The statements by Russian media that the organizers disseminated messages about the time and place of the exam in an open Telegram chat, from which the Armed Forces allegedly took the information, are not entirely true, according to Spy Dossier. ADVERTISIMENT The fact is that the training ground near Ilovaisk is regularly mentioned in the "awareness reports" of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which are regularly intercepted by Russian intelligence. That is, a large number of Russian officers were aware of the threat, the channel reports. Moreover, the training ground serves not only as a training base, but also as a warehouse for issuing FPV drones, which further increases the interest of the Armed Forces in this goal. "All that was left was to wait for the right moment, which was the day of the 'ship's test,' when about a hundred servicemen arrived at the training ground," writes Spy Dossier. ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZ.UA: - The explosions in the area of Ilovaisk were reported by local propaganda publics on the afternoon of January 24. At least 24 occupants were reported killed, with a total of 150 people at the training ground. - The Ukrainian military showed a video of the destruction of enemy UAV operators near Ilovaisk. Russian propagandists accused the occupiers' commanders of allegedly writing publicly about the place and time of the training. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! MUMBAI: I had taken an oath which I fulfilled today, said chief minister Eknath Shinde, standing next to Manoj Jarange-Patil, in Vashi on Saturday, as a teeming crowd of Marathas facing them cheered. With that, the agitation seeking inclusion of Marathas in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category as Kunbis, a sub-caste of the community which gets reservation under the OBC quota, reached a conclusive stage as the activist announced that the government had accepted his demands and he was ending the march to Mumbai. Navi Mumbai, India - Jan. 27, 2024:Maratha Quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil ends protest after Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde Government accepts all demands at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk Vashi, in Navi Mumbai, India, on Saturday, January 27, 2024. (Photo by Bachchan Kumar/ HT PHOTO) (HT PHOTO) With this move, Shinde, himself a Maratha, who has been facing uncertainty over his future, has managed to score over his political rivals as he garners credit for giving reservation to Marathas. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. After engineering a split in Shiv Sena and pulling down the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in June, 2022, he became chief minister of the state. He also survived the legal battle in the Supreme Court recently. However, over the past two years, his ability to lead the ruling alliance against the MVA coalition, led by Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray, has been questioned, as also his capacity to run the government. Ajit Pawars entry, following the split in NCP, led to speculations that Shindes exit was certain as the BJP had managed to get a popular Maratha leader in its alliance. Equally, deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnaviss displeasure with Shinde was no secret. The first few days of the Maratha agitation, when the Shinde-led government seemed clueless about managing the situation, added grist to speculations. Shinde, however, turned the challenge into an opportunity. Since last September when a lathicharge on Maratha community members who had gathered to support Jarange-Patils fast in Jalna put the government in trouble, Shinde threw himself into the thick of things. He went to end Jarange-Patils first hunger strike in Jalna, and deputed officials and retired judges to convince him to end his second hunger strike. He went against views of several cabinet ministers and pushed for a special campaign to give Kunbi certificates to Marathas, demanded by the activist. Interestingly, while the activist continued to sharply criticise leaders of the ruling alliance and opposition, he insisted that he respected Shinde. Now, with his latest move, Shinde has positioned himself as the alliances most Maratha-friendly face. Comprising one third of the population Marathas are politically significant and have been dominating state politics for decades. The development could be useful for Shinde in cementing his position within the ruling alliance as well as against political battle with the opposition. On the other hand, it could be a doubled-edged sword, feel some of his colleagues as well as analysts. First, the decisions taken by Shinde will have to stand legal scrutiny. Second, he has to face a disgruntled OBC community, whose leaders are preparing to oppose the decisions which could lead to friction between the two communities. The government has sought suggestions and objections on the notification giving reservation benefits to blood relatives of the Marathas who get Kunbi certificate till February 16. OBC outfits are planning to send objections on a large scale. After a final notification is issued, the decision is expected to be challenged in court; if the latter puts it hold or worse, sets it aside, there is likely to be a face-off between Marathas and OBCs. The OBCs are not happy with the decision of the government. If there is a Maratha versus OBC war, it may damage our prospects, said a senior BJP minister who did not want to be named. The reservation issue is not over. Shinde government will have a tough task defending its decisions. If it fails, Shinde could be accused of misleading the Marathas, said Padmabhushan Deshpande, a Mumbai-based political analyst. On the other hand, the existing castes in the OBC category are getting restless and may go against the Shinde government. However, it is not easy to predict how the arithmetic would work in favour or against the ruling alliance. At this juncture, Shinde seems to have scored over his rivals, he added. Several senior Congress leaders from Assam and the states biggest student body joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the coming Lok Sabha polls at an event held at the partys headquarters in Guwahati on Sunday. Newly-joined BJP leaders Angkita Dutta and Bismita Gogoi at the party headquarters in Guwahati on Sunday. (ANI Photo) (ANI) Those who joined the BJP include former Congress minister Bismita Gogoi, former president of the Assam unit of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) Angkita Dutta, former president and vice president of the All Assam Students Union (AASU) Dipanka Kumar Nath and Prakash Das, respectively, and former deputy speaker of the state assembly Dilip Paul. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. While Bismita is the daughter-in-law of former Congress leader Jiba Kanta Gogoi and a former MLA from Khumtai, Dutta is the daughter of former Congress minister Anjan Dutta. She was expelled from Congress last year after she filed a case of harassment against IYC national president Srinivas BV. BJP leaders including the partys state unit chief Bhabesh Kalita and several ministers were present at the event. We are happy that these leaders from the Congress and the AASU have decided to join us. Todays event is part of an ongoing process of people from other parties joining the BJP. We expect more people to join us ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, Kalita said. He mentioned that these leaders have joined the BJP without any pre-condition, and they are unlikely to get party tickets for the coming Lok Sabha polls. Significantly, Sundays event took place three days after the end of the Assam leg of the Congress Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi. Wherever Rahul passes through, the Congress will get decimated in those places. He is very uninspiring, arrogant and has no leadership qualities. In fact, he is the BJPs star campaigner, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Sunday. The Congress has lost its ideology at present. The partys only plan is how to resurrect Rahul Gandhis declining political fortunes. It was also disheartening that during the recent Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Gandhi didnt interact with me to give me justice about the harassment I faced, said Ankita Dutta. Bismita Gogoi said she felt disappointed that there were questions raised in the party about her dress during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. She added that she faced mental harassment at the party and was not given any responsibility despite being a grassroots leader. Government jobs in Assam used to be sold during the Congress rule. But now the present BJP government has given 100,000 jobs without taking even a single rupee from applicants, former AASU president Dipanka Kumar Nath. Commenting on the decision by several key leaders to quit the party, Assam Congress chief Bhupen Kumar Borah said that that the party was happy to get rid of people who are not committed to its ideals. Ankita Dutta was no longer a Congress member as she was expelled for six years on disciplinary grounds and Bismita Gogoi, who had lost two consecutive assembly elections, had been inactive in the party since 2021. We are not bothered by their exit, Borah told HT. When contacted, AASU adviser Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharya said that he will comment on the move by his former colleagues to join the BJP later. Several blood banks in Pune city have reported a shortage given the drop in donations and fewer donation camps being organised. The current stock in the blood banks is enough to suffice only for the next three to four days, said officials. The city is facing an acute shortage of specific blood type units like A positive, B positive, and O positive blood groups. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOT) Since the past two weeks, there has been a shortage of blood in the city. The city is facing an acute shortage of specific blood type units like A positive, B positive, and O positive blood groups. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Officials were hopeful that the blood donation camps likely to happen on the occasion of Republic Day will replenish the stock of blood. However, this year a significant drop in the blood donation camps was witnessed on January 26. Ram Bangad, founder, NGO Raktache Nate, said, there is a shortage of blood as few people are coming forward for blood donation. This year around 40 blood donation camps were conducted during Republic Day, unlike 70 to 75 camps conducted on the same occasion in the past. Even the number of blood bags collected during the donation camps has reduced. The long weekend, surge in health ailments and the statewide agitation have affected the blood donation camps, he said. Following the shortage of blood, relatives of patients are forced to look for donors or offer blood replacement to the banks in exchange for the blood. Most of the government-run blood banks in the city are reporting acute shortages of blood. Dr Nisha Teli, blood transfusion officer at the Metro Blood Bank, Aundh, said, for the past two weeks we have been facing a shortage of blood. Currently, we have only one bag of B Positive blood type and 17 bags of other blood units. This year during the Republic Day we received only 19 blood bags and every month we require more than 200 blood bags. We have been contacting other blood banks but most of them are facing a shortage of blood, she said. Dr Teli, said, there are a few blood camps scheduled in February and hopefully we will get a good amount of blood units. Citizens should come forward and donate blood to save lives, she said. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is making a splash with Season 4 this Spring, but guess what? You can catch a sneak peek of the Hashira Training arc even earlier! Tickets for the world tour premiere are now up for grabs in the United States. The theatrical screenings of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc are part of the World Tour Screenings.(Ufotable) Exclusive new movie: What's the buzz? Get ready for the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Hashira Training- movie, featuring an epic hour-long special. It combines the final episode from the Swordsmith Training arc and the debut episode of the Hashira Training Arc. Brace yourself for an action-packed cinematic experience! Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. New York Fans, get ready for February 10th New York fans, mark your calendars for February 10th! The World Tour will be stopping at the Regal Union Square, and you can be the first to witness the excitement. Secure your tickets now for this exclusive screening filled with surprises and special guests. Secure your spot - Tickets on sale now Don't miss out on the Demon Slayer extravaganza! Tickets for the World Tour premiere at the Regal Union Square on February 10th are on sale now. Be the first to catch the film, witness special guest appearances, and dive into the Demon Slayer universe. Experience the Hashira Training Arc worldwide For those outside New York, fear not! Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Hashira Training- will be hitting theaters across the United States on February 23rd, including IMAX formats. This special event marks the first glimpse of the new season before its full Spring premiere, with both Japanese and English dubbed audio options. Wondering what to expect? The movie promises a seamless blend of 'A Connected Bond: Daybreak and First Light' from the Swordsmith Village Arc and Episode 1 of the Hashira Training Arc. Brace yourselves for the intense battle conclusion between Tanjiro and Upper Four demon Hantengu, alongside Nezuko's triumphant moment over the sun. It's all gearing up for the final battle against Muzan Kibutsuji, and you get a front-row seat! Grab your tickets for the ultimate anime experience Ready to be part of Demon Slayer history? Snatch your tickets for the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Hashira Training- World Tour at the Regal Union Square in NYC on February 10th. Don't miss the chance to be the first in line for this anime adventure. Tickets available now at link. Filmmaker Karan Johar has spilled the beans on his next production. However, he insists it's not a film announcement. Instead, he dropped hints about the star cast of the movie, and asked his followers to guess the title of the movie. (Also Read: Koffee with Karan: Ranking all episodes of Season 8 on the authenticity meter) Prithviraj Sukumaran, Kajol, and Ibrahim Ali Khan expected to star together in Sarzameen Karan's guessing game The filmmaker took to his Instagram handle on Sunday to post a note with the caption, Let the guessing begin! (stopwatch emojis). The title of the note read, This is not a film announcement! The note explained that the team of this movie has been shooting an intriguing film for the past year, keys aspects of which have been kept under wraps even from the crew, as per the decision taken by the debut director. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The hints? A superstar from the south who has just delivered a pan-India juggernaut! Could it be Dhanush for Captain Miller? Mahesh Babu for Guntur Kaaram? Or Prasanth Verma for HanuMan? Well, several followers went a little behind the Sakranthi releases and guessed it as Prithviraj Sukumaran for Salaar: Part 1 - Ceasefire. Could it be Prabhas too? Well, the fans stuck to Prithviraj. 2. A massively loved actress who continues to awe us with her emotional energy on celluloid Well, this could be many of them, but fans guessed that it's Kajol. 3. A legacy debut actor who is working tirelessly to find his spot in the sunshine of exceptional talent & combating the obsession with the N word! But keeping his head down and just working! Fans guessed this one to be Ibrahim Ali Khan, the son of actors Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh, who was also an Assistant Director on Karan's directorial last year, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. Last year, Ibrahim's sister and actor Sara Ali Khan also revealed that he's started shooting for his debut film as an actor. The note further updated the fans that the film is ready and on the cusp of release. It urged fans to guess the title and other details so they could be invited to watch a glimpse of the movie. While one user claimed it's Dostana 2, the Kartik Aaryan-Janhvi Kapoor-starrer that was shelved and was supposed to be recast, a wide majority claimed the film in question is Sarzameen. About Sarzameen Last year, we exclusively revealed the details of this project. A source close to the development told Hindustan Times, Of course, he (Ibrahim) reminds everyone of Saif Ali Khan. When he comes to the sets, it feels like Saif from 20 years ago has stepped in. He is so young and just a true carbon copy of his father. The source also added that Kajol plays a crucial role." Sarzameen is directed by Kayoze Irani, the son of actor Boman Irani. He acted in Karan's 2012 campus caper Student of the Year and made his directorial debut with the Manav Kaul and Shefali Shah-starrer short film in Karan's 2021 Netflix India anthology Ajeeb Daastaans. Sarzameen will mark Kayoze's feature film debut. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place. Robert, who this week got another Academy Award nomination for his supporting role in Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon, and his partner Tiffany Chen named their daughter Gia. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. What Robert said "Everything that I'm consumed with or worried about or this and that just goes away when I look at her. So, that in itself is wondrous," a visibly emotional De Niro told AARP: The Magazine, aimed at the 50-and-over age group in the United States, in an interview. But she has a very sweet kind of way of looking at you and just taking you in... So I don't know where it's going to go with her later when she gets older but she's thinking and she's observing everything and watching. It's really interesting. So, you know, I'm an 80-year-old dad and it's great and I want to be around for as long as I can to... enjoy her, he added. He has six other children from previous relationships: Drena and Raphael with first wife Diahnne Abbott, twins Julian and Aaron with ex Toukie Smith, and Elliot and Helen Grace with second wife Grace Hightower. Robert makes history at Oscars Robert De Niro, like his Killers of the Flower Moon director Martin Scorsese and leading lady Lily Gladstone, made history with his nomination at Oscars 2024. Since his first Oscar nomination was for The Godfather Part II 49 years ago in 1975, he's now become the actor with the longest gap between their first and most recent Oscar nominations. While Martin Scorsese also became the most-nominated living filmmaker with his 10th nomination for the period epic, surpassing Steven Spielberg, Lily Gladstone emerged as the first Native American actor to get a nod. However, the film's lead actor, Leonardo DiCaprio, was snubbed by The Academy. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place. Noted Bengali actor actor Sreela Majumdar, who was considered a favourite of serious filmmakers such as Mrinal Sen, Shyam Benegal and Prakash Jha, died at her Kolkata residence on Saturday, her family said. The actor, who was suffering from cancer for the past three years, was 65. She is survived by her husband and son. (Also read: B Praak reacts to Kalkaji Temple stage collapse, says management asked crowd to move back: Par aap logo ka pyar hai) Sreela Majumdar predominantly worked in Bengali Cinema. Condoling her death, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said Sreela was a powerful actor who played outstanding roles in several significant Indian films. "It is a big loss for Bengal film industry and we shall miss her stellar presence. My condolences to her family," she said. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. About Sreela Majumdar Sreela Majumdar worked with prominent director Mrinal Sen in many films. Her portrayal of characters in Mrinal Sen's Ekdin Pratidin (And Quiet Rolls the Dawn, 1980), Kharij (The Case is Closed, 1982) and Akaler Sandhane (In Search of Famine; 1981), have been critically acclaimed. She also worked in some films in Bollywood. Some of her notable work include Shyam Benegal's Mandi (Market Place, 1983), Prakash Jhas Damul (Bonded Until Death, 1985) and Utpalendu Chakraborty's Chokh (Eye, 1983). More details She worked in altogether 43 films. Sreela Majumdar was also known for her sensitive voice dubbing for Aishwarya Rai in the film Chokher Bali (A Passion Play, 2003) which was directed by Rituparno Ghosh. She was last seen in Palan by Kaushik Ganguly, which was a sequel of Ekdin Pratidin. The film received wide critical acclaimed wide last year. Many actors and directors offered their condolences after Condoling her death, Bengali film actor Rituparna Sengupta, who has also shared screen space with Sreela in many films, said, "She had delivered so many memorable performances under the direction of filmmakers like Mrinal Sen and others. She could have been utilised more by the industry. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place Each year at the Sundance Film Festival, there's one film that seems destined to become a major breakout. One knows it straightway even if it's the very first time they are watching it. This year, I felt the same way in my bones while I encountered Didi, the feature-length debut from director Sean Wang. From the very first scene, which begins with an explosion, I was sucked right into its world; walking beside its protagonist- a 13 year-old American-Taiwanese immigrant boy somewhere in the summer of 2008. (Also read: Girls Will Be Girls review: Richa Chadha, Ali Fazals maiden production portraits a complex mother-daughter relationship) A still from Didi. That Didi comes from a deep seated place of personal experiences is palpable. For the next 91 minutes, we are invited to follow Didi (or Wang Wang, or Chris- he suits his name according to the situations), as he takes on the year before high school in Fresno, California. Played by Izaac Wang, this impressionable kid lives with his Chinese-speaking mother Chungsing (a terrific, heartbreaking turn from Joan Chen), his elder sister Vivian (Shirley Chen), who will soon leave for university, and his constantly nitpicking grandmother Nai Nai (the director's real grandmother, Chang Li Hua stars in scene-stealing form). The only person from this family whom we don't meet is the father, who works in Taiwan and sends the money. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Like most kids his age, he has his own squad of friends who call him Wang Wang. He has a crush on a girl named Madi (Mahaela Park), with whom he lies his way to get attention. It all comes together to a hilarious scene in the park where they meet alone and Madi grills him about his love for A Walk To Remember and asks him what's the colour of the Yoda. Elsewhere, he faces ridicule and has a difficult time coming out of his awkward shell. His computer screen takes up the entire screen space as he searches videos on how to kiss, what actually is his-new-favourite-film A Walk To Remember about and what are some words to say to a bunch of older skateboarders he befriends for a while. Sean Wang charts all the highs and lows, moments of cringe-inducing laughter and heartbreak with such a keen ear for dialogue that it almost feels like a documentary. The cinematography of Sam Davis is attuned to the kinetic world of Didi, while the soulful music of Giosue Greco provides infinite texture to its rich palette. Didi is restless and exhausting, and Sean Wang encompasses his journey with a specificity in detail. There's so much material and perspective and humanity in it. Editor Arielle Zakowski pieces the many tender and poignant moments together into a tightly wound drama that never, for a second, stumbles in its pace. At the heart of Didi is Izaac Wang, who delivers one of the finest child performances in recent memory- so alive to every single turn and beat this restless beast of a film challenges him to. Still, Didi shines the brightest when Sean Wang's script carefully examines the sidelined reality of this child's mother. Her story is universal too. As Didi and Vivian's mother, Joan Chen is utterly unforgettable as the protective parent who was also a woman. One who dreamed of becoming an artist. One particular scene where she musters up the courage to show Didi a painting she has made to send to a national competition -only to be rebuked by him- hits like a sudden, unexpected storm. Wang hangs for a few seconds on what she has drawn. It tells you everything you need to know about her. Will Didi make new friends? Will he learn for the better? By the end, you know he will be just fine. And if not, there's always home. He's a boy who will soon be a man, one who will hopefully start to love himself a little more as the world around him changes. We start to love him too- but from a distance, which is perhaps best. Santanu Das is covering the Sundance Film Festival 2024 as part of the accredited press. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place Silchar: Former Assam Youth Congress president Angkita Dutta, who was expelled from the party last year following a complaint against Indian Youth Congress president Srinivas BV accusing him of harassment, is set to join the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday. Former Youth Congress President Angkita Dutta (ANI Photo) Dutta on Saturday told HT that she, along with more than 100 supporters, will join the BJP in Guwahati on Sunday. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. In a press briefing on Saturday, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed the report and said they are including talented non-political youths in the party. We want doctors, engineers, IT professionals and youths educated in other fields to join our party. We are making so many development plans and these youths will help us in efficient implementations. Tomorrow, so many talented youths will join the BJP, Sarma said on Saturday. On April 22 last year, the Assam police registered a case based on the complaint filed by Dutta against Srinivas. In her complaint, Dutta alleged the current Youth Congress chief of harassing and discriminating her. She also staged a protest. However, the Supreme Court on May 17, 2024, gave Srinivas interim relief from arrest by granting him anticipatory bail. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said that Dutta filed the complaint under the influence of the Assam chief minister. She was an efficient leader of our party but she is too emotional. This matter would have been solved within the party but Himanta intervened and made it a legal issue, he said. Datta said that during Congress leader Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, she tried to meet him but the party did not let her. Not just me, Rahul Gandhi insulted the grassroots level workers by denying a meeting during his Yatra, Dutta said. She said that she was expelled from the Congress party without justice and she waited for 10 months for the partys senior leaders to respond. I did not join any other political party and waited for Rahul Gandhi and other leaders to give me justice. But when he refused to meet me during his Yatra in Assam, I felt heartbroken, Dutta said. She said she is not expecting anything from the BJP now. According to her, CM Sarma was the only person to raise his voice in support of her. When I was suffering and spoke against it (harassment), the entire Congress leadership was keeping mum. That time, Himanta stood by me, despite being a member of another party, Dutta said. Apart from Angkita, Bismita Gogoi, a former minister from the Congress party, will also likely join the BJP on Sunday. Gogoi was minister of state for cultural affairs, handloom and textile during the former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogois regime. She lost the assembly election in 2021 and she was allegedly sidelined by the party after that. Assam Congress chief Bhupen Kumar Borah on Saturday said that Dutta is not a part of the Congress anymore, so they are not concerned if she joins the BJP or any other party. Lalu Prasad's daughter Rohini Acharya on Sunday took a swipe at Nitish Kumar, apparently calling him 'garbage'. She posted a tweet that said: "Garbage goes back into the dustbin. Congratulations to the dustbin for getting the stinkiest garbage." Lalu's daughter Rohini Acharya is not active in politics but her social media posts have taken the centrestage in the Bihar political crisis. Rohini's post came as Nitish Kumar dumped RJD, severing ties with mahagathbandhan alliance in Bihar. He is now set to retake the oath as the chief minister of the BJP-JD(U) government in the state. This will be his 9th time as chief minister. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Bihar political crisis: Follow LIVE updates But while Rohini's garbage tweet did not explicitly mention Kumar, in her subsequent post, she cleared all doubts. She shared an old post of her father from 2017, when Kumar had left the RJD alliance and went over to the BJP. At that time, Lalu had posted, "Nitish is just a snake. Like a snake sheds its skin, Nitish also sheds his skin every two years. Anyone has any doubt?" Nitish Kumar's first reaction after resigning as Bihar CM: INDIA bloc not working "A leader who licks his spit should not consider himself the Sun," Rohini posted. "Bihar ka litti-chokha aur palturam ka dhokha (litti-chokha of Bihar and the betrayal of Nitish Kumar) are famous at the national level," Rohini's another post read. Rohini also shared an old video of Nitish Kumar saying he would rather die but won't go with the NDA. "Ram naam satya hai," Rohini wrote. A post by Rohini, that she later deleted, had earlier created a political upheaval in Bihar amid speculations over Nitish Kumar's exit from the INDIA bloc. At an event commemorating Karpoori Thakur's birth anniversary, Nitish Kumar had criticised dynastic politics. "Often, people cannot see their own shortcomings but continue to throw mud at others with impudence," Rohini posted in a sharp retort. She later deleted the tweets. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, meanwhile, called Nitish Kumar 'Aaya Ram-Gaya Ram'. He said had Nitish wanted to stay, he would have stayed in the INDIA bloc. The Ukrainian Navy would gladly accept two British ships, HMS Argyll and HMS Westminster. These vessels may be decommissioned by the Royal Navy ahead of schedule. ADVERTISIMENT The statement was made by the Commander of the Ukrainian Navy Oleksii Neizhpapa in an interview with Sky News. It was published on January 27. The Vice Admiral said that Ukraine needs warships "because we understand that without ships there is no Navy." "Therefore, if such a decision regarding the possibility of transferring two frigates to the Ukrainian Navy is made, we will be very happy about it," he said. The frigates HMS Argyll and the recently repaired HMS Westminster may be decommissioned in 2024. The reason is the lack of maintenance personnel. The sailors working on these ships may be redirected to a new class of frigates. ADVERTISIMENT HMS Argyll is the oldest operating British Type 23 Duke frigate in the Royal Navy. It was launched in 1989. The ship was scheduled to be decommissioned in 2023. HMS Westminster is a Royal Navy Type 23 frigate that was launched in 1992. In October 2022, it began a scheduled two-year overhaul with the intention of extending its service life to 2028-2029. However, in May 2023, it was reported that the repairs were suspended due to the ship's poor material condition. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information on our Telegram OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The Opposition's INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) bloc, which was formed last year to take on the BJP, appears to be breaking down with several key constituents vowing to contest the Lok Sabha elections alone in their respective states. INDIA bloc's 2024 prospects take early and big hits Before Nitish Kumar quit the INDIA alliance today, Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress, Arvind Kejriwal's AAP and Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party have hinted they will not let the Congress play the big brother. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Here's a look at states and Union territories where the INDIA bloc allies are attempting to relegate the Congress to a minor player status. Why did Nitish Kumar quit INDIA bloc? After several days of feverish speculation, JD(U)'s Nitish Kumar on Sunday dropped out of the INDIA bloc. He quit the Mahagathbandhan and joined hands with the BJP. According to Kumar, the INDIA bloc was not doing its bit. He claimed that people were unhappy with how others in the coalition were taking credit for the work being done by him. I have submitted my resignation as Bihar CM today. I have also asked the governor to dissolve the governmentSituations within the coalition were not favourableThings were not working out well," he said. Why Mamata Banerjee has decided to go solo in Bengal? In a major setback for the INDIA bloc, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee announced last week that her Trinamool Congress will contest the Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal alone. We have not talked to anyone about it (seat sharing). However, my party had sent a proposal to them (Congress), which was dismissed right away. Therefore, we decided to go alone in Bengal (for the polls). No talks on the matter have been done so far," Banerjee had said. The announcement came after Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary said Banerjee had offered his party only two seats for the Lok Sabha elections. He later called her an opportunist. Since the announcement, the Congress has been trying to mollify her. On Saturday, Chowdhary offered an apology to TMC leader Derek O'Brien for calling the latter a foreigner. Why is there AAP-Congress tension in Punjab and Haryana? The Aam Aadmi Party's Punjab and Haryana units have made it clear that they will contest the Lok Sabha elections on all seats of the state. The announcements come amid seat-sharing talks between the Congress and AAP. Last week, Bhagwant Mann said AAP will contest the Lok Sabha elections in all 13 seats in Punjab. Today, Arvind Kejriwal said his party will contest all 90 assembly seats in Haryana on its own, but the Lok Sabha polls will be fought as part of the INDIA bloc. However, the party's local unit said on Saturday it will contest the elections alone. Akhilesh announces alliance with RJD Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav announced the party's alliance with Jayant Chaudhary's Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The announcement of the alliance came amid efforts by the INDIA bloc to stitch alliances in several states, including UP, Delhi, and Punjab. Comparing the upcoming assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh with the war in epic Mahabharata , YSR Congress Party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Saturday said his party was ready for the big battle and exuded confidence that he would script a new history in the state. Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy kickstarted his election campaign at a public meeting at Bheemili, in Visakhapatnam on Saturday. (ANI) Kickstarting his election campaign with the slogan Siddham (ready), at a massive rally of YSRCP workers at Sangivalasa village of Bheemili assembly constituency on the outskirts of Visakhapatnam, Jagan described his party cadre as Pandava army, while that of opposition Kaurava army. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The person in front of you is not Abhimanyu but Arjuna. My people, please stand by me, as Krishna had done for Arjun in the Mahabharata war. I am your Arjuna. The schemes I am implementing for the welfare of the poor people are my arrows in this battle, he said. Stating that he was happy to see his soldiers ready for the battle, the YSRCP chief expressed confidence that his party would win 175 out of 175 assembly seats in the next elections and script a new history. He said his party and its cadre were fighting a gang of thieves, whose tactics and promises were deceitful. It is only because we have fulfilled all our manifesto promises, a seasoned politician like N Chandrababu Naidu of Telugu Desam Party is scared of fighting against us independently and is forced to ally with Jana Sena, he said. Jagan said in the last 56 months of the YSRCP regime, be it in welfare or development, his government had created a new record by fulfilling 99% of its manifesto promises. In the next 75 days, I want every party leader to visit every household in the state and explain to people how Naidu had failed to fulfil even 10% of his 650 promises he had made in the 2014 election manifesto, he said. The chief minister called upon the party cadre to visit every household in every village in every constituency, right from Kuppam to Ichchapuram, and explain to people about the ward secretariat system, Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs), volunteer system, upgrade of government schools under Mana Badi Nadu-Nedu, deployment of women police personnel in villages for the safety of women, and establishment of digital libraries in just 56 months We are a responsible government leading the 21st century by breaking the shackles of inequality and making every poor family better off. Go to every house and convey the message. There are only 70 days to go for elections and I want you to go door-to-door and give details to each and every family, he said. According to a YSRCP leader familiar with arrangements of the meeting, more than 300,000 party workers from six districts in north Andhra Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Parvathipuram Manyam, Alluri Sitaram Raju, and Anakapalli -- representing 34 assembly constituencies attended the meeting. Meanwhile, TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu also described the forthcoming assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh as a Kurukshetra war and it will be TDP-Jana Sena combine which would emerge victorious in the battle. The countdown for the war has begun and we are also Siddham (ready) for the battle. The people are also anxiously waiting for the D-day so that they can pull down this atrocious government of Jagan Mohan Reddy, Naidu said, while addressing a public rally at Pileru in Chittoor district. He said such was the anti-incumbency against Jagan that his party was not able to find the right candidates to contest the elections. He has ruined the entire state and people will teach him a fitting lesson, Naidu added. New Delhi: Havildar Preeti Rajak, a champion trap shooter, has been promoted to the rank of Subedar, making her the first woman in the Indian Army to hold that rank, the army said in statement on Saturday. Havildar Preeti Rajak, a champion trap shooter, is the first woman promoted to the rank of Subedar (HT Photo/Sourced) Her achievement is an extraordinary display of Nari Shakti, it said. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Rajak joined the Corps of Military Police in December 2022 on the basis of her proven performance in trap shooting. She was the first meritorious sportswoman in the shooting discipline to be enrolled in the army as a havildar. At the 19th Asian Games 2022 held at Hangzhou in China, Rajak won the silver medal in the trap women team event. Based on her extraordinary performance, she was awarded the first out-of-turn promotion to Subedar, and Lieutenant General Gajendra Joshi, commandant, Infantry School, chaired the pipping ceremony and hailed the shooter for her excellent performance, the statement said. She currently ranked 6th in India (trap women event) and is training at the elite Army Marksmanship Unit in Mhow for the Paris Olympics. Hyderabad A senior BRS leader said party president and former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is contemplating contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, while undertaking an overhaul of the party candidates. (ANI) The cracks surfacing in opposition INDIA bloc have again rekindled the hopes of Bharat Rashtra Samithi to play a role at the national level, as party working president K T Rama Rao on Saturday said only regional parties had the capacity to stop the juggernaut of the Bharatiya Janata Party at the Centre. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Addressing the party workers of Jubilee Hills assembly constituency in Hyderabad, KTR said the Congress had neither strength nor ability to stop the Narendra Modi wave at the national level. The so-called alliance partners of the Congress were deserting it one after the other because of its sheer arrogance, he said. While Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is embarking on a nationwide tour in the name of Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, his friendly parties are deserting him, Rahul Chhodo, only because of the arrogance and hegemonic attitude of the Congress leadership, the BRS leader said, adding that only Rahul Gandhi would remain in the INDIA block finally. He said that the Congress had already thrown up its hands in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, as it had no strength to take on the BJP. Only strong regional parties like BRS in Telangana, TMC in West Bengal, Janata Dal (U) in Bihar and Aam Admi Party in Delhi and Punjab have the ability to pull down the Narendra Modi government at the Centre, he said. He appealed to the Telangana voters to strengthen the hands of the BRS led by former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who can build up an alternative political force against the Congress and the BJP. In the coming Lok Sabha elections, they should vote for the BRS, as any vote for the Congress would only help the BJP, he said. KCR may contest LS polls, to rejig MPs A senior BRS leader familiar with the development said party president and former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is contemplating contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, while undertaking an overhaul of the party candidates. During the recent review of the BRS parliamentary constituency-level party meetings held from January 3 to 22, there were suggestions from several party leaders that KCR should contest the Lok Sabha elections to sustain the image of the party at the national level. Till recently, the BRS generated a nation-wide debate on the Telangana model of development and its replication across the country. There is no better person than KCR to sustain this debate. In the wake of bickering in the INDIA bloc, it is better KCR himself take a plunge into national politics, the party leader quoted above said. KCRs son and nephew T Harish Rao, who had convened these parliamentary constituency-wise review meetings, presented a report on the outcome of the meetings to KCR last week. There is no decision yet on KCR contesting the Lok Sabha elections. The party will take a call after a thorough discussion, the senior BRS leader said. However, there is a talk that if KCR decides to contest the Lok Sabha elections, he might choose Medak parliamentary constituency, which he had represented in 2014. He resigned from the seat after he became the chief minister. Already, sitting Medak MP Kotha Prabhakar Reddy, contested the recent assembly elections from Dubbak and won the seat. After learning a bitter lesson in the recent assembly elections in Telangana, wherein he retained 95% of the sitting MLAs which led to the partys debacle, KCR is contemplating major changes in the list of candidates for the Lok Sabha elections. The BRS, at present, has nine Lok Sabha members out of 17 from Telangana, as against four of the BJP, three of the Congress and one of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen. Out of these nine sitting MPs, the BRS president might drop six MPs and replace them with fresh faces, especially in the constituencies where the Congress had won a majority of the assembly seats, senior journalist and political analyst S A Zakir said. He pointed out that during the just concluded review meetings of the BRS, party working president declared the names of only three candidates, including two sitting MPs G Ranjit Reddy from Chevella and Khammam MP Nama Nageshwar Rao, besides former MP B Vinod Kumar from Karimnagar. In all the other Lok Sabha constituencies, KCR is expected to make major changes. His daughter and former MP Kalvakuntla Kavitha, too, may be shifted from her earlier constituency of Nizamabad to Malkajgiri, Zakir said. During the review meetings, a majority of leaders have also suggested to the party leadership not to repeat several candidates in the Lok Sabha elections, as they are facing severe anti-incumbency and hence, there should be a change in certain candidates, who stand no chances of winning. It will be a second volte-face for Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar in less than 18 months if he makes a return to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), in what would be considered a second such walkout on his incumbent alliance during his current term in the state assembly. In 2022, Kumar quit the NDA to form a government with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress in mahagathbandhan' coalition, accusing the BJP of engineering a split in his party, Janata Dal (United). Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar(PTI) CM Kumar's possible regression into his previous cadre is likely to deal a blow to the Opposition alliance Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) which Kumar spearheaded to take on the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections. However, this would not be the first time the JD(U) president would snap ties with his alliance, which he once counted upon. If he jumps ship today, this would be the fourth such move in the past decade, which is why he is at times addressed as paltu ram in a jeering manner. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. First switch Nitish Kumar formed his first government in 2005 in alliance with the BJP. The snapping of ties began in 2013 when he broke up with the BJP, ending the JD(U)-BJP's 17-year alliance. He was reportedly displeased with the announcement of Narendra Modi's name as the prime ministerial candidate. Kumar contested the 2014 Lok Sabha elections alone and managed to bag only two seats as opposed to 18 in the 2009 polls. Second switch Taking responsibility for his party's downfall in the 2014 polls, Kumar stepped down as Bihar CM and placed Jiten Ram Manjhi in his post. He survived the floor test with the support of Lalu Prasad Yadav's RJD, once his arch-rival. The mahagathbandhan made a sweeping victory in the 2015 assembly polls, and Kumar reclaimed the CM's seat. However, his displeasure grew again. This time, he couldn't stand that his party came out to be a smaller force in a larger coalition, with the RJD enjoying the people's majority mandate. Fissures in the mahagathbandhan started to emerge after Kumar openly backed the BJP on demonetisation and the GST. He was concerned about his clean image after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) charged Lalu Yadav and his family in a corruption case. He resigned in 2017 again as CM, only to be restored to the position after he switched back to the NDA and regained a majority in the assembly. Third switch Being a junior partner in the coalition has been a matter of concern for Kumar. The same happened in the 2020 assembly polls. He was concerned about his diminished autonomy after the BJP overpowered his party in the seat tally. The coalition fell apart in 2022 after differences were broiling for two years. The JD(U) accused the BJP of plotting to split the party and severed ties. His party gained majority in the assembly once again with RJD's support and Kumar has been holding onto his CM's post since then. Nitish Kumar speaks to media after swearing-in as chief minister of Bihar on Sunday. Bihar Politics highlights: Nitish Kumar took the oath as the chief minister of Bihar for the record ninth time on Sunday, resigning on the same day and breaking ties with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). He returned to the BJP-led NDA, and following this, two of BJP leaders Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha also took the oath as deputy chief ministers. The list of ministers who took the oath on Sunday also included members of the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) (HAM-S) party and an independent MLA....Read More Nitish Kumar dumped the Mahagathbandhan he had joined less than 18 months ago and dealt a body blow to the opposition bloc INDIA. The party's political adviser and spokesperson K C Tyagi told reporters in Delhi that the grand alliance government in Bihar is on the verge of collapse, and accused a section of the Congress leadership of repeatedly "insulting" Kumar. "The INDIA bloc is on the verge of collapse. The alliance of INDIA bloc parties is almost over in Punjab, West Bengal and Bihar," he said. Here are the top points on the recent developments in Bihar politics: Nitish Kumar of the Janata Dal (United) on Sunday resigned as the chief minister of Bihar and hours later, formed a new government with the Bharatiya Janata Party, which he had dumped less than 18 months ago. Nitish Kumar with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Nitish Kumar had joined the Mahagathbandhan or grand alliance in August 2022, when he had snapped ties with the BJP accusing it of trying to split his JD(U). He formed a new government with a multi-party coalition that included Lalu Prasad Yadav/Tejashwi Yadav-led Rashtriya Janata Dal, Congress and three Left parties. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. On Sunday, January 28, Nitish Kumar alleged that he broke away from the grand alliance as "things were not working well" for him in the Mahagathbandhan and the opposition bloc INDIA. The JD(U) has 45 members in the 243-member Bihar assembly, while the 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. Why did Nitish Kumar dump NDA? The JD(U), once the senior partner in Bihar's NDA, faced a decline, trailing behind junior ally BJP. Nitish Kumar grew discontented with the BJP, blaming them for the drastic drop in his party's assembly seats from 71 in 2015 to 43 in 2020, while the BJP's count rose from 53 to 74, second only to RJD's 75. Nitish Kumar reportedly blamed the BJP for influencing Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader Chirag Paswan to field candidates in nearly all constituencies where JD(U) was contesting. Nitish Kumar also reportedly felt uneasy with deputy chief ministers Renu Devi and Tarkishore Prasad, lacking the rapport he shared with Sushil Kumar Modi, who served as deputy CM for 13 years. Why is Nitish Kumar returning to NDA now? Nitish Kumar, 72, indicated that he was not feeling happy with the way things were in the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar as well as the INDIA bloc that he helped take shape but which failed to adequately recognise his efforts. You all know how I came to this alliance and also how I worked to bring together so many parties. But of late things were not working well. It was not going down well with those in my party as well, Nitish Kumar told reporters on Sunday. Nitish Kumar also made an indirect reference to the deafening silence he had maintained over the political turmoil that had engulfed the state for the past few days. He resigned after a meeting of the JD(U) legislature party, which authorised him to take any decision about the alliance. According to the Raj Bhavan, Nitish Kumar was asked to continue as caretaker chief minister till the formation of a new government, which was eventually formed in the evening. After his breakup with the BJP in 2013, Nitish Kumar still survived in power as the JD(U), which was then just a few members short of the majority mark, got outside support from parties like the Congress and CPI, besides a disgruntled faction of the RJD. A year later, though, he resigned owing moral responsibility for the JD(U)s drubbing in Lok Sabha elections. In less than a year, Nitish Kumar was back as chief minister, elbowing out his rebellious protege Jitan Ram Manjhi, this time armed with ample support from the RJD and the Congress. The grand alliance that came into being with the JD(U), Congress and RJD coming together, won the 2015 assembly elections handsomely but came apart in just two years. Nitish Kumar returned to the NDA in 2017, hoping to get some traction after taking a stand against corruption taint on his then deputy Tejashwi Yadav. Five years later, Nitish Kumar again grew disillusioned with the BJP, blaming it for the JD(U)s debacle in the assembly polls of 2020, when Chirag Paswan fielded many BJP rebels on tickets of his Lok Janshakti Party. By August 2022, he was back in the Mahagathbandhan or grand alliance, which now also included three Left parties. Although he retained his chair, Nitish Kumar indicated that he had his fill and wanted to mentor Tejashwi Yadav, back as his deputy, as his political successor in the state while applying himself with great vigour to bring together all political outfits opposed to the BJP, hoping for a Janata Party-like formation which could, like the post-Emergency polls, pull off a victory against a seemingly invincible regime. As host of the first meeting of such like-minded parties, held in Patna last year, he was widely regarded as the architect of the opposition front INDIA which, however, baulked at naming him as its convenor, and irked him with suggestions like projecting the elderly Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge as the prime ministerial candidate, news agency PTI reported. Nitish Kumar had also been greatly miffed by the delay in seat-sharing arrangements and the inability of the constituents of the united front to sort out differences, as was evident in West Bengal and Punjab. (With inputs from agencies) A 62-year-old Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and his wife were stabbed to death at their residence in Ujjain district of Madhya Pradesh, police said on Saturday. The bodies of the BJP leader, wife was found at their residence in MPs Ujjain on Saturday. (representational Image) Superintendent of police (Ujjain), Sachin Sharma, said the incident came to light on Saturday morning when former sarpanch Ramniwas Kumawat (62) and his wife Munni Kumawat (60) were found in a pool of blood at their residence in Piploda village by Ramniwass brother-in-law. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. An SIT has been formed to probe the matter. Kumawats returned from Punjab a few days ago. The two live by themselves in Piploda, while their son resides in Dewas. On Saturday morning, Ramniwass brother-in-law Rajesh visited the house to check on the couple, but no one answered the door. He broke the lock and found the couple lying in a pool of blood, Sharma said, adding that it could be a case of robbery as the house seemed ransacked. The accused also smashed the CCTV before entering the house but we are checking the CCTV footage from nearby places, he said. Ramniwas was a landlord and grain merchant. He would give loans to several people in the village and there is suspicion that lending could be a reason behind murder. Police have lodged FIR under section 302 (murder) of IPC. The incident triggered sharp reaction from the Congress, with state unit president Jitu Patwari attacking the state government for rising crimes in the state. MP has become a crime state. Everyday, heinous crime is being reported but the chief minister is busy with events. He should do something, Congress will stage protests in every district against the poor law and order condition, she said. BJP spokesperson Rajneesh Agrawal said, Law and order condition in MP is better than Congress leading state. Ujjains murder is an unfortunate incident and it shouldnt be connected with law and order condition. Congress should stop politicising the matter. Patna: An hour after Nitish Kumar resigned as the chief minister of Bihar, BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde said that a National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government will be formed in the state in alliance with the Janata Dal (United). Bihar BJP president Samrat Choudhary In the legislative party meeting, all MLAs unanimously passed the proposal to form the NDA government in Bihar with BJP, JD(U) and other NDA allies for the welfare of the people in the state. Samrat Chaudhary has been elected as the leader of the legislative party, Vijay Sinha elected as the deputy leader, he said. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Meanwhile, BJP leader and former deputy CM Tarkishore Prasad said Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha will be the party's faces for the deputy CM position. "Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha have been elected as leader and deputy leader of the legislative party, respectively. Most certainly, they will be our face for the deputy CM position," he told PTI. Samrat Chaudhary thanks BJP After being elected as the leader of the legislative party, Samrat Chaudhary thanked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). "BJP did a historic thing for my life...This is an emotional moment for me to have been elected as the Leader of the Legislative Party to be a part of the government. The mandate that we received in 2020 for the development of Bihar and to end the terror of Lalu Yadav - when the BJP received the proposal from Nitish Kumar to ensure that there is no jungle raj in Bihar and Sanjay Jha came here as his ambassador, we decided to support it," he said. Also read: Nitish Kumar after Mahagathbandhan exit: New alliance will be formed Nitish Kumar resigns Nitish Kumar on Sunday said he has exited the Bihar Mahagathbandhan because he was not getting any response from the Opposition's INDIA bloc. "Today, I have resigned as the chief minister and I have also told the Governor to dissolve the government in the state," he told reporters after tendering his resignation to Governor Rajendra Arlekar. Kumar said the situation in the Mahagathbandhan government was not good. "I decided after taking views of all...I was making all out effort to make the INDIA bloc runningbut no response was coming," he added. With inputs from ANI, PTI A Spanish court has acquitted a British-Indian man of public disorder after he joked to friends about being a member of the Taliban and planning to blow up a flight from London's Gatwick to Menorca in Spain in 2022. Image of an aircraft(AP) Aditya Verma admitted to telling his friends in July 2022: "On my way to blow up the plane. I'm a member of the Taliban." Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. He however said he had made the joke in a private Snapchat group and never intended to "cause public distress", the BBC reported. A judge in Madrid ruled on Friday that "no explosive... was found that would lead one to believe it was a real threat". The judge at the trial, held at the National Court in the Spanish capital, on Monday - a year-and-a-half after the incident took place -- ruled that Verma, of Orpington, Kent, should be cleared of any wrongdoing. The message he sent to friends, before boarding the plane, went on to be picked up by UK security services. They then flagged it to Spanish authorities while the easyJet plane was still in the air. Two Spanish F-18 fighter jets were sent to flank the aircraft. One followed the plane until it landed at Menorca, where the plane was searched. Verma, who was 18 at the time, was arrested and held in a Spanish police cell for two days. He was later released on bail. If he had been found guilty, the university student faced a fine of up to 22,500 euros and a further 95,000 euros in expenses to cover the cost of the jets being scrambled. A key question in the case was how the message got out, considering Snapchat is an encrypted app. One theory, raised in the trial, was that it could have been intercepted via Gatwick's Wi-Fi network. But a spokesperson for the airport told BBC News that its network "does not have that capability". The judge in the resolution said that the message, "for unknown reasons, was captured by the security mechanisms of England when the plane was flying over French airspace". The message was made "in a strictly private environment between the accused and his friends with whom he flew, through a private group to which only they have access, so the accused could not even remotely assume... that the joke he played on his friends could be intercepted or detected by the British services, nor by third parties other than his friends who received the message," the judgement added. It was not immediately clear how UK authorities were alerted to the message, with the judge noting "they were not the subject of evidence in this trial". A spokesperson for Snapchat said the social media platform would not "comment on what's happened in this individual case". Hong Kong: Education chief returns from Finland Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin has returned to Hong Kong following her visit to Finland, which she concluded by attending Educa, an education exhibition, and touring the Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, the largest institution of its kind in the country. Educa is the largest event for the education and training sector in Finland and is aimed at addressing global education challenges. In a discussion session, Ms Choi exchanged views on the role of education in preparing for the future with Finlands State Secretary to the Minister of Education Mikaela Nylander and representatives of the Finnish academic sector. She explained that to achieve whole-person development, Hong Kongs education system not only equips students with skills and knowledge, but also focuses on honing their generic skills, strengthening their resilience and responsiveness, and developing their values and attitudes to equip them with self-learning and lifelong learning capabilities that will enable them to cope with future challenges. She added that STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) education is an important element in the curriculum of Hong Kong primary and secondary schools. In addition, she stressed that in the globalised world of the 21st century, governments, policymakers, educators and communities from different parts of the world should work together, including through dialogue, exchanging good practices and sharing resources, to overcome challenges and create a quality educational environment. During her visit to Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Ms Choi learned about its role and development, its efforts in promoting vocational and professional education and training (VPET), and its experience of nurturing applied science talent to meet the needs of society. She said she hoped that her visit will help pave the way for co-operation between the university and a university of applied sciences due to be established in Hong Kong in the near future. In addition, Ms Choi met Finlands State Secretary to the Minister of Education Mikaela Nylander, with whom she exchanged views on fostering educational collaboration between Hong Kong and Finland. She said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is striving to establish Hong Kong as an international educational hub, and that Finnish teachers and students are welcome to undertake exchange and study programmes in Hong Kong. Ms Choi also visited the Finnish National Agency for Education to listen to a presentation on both basic education and VPET in Finland, and met Hong Kong students attending an exchange programme at the University of Helsinki to hear about their learning experiences there. This story has been published on: 2024-01-28. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Fitur International Tourism Trade Fair to be held in Madrid from January 23-26 will be the first major tourism event of 2024, where UNWTO will lay emphasis on fostering investment opportunities and strengthening international partnerships. Highlights Investment: UNWTO will host key investment forums, including an "Invest in Zambia" event, and, in collaboration with the Investment Bank for Latin America (CAF) officially launch its Investment Guidelines for Ecuador, shedding light on tourism investment prospects in these regions. Sustainable Development and Climate Action: UNWTO will host a meeting of signatories of the Glasgow Declaration, highlighting the shared commitment to addressing climate challenges in the tourism sector. Coordination and Collaboration: UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili will hold a number of bilateral meetings with Ministers of Tourism from all world regions to foster collaboration and strengthen partnerships to advance tourism for sustainable development. UNWTO has invited all stakeholders, industry professionals, and the public to join in the dialogue at Fitur 2024. TradeArabia News Service The US State Department has approved the sale of modern F-35 fighters to Greece for $8.6 billion. This, in turn, can play a role in strengthening Ukraine's air defense. ADVERTISIMENT The Greek army, after receiving the new fighters, may provide Ukraine with Soviet air defense systems. This was reported by the Kathimerini newspaper. It is worth noting that in the near future, an agreement between the United States and Greece will allow Athens to receive 40 F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft and related equipment. The American fighters will replace the F-4 Phantom, which this year celebrated 50 years of service in Greece. The F-35 will open up new operational opportunities for the Greek army. At the same time, it will free up Soviet-style air defense systems that are still in service in Greece. According to preliminary data, the political and military leadership of Greece has already given the necessary instructions to transfer outdated systems and equipment that will no longer be used by the Greek army to Ukraine. However, it should be borne in mind that there has been no official statement from the authorities on the transfer of air defense systems to the Ukrainian army. ADVERTISIMENT According to open sources, Greece may have 12 units of S-300 air defense missile systems in service. The army also has more than 20 units of Tor-M1 air defense systems. In addition, open sources contain information about the presence in Greece of 38 "Osa" anti-aircraft missile systems, most of which have been modernized into the "Osa-AK" / "Osa-AKM". It should also be borne in mind that the transfer of F-35 fighters to Greece will require fundamental changes in the Air Force at the organizational and operational levels. Preparations will include training of flight and technical personnel, as well as training of specialists to maintain the new fighter jet's performance. Obviously, all these processes will take a lot of time, so there is no specific timeframe or number of air defense systems that Ukraine can receive. ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, the administration of US President Joe Biden has approved the sale of F-16 fighters to Turkey for $23 billion and F-35s to Greece for $8 billion. The deal includes 40 F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft and related equipment. Earlier it was reported that the United States was interested in the defense potential of Greece, which it could transfer to Ukraine. In particular, Washington offered Athens $200 million in exchange for the transfer or sale of weapons to Kyiv. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! New Delhi: Amid growing discontent in the opposition INDIA bloc and increasing pressure on the Congress, the party on Saturday said it was the responsibility of all constituents to strengthen the alliance, and announced that the party was hopeful that INDIA will fight as an alliance in West Bengal. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee recently declared that her party will go solo in West Bengal and claimed that the Congress has rejected her offer of two seats. (PTI) In some states, the allies are in a very good fix and will announce the seats at an appropriate time, Congresss communications chief Jairam Ramesh said. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Ramesh said that Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge has established contact with Banerjee and as she always said she wants to defeat the BJP, thats what gives us hope that we can find a middle path We are hopeful that INDIA bloc will fight in an alliance in Bengal. Rameshs comments came two days after Banerjee declared that her party will go solo in West Bengal and claimed that the Congress has rejected her offer of two seats. The Trinamool Congresss Rajya Sabha floor leader Derek OBrien later blamed state Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhurys attacks on Banerjee as the key reason for his partys decision to contest all 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state. The chances of a pact in West Bengal are slim and the Congress might have to give seats to the TMC in Assam and Meghalaya as a part of the seat adjustment, a TMC leader said, requesting anonymity. Also Read: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury issues apology to Derek O'Brien Describing Banerjee as a co-architect of the alliance, Ramesh said, Congress president has spoken with Mamata Banerjee. They are in touch with each other. Whatever the West Bengal chief minister has said so far, she has always ended by saying her priority was to defeat the BJP. She has never stopped from reiterating this determination. This alliance is for fighting the Lok Sabha polls. It is national level alliance. Local issues (such as Chowdhurys remarks) will not get precedence over the national issues, he added. We fight some parties in some states. Heated words are exchanged everyday in Kerala between the Left and the Congress, but we are together in the alliance. The Congress has come under attack from its allies over the delay in seat-sharing pacts and other decisions. While the TMC leadership has often pointed out that more than 200 days have passed without any seat pact, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has also criticised the Congress on this count. The Congress should be more active, Yadav told India Today TV in an interview on Thursday. Also read: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury claims Congress Yatra facing roadblocks in Trinamool-ruled West Bengal The enthusiasm that the Congress was required to show in discussing and engaging with the INDIA alliance is missing. Ramesh maintained that sharing seats is a complex issue but claimed that the INDIA allies are in a good fix in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand, states where the Congress has allies. In Maharashtra, we have a very good fix. We have a fairly good fix in Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand. We are getting there in Uttar Pradesh, he said. But, we have a strong state unit in some states. When the INDIA bloc met in Mumbai for its third meeting on August 31 and September 1 last year, the parties had resolved to start discussion of sharing seats at the earliest. But so far, the allies have not been able to announce a seat pact in any state. In the 2019 polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won nine of the 11 Lok Sabha seats in the state, while two went to the Congress. "Names of the candidates will be shortlisted by the AICC after a discussion within 10 days. The announcement of names will be done soon so that they get enough time for campaigning," Pilot said, adding that an elaborate discussion on the subject took place in the screening committee meeting. The Congress' vote share did not decline in the 2023 state assembly polls (compared to the 2018 elections), he claimed. The BJP won the Chhattisgarh assembly polls held last year by securing 54 seats in the 90-member House, leaving the Congress with just 35 seats. Despite the defeat, Congress workers are ready for the Lok Sabha polls, during which issues like price rise, unemployment and problems faced by women and farmers will be raised, Pilot said. The BJP government at the Centre must answer what it has done for the people in the past 10 years, he said. "A discussion was also held on Rahul Gandhi ji's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra that will pass through Chhattisgarh. Extensive preparations are being made for it. This yatra will benefit the country, society, party and everyone. The working committee meeting of the Youth Congress was also held on Saturday," Pilot said. HT Image In a major political upheaval, Nitish Kumar on Sunday ended his JD(U)'s alliance with the Congress and exited from the INDIA bloc. He took oath as the chief minister of Bihar with the support of the BJP delivering a major blow to the opposition grouping that he only took the initiative to start in 2023. Opposition parties shredded Nitish Kumar to pieces for the betrayal. Nitish Kumar on Sunday returned to the NDA fold exiting the INDIA bloc. 'Tolerated Nitish Kumar's Hindi push' DMK MP TR Baalu remembered the conflict that took place in one of the recent meetings of the INDIA bloc after Nitish Kumar said Hindi is the national language. It was earlier reported that in one of the meetings, Baalu sought the English translation of Nitish Kumar's speech to which Nitish Kumar reacted sharply and said everyone should know Hindi as Hindi is the national language. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. After Nitish Kumar exited the INDIA bloc all of a sudden to join back the NDA, Baalu said it was for cordiality that DMK tolerated Nitish Kumar's Hindi push. Akhilesh says new record of betrayal Samajwadi Party leader and INDIA bloc leader Akhilesh Yadav said BJP has never been as weak as it is today and Nitish Kumar set a new record of betrayal. "There is no greater defeat than people losing faith in you," Akhilesh wrote on X. After Mamata Banerjee, Nitish Kumar snub, INDIA bloc's Lok Sabha poll prospects take early and big hits Akhilesh said it is actually BJP's conspiracy to make sure that Nitish Kumar does not become the prime minister as he had a chance of the same in the INDIA bloc. But now the BJP confined Nitish Kumar to the CM post. Nitish Kumar kept everyone in the dark: Congress The Congress dismissed any possibility of a dent in the prospect of the INDIA bloc owing to Nitish Kumar's exit but said the optics could have been better. The leader who was one of the chief architects of the opposition alliance leaving the alliance does not send across a good message, the Congress said adding that Nitish Kumar is known for 'changing colours'. Mallikarjun Kharge said the party was made aware of Nitish Kumar's decision by the RJD. Nitish Kumar kept RJD in the dark, Kharge said. Nitish Kumar was opposing BJP a few days back: Sharad Pawar NCP chief Sharad Pawar wondered what happened in the past few days that Nitish Kumar left his ideologies and joined hands with the BJP. "Whatever happened in Patna, such a situation was never seen before in such a short period of time...I remember it was Nitish Kumar who had called all the non-BJP parties to Patna...His role was also similar but what happened in the last 10-15 days that he left this ideology and today he joined BJP and formed the government...In the last 10 days, it did not seem that he would take such a step. On the contrary, he was playing a role against BJP. Don't know what happened suddenly, but the public will definitely teach him a lesson for his role in future..." Pawar said. Agartala: The Tripura police on Saturday arrested four persons for allegedly beating a youth and later pouring salt and chilli powder on his wounds. (Representative Photo) The incident took place at the BBI playground in Dharmanagar of North District on January 18, where the youth, identified as Sagar Shuklabaidya, was assaulted by a group. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Police took cognizance of the video of the incident, which went viral on social media and arrested the accused. Police said more persons were involved in the incident, and they will also be arrested soon. The four accused persons, identified as Koushik Datta, Tanmoy Debnath, Sumit Debnath and Gobil Bhattacharjee, were arrested and forwarded to the court, police said. Police said they have registered cases under Sections 341, 342, 325, 326, 506 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code against more than five persons. It is a sad incident. We immediately lodged an FIR [first information report] and started an investigation. Among the FIR-named persons, we arrested four. We shall arrest the rest at the earliest, said North District superintendent of police (SP) Bhanupada Chakraborty. It was alleged that Sagar was beaten after he was caught stealing the mobile phones of the accused youths. For Bihar, Nitish Kumar is many things. He is the young son of an ayurveda practioner who was studying electrical engineering at the Bihar College of Engineering in the early seventies, and like so many of his contemporaries, got swept up in a great wave of socialist politics. He is the man that gave the state its counterfoil to Lalu Prasad, and framed his politics around sushasan (good governance). He is both social engineer, and political survivor; his political epitaph written many times over. And yet, like on Sunday evening, when the dust inevitably settles on another political manoeuvre in a storied but controversial career, for the past two decades, Nitish Kumar has nearly always been one, very important identity chief minister of Bihar. For the past two decades, Nitish Kumar has nearly always been one, very important identity chief minister of Bihar. (PTI) Born in Bakhtiyarpur, a nondescript town on the outskirts of Patna in 1951, Kumar was in college in the early seventies; a time of great churn both in India and in Bihar, when the Jayaprakash Narayan movement against Indira Gandhi and the Emergency was building steam. He came from a generation of student politics that produced both Lalu Prasad and Sushil Modi, and by 1985, he won his first assembly elections from Harnaut, fighting on a Lok Dal ticket. He was already creating ripples, winning a seat in an election cycle swept by the Congress. Five years later, he moved to Delhi as the MP from Barh. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. READ | Nitish Kumar, after return to NDA, says 'no question of going anywhere now' It was the early nineties, and as the Mandal storm blew over the Hindi heartland, politics in Bihar saw the arrival of a new generation of leaders. If there was Lalu Prasad of the Janata Dal, Kumar sided with George Fernandes to float the Samata Party in 1994, the first iteration of what is now known as the Janata Dal(United). The JD(U) grew from strength to strength, as did Kumar. He was first chief minister for seven days in 2000, but led his first full term as head of the state, in alliance with the BJP, in 2005. In many ways, it is that first tenure which earned Kumar the political goodwill that has kept him in good stead for the two decades after. If the years of social churn that preceded him were labelled by his supporters as jungle raj and failing law and order, Nitish Kumar was sushasan babu, who restored a semblance of administrative order. If Lalu was the dynast, his entire family budding politicians; Nitish Kumar kept his family away from the limelight. If the Yadavs battled allegations of corruption; Nitish juxtaposed his own image as a clean leader. Nitish Kumar never compromised on three Cs crime, corruption and communalism, said JD (U) spokesperson Abhishek Jha. READ | Nitish Kumar won't win more than 20 seats in 2025: Prashant Kishor's big prediction But it wasnt just governance that kept Kumar at the head of Bihars politics. A product of the Mandal churn, the Kurmi leader set about creating sub-quotas among backward classes and Dalits, called Extremely Backward Classes (EBC) and mahadalits, bringing them dividends through affirmative action, but also creating a political cache that has largely stayed loyal to him since. He may have been with the BJP, but Kumar constructed an image of himself that was deeply secular, reaching out to Muslims and by and large, attempting to keep a lid on communal vigilantism. He brought in measures like free bicycles and school uniforms for school-going girls, and returned to power in 2010, leading the JD(U)-BJP combine to a landslide victory in 2010. There is no denying that his first five years as chief minister brought refreshing changes in Bihar and was marked by vast improvements in restoration of law and order in a state that made headlines for massacres by rivalling militias and kidnappings for ransom, said DM Diwakar, former director of AN Sinha Institute for Social Studies. But the next five years saw the beginnings of two other aspects of Kumars political identity that have come to define him since; his political ambition beyond Bihar, and his malleability that has seen him jump from one grouping to the next. By 2013, it was clear that the era of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani, two leaders Kumar had excellent relationships with, were over, and Narendra Modi was Indias Prime Minister in waiting. Kumar snapped ties with the BJP, arguing that the then Gujarat chief minister stood for communalism and sectarianism. For a while, with the spotlight on Kumar, it seemed that he could emerge as the counterweight to a rapidly growing BJP. But when the 2014 Lok Sabha elections came, Kumar had been blown away; his party won only 2 of the 40 seats, and he resigned as chief minister. Instead of focussing on Bihars development, Nitish is still nursing his undeclared national ambition. In the process, governance in Bihar started suffering, said Gyanendra Yadav, associate professor of sociology, College of Commerce. In less than a year, he was back as chief minister, unceremoniously elbowing out his protege Jitan Ram Manjhi, and forming the Mahagathbandhan with the RJD and the Congress. The social coalition was formidable, and they swept the 2015 assembly elections. But the government lasted only two years, with Kumar breaking off the alliance, ostensibly because the RJD was too corrupt, and that he was unable to work with his deputy Tejashwi Yadav. He returned to the NDA, and in 2020, they won the assembly elections. But only just, and Kumar sensed not all was well. The JD(U) was reduced to a far third in the state, and he was chief minister again not necessarily because of his partys political heft, but in a fractured state, its indispensability. In August 2022, he walked out of his own government again, accusing the BJP of trying to harm the JD(U), and allied with the RJD, Congress and Left. Soon, he re-enacted his once practised role of a national opponent to Prime Minister Modi again, rallying the constituents of the INDIA alliance, traveling across the country to meet leaders, and pushing for seat sharing negotiations to take place. Yet, at the meeting held on December 19, 2023, Kumar was reportedly left peeved when TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, herself now unhappy with the INDIA bloc, pitched for Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge to be convenor. Though the JD(U) has publicly maintained that Kumar was not looking to the Prime Minister, leaders have pointed to contradictions within the INDIA alliance as a key reason for his departure on Sunday. The goal and intentions with which Nitish Kumar succeeded in bringing non-Congress parties with the Congress have come unstuck. The INDIA bloc is on the verge of collapse. The alliance is almost over in Punjab, West Bengal and Bihar. Kumar never hankered for a position in the alliance, but a section of the Congress leadership repeatedly insulted him, said JD (U) spokesperson Tyagi. On Sunday then, after days of speculation, Kumar walked out of the Mahagathbandhan again, and returned to the NDA, becoming the convenor in the state, and chief minister for the ninth time. He has never had the numbers on his own. Six times, he has formed government with the BJP, and thrice with the support of the RJD, and the Congress. To many, this now means his national ambitions have been curtailed for the time being, and his identity has become from sushasan babu to paltu ram. But Kumars epitaph has been written many times before. And yet, as of Sunday, the cabinet may be new, the deputy chief ministers may be new. But he is still chief minister of Bihar. Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor on Sunday said that the state of Haryana is seeking a big change as the party decided to contest the 90-seat assembly elections alone. Addressing the party's Badlaav Jansabha in Haryana's Jind district, Kejriwal reiterated that, however, they will fight the Lok Sabha election as a part of the INDIA bloc. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. (File Photo) Today people only have trust in one party, which is the Aam Aadmi Party. On one side, they see Punjab, and on the other, our government in Delhi. Today Haryana is seeking a big change. In Delhi and Punjab, people made this big change earlier and now people there are happyThe AAP will contest all the 90 assembly seats in Haryana on its own, and we will form the next government and make it number one in the country, Kejriwal told the party leaders. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. He added," People of the state are fed up with all the parties that have ruled hereThey have tested all the other parties and these parties have only filled their coffers." Asserting that only AAP can provide round-the-clock power supply and other facilities to people as it has been done in Delhi and Punjab, Kejriwal questioned: Can the Congress, BJP, and JJP do this? They cannot. There used to be seven to eight hours power cuts daily earlier in Delhi and Punjab, but now the people are getting round-the-clock power supply. In Haryana too, we will end your power cuts, the Delhi CM added. Earlier, the decision of the Kejriwal-led party on the assembly election was announced by AAP leader Sushil Gupta on Monday. Currently, the BJP-JJP coalition is in power in Haryana and its government is led by chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar. Since 2014, the BJP has ruled the state. In 2019, the AAP contested on 46 assembly seats alone, however, ended up with less than one percent of the votes. 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 a total of 45,400 votes in the three constituencies. (With inputs from agencies) New Delhi: India and France have signed an ambitious and unprecedented Defence Space Agreement that could see the two countries launch military satellites with both offensive and defensive capabilities, people familiar with the matter said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron. The deal, not publicised or spoken of, was quietly signed by French Defence Minister Sebastien Locornu and Indias National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on January 26, even as French President Emmanuel Macron was attending the At Home Republic Day reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The Letter of Intent (LoI) on the Defence Space Partnership signed between the two countries opens the door for the two allies to partner in the area of space defence and to together build defence capacities and operational capabilities for better global situational awareness, protection of communication and surveillance satellites, and making the battle-field more transparent in air, land and sea. While the Modi government is tight-lipped about the defence space partnership with France, Indias oldest civilian space partner, the LoI paves the way for the space agencies of the two countries to jointly develop and launch military satellites to protect national security interests. The military satellites will not only protect the space assets of India in the worst-case scenario but also track the moves of adversaries. HT learns that President Macron conveyed to his Indian interlocutors that there are no limits to French support to India in defence including designing, developing, manufacturing and certification of new platforms that will be specifically built to suit the requirements of the two countries. India and France have decided to invest in a long-term relationship with the two countries on the same page politically on Houthis, and the Gaza war, with nuanced difference over the Ukraine war given that France is part of the EU, said a top interlocutor, speaking on condition of anonymity. During the French Presidents two-day visit to India, PM Modi laid out the red carpet for Macron with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar accompanying him everywhere, from arrival to departure. It is learnt that after the Jaipur roadshow, President Macron was amazed to find growing pro-incumbency for PM Modi even after a decade at the helm. With the global situation volatile in an arc from Morocco to Iran due to the Gaza war and in South East Asia due to the hegemony of China India and France have decided to support each other, based on independent foreign policy and strategic autonomy. France has also activated a five-year Schengen visa scheme for Indian youth to get access to the best of skills in French universities. France is willing to support India in developing top-of-the-line defence platforms such as fighter aircraft engines, nuclear attack submarines and underwater drones, all locally made, and the defence industrial roadmap announced by the two leaders will not only make India self-reliant for the long term but also build an industrial base in the country. This will create jobs and reduce Indias dependency on foreign imports. The two countries have also decided to manufacture in India and export to third countries. HT learns that during the visit, President Macron made it clear to his accompanying Foreign, Defence and Cultures Ministers that there should be no hurdles in India-France ties and that India should be allowed access to all top of the line French technologies without any prejudice or reservations. New Delhi: The Janata Dal (United) on Sunday blamed the Congress for Nitish Kumar's exit from the INDIA bloc, saying the party wanted to steal the leadership of the Opposition alliance. JD(U) leader KC Tyagi claimed Mamata Banerjee was made to propose Mallikarjun Kharge's name as the prime ministerial face of the alliance "through a conspiracy". A file photo from the INDIA bloc's December 19 meeting.(Hindustan Times photo) "Congress wanted to steal the leadership of the INDIA alliance. In the meeting that took place on December 19, through a conspiracy, to get the leadership of INDIA alliance, Mallikarjun Kharge's name was proposed (as PM face)earlier, in the meeting that took place in Mumbai, it was unanimously decided that without any PM face, INDIA alliance will work," the senior leader said. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. He said the Congress kept dragging the seat-sharing talks. Through a conspiracy, Mamata Banerjee was made to propose Kharge's name as PM face...all other parties have made their own identity by fighting against the Congress...Congress kept dragging the seat sharing, we kept saying that seat sharing needs to happen immediately...INDIA lacked plans to fight against BJP, he said, listing the reasons for Kumar's exit. Also read: Asaduddin Owaisi takes 'how does it feel' dig at Tejashwi Yadav over Bihar AIMIM MLAs' 2022 coup It was Mamata Banerjee who proposed the name of Mallikarjun Kharge as the alliance's prime ministerial face. Kharge was later chosen as the chairperson of the Opposition's bloc after Nitish Kumar denied the convenor's post. Nitish Kumar had denied that he wanted to become the alliance's face, saying the leadership question would be discussed later. Also read: Meet Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, Nitish Kumar's likely deputy CMs in Bihar On Friday, a JD(U) MLA claimed Nitish Kumar was being disrespected in the Mahagathbandhan alliance and that he was fighting for his existence. Congress calls Nitish Kumar chameleon Nitish Kumar today resigned from the chief minister's post and said he was not getting a response from the INDIA bloc. Reacting to the development, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the future of the INDIA bloc isn't at stake with Nitish Kumar's exit. Calling him a chameleon, he recalled Kumar attended all the meetings of the INDIA bloc. He also mentioned the name of Mamata Banerjee, who has announced that her party Trinamool Congress will contest the Lok Sabha elections alone in West Bengal. "The future of India is at stake in the election. But the future of the INDIA group is not at stake. Future of India as a society, as a country is at stake if the BJP continues and the RSS ideology continues," he said. Also read: Nitish Kumar's first reaction after resigning as Bihar CM: INDIA bloc not working The Congress general secretary said the INDIA bloc will be further strengthened. "This will not have any impact on Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. The INDIA bloc will be further strengthened, Mamata Banerjee has herself said this. This (Nitish Kumar's resignation) will further upset people and I think people of Bihar will teach the right lesson to Nitish Kumar and the BJP in the election...I agree that this will be in the headlines for a day or two, it doesn't look good that Nitish Kumar had called the first meeting (of INDIA Alliance) in Patna...he attended all the meetings. But like I said, Nitish Kumar gives a tough competition to chameleons," he said. Also read: Nitish Kumar giving a tough competition to chameleons, says miffed Congress The Congress has been trying to mollify Mamata Banerjee since her snub. Ramesh had said the INDIA bloc was unimaginable without the Trinamool Congress chief. Meanwhile, DMK leader TKS Elangovan said Kumar had been under BJP's pressure. "I don't know what kind of pressure he is facing from the BJP. BJP wants to break the INDIA alliance because they are afraid that they might lose the elections... They have particularly chosen Bihar by convincing Nitish Kumar that Lalu Prasad will become CM. That might be used against Lalu Prasad since both of them are in the same alliance, and Nitish Kumar might lose his seat. Our party leaders will have a talk with them," he said. With inputs from PTI, ANI New Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday called Nitish Kumar aya ram, gaya ram', after the latter resigned as the chief minister of Bihar and exited the Opposition's INDIA bloc. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar (HT_PRINT) In Indian politics, political turncoats are referred to as aya ram, gaya ram. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Follow LIVE Updates The JD(U) leader, accompanied by ministers Vijendra Yadav and Sanjay Jha, today tendered his resignation from the post of chief minister to state Governor Rajendra Arlekar. The Governor accepted his resignation and deputed him as the caretaker CM till a new government is formed. Read here: Nitish Kumar resigns as Bihar CM after meeting governor, set to join BJP-led NDA "Earlier he and us were fighting together. When I talked to Laluji and Tejashwi, they also said that Nitish is going. If he wanted to stay, he would have stayed but he wants to go. That's why we already knew this, but to keep the INDIA alliance intact, if we say something wrong, the wrong message will be sent. This information was already given to us by Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav. Today that came true. There are many people in the country like 'Aaya Ram-Gaya Ram'," Kharge said. Reacting to the political development, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that he expected that Kumar would fight the BJP and its ideology till the end. Nitish Kumar is giving a tough competition to chameleons when it comes to changing his political stripes and partners. The people will not forgive this betrayal and those who took them for a ride. It's quite evident that the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and the BJP are scared of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra and this political drama was enacted to shift public attention away from it, he said in a post on X. RJD, meanwhile, put out a full-page advertisement in leading newspapers in the state earlier in the day, edging out the Kumar supremo and projecting Tejashwi Yadav. While tendering his resignation, Kumar said that the decision to dissolve the mahagathbandhan government was taken after observing unprecedented conditions in the coalition. Situations within the coalition were not favourable. I tendered my resignation today after considering all the views from leaders of my party, he said. He further alleged members of the INDIA bloc were doing nothing despite working hard to bring them (Opposition parties) together. Read here: Nitish Kumar's first reaction after resigning as Bihar CM: INDIA bloc not working The development came after a deafening buzz that Kumar would join the BJP-led NDA, dissolving the mahagathbandhan government in the state. The fast-changing political events in the state were triggered by a social media post from former CM and RJD chief Lalu Yadav's daughter, Rohini Acharya, in which she took a swipe at the JD(U) saying that while the 'socialist party' styles itself as progressive, its ideology shifts with the changing wind patterns. This marks the fourth time Kumar made a crossover between coalitions. He had been switching sides since 2013 over ideological disputes. At present, in the Bihar Assembly of 243 members, the RJD has 79 MLAs; followed by the BJP at 78; JD(U) at 45, Congress at 19, the CPI (M-L) at 12, CPI(M) and CPI at 2 each, and the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular)'s at 4. Another two seats are with the AIMIM and an Independent. (With inputs from agencies) The Chandigarh administration will soon have a specialist cadre of 200 constables with engineering degrees in computer science, who will provide support once the three new criminal laws are implemented, a top official said. Amit Shah held a review meeting in Chandigarh last month to discuss the implementation of 3 new criminal laws.(ANI) Our proposal for the 200 IT-trained constables with minimum B Tech or M Tech degrees in computer science has been approved. The recruitment process will take three months and they will then undergo nine months of training, said Praveer Ranjan, Chandigarhs director general of police. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. As the recruitment and training of these new constables will take at least 12 months, Chandigarh police is visiting the National Forensic Science University (NFSU) in Gujarat the coming weekto hire at least 75 interns, who will provide IT support in the interim, he said. The new criminal laws emphasise digitisation of the justice delivery process, right from filing of first information reports to the charge sheet in court and judgment. While states will be given time to prepare their infrastructure for implementing the laws, Chandigarh will be the first city to implement it across all police stations, prisons and courts, once they are notified by the government. READ | By Dec 2024, Chandigarh will be ready to implement new criminal laws: Amit Shah The NFSU interns will help our people feed electronic data, maintain it, work on the new CCTNS system once it is implemented, Ranjan said. They will be working with our people until the batch of constables join the force. Under the CCTNS (Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and System), police stations across India are interlinked under a common application software for investigation, data analytics, research and providing citizen services, such as reporting and tracking of complaints, request for antecedent verifications by police, etc. Under the new laws, citizens from anywhere in the country can log in to the internet and file a complaint irrespective of the jurisdiction, which must be taken up by police if a crime has taken place. READ | Classes, notes and homework: Chandigarh Cops begin prep for new criminal laws The laws Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya which seek to replace colonial era Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code and Indian Evidence act, were passed by Parliament last month and have been approved by the President. Under the new laws, electronic evidence has been made a primary evidence. Police will have to record videos of crime spots, and also video graph statements of people linked to the case, which will be used as evidence during trial Delhi police and other state police forces have also approached the university for graduates to help them in the new process, an official at the NFSU said, seeking anonymity. Hundreds of our students will be working with different police forces once the laws are implemented. Through the Bureau of Police Research and Development, we are in touch with them. Every force has different needs, he said. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is making less and less effort to hide his alliance with Putin. Thus, the most influential Hungarian newspaper, Magyar Nemzet, considered an informal mouthpiece of the Orban regime, published an article by Tamas Pilhaly with the telling title "America's Long and Bloody Struggle" (Amerika hosszu es veres vergodese). If one did not know that this is a Hungarian, not Russian, propaganda publication, it would be very difficult to distinguish this opus from materials disseminated by Moscow. ADVERTISIMENT This is how Magyar Nemzet writes: "We cannot allow Russia to win, as the security of Europe and all of Russia's neighbors will be called into question. If Russia wins, the risk of non-compliance with the established rules of the international order will increase," French President Emmanuel Macron recently worried. Despite the crocodile tears, this is more likely to be a concern than a mere scolding. Macron is also obviously aware that the Russian bear does not want to fight NATO; it is only clearing its own historical lands from the management of the Ukrainian puppet government controlled by the Americans." It is surprising that the press of Hungary, a country that itself has suffered greatly from the Russian invasion, writes in such a tone as if it were not a member of the European Union and NATO but has long been a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, created to meet Moscow's hegemonic needs. ADVERTISIMENT And when such revelations are not spread by Kremlin trolls on the forums of leading Western publications, but by the once reputable Magyar Nemzet, it becomes clear that Hungary is on the side of Russia on the information front. After all, by spreading Russian propaganda, this newspaper creates a completely distorted reality for its readers. And given the very nature of the accumulation of public information, such lies can become unshakable myths, the creators of which use Manichean methods to explain history. In order to win the hearts and minds of ordinary Hungarians, the political servants of the Orban regime are ready to do anything. Who is there to check the facts for reality, trying to distinguish fiction from truth? Then Tamas Pilhaly clearly uses Moscow's themes again: "Then, in the so-called 'rule-based world order,' everyone should act as one against such people - those who shoot their own citizens and those who overthrow a legitimate government through a coup d'etat, those who restrict the use of their native language by national minorities and ban opposition parties and television. But in the case of Ukraine, we see that the horrific crimes of 2014-2022 were committed with the consent and support of those who preach rules and world order." ADVERTISIMENT Everything is presented in the usual Kremlin press tone - Ukraine attacked itself, the "legitimate government" of the traitor Yanukovych (who, however, was already half a step away from handing over Ukrainians to slavery in Russia), fictional "horrible crimes" that the author obviously learned about from his colleagues in Moscow, and similar distorted information in the same vein. Thousands of hours of Orban's disinformation are constantly pounding into the heads of Hungarians. Proving to Orban's potential electorate that his chosen anti-Ukrainian, anti-European, and anti-democratic rhetoric is nothing more than their own choice. The article goes on to conflate the tragic events in Kosovo with elements of Hungarian history, without mentioning that the Americans and NATO intervened only after the troops of Serbian dictator Slobodan Milosevic began forcibly expelling Kosovars from their homes and driving them toward the Albanian border. ADVERTISIMENT The author emphasizes categorically: "Where was sovereignty and territorial integrity then? A referendum was not even needed to establish new borders. America wanted it, and it got it, period. Just as the victors did not allow a referendum (with one exception) in Trianon; otherwise, their evil plan would have failed, and Hungary would have remained in at least two-thirds of our historic country, if not more. The West, on the other hand, needed artificial buffer states loyal to it, and using the formula "Divide and conquer!" sowed the seeds of eternal discord in Central Europe. It worked." While preparing his revanchist cocktail, Tamas Pilhal continues to make no secret of the fact that the current Hungarian government still considers all the territories inhabited by Hungarian minorities to be its own. And he, as one of its information mouthpieces, sees the "historical lands" of Hungary as at least twice as large. This directly correlates with Russia's "historical lands" on the territory of Ukraine, which he writes about at the beginning of his article. ADVERTISIMENT And there is no "eternal disagreement in Central Europe" at all. No other European country has territorial claims to its neighbors except Hungary. But the task of such information propagandists from Magyar Nemzet is to sow confrontation between Hungarians and their neighbors. And by glorifying the Russian Federation's insidious attack on the territory of Ukraine, they want to encourage ordinary Hungarians to believe that they too can regain the "lost lands" that are now "illegally" part of other states. Tamas Pilhal convinces his readers: "World politics is governed by selfish interests, brute force, violence, and rudeness. On the other hand, I am constantly surprised that some people can call all this, and even genocide, a 'rule-based world order'... In fact, the Lord of the Earth does not need to defend himself or his territory because no one has ever threatened him. But he needs world domination. Thanks to his aircraft carriers, he has earned the privilege of moving goods around the world as he pleases. But recently that came to an end. His world domination has been shaken and is crumbling. The only question is whether it will try to delay its inevitable demise by local wars or a great global fire." ADVERTISIMENT Here, the Orban expert, without saying a word about the genocide that Putin has organized against the Ukrainian people, begins to fight against America, which is an ally of Europe. The question naturally arises: if Hungary so openly dreams of the end of the United States' leading role in world politics and its "inevitable demise," is this the personal position of Prime Minister Viktor Orban? After all, today Magyar Nemzet plays the same role in supporting the Hungarian dictator as Pravda, the organ of the CPSU Central Committee, did in the Soviet Union. Magyar Nemzet, which has actually become an organ of the ruling Fidesz party in Hungary, constantly supports Russia and calls for a mythical "peace," that is, the surrender of our country and the abandonment of all occupied Ukrainian lands to the Russian Federation. As if it was not Russia that attacked Ukraine, but vice versa - Ukraine attacked the Russian Federation. ADVERTISIMENT This whole package of false narratives is so smooth that after reading such articles, many people in Hungary will start thinking that being in the European Union was a mistake, that Hungarians do not need NATO at all, and that their ally is not Europe and America, but Putin's Russia. Zombie technologies are so powerful that they encourage many people to turn off their thinking and not think about what they are being fed under the guise of "objective information." In one article, the author managed to squeeze in all the postulates of Orban's propaganda, which a large part of Hungarian society is constantly being led to believe. These are the tentacles of officials from Brussels who "love and respect the rule-based world order as much as their masters do. They set their own laws from the stratosphere. If necessary, they will accept Sargentini's indictment and launch a seven-article procedure against Hungary in such a way that, in violation of their own procedural rules, abstention does not count as a vote. The management of education or migration is an internal affair of member states, and no association agreement or EU founding document gives Brussels the power to interfere in them. But they are blackmailing us, threatening to deprive us of our voting and veto rights, and withholding money due to us." ADVERTISIMENT Back in September 2018, the European Parliament rapporteur Judith Sargentini brought charges against the Hungarian authorities for refusing to follow European migration policy, violating the rights of minorities in the country, and restricting freedom of speech. Sargentini was followed by representatives of other European Parliament committees on budgetary control, constitutional affairs, women's rights and gender equality. All called for the launch of a procedure under Article 7 of the EU Treaty. In this list of accusations against Brussels, Magyar Nemzet highlights at the end of the paragraph "threatening to deprive us of our voting rights and veto rights, and withholding money due to us." And this should be taken into account. After all, these "voting rights and veto rights" have allowed Viktor Orban to constantly blackmail the European Union for many years, block any initiatives to help Ukraine, and slow down Ukraine's progress towards the European Union and NATO. ADVERTISIMENT Orban has become a blackmail virtuoso, and so far, strangely enough, he has been successful. Now that the EU has begun to realize that the constantly subsidized Hungary has established its own special rules for staying in the EU and does not want to put up with it any longer, Budapest is most worried that "they will not give us our money." Because the stability of the Orban government directly depends on its funding from Brussels. At the end of the article, Tamas Pilhal summarizes all the "shortcomings" he sees in Brussels: "The rule-based world order is similar to previous ruling orders in history: the rule of thumb is the rule. In fact, there is only one rule: be quiet! What is different from the previous one is the camouflage. They expect you to feel proud that they are taking away your freedom, democracy, humanism, even if it is in the form of napalm. But their collapse is inevitable. Their culmination will be long and bloody." ADVERTISIMENT Viktor Orban, along with Putin, is waiting for the collapse of the world order, which seems to allow him to revive the "Great Hungary." Here, the "political vinaigrette" mixes revisionist geopolitical desires, hatred of Brussels, on whose subsidies Orban built his political stability, attraction to Moscow, which feeds the prime minister with gas and oil handouts, and hatred of Ukraine, which does not want to surrender to the Russian invaders. The European Parliament should organize constant monitoring of what Magyar Nemzet writes and publish an English-language digest of the most odious articles to better understand what Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban really wants. After all, it is obvious that what Orban has in his mind is on the pages of Magyar Nemzet. Patna: Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar has blamed the slow progress of talks with the INDIA bloc for his exit from the Opposition's alliance. In his first reaction after his resignation as the Bihar chief minister, Kumar said he tried to make the alliance work but "no response was coming". He also said a new alliance will be formed soon. Nitish Kumar after resigning from the post of Bihar chief minister. "Today, I have resigned as the chief minister and I have also told the Governor to dissolve the government in the state," he told reporters after tendering his resignation to Governor Rajendra Arlekar. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Kumar said the situation in the Mahagathbandhan government was not good. "This situation came because not everything was alright...I was getting views from everyone. I listened to all of them. Today, the government has been dissolved," he added. Kumar hinted that his party will form a new alliance. "We will leave the earlier alliance and form a new alliance," he added. Also read: BJP to form Bihar govt with JD(U); Samrat Chaudhary legislative party leader "I decided after taking views of all...I was making all out effort to make INDIA bloc runningbut no response was coming," he added. The BJP later announced it will form a government in Bihar in alliance with the Janata Dal (United). Bihar BJP chief Samrat Chaudhary has been elected as its legislative party chief. "In the legislative party meeting...all MLAs unanimously passed the proposal to form the NDA government in Bihar with BJP, JD(U) and other NDA allies for the welfare of the people in the state. Samrat Chaudhary has been elected as the Leader of the legislative party, Vijay Sinha elected as the Deputy Leader," he said. Nitish Kumar, in yet another flip-flop move, exited the Mahagathbandhan alliance with Lalu Prasad Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Sunday and staked claim to form a new government in Bihar with his former ally - Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The JD(U) leader took oath as the chief minister for the ninth time along with his two deputies from BJP - Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Sinha. JD(U)'s Nitish Kumar (ANI) Nitish's exit led to the collapse of the Mahagathbandhan government since they drastically fell short of 45 JD(U) MLAs. 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. With the JD(U) rejoining the BJP-led NDA alliance, they now have a majority of 127 MLAs. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Let's take a look at how things unfolded today in Bihar - A timeline 10:15 am - A meeting of JD(U) legislations began at Nitish Kumar's house. Simultaneously, a meeting of BJP legislators took place at the BJP office in Bihar's Veer Chand Patel Marg. 10:35 am - Several barricades were put in front of the Raj Bhawan. 10:44 am - Security activity around the Raj Bhawan increased, with sources reporting that Nitish Kumar will resign from the CM post. Simultaneously, the BJP will hand over the letter of support to Kumar, the sources added. 10:50 am - JD(U) legislators authorised Nitish to take a decision. 10:57 am - Reports of Nitish's swearing-in ceremony later in the day began. 10:59 am - Nitish Kumar left for Raj Bhawan. 11:02 am - Nitish handed his resignation to governor Rajendra Arlekar along with letters of support from the BJP legislators. 11:13 am - JD(U) legislators said that Nitish informed them it was becoming difficult to work with RJD. 11:15 am - Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Nitish Kumar to congratulate him. 11:20 am - Nitish Kumar addressed the media in his first reaction after tendering his resignation, saying the decision to dissolve the Mahagathbandhan government was taken after observing unprecedented conditions in the coalition. Situations within the coalition were not favourable. I tendered my resignation today after considering all the views from leaders of my party," he said. 11:54 am - BJP state president Samrat Choudhary and BJP legislator party leader Vijay Kumar Sinha announced as deputy chief ministers. 12:15 pm - BJP legislators leave for a joint meeting with JD(U) at Nitish Kumar's residence. 12:40 pm - Nitish Kumar was elected as NDA legislature party leader and staked claim to form the government. 5 pm - Nitish, along with his two deputies, took oath. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar submitted his resignation to governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Sunday, breaking away from the grand alliance less than 18 months after forming a new government in the state with the support of Lalu Prasad Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar hands over resignation letter to governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. Nitish Kumar met the governor at the Raj Bhavan following a meeting of Janata Dal (United) MLSs at his residence around 10.15am. The JD(U) president is expected to stake claim to form a new government with the Bharatiya Janata Party's support. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. This is the fourth time Nitish Kumar switched sides. Follow Live Updates on Nitish Kumar's resignation Today, I have resigned from the post of chief minister and I have also asked the governor to dissolve the government in the state..., Nitish Kumar told the media outside the Raj Bhavan. The governor has accepted Nitish Kumar's resignation, and asked him to continue as caretaker chief minister till a new government is formed. Nitish Kumar was accompanied by senior minister Bijendra Yadav of the JD(U) when he went to the Raj Bhavan. Honorable governor Shri Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar accepted the resignation of Honorable chief minister Shri Nitish Kumar and asked him to act as acting chief minister until alternative arrangements are made, the Raj Bhavan wrote on social media X (formally Twitter). The BJP has the largest number of 17 MPs in Bihar, where the total number of Lok Sabha members is 40. The JD(U), headed by Nitish Kumar, has 16, while another NDA ally LJP, now split up between the uncle-nephew duo of Pashupati Kumar Paras and Chirag Paswan, has six. 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. Patna: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday resigned as the chief minister, claiming that things were not moving right in the grand alliance (GA) government. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar hands over resignation letter to governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar (Twitter Photo) The outgoing CM, who is once again set to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic (NDA), is likely to take the oath later in the evening. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Kumar, 72, reached Raj Bhavan on Sunday and handed over his resignation to governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, breaking away from the grand alliance less than 18 months after forming a new government in the state with the support of Lalu Prasad Yadavs Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Speaking to media persons outside the Raj Bhawan, Kumar said, Today, I met the governor and resigned as chief minster of Bihar. I have also told the governor to dissolve the government in the state. He added, Theek nahi chal raha tha (things were not moving well). I was trying to make things move. The RJDs attitude was bothering me. The situation in the GA government was not good. This comes after an informal meeting of Janata Dal (United) leaders at Kumars residence on Saturday. The JDU president is expected to stake claim to form a new government with the BJPs support. The Mahagathbandhan or the grand alliance government in Bihar was formed following Kumars exit from the NDA in August 2022. This is Kumars fourth such move in the past decade and the second this term. About the formation of the new government, Kumar said, If parties with whom I was there decide, the government will shape up today itself. Kumar, who took the lead in forming the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) blamed the slow progress of talks with the INDIA bloc for his exit. He claimed that the INDIA bloc he spearheaded to take on the BJP was not doing its bit at par. I was making all efforts to make the INDIA bloc running, but no response was coming (from anyone). I decided to resign after taking views of all, said Kumar. JD(U) spokesperson K C Tyagi told reporters in Delhi that the grand alliance government in Bihar is on the verge of collapse and accused a section of the Congress leadership of repeatedly insulting Kumar. The INDIA bloc is on the verge of collapse. The alliance of INDIA bloc parties is almost over in Punjab, West Bengal and Bihar, he said. In the Bihar Assembly of 243, the RJD has 79 MLAs; followed by the BJPs 78; the JD(U) has 45, the Congresss 19, the Communist Party of India (MarxistLeninist) Liberation has 12, two each of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Communist Party of India, the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) has four , and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen has one, plus one Independent legislator. The NDA has a strength of 127 MLAs to 116 (with one independent) of the grand alliance. The majority mark in the 243-member Bihar assembly is 122. Tendering his resignation as the Bihar chief minister, Nitish Kumar said on Sunday that the decision to dissolve the mahagathbandhan government was taken after observing unprecedented conditions in the coalition. Situations within the coalition were not favourable. I tendered my resignation today after considering all the views from leaders of my party, he said. Then Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar(PTI) Kumar also alleged that the INDIA bloc he spearheaded to take on the BJP was not doing its bit. He claimed people were unhappy with how others (in the coalition) were taking credit for all the work being done. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "I have submitted my resignation as Bihar CM today. I have also asked the Governor to dissolve the government. Things were not working out well," he said, coming out of the Raj Bhavan after submitting his resignation letter to the Governor. He further hinted at forming a new government under a new alliance with the BJP if the old parties of the previous coalition come to a final decision today. He further alleged members of the INDIA bloc were doing nothing despite working hard to bring them (Opposition parties) together. I was making an all-out effort to make the INDIA bloc running, but I received no response, he said. The resignation came after strong buzz that Nitish Kumar would join the BJP-led NDA, dissolving the mahagathbandhan government in the state. Reacting to the political development, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that he expected Kumar to fight the BJP and its ideology till the end. "I don't want to comment on the current political development in Bihar. I don't know what will happen there," he told ANI. "Nitish Kumar called the first meeting of opposition parties in Patna on 18th June 2023. The second meeting was held in Bengaluru on 17th-18th July 2023. Then again on 31st August-1st September in Mumbai. Nitish Kumar played a prominent role in all three meetings," he added. This would mark the fourth time that Kumar would cross over between coalitions. He has been switching sides since 2013 over ideological disputes. Bengaluru: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday justified the authorities' move to take down a Hanuman flag from a 108-feet pole in Mandya's Keragodu village, saying the national flag should have been hoisted instead. Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah has justified the police's action in Mandya. "It is not right to fly the saffron flag instead of the national flag. They should have hoisted the national flag," he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The move has triggered a massive political controversy with the BJP blaming the Congress for the unrest around the incident. "When the Gram Panchayat board decided to hoist the Hanuman flag in the village of Keragodu in Mandya district, the state government showed the audacity to bring down the flag through police force. The Congress government is the reason behind the deteriorating law and order situation of the state," said Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra. What happened in Karnataka's village? On Sunday, the police removed the Hanuma Dwaja, a saffron flag featuring lord Hanuman in Mandya's Keragodu village. The supporters of the BJP, JD(S) and Bajrang Dal launched a massive protest against the authorities for trying to remove the flag. The police had to resort to lathicharge to disperse the crowd. The police and the local administration took down the flag and installed the tricolor in its place. News agency PTI reported that the people of Keragodu and 12 neighbouring villages had collected money for the installation of the flag. BJP and JD(S) workers were said to be actively involved in this initiative. Police action was taken after complaints from unknown persons. The taluk panchayat executive officer directed the gram panchayat officials to remove the flag, reported PTI. But locals protested the move and held an overnight vigil. On Sunday morning, they chanted slogans against the chief minister and the Mandya Congress MLA Ganiga Ravikumar. In the afternoon, the police used force to clear the area. Mandya district in-charge N Cheluvarayaswamy clarified that the flagpole's location fell under the panchayat's jurisdiction, and permission was obtained to hoist the national flag. "But it was replaced by another flag that evening" he claimed. Leader of Opposition R Ashoka criticised the government for its alleged "anti-Hindu stance". "What was the need for police action? Why didn't the administration speak to the villagers? There was a gram panchayat resolution to allow the flag," he said. With inputs from PTI, ANI The high level committee (HLC) on one nation one election led by former president Ram Nath Kovind chaired its fourth meeting on Saturday and discussed why majority of the political parties have opposed the idea and how government could save money if polls are harmonised, people familiar with the matter said on Saturday. The fourth meeting of the high level committee (HLC) on one nation one election was chaired by former president Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday. (ANI) 12 political parties have opposed the idea of simultaneous elections and 10 are in favour, a member of the HLC told HT. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Opposition parties including the Congress, Communist Party of India (CPI), the CPI(M), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had shot off letters to the High level committee secretary Niten Chandra and opposed the idea of simultaneous elections. We are going to consult with all the parties who are not in favour of the idea and in the upcoming week we are going to understand from them why they are not in favour of one nation one election, the member added who requested anonymity. The member even raised that NK Singh, former chairman, 15th finance commission, explained in the meeting how gross domestic product (GDP) would be affected if simultaneous polls are implied. A presentation was made before the committee based on the research paper Macroeconomic Impact of harmonising Electoral Cycles, Evidences from India. Co-authored by NK Singh and Prachi Mishra, which indicated that simultaneous elections would precipitate higher economic growth, and result in more government investment on expenditure on capital and revenue, the member said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called Janta Dal (United) (JDU) leader and outgoing Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, soon after latter tendered his resignation from the post, to congratulate him on the decision. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and outgoIng Bihar CM Nitish Kumar(File) Follow Bihar Politics LIVE Updates Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Kumar, accompanied by ministers Vijendra Yadav and Sanjay Jha, today tendered his resignation from the post of state chief minister to Governor Rajendra Arlekar. The Governor accepted his resignation and deputed him as the caretaker CM till the new government is formed. Later, Kumar submitted BJP's letter of support to governor and staked claim to form government in Bihar. While tendering his resignation, Kumar said that the decision to dissolve the mahagathbandhan government was taken after observing unprecedented conditions in the coalition. Situations within the coalition were not favourable. I tendered my resignation today after considering all the views from leaders of my party, he said. Read here: Nitish Kumar resigns as Bihar CM after meeting governor, set to join BJP-led NDA Reacting to the decision, union minister Giriraj Singh said that he thanked Kumar as Bihar was perplexed in a a Jungle Raj 2-like situation. "I thank Nitish Kumar that he has resigned. Whatever be his compulsion, Bihar was perplexed if there was a Jungle Raj 2-like situation in 1.5 years. Had Tejashwi Yadav sat on the seat (CM position), it would have been very difficult...I was concerned about just one thing now, I was apprehensive that with the kind of pressure that Lalu Yadav was putting on him for the 'tajposhi' of Tejashwi - Bihar would have had a jungle raj again. It is free of this now. BJP won't allow jungle raj in Bihar..." he said to ANI. However, the INDIA bloc parties mounted a scathing attack on state care taker chief minister with Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge claiming that he already knew this was coming and underlining that political turncoats like Kumar keep coming and going. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Mritunjay Tiwari said that Kumar had proved that he can not be trusted at all by any party or the public. Nitish will sink NDAs boat. The public is watching what he is doing and he must be answerable for his actions. Nitish Kumar has set a new world record of switching over,however, this would be the end of 'paltimaar' politics in Bihar, the RJD leader said. Shiv Sena (UBT faction) leader Anand Dubey said that as the BJP had asked Kumar to switch over as the saffron party had already assumed that it would be difficult for them to secure seats in Bihar. Read here: Nitish Kumar giving a tough competition to chameleons, says miffed Congress Nitish Kumar will sworn in as the chief minister at 5 pm along with Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha as his deputies. This marks the fourth time Kumar made a crossover between coalitions. He had been switching sides since 2013 over ideological disputes. At present, in the Bihar Assembly of 243 members, the RJD has 79 MLAs; followed by the BJP at 78; JD(U) at 45, Congress at 19, the CPI (M-L) at 12, CPI(M) and CPI at 2 each, and the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular)'s at 4. Another two seats are with the AIMIM and an Independent. (With inputs from agencies) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that ese of justice is the right of every Indian citizen and requested the Supreme Court to engage in capacity-building for all stakeholders so that the transition from old laws to the new regime should be seamless. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Justice of India Justice D.Y. Chandrachud during the top courts 75th year celebrations in New Delhi on Sunday. (PTI) Inaugurating the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the Supreme Court, the PM highlighted the governments initiatives in abolishing outdated colonial criminal laws and introducing new legislation such as the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Samhita, Bhartiya Nyaya Samhita, and Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. These laws, which were cleared by Parliament last month but are yet to be notified, are set to replace the Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code and the Indian Evidence Act. According to the PM, through these momentous changes, Indias legal, policing, and investigative systems have entered a new era, signifying the governments constant endeavour to modernise laws to align them with the present situation and best practices. Todays economic policies will form the basis of tomorrows vibrant India...Laws that are being laid down today will strengthen the bright future of India...The transition from old laws to new ones should be seamless, which is imperative, said Modi, citing the commencement of training and capacity-building initiatives for government officials to facilitate this transition. I request the Supreme Court that it should come forward and engage in capacity-building for all stakeholders, said Modi, as he congratulated Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud and all the Supreme Court judges over the commencement of the Diamond Jubilee year of the Supreme Courts inception on January 28, 1950. The PM further emphasised the need for Indian laws to reflect both Indian ethos and contemporary practices. The convergence of Indian values and modernity is equally essential in our legal statute, he said. Mentioning ease of living, ease of doing business, travel, communication and ease of justice as the nations top priorities, the PM highlighted that ease of justice is the right of every Indian citizen and the Supreme Court acts as the primary channel for this. The entire justice system in the country is administered and guided by the Supreme Court of India. It is our duty to ensure that the Supreme Court is accessible to the remotest part of the country so that all citizens can access it, he added. The framers of the Indian Constitution had dreamt of an independent India with principles of liberty, equality and justice guiding it, said Modi, applauding the Supreme for continuously trying to preserve these principles. Whether it is freedom of expression, personal freedom or social justice, the Supreme Court has strengthened Indias vibrant democracy. The landmark judgments on individual rights and freedom of speech have given a new direction to the nations socio-political milieu, he underscored. Calling a robust justice system the cornerstone of Viksit Bharat (developed India), Modi said that his government has continuously made efforts to create a reliable legal framework. He cited the enactment of the Jan Vishwas Bill that proposes to decriminalise 183 provisions in 42 central acts administered by 19 ministries or departments, stating that the law will reduce the number of pending cases, and alleviate unnecessary pressure from the judiciary. The PM also mentioned the introduction of provisions for alternative dispute resolution through mediation, which he said has contributed to easing the burden, especially the subordinate judiciary. Modi, at the inauguration ceremony, also launched three technology initiatives - Digital Supreme Court Reports (Digi SCR), Digital Courts 2.0 and a new website of the Supreme Court. Digi SCR will make Supreme Court judgments available to people free of cost and in electronic format while Digital Courts 2.0 application is meant for the judges of the district courts to access court records in electronic form. The new Supreme Court website will be in bilingual format in English and Hindi and has been redesigned with a user-friendly interface. He commended the Supreme Court for making the court judgments available in a digital format and beginning the project of translation of the Supreme Court decisions in regional languages. Recalling how he favoured drafting laws in simple language for a better understanding, Modi suggested a similar approach should be adopted in drafting court judgements and orders. The PM congratulated CJI Chandrachud for his efficient monitoring of the digitisation of all courts in the country as Modi said his government is committed to improving the infrastructure of the courts. The PM spoke about approving the third phase of the e-Courts mission project that aims at digitisation of court records and envisages several other technological advancements. He added that the fund allocation for the third phase has been increased four times more than the projects second phase. Acknowledging the problems of space in the current Supreme Court building, Modi informed the gathering about last weeks approval of 800 crore for the expansion of the Supreme Court building complex. Since 2014, Modi said, his government has disbursed more than 7,000 crore for the upgradation of physical infrastructure of the courts. Modi concluded by acknowledging the significant role the Supreme Court will play in shaping the countrys future over the next 25 years and congratulated the institution on its 75th anniversary. He also mentioned Padma Bhushan being conferred posthumously to M Fathima Beevi the first woman judge of the top court, calling it a matter of pride. New Delhi: The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc parties mounted a scathing attack on Nitish Kumar after he tendered his resignation as the Bihar chief minister and exited the grand alliance on Sunday. Nitish Kumar resigned as Bihar chief minister on Sunday (File Photo) Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge claimed that he already knew this was coming and underlined that political turncoats like Kumar keep coming and going. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. This information was already given to us by Lalu Yadav [Rashtriya Janata Dal chief] and Tejashwi Yadav that he (Nitish) would leave. Today that came true. In this country, there is a lot of aaya ram gaya ram type people, Kharge said. Also Read: JD(U) blames Congresss attempt to steal INDIA bloc leadership for Nitish Kumars exit Kumar, who is set to rejoin the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), tendered his resignation from the post of Bihar CM to Governor Rajendra Arlekar and informed the latter about his decision to sever ties with the Mahagathbandhan, citing bad relations with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh too echoed Kharges statement and said that it was not surprising and jibed that Kumar had changed parties so many times, that he could give a tough challenge to chameleons. People of Bihar will give a befitting reply to him and to those who are making him dance from Delhi. The BJP, the Prime Minister and the home minister are perturbed by the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra...This drama has been done to divert attention from the Yatra...I would like to say that Kumar is an expert in betrayal, Ramesh said. RJD leader Mritunjay Tiwari said that Kumar once again proved that he cannot be trusted at all by any party or the public. Nitish will sink the NDAs boat. The public is watching what he is doing and he must be answerable for his actions. He has set a new world record for switching over, the RJD leader said. Shiv Sena (UBT faction) leader Anand Dubey said that the BJP had asked Kumar to switch over as they had already assumed that it would be difficult for them to secure seats in Bihar. Previously, the BJP said that their doors will forever be closed for Nitish Kumar, who facilitated the INDIA alliance and hosted the blocs initial meeting in Patna. As we became stronger, they (BJP) realised it would be difficult for them to secure seats in Bihar, so they took Nitish on their side, Dubey said. DMK leader TKS Elangovan assured that the INDIA bloc will remain strong and said that everything was fine in Tamil Nadu. Everybody wants BJP out of power at the Centre and all parties in the alliance feel strongly about that, except Nitish, who had already been with the BJP. In Tamil Nadu, the alliance is very strong and we will win all 40 seats, Elangovan told reporters on Sunday. Later in the day, Kumar is likely to take oath as the Bihar chief minister for the ninth time. The BJP unit elected Samrat Choudhary as the Legislative party leader, and Vijay Kumar Sinha as his deputy. Also Read: Bihar battle: Dumped by Nitish Kumar, RJD in PR offensive for Tejashwi Yadav Both accompanied Kumar to the Raj Bhavan to stake claim to form the new JD(U)-BJP government of Bihar. BJP MP Dilip Ghosh while reacting to Kumars exit said that Bihar politics is very strange Nitish Kumar was sworn in (as chief minister) thrice after he won the election - sometimes with Lalu Prasad Yadav and sometimes with someone else. He had formed the government (with RJD), but even Tejashwi Yadavs situation is not good, Ghosh said. Union minister and BJP MP Giriraj Singh thanked Kumar for resigning and claimed that if Tejashwi had sat in the CM seat, Bihar would have had jungle raj again. President of the J&K unit of JD(U), GM Shaheen, said that there was suffocation in the INDIA bloc. INDIA bloc needs to understand that its an alliance and the members are not properly supporting the party. JD(U) made the initiative to form the INDIA alliance. Nitish and other party leaders approached the political parties in Maharashtra and Delhi, he said. We approached Congress and other parties but they are not committed. On Saturday, JD(U) spokesperson K C Tyagi hit out at the Congress for repeatedly insulting Kumar and said he sees no possibility of the opposition putting up a real fight against the BJP. India wants to stop supplying weapons from Russia, which itself has faced an arms shortage and delayed the fulfillment of contracts due to its aggression against Ukraine. However, the Indian authorities are being careful not to contribute to an even closer rapprochement between Russia and China by refusing Russian weapons. ADVERTISIMENT Currently, despite Moscow's public appeals, New Delhi is focusing on developing its own defense industry using Western technologies. Reuters writes about the situation. After speaking with four unnamed sources from the Indian government and security forces, the publication reported on India's intentions to abandon Russian weapons. "India is seeking to distance itself from its largest arms supplier after Russia's ability to supply ammunition and spare parts was limited by the war in Ukraine, but it must tread carefully to avoid pushing Moscow closer to China, Indian sources say. "The world's largest arms importer (India - Ed.) is slowly turning to the West as the United States seeks to strengthen ties in the Indo-Pacific region, hoping to curb China's rise by weaning India from its traditional dependence on Russia," the article says. ADVERTISIMENT The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute believes that 65% of the weapons purchased by India over the past 20 years have been produced and sold by Russia. Moscow has earned tens of billions of dollars from arms contracts with New Delhi. Now, after the beginning of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, India has decided to revise this policy and diversify its arms purchases. "We are unlikely to sign any major military agreement with Russia. That would be a red line for Washington," the outlet quoted Nandan Unnikrishnan, an expert at the New Delhi Observer Research Foundation, as saying. All four Reuters sources, including a recently retired senior Indian security official, noted that Moscow is now offering New Delhi its most advanced Kamov helicopters and Sukhoi and MiG fighters, as well as the development of joint arms production in India. ADVERTISIMENT In this way, Russia is trying to encourage India to strengthen defense ties. Instead, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is seeking to win the elections in the spring, is betting on developing his own weapons production using Western technologies. After all, this is in line with his program to stimulate domestic production. In total, over the next decade, India plans to spend about $100 billion on arms purchases, according to the local Ministry of Defense. India is currently developing defense cooperation with the United States. Last year, the two countries signed an agreement under which the American company General Electric will produce engines for its fighter jets in India. According to the newspaper, this is the first time the United States has made such a concession to a country that does not have the status of a US ally. The two countries plan to accelerate technological cooperation and joint production in various fields. ADVERTISIMENT However, the strengthening of ties between India and the United States could worsen the country's relations with China, which are already quite tense, in particular after clashes on the India-China border in 2020, when 24 soldiers from both sides were killed. The 3,200-kilometer stretch of border between the two countries has been a subject of dispute between India and China since 1962, when the Sino-Indian War broke out over it. For the same reason, India has to balance its relations with Russia. "India has to walk a tightrope in its relations with Russia, for which the Indian government has been one of its largest arms buyers for decades and, from 2022, oil as well. Ending such trade would push Moscow closer to Beijing, the only other major economy it deals with," the newspaper said. One of the interlocutors of Reuters commented on this as follows: "Buying arms buys you influence. By closing yourself off from them (Russia - Ed.), you make them subordinate to China." ADVERTISIMENT The same opinion is shared by Nandan Unnikrishnan, who in his comments to journalists emphasized that maintaining trade with Russia in energy and other areas would help "keep it as far away from China as possible." Despite the fact that after the disruption of Russian arms shipments at the beginning of Russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine, the situation has somewhat leveled off, the fears of the country's officials about whether the arms exporter, which is itself tied up in hostilities, is reliable enough have not been completely dispelled. "As the war in Ukraine drags on, the question arises whether Russia will be able to provide us with spare parts. This helps diversify," said Swasti Rao, a Eurasia expert at the state-run Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defense Studies and Analysis. ADVERTISIMENT Currently, according to Reuters sources, India is seeking to purchase French jets for its new aircraft carrier, and also wants to build submarines using French, German or Spanish technology and to establish production of fighter jets with American and French engines. Earlier, it was reported that China has significantly increased the supply of high-precision machine tools for the Russian military industry. According to the FT, in February 2022, Chinese manufacturers sold $6.5 million worth of computer numerically controlled tools to Russia, and in July 2023, they sold $68 million worth. It has also been reported that China has recognized Russian Kinzhal missiles as ineffective. The Shanghai military magazine Ordnance Industry Science and Technology, whose publications are approved by the Chinese Communist Party and the National Liberation Army, said that the missiles, which Russian President Vladimir Putin called "unparalleled in the world," use "outdated technologies." ADVERTISIMENT Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has taken a fresh dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying the latter is the biggest star campaigner for the Bharatiya Janata Party. Assam Chief Minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma, (File photo) "Wherever Rahul Gandhi goes, Congress will lose there. He is so uninspiring and so arrogant. He has no leadership qualities. He is the biggest star campaigner of the BJP," said Sarma. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. War of words between Himanta Biswa Sarma and Rahul Gandhi in recent times During the Assam leg of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Guwahati police had registered an FIR against Gandhi and other Congress leaders, including KC Venugopal and Kanhaiya Kumar, for allegedly instigating a crowd to launch an attack on police personnel. After the FIR, while addressing a gathering in the state, Gandhi had dared Sarma to file as many cases as you can. Later, Sarma shared that an SIT will be formed to probe the case and those responsible would be arrested. In another instance of political rivalry, Gandhi had called Sarma "the most corrupt Chief Minister in the country" while addressing people at a rally during his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Assam's Lakhimpur. Later, Sarma hit back with a post on X(formerly Twitter), describing Gandhi family as "the most corrupt". The Assam Chief Minister also alleged Gandhi family's role in a number of scams. Rahul Gandhi continues his yatra in West Bengal Meanwhile, Gandhi resumed his ongoing Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district on Sunday, after a two-day break. The yatra began on January 14 from Manipur. Gandhi then travelled through different parts of Assam, holding rallies and public meetings. The 6,700 km long yatra being led by Gandhi, will culminate in Mumbai on March 20 after passing through 15 states. The Supreme Court on Saturday stepped in and halted all proceedings in a case involving the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Bengal government that had brought two benches of the Calcutta high court into an unprecedented confrontation. The Supreme Court of India (Arvind Yadav/HT Photo) Highlighting that the turn of events warranted its intervention with a special five-judge bench sitting on a weekend, the court put in abeyance the direction issued by the single judge bench of justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay for an investigation by the CBI into an alleged fake caste certificate scam, which was made despite the division bench led by justice Soumen Sen annulling the probe order. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. We have taken charge now...this order will suffice the interest of justice for the time being, said the bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, as it took up the proceedings drawn on its own motion in the special hearing. READ | Five SC judges to hold spl hearing today on row between 2 benches of Calcutta HC The bench, which also comprised the four most senior judges justices Sanjiv Khanna, Bhushan R Gavai, Surya Kant and Aniruddha Bose, issued notices to the West Bengal government and the CBI, seeking their replies by January 29 when the court will hear the matter again. Pending further orders of this court, there shall be a stay of all proceedings in the writ petition pending before the single judge and the appeal pending before the division bench in the Calcutta high court. The implementation of the direction by single judge on January 24 and 25 shall also remain stayed, stated the bench in its order. It also issued notice to the writ petitioner before the high court on whose plea the single judge had on January 24 directed the CBI to investigate the alleged scam. This order, however, sparked an unparallel judicial drama that not only left the state government and the CBI in a tizzy over contradictory orders but also saw the single judge hurling allegations of political influence at the judge leading the division bench. SC stays proceedings before Calcutta HC benches amid tussle During the brief proceedings on Saturday, the state government, represented by senior counsel Kapil Sibal, informed the bench that the state has also filed an appeal against the order of the CBI probe by the single judge and that it should be taken up along with the suo motu proceedings on January 29. Senior counsel Huzefa Ahmadi and Sunil Fernandes also appeared for the state in the matter. READ | Cal HC: Dvn bench quashes CBI investigation, single bench orders probe to continue While the bench agreed to list the states appeal, the Union government, represented through attorney general R Venkataramani and solicitor general Tushar Mehta urged the court to also examine the judicial propriety of the order passed by the division bench on January 24. The law officers pointed out that the division bench opted to suspend the order of the single judge without there being any appeal formally filed by the state government. According to SG Mehta, a 1985 judgment by the Supreme Court clearly spelled out that a larger bench cannot interfere with an order when there was no formal appeal memo before it. Responding, the bench said: We will reserve everything for later. We dont want to even make a prima facie determination at this stage. Sometimes, there are exceptional circumstances, but we dont want to say anything right now. The court permitted the SG to submit a note on the procedural aspect. At one point of the hearing, senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi informed the court that he was appearing for TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, who had filed an application bringing to the courts notice some contentious remarks passed by the single judge in question. Singhvi said his client would be filing a fresh writ petition in this regard. On Wednesday and Thursday, the two benches of the high court passed contradictory orders on a petition alleging corruption in admission of students at medical colleges using fake caste certificates, with the larger bench on Thursday finally declaring the single judges orders void ab initio (legally void from the start) and quashing an FIR that CBI had lodged as per the single judges directive. Later on Thursday, the single judge bench of justice Gangopadhyay directly targeted the judge heading the division bench, justice Sen, recording in his order that the latter was acting at the behest of a political party. Justice Sen is acting clearly for some political party in the state and, therefore, the orders passed in the matters involving state, are required to be relooked if the Honble Supreme Court thinks so, justice Gangopadhyay said. The chain of events before the high court started rolling on Wednesday when the single bench of justice Gangopadhyay ordered CBI to probe allegations levelled by a writ petitioner, Itisha Soren, alleging issuance of certificates of reserved caste candidates and use of those for admission in medical colleges. Although Soren 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 appropriate order for a thorough investigation in the matter, irrespective of whether the writ petitioner has prayed for a CBI inquiry or not. The judge further said that the special investigation team (SIT), constituted by virtue of another order of his court to investigate an alleged scam relating to 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. While directing that the documents adduced before his bench by states advocate general Kishore Datta be handed over to CBI, 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. Justice Gangopadhyay called a CBI officer to his court at 2.30pm on Wednesday to receive a copy of the documents relating to the case. It was this decision, and the state governments immediate move to move the larger bench, that set off the chain of conflicting rulings, which culminated in the latest order by justice Gangopadhyay on Thursday night, in which he said: 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. New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor reacted to JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar's latest political switch on Sunday, calling him a 'snollygoster'. In his trademark style, Tharoor, renowned for his excellent command over English, defined Kumar with the archaic word, which means "a shrewd, unprincipled politician". Kolkata: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor is renowned for his command over the English language. (PTI) This is not the first time he used the word. In 2017, when Kumar had parted ways with the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar, Tharoor had quipped on Twitter (now called X): "Word of the day! Definition of *snollygoster* US dialect: a shrewd, unprincipled politician. First Known Use: 1845. Most recent use: 26/7/17". Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. On Sunday, he shared the post. "Didn't realise it would be the Word of Another Day too!#snollygoster," he quipped today. Tharoor, however, fell short of naming Nitish Kumar. Nitish Kumar had also called Devendra Fadnavis "snollygoster" when the latter formed a short-lived government with NCP leader Ajit Pawar in 2019. Also read: JD(U) blames Congress bid to steal INDIA bloc leadership for Nitish Kumar's exit Kumar today resigned from the post of Bihar chief minister, leading to the collapse of the RJD-JD(U) government. He claimed he took the decision as he didn't get a response from the INDIA bloc. Nitish Kumar has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA. He will soon form a government with two BJP leaders as his deputies. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh today called Nitish Kumar a chameleon. Also read: Asaduddin Owaisi takes 'how does it feel' dig at Tejashwi Yadav over Bihar AIMIM MLAs' 2022 coup "This will not have any impact on Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. The INDIA bloc will be further strengthened, Mamata Banerjee has herself said this. This (Nitish Kumar's resignation) will further upset people and I think people of Bihar will teach the right lesson to Nitish Kumar and the BJP in the election...I agree that this will be in the headlines for a day or two, it doesn't look good that Nitish Kumar had called the first meeting (of INDIA Alliance) in Patna...he attended all the meetings. But like I said, Nitish Kumar gives a tough competition to chameleons," he said, per ANI. JD(U) leader KC Tyagi, meanwhile, claimed Nitish Kumar quit the INDIA bloc as the Congress party attempted to steal the leadership of the alliance. He also claimed that the Congress made Mamata Banerjee propose the name of Mallikarjun Kharge as the prime ministerial face of the alliance. Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 28 (ANI): With the vow of constructing a Ram Temple in Ayodhya having been fulfilled, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath received a grand welcome in Gorakhpur on Saturday. HT Image Youths, women, elders and children danced and waved the saffron flag with the image of Shri Ram on it to greet the 'Gorakshpeethadhishwar.' They kept chanting 'Jai Shri Ram' and 'Thanks Yogiji' amid the beating of drums all the while. The people also showered flowers on the Chief Minister throughout his journey from the airport to the temple. Groups of folk artists also performed at various places to welcome the CM. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. 'Gorakshpeethadhishwar' and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accepted the greetings of the people by smiling and shaking hands with them. It was Adityanath's first visit to Gorakhpur after the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of Ram Lalla in the grand and divine Ram Temple on January 22, a press release said. Gorakshpeethadhishwar Yogi Adityanath keeps coming to Gorakhpur regularly, despite his busy schedule as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh for the last seven years. Notably, Gorakshpeeth has played a pivotal role in the Ram temple's conception, the prolonged struggle and finally its construction. "At the time of the divine event of Shri Ram Lalla's appearance in 1949, Brahmlin Gorakshpeethadhishwar Mahant Digvijaynath led the movement, which was carried forward by Brahmlin Gorakshpeethadhishwar Mahant Avedyanath in the nineties. The dream and last wish of Mahant Avedyanath, who was the lifelong president of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mukti Yagya, was to build the Shri Ram temple," the release said. His successor Yogi Adityanath, who chose the path of renunciation with the inspiration of the Ram Mandir movement, made this wish the mission of his life, the release said. During his parliamentary tenure, Yogi raised the issue of the Ram Temple even in the house and after becoming the Chief Minister, following the Supreme Court's verdict, he worked wholeheartedly to fulfil his Guru's dream to build the temple on the site, the release said. Under his supervision, the foundation stone of Shri Ram Temple was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 5, 2020. People thronged the streets to greet the CM. "People of all ages formed a human chain at the gate of Dharamshala Market, Vishwakarma Temple, Tarang Crossing, Tarang-Gorakhnath Overbridge Road, Jhulelal Temple, Shri Ramjanaki Hanuman Temple, Gorakhnath Temple and entered the temple premises, showering flowers on the CM," the release further said. Folk artists also performed to congratulate the Chief Minister. At many places, NCC and Scout cadets also greeted the CM. On reaching the Gorakhnath temple, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath worshipped Guru Gorakhnath in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. Then he went to the Samadhi site of 'Brahmalin' Peethadhishwar Mahant Avedyanath where he became emotional and paid homage to his guru. MP Ravi Kishan Shukla, Mayor Dr Manglesh Srivastava, MLA Vipin Singh, and Mahant Ravindradas of Kalibari were present among others on the occasion. (ANI) Ever since Alia Bhatt graced the awards ceremony in Dubai in a stunning Ajrakh-printed saree, the buzz around this traditional Indian print has skyrocketed. In the ever-evolving world of fashion, traditional Indian fabrics such as Chanderi, Banarasi silk and Kalamkari, along with intricate embroideries such as Phulkari, Zardosi, mirror work and Kantha, have recently seen a renaissance with celebrities adding their contemporary flair. When it comes to Ajrakh, is a traditional art form that involves printing natural motifs using wooden blocks, vegetable and mineral dyes, and is a testament to India's rich textile heritage and its enduring appeal in the world of fashion. How to style Ajrakh print? Check out 10 fashion experts-approved tips(Instagram) Ajrakh printing is a meticulous and time-consuming process, traditionally practised by the skilled artisans of the Khatri community in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Renowned for its unmatched grace and stunning drape, adorning Ajrakh can instantly transform you into an elegant princess. However, if you're not sure how to wear this exquisite print, don't worry, we've got your back. HT Digital reached out to fashion industry experts to provide valuable insights into mastering the art of styling Ajrakh prints. Get ready to unleash your inner fashionista with the charm of heritage and tradition. (Also read: Alia Bhatt's stunning red carpet look in ajrakh printed saree with a modern drape, redefines glamour at award ceremony ) Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Tips to Style Ajrakh Print When wearing Ajrakh print, consider the occasion. Opt for casual, everyday pieces for a laid-back look, or choose more structured and tailored items for a polished and formal appearance. Stick to one statement piece with Ajrakh print, whether it's a top, bottom, or accessory, and keep the rest of your outfit simple to let the print shine. says Reynu Taandon, Couturier. She further shared a few stylish ways to wear Ajrakh print. Layer strategically: Use layering to your advantage. Consider adding a solid-coloured jacket, cardigan, or shawl to enhance the Ajrakh print. This not only provides warmth but also adds a dynamic dimension to your outfit. Contrast with neutrals: For a modern and chic look, contrast Ajrakh print with neutral tones like white, beige, or grey. This allows the vibrant patterns to pop while maintaining a contemporary aesthetic. Footwear choice: Choose footwear that complements the overall vibe. Neutral shoes or those in colours present in the Ajrakh print can tie the look together seamlessly. Play with scale: If your outfit features different scales of Ajrakh print, ensure there's a balance. For instance, pair a larger print on one garment with a smaller print on another to avoid visual overload. Casual to formal transition: Ajrakh print can be adapted for various occasions. Transition from casual to formal by choosing tailored pieces for a polished appearance or relaxed fits for a laid-back vibe. "When styling Ajrakh print, consider pairing it with solid colours to highlight the intricate patterns. Opt for simple accessories to avoid overwhelming the look, and let the unique design of Ajrakh stand out. Additionally, you can mix and match with complementary colours or go for a monochromatic ensemble for a sophisticated appearance. says Sahil Kochhar, Creative Director and Founder. Here are a few tips suggested by Sahil to style this stunning traditional print. Balance with solid colours: Offset the bold patterns of Ajrakh print with solid colours. This ensures the print remains the focal point of your outfit without overwhelming the visual appeal. Mix textures: Integrate different textures into your ensemble to add depth and interest. For example, pair an Ajrakh-printed top with textured bottoms or vice versa. Accessorize mindfully: Opt for subtle accessories to avoid competing with the intricate patterns of Ajrakh. Simple, classic pieces like metallic jewellery or a solid-colour scarf can complement the print beautifully. Monochromatic styling: Create a sophisticated look by sticking to a single colour family. This approach allows the unique details of Ajrakh to shine while maintaining a cohesive and elegant appearance. Versatile silhouettes: Experiment with various clothing styles that showcase Ajrakh print. Whether it's a flowy dress, tailored trousers, or a chic scarf, choosing versatile silhouettes ensures you can incorporate Ajrakh into different occasions and settings. Bringing her expertise to the same Shivani Agarwal, fashion expert and founder of ANI clothing shared, "Embracing Ajrakh print in both traditional and modern contexts allows for versatile and stylish looks. For a traditional approach, opt for a flowing Ajrakh print saree or salwar suit. Choose rich, earthy tones and pair them with traditional silver jewellery, such as jhumkas or bangles. This classic ensemble celebrates the heritage of Ajrakh while maintaining cultural authenticity. On the modern front, incorporate Ajrakh in contemporary silhouettes. A tailored Ajrakh print blazer over a solid-coloured dress or trousers can make a bold statement." "Experiment with a fusion look by combining an Ajrakh crop top with wide-legged pants or a midi skirt. To avoid overwhelming the outfit, keep accessories minimal and stick to neutral footwear. In both styles, consider the occasion and setting. Traditional settings may call for more ornate jewellery, while modern environments allow for sleeker, understated accessories. Balancing the intricate patterns of Ajrakh with modern cuts and accessories creates a harmonious blend of tradition and contemporary fashion," says Shivani. A Russian man has been sentenced to more than five years in prison for his involvement in developing the Trickbot malware used to extort businesses, including hospitals during the Covid pandemic, the US Justice Department said Thursday. HT Image Vladimir Dunaev, 40, who was extradited from South Korea to the United States in 2021, pleaded guilty in November to conspiracy to commit computer fraud and identity theft and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Dunaev, originally from Amur Oblast, was sentenced to five years and four months in prison by a judge in the midwestern state of Ohio on Wednesday, the Justice Department said in a statement. Dunaev was among nine Russians, some of whom are alleged to have links to Russian intelligence services, who were indicted in the United States for involvement in Trickbot, which was taken down in 2022. According to the Justice Department, Dunaev provided "specialized services and technical abilities in furtherance of the Trickbot scheme." "Dunaev developed malicious ransomware and deployed it to attack American hospitals, schools, and businesses," US Attorney Rebecca Lutzko said. "He and his co-defendants caused immeasurable disruption and financial damage, maliciously infecting millions of computers worldwide." According to the indictments, the Trickbot group deployed malware and an associated ransomware program called Conti to attack hundreds of targets across the United States and in more than 30 other countries since 2016. The malware was also used to steal bank account logins and passwords from victims' computers in order to drain money from the accounts. According to Britain's National Crime Agency, the operation reaped at least $180 million worldwide. The group particularly targeted hospitals and healthcare services during the 2020-2021 coronavirus pandemic, authorities said. They would invade a computer system and encrypt all the data, demanding hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars, paid in cryptocurrency, to free up the systems. In one attack, the group used ransomware against three Minnesota medical facilities, disrupting their computer networks and telephones and causing a diversion of ambulances, US officials said. In July 2020, an attack hit a local government in a Tennessee town, locking down local emergency medical services and the police department. A May 2021 virtual incursion against a California hospital network, Scripps Health, locked up the computers of some 24 acute-care and outpatient facilities. Another Trickbot member, Alla Witte, a Latvian national, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit computer fraud in June after being extradited from Suriname, where she helped write code for Trickbot and laundered proceeds from the ransomware. Witte was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison. cl/mlm When Vinod Sharma, who hails from Varanasi bought a 1350 sq ft (1 biswa) plot of land 15 years back in the city for 2.5 lakh just about 7 km from the Kashi Vishwanath temple, little did he know that the price of the plot would escalate to 50 lakh. The massive infrastructure push to the heritage town, the opening of the revamped Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in 2021 that connects the ancient Kashi Vishwanath temple to the ghats of the Ganga, infrastructure changes such as the new Ring Road and long-term projects such as the expansion of the airport runway, has had its impact on tourist footfalls and the overall economy of the city, not to mention land prices. Places of religious interest across the country have attracted both domestic as well as international buyers. Ayodhya town (HT File Photo) Fast forward to the Ayodhya consecration ceremony held a few days back. Land prices in Ayodhya are today perhaps the highest compared to other temple towns in the country, almost on par with the rates prevailing in established cities such as Noida and Greater Noida, say experts. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Alankar Gupta, a RERA-registered real estate consultant based in Ayodhya, told HT Digital that property rates in Ayodhya today are perhaps the highest compared to other temple/pilgrimage towns across the country. The average price of a residential property in Ayodhya is close to 5000 per sq ft and commercial property is around 8000 per sq ft. Monthly rentals for a 2BHK housing unit is varying between 18,000 to 20,000 per month. However, with homestay options emerging, a homebuyer can easily rent one room with an attached toilet for 1500 per night, which works out to be around 45,000 for the entire month, he explains. Prices have skyrocketed in the city on account of the limited supply and heavy demand mismatch, he added. The Mumbai-headquartered real estate developer, The House of Abhinandan Lodha (HOABL), has launched around 250 plots to coincide with the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony in Ayodhya at a starting price of 1.72 crore for a 1,250 sq ft plot. It has invested close to 1200 crore majorly for a 51-acre land parcel in Ayodhya and Phase 1 of its luxury project is currently underway. Its planned development project in Ayodhya is located around 12 to 15 minutes away from the upcoming Ram Temple. Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan has purchased a plot in The Sarayu, a 7-star mixed-use enclave in Ayodhya by Mumbai-based developer The House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL). Real estate industry sources have said that the plot where Bachchan intends to build a 10,000 square feet home that stood at 14.5 crore. Approximately, 24% of the total interest in the Ayodhya project originates from NRIs in the Middle East and the US. As many as 22% buyers who have expressed interest are from the regions of Lucknow, Kanpur, and Meerut. Additionally, 35% of the interest emanates from Delhi NCR, while the remaining percentage is distributed among various locations such as Mumbai and similar areas, the companys CEO Samujjwal Ghosh had told Hindustan Times Digital. This diverse interest showcases the widespread appeal and global reach of our Ayodhya project. Our strategic focus is on nationally significant infrastructure growth corridors, starting with Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh and expanding to Vrindavan, Varanasi, and more, and this aligns with our vision to democratize land in culturally and spiritually rich areas, he added. The price cycle uptrend in temple towns Places of religious interest across the country have attracted both domestic as well as international buyers. Pilgrimage centers and temple towns such as Rishikesh, Haridwar, Tirupati, Shirdi, Mathura and Vrindavan have all witnessed an upward real estate price cycle at some point. Some of these markets are viable for reasons other than religious ones as they have industrial and commercial demand drivers as well. The hospitality sector is perhaps the biggest draw thanks to the tourist footfalls. A recent report by brokerage firm Jefferies estimates that a $10 billion makeover of Ayodhya with a new airport, revamped railway station, township and improved road connectivity will likely drive a multiplier effect with new hotels and other economic activities. It "could attract 50 million tourists a year". Golden Temple in Amritsar gets an estimated 30-35 million footfalls a year while Tirupati temple sees 25-30 million visits. Globally, Vatican city gets around 9 million tourists every year and Mecca in Saudi Arabia around 20 million. "Religious tourism is still the biggest segment of tourism in India," according to Jefferies. "Several popular religious centers attract annual tourist traffic of 10-30 million despite the existing infrastructural bottlenecks. And hence, the creation of a new religious tourist center (Ayodhya) with improved connectivity and infrastructure can create a meaningfully large economic impact." Who buys real estate in temple towns? Traditionally, residential space buyers in these temple towns fall in two categories investors from across the country seeking to cash in on rental and resale value, and genuine buyers fulfilling a long-cherished aspiration. That said, residential units in religious places tend to be a second-tier consideration among buyers, to be considered only after a primary home has been secured in the city of residence. Real estate experts say that while the focus of investors who have put in their money in Ayodhya or Varanasi is on return on investment, asset classes that are likely to emerge in the long run could be senior living or fractional ownership. Also Read: Ram Temple Consecration ceremony: Is it the right time to invest in real estate in Ayodhya Growth of Tier 2 and 3 towns Religious towns also predominantly fall in the Tier II and Tier III categories. While property rates vary according to actual location and property configuration, most of the available projects in many of these towns are generally by smaller developers. In 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Mahakaleshwar Corridor, constructed in Madhya Pradeshs Ujjain at a cost of 350 crore. Mahakal Maharaj Mandir Parisar Vistar Yojna is a plan for the expansion, beautification, and decongestion of the Mahakaleshwar temple and its adjoining area in Ujjain district. According to Amit Goenka, MD & CEO of Nisus Finance the focus on infrastructure development within the temple complexes and the larger city has had its impact on the real estate values of the city. The impetus on enhancing the facilities in and around the temple complex, improving connectivity to the temple by constructing new roads, highways, revamp of the airports and railway links has got accentuated. This focus on allied infrastructure has led to an increase in tourism footfalls and improvement in the overall economy of these tier 2 and 3 towns. This has had an impact on land prices, especially new residential and commercial opportunities that have come up along new highways, near the airport, as well as areas located close to the revamped temple zones. Citing the example of Ujjain, he says that not only have footfalls in the temple town increased, massive real estate opportunities have opened up along the Indore-Ujjain road as well. Several listed developers are also planning to launch projects in Indore which is being seen as a gateway to Ujjain. Dharmesh Shah, CEO, Hero Realty Pvt Ltd, that has a few projects in Haridwar, told HT Digital that while the firm already has a presence in Haridwar in both group housing and plotted developments, it is exploring possibilities in other locations to expand its presence. Of course, Shah is betting big on the upcoming Haridwar-Rishikesh Corridor on the lines of Ayodhya's infrastructure blitzkrieg. The cost of a studio in Haridwar is close to 15 lakh and a 3BHK costs upwards of 50 lakh. Plots of 90 to 187 sq yards are priced at 40,000 per sq yard. In Rishikesh, prices of properties in Tapovan which is located close to the main tourist attractions cost anywhere between 2 crore to 3 crore. Properties located close to the AIIMS hospital are available in the range of 40 to 50 lakh for a 2BHK, says Ravi Pundhir of Uttarakhand Properties, a real estate agency in Rishikesh. In Varanasi too, prices of properties located close to the Ring Road or near the airport have gone up. According to Anuj Didwania, chairman, Didwania Group and head, Credai Purvanchal, a 2BHK apartment that cost 40 lakh five years back cost more than 70 lakh today. Besides locals who have been offered compensation or those wanting to relocate to new flats with modern amenities a few kilometers from the main city, several people from Bihar and South Indian are investing in properties in Varanasi. Also Read: Ram Mandir event: 3 things to remember if you want to buy property in Ayodhya In Vrindavan too, where the Banke Bihari Corridor promises to usher in a new era of development when it is up and running by 2026, buyers are primarily investors from Delhi and adjoining areas. According to K D Aggarwal, head of Mathura chapter, Credai, Mathura is waiting for the next phase of development after Ayodhya. Plots in Vrindavan today are available for 50,000 to 60,000 per sq yard. As for flats, a 2 BHK apartment is available for 30-50 lakh and a 3BHK for 60 lakh. Apple has announced changes to iOS, Safari, and the App Store for iPhones, doing so to ensure compliance in the European Union (EU) with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), a new law that will take effect in March. A women uses an iPhone mobile device as she passes a lighted Apple logo at the Apple store (REUTERS) The European Commission designated Apple as a gatekeeper under the DMA, which require major tech companies to promote competition, consumer choice, and innovation. Among other things, the law mandates that gatekeepers, including Apple, must allow third parties to interoperate with their own systems in certain instances (in Apple's case, App Store and Apple Play). Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Companies not complying with DMA will face fines of up to 10% of their annual worldwide turnover. The changes announced by the iPhone maker, meanwhile, will be available to users in March. Sideloading on iPhones: iPhone users in EU nations are no longer limited to the App Store, and can now sideload from other app stores as well. These regulations will come via the iOS 17.4 version. Make payments outside of Apple: Developers finally have the option to use its own payment service for in-app purchases and subscription, or link it to third-party systems. Tap to pay without Apple Pay: The tech giant is opening NFC (near-field communication) to third-party developers, allowing them access to the feature, and support to tap for pay for platforms other than Apple Pay. Switch your default browser: iOS finally has the option to switch default browser from Safari to Chrome or even Firefox. Fortnite returns to iOS: The Epic Games-developed online video game is likely to be released on iOS in the coming months. In South Africas Addo Elephant National Park, a heartwarming incident unfolded when a group of elephants united as one to rescue a calf trapped in mud. A video capturing this moment was posted on YouTube. The footage has not only stirred the emotions of netizens but has also sparked numerous reactions from them. South Africa: Elephant herd saving the calf stuck in mud. (YouTube/Cute Tings) Entire elephant family work together to save a baby stuck in the mud, reads the caption to the video shared on the YouTube channel Cute Tings. As per the YouTube channel, the video was recorded by Jolandi de Klerk while on a honeymoon with her husband. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The video opens to show a herd of elephants drinking water from a small water body. As the video goes on, the calf loses balance, slips, and gets stuck in the mud. Soon, the elephants quickly come together to rescue the baby, but despite their best efforts, they are unable to succeed. Thats when an elephant climbs down the embankment. A few elephants follow suit, prodding and guiding the calf to safety. Watch the video here: The video was shared on January 25 on YouTube. Since being shared, it has received more than 7,500 views, and the numbers are still increasing. The share has also collected numerous likes. Many even took to the comments section of the video to share their thoughts. An individual wrote, Thats teamwork. Thank goodness. Beautiful, added another. What are your thoughts on this video? Earlier, another video showcasing the remarkable act of solidarity displayed by a herd of elephants gained significant traction on YouTube. The video shows how a group of elephants intervened to save the life of a rhino who was stuck between lions. A woman who was trekking in the Raigad district of Maharashtra fractured her leg and was left stranded. Fortunately, members of Mumbai Polices Quick Response Team, who were returning from their training, noticed her and quickly came to her aid. They made a temporary stretcher using their clothes and carried the woman downhill to the base camp. A video showing the team carrying the woman in the makeshift stretcher was shared by Mumbai Police online. The teams heroic actions in saving the injured trekker have been receiving widespread plaudits. The image shows the members of Mumbai Police's Quick Response Team carrying the woman downhill in the makeshift stretcher. (Instagram/@mumbaipolice) Quick response, no matter the situation! wrote Mumbai Police while sharing the video on Instagram. In the next few lines, the police department shared how the members of their Quick Response Team saved an injured trekker. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The new recruits of our Quick Response Team, on their way down from a trek while training at Karnala Fort, noticed a trekker had fractured her leg. With no rescue options available, the recruits made a temporary stretcher with their tracksuits and brought the injured lady to the base camp in 2 hours. She was duly shifted to a hospital for medical support, the department added. Watch the video here: The video was shared a few hours ago on Instagram. Since being shared, the video has accumulated over 35,100 views, and still counting. The share has also garnered more than 18,100 likes and numerous comments. Take a look at a few comments here: Hats off to all their efforts, posted an individual. Another added, Kudos team. Proud of you, expressed a third. A fourth commented, Hats off to our police and rescue teams. Wonderful men. Have witnessed as we were trekking there. The team did a great job, claimed a fifth. A sixth joined, Good job Mumbai Police. On January 27, Baghdad hosted the first round of official talks between Iraq and the United States on curtailing the mission of the military coalition formed to combat the Islamic State terrorist group. The talks began against the backdrop of regular attacks by Iranian-backed militias on US troops in Iraq and Syria. ADVERTISIMENT It is worth noting that Iraqi officials have periodically called for the withdrawal of coalition forces since 2014, as reported by the Voice of America. According to Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, the start of the negotiations was prompted by frequent attacks on US troops in Iraq and Syria, particularly through Iranian-backed militia drones. The US military has maintained a permanent presence in Iraq since 2003. In 2011, the US military left the country but returned three years later to assist the Iraqi government in defeating the Islamic State terrorist group. After ISIS lost control of the captured territory, Iraqi officials urged the United States to withdraw coalition forces. Additionally, Iraq intensified efforts to remove foreign troops from the country after a US airstrike in January 2020 killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis near the Baghdad airport. ADVERTISIMENT The Palestinian-Israeli conflict also played a role in the deployment of US-led coalition forces in Iraq. Since October 2023, the Iranian-backed terrorist group Islamic Resistance in Iraq has regularly attacked US troops. It is worth noting that American military bases, with approximately 2,500 soldiers, have faced more than 150 attacks. In response, the United States targeted militants, including those affiliated with the People's Mobilization Forces, a coalition of mostly Shiite paramilitary groups supported by Iran. These groups are formally under the control of the Iraqi military, but in practice, they mostly act independently. Iraqi officials have complained that alleged US strikes violate Iraq's sovereignty. Moreover, the militants of the Islamic Resistance of Iraq claimed credit for the US decision to wind down the Coalition Forces mission. ADVERTISIMENT On January 20, the Ain al-Asad air base in Iraq, housing the United States military, came under missile attack. Several American soldiers were injured as a result of this strike. The United States attributed the attack to Iranian-backed militants. Previously, there were reports of the US military launching an attack on the headquarters of paramilitary groups in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. Consequently, the leader of a pro-Iranian paramilitary group, accused of attacking US forces, was killed. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Three U.S. service members were killed and dozens wounded during an unmanned aerial drone attack on U.S. forces stationed in northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border, President Joe Biden and U.S. officials said on Sunday. President Joe Biden, fourth left, bows his head as Reverend Dr. Jamey O. Graham Sr., in foreground at right, speaks at St. John Baptist Church, in Columbia, S.C., on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024. To the left of Biden is Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)(AP) Biden blamed Iran-backed groups for the attack. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "While we are still gathering the facts of this attack, we know it was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq," Biden said in a statement. At least 34 personnel were being evaluated for possible traumatic brain injury, a U.S. official told Reuters. "While were still gathering facts, this is most assuredly the work of an Iranian-backed militia group," a second official said. The deaths marked the first fatalities of U.S. troops in the region since war began in Gaza. Biden said the attack occurred on Saturday night. The attack is a major escalation of the already tense situation in the Middle East, where war broke out in Gaza after Palestinian Islamist group Hamas' attack on Israel on Oct. 7 which killed 1,200. Israel's subsequent assault on Gaza has killed over 26,000 Palestinians, according to the local health ministry. While the United States has thus far maintained an official line that Washington is not at war in the region, it has made strikes against targets of Yemen's Houthi groups that have been attacking commercial vessels in the Red Sea. "We will carry on their commitment to fight terrorism. And have no doubt - we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing," Biden said in his statement released by the White House. President Joe Biden said Sunday that the U.S. shall respond after three American troops were killed and dozens more were injured in an overnight drone strike in northeast Jordan near the Syrian border. Biden blamed Iran-backed militias for the first U.S. fatalities after months of strikes by such groups against American forces across the Middle East amid the Israel-Hamas war. President Joe Biden bows his head in a moment of silence for the three American troops killed on Sunday.(AP) Biden, who was traveling in South Carolina, asked for a moment of silence during an appearance at a Baptist church's banquet hall. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. We had a tough day last night in the Middle East. We lost three brave souls in an attack on one of our bases," he said. After the moment of silence, Biden added, and we shall respond. With an increasing risk of military escalation in the region, U.S. officials were working to conclusively identify the precise group responsible for the attack, but they have assessed that one of several Iranian-backed groups was behind it. Biden said in a written statement that the United States will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner (of) our choosing. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said "we will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, our troops, and our interests. Iran-backed fighters in east Syria began evacuating their posts, fearing U.S. airstrikes, according to Omar Abu Layla, a Europe-based activist who heads the Deir Ezzor 24 media outlet. He told The Associated Press that the areas are the strongholds of Mayadeen and Boukamal. READ | 3 US service members killed, 34 wounded in Jordan drone attack linked to Iran, says Biden According to a U.S. official, the number of troops injured by the one-way attack drone rose to at least 34. Another official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details not made public, said a large drone struck the base, which two other American officials identified as an installation in Jordan known as Tower 22. It is along the Syrian border and is used largely by troops involved in the advise-and-assist mission for Jordanian forces. The small installation, which Jordan does not publicly disclose, includes U.S. engineering, aviation, logistics and security troops. Austin said the troops were deployed there to work for the lasting defeat of ISIS. Three officials said the drone struck near the troops' sleeping quarters, which they said explained the high casualty count. The U.S. military base at al-Tanf in Syria is just 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Tower 22. The Jordanian installation provides a critical logistical hub for U.S. forces in Syria, including those at al-Tanf, which is near the intersection of the Iraq, Syria and Jordan borders. Jordanian state television quoted Muhannad Mubaidin, a government spokesman, as insisting the attack happened across the border in Syria. U.S. troops long have used Jordan, a kingdom bordering Iraq, Israel, the Palestinian territory of the West Bank, Saudi Arabia and Syria, as a basing point. Some 3,000 American troops typically are stationed across Jordan, but the number at Tower 22 wasnt immediately known and isnt routinely disclosed. Since the war in Gaza began Oct. 7, Iranian-backed militias have struck American military installations in Iraq more than 60 times and in Syria more than 90 times, with a mix of drones, rockets, mortars and ballistic missiles. The attack Sunday was the first targeting American troops in Jordan during the Israel-Hamas war and the first to result in the loss of American lives. Scores of U.S. personnel have been wounded, including some with traumatic brain injuries, during the attacks. The militias have said that their strikes are in retaliation for Washingtons support for Israel in the war in Gaza and have also said they aim to push U.S. forces out of the region. The U.S. in recent months has struck targets in Iraq, Syria and Yemen to respond to attacks on American forces in the region and to deter Iran-backed Houthi rebels from continuing to threaten commercial shipping in the Red Sea. I am confident the Biden Administration will respond in a deliberate and proportional manner, said Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., who heads the Senate Armed Services Committee. Republicans in Congress said the administration's approach had failed to deter America's adversaries in the region. We need a major reset of our Middle East policy to protect our national security interests, said Republican Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., went further, urging the administration to strike targets of significance inside Iran, not only as reprisal for the killing of our forces, but as deterrence against future aggression. The only thing the Iranian regime understands is force. Biden, who was in Columbia, South Carolina, on Sunday, was briefed in the morning by Austin, national security adviser Jake Sullivan, and principal deputy national security adviser Jon Finer, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. In the afternoon, he met virtually with Vice President Kamala Harris and his national security team for an update. The president, in the written statement, called it a despicable and wholly unjust attack and said the service members were risking their own safety for the safety of their fellow Americans, and our allies and partners with whom we stand in the fight against terrorism. It is a fight we will not cease. Syria is still in the midst of a civil war and long has been a launch pad for Iranian-backed forces there, including the Lebanese militia Hezbollah. Iraq has multiple Iranian-backed Shiite militias operating there as well. Jordan, a staunch Western ally and a crucial power in Jerusalem for its oversight of holy sites there, is suspected of launching airstrikes in Syria to disrupt drug smugglers, including one that killed nine people earlier this month. An umbrella group for Iran-backed factions known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq earlier claimed launching explosive drone attacks targeting three areas in Syria, as well as one inside of occupied Palestine. The group has claimed responsibility for dozens of attacks against bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria since the Israel-Hamas war began. Three officials with Iran-backed militias in Iraq, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter with journalists, said the drone attack against the base in Jordan was launched by one of the Iraqi groups. No faction has yet officially claimed responsibility. Officials said the U.S. military is not tracking any other attacks on its forces Sunday in the region. Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now! Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times. Chinese President Xi Jinping has offered to "break new ground" to give a fillip to the China-France ties, days after French President Emmanuel Macron's high-profile visit to India during which the two countries unveiled an ambitious defence roadmap besides intensifying cooperation in the strategic Indian Ocean and the Indo-Pacific region. China's President Xi Jinping(AFP) Macrons visit to India also coincided with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. In his message on the occasion, Xi said As today's world is once again at a critical crossroads, China and France should jointly open up a path of peace, security, prosperity and progress for human development. Xi said China attaches great importance to the development of bilateral ties and he stands ready to work with Macron to take the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations as an "opportunity to uphold fundamental principles, break new ground, build on past achievements, open up a new future, and make China-France comprehensive strategic partnership more solid and dynamic," the official media reported. China has offered to step up French imports to the country, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said. We will continue to unleash consumer and investment market demand, continue to expand the import of high-quality products and services from France, he said and hoped that France too will provide Chinese companies with a fair, just and predictable business environment. READ | French President Emmanuel Macron meets Xi Jinping in Beijing China prioritises ties with France as Macron is pushing Europe to become a third bloc, a balancing force between the US and China. Hailing China-France ties, Chinese official media has called for stepping up cooperation in high-tech areas. Scientific and technological cooperation between France and China has been a cornerstone of their relationship. From aerospace and the nuclear industry to renewable energy, the two countries have made significant strides in joint research and development, state-run China Daily said in its editorial. President Macron was the sixth leader from France to be the chief guest at India's 75th Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi on January 26. Beijing kept a wary watch on Macrons visit to India as Paris is emerging as a key defence partner to New Delhi amid efforts by the US and European Union to court India as a counterweight to counter China. After Macron's talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two countries unveiled an ambitious defence industrial roadmap to co-develop critical military hardware besides firming up cooperation in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific region, a key area of concern for China. Defence and security partnership has been the cornerstone of India-France partnership in the Indo-Pacific region, which includes a comprehensive range of bilateral, multinational, regional and institutional initiatives, especially in the Indian Ocean Region, the joint statement issued after Macrons visit to India said. They also agreed to intensify their cooperation in the Southwest Indian Ocean, building on the joint surveillance missions carried out from the French island territory of La Reunion in 2020 and 2022, it said. The intensification of India-France cooperation in the Indian Ocean concerns China as it tries to make forays in Indias backyard. The US, India and several other world powers have been discussing the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China's rising military manoeuvring in the resource-rich region. Speaking at the 7th India-US Forum in New Delhi on Saturday, United States' Texas governor Greg Abbott said Texas and India share an independent streak and ambition for global influence. External affairs minister S Jaishankar meets Texas Governor Greg Abbott, in New Delhi on Saturday. (DrSJaishankar-X) Each of us sits in a critical locationIndia, with China and Russia on their doorsteps, and Texas at the nexus of the United States and Latin America," he added. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. ALSO READ- #StandWithTexas trends as Texas-US govt standoff escalates, here's all you need to know about the border crisis The statement from Abbott, a staunch supporter of former president Donald Trump, may further escalate what some consider a standoff between Texas and the White House, as he continues to openly criticise the Joe Biden-led federal government. "We share the common values of family, faith, compassion, and hard work. As we look towards the future, we must ensure that the next generation of leaders in Texas and India will be the innovators who solve the worlds foremost crises and that embracing the values we share leads to liberty and prosperity unmatched throughout the entire world, Abbott, who was guest at India's 75th Republic Day celebrations, said in the address. Abbott vs. Biden administration Abbott gained attention by transporting immigrants to traditionally liberal cities like New York to highlight what he calls Biden's failed border policy. The Texas National Guard's control of a park along the Rio Grande heightened tensions with the Biden administration. ALSO READ- Texas Governor transports 35K migrants to sanctuary cities including NYC in response to 'Joe Biden's border failure' The Biden administration accused Texas Governor Greg Abbott of impeding the federal border patrol's mission by denying access to a crucial border sector with Mexico. The state, however, has limited the activities of the US Border Patrol following a Supreme Court decision allowing federal agents to cut or remove the razor metal wires. Trump supports Abbott's border security measures Trump commended Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Saturday for resisting the Biden administration's attempts to remove razor wire from a key corridor for migrants entering the U.S. illegally, heightening tensions over immigration. As the United States approaches the upcoming presidential election, immigration remains a contentious issue. Iran on Sunday claimed it has successfully launched three satellites into space. The state-run IRNA news agency said the launch involved the successful use of Iran's Simorgh rocket. It is the latest development in its program about which the West feels improves its ballistic missiles. This photo released by the Iranian Defense Ministry on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024, claims to show Simorgh, or "Phoenix," satellite carrier before being launched at the Imam Khomeini Spaceport in Iran's rural Semnan province. Iran said Sunday it successfully launched three satellites into space, the latest for a program that the West says improves Tehran's ballistic missiles. (AP) Iran's state TV named the launched satellites Mahda, Kayhan-2 and Hatef-1. As per its description, the Mahda is a research satellite, while the Kayhan and the Hatef are nanosatellites focused on global positioning and communication respectively. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Iranian state television released footage of the nighttime launch for the Simorgh rocket. Expert analysis of the footage showed that it took place at the Imam Khomeini Spaceport in Irans rural Semnan province. The roar of the Simorgh (rocket) resonated in our countrys sky and infinite space," said Abbas Rasooli, a state TV reporter, in the footage. ALSO READ| Russia war: Ukraine says it uncovers $40 million fraud in weapons procurement | Details About Iran's Simorgh program The Simorgh is a part of Iran's civilian space program. It is a two-stage, liquid-fueled rocket designed to place satellites into a low Earth orbit. In recent years, the Simorgh, or Phoenix, rocket had suffered failures. US' apprehension about Simorgh The United States has been apprehensive of Iran's Simorgh program. The US intelligence communitys 2023 worldwide threat assessment report cites the Simorgh as a possible dual-use rocket. The report says that the development of satellite launch vehicles shortens the timeline for Iran to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile because it uses similar technology. The United States has previously said Irans satellite launches defy a UN Security Council resolution. US suspects Iran is involved in the development of ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons. Though US intelligence agencies and others assess Iran has not begun actively seeking a nuclear weapon. Meanwhile, UN sanctions related to Irans ballistic missile program expired last October. Tension in the Middle East The launch of satellites has happened amid simmering tension in the Middle East due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Amid the war, Israel has also been involved in border escalations with Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. In the Red Sea region, Iran-backed Houthi militants have caused problems by launching attacks on ships and vessels. Houthis say they are supporting Hamas in Gaza and want to disrupt any shipping linked to Israel. North Korea fired multiple cruise missiles off its east coast on Sunday, its second such launch in less than a week, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said. This photo provided by the North Korean government shows what it says is an intercontinental ballistic missile in a launching drill (KCNA via AP) The missiles were launched at around 8 a.m. (2300 GMT on Saturday) and were being analysed by South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities, the JCS said, without specifying how many missiles were fired. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "While strengthening surveillance and vigilance, our military is cooperating closely with the United States and monitoring additional signs and activities from North Korea," it said in a statement. The latest launches came days after North Korea fired what it called a new strategic cruise missile called "Pulhwasal-3-31", suggesting it is nuclear capable. 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. Earlier on Sunday, North Korea's state media KCNA denounced a series of military drills conducted in recent weeks by U.S. and South Korean troops, warning of "merciless" consequences. "The reality that nuclear war exercises against our republic have been going on like crazy since the beginning of the New Year demands that we be fully prepared for a deadly war," the dispatch said. North Korea carried out its first test of a cruise missile with possible nuclear strike capabilities in September 2021. Amid the ongoing war with Russia, Ukraine has uncovered corruption worth about $40 million in the purchase of arms for the military. On Saturday, Ukraine's SBU security service gave details about the mass procurement fraud, reported news agency Reuters. The fraud involves the purchase of 100,000 mortar shells for the Ukrainian military. Ukrainian servicemen fires a self-propelled howitzer "Bohdana" towards Russian positions near Bakhmut, Ukraine, Donetsk region, Ukraine, (AP) The SBU said an investigation had "exposed officials of the Ministry of Defence and managers of arms supplier Lviv Arsenal, who stole nearly 1.5 billion hryvnias in the purchase of shells." Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. As per the investigation, former and current high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Defence and heads of affiliated companies are involved in the fraud. The SBU said six months into the Russia-Ukraine war, a contract for the shells was clinched with Lviv Arsenal in August 2022 and payment was made in advance, with some funds transferred abroad. But no arms were ever provided, the statement said, with some funds then moved to other foreign accounts. ALSO READ| Countries pause funding for UN refugee agency in Gaza amid staff's Oct 7 involvement claims Legal proceedings have started against suspects, with five individuals getting "notices of suspicion" - both in the ministry and the arms supplier. One suspect was caught while trying to leave Ukraine. In September 2023, Ukraine's Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov was removed over several corruption cases that emerged during his tenure. One corruption case involved supply of food to troops, another was linked to procurement of suitable clothing for servicemen. Meanwhile, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine is close to completing two years since Russian forces invaded the country. In the ongoing offensive, Russia claims to have annexed parts of Ukraine. Regular exchange of fire between the forces of both countries, has resulted in the deaths of thousands, including soldiers and civilians. Two assailants launched an armed attack on an Italian church in Istanbul during a religious ceremony on Sunday, leaving one person dead, Turkey's interior minister said. Turkish police stand guard outside the Italian Santa Maria Catholic Church after two masked gunmen shot one person dead during Sunday service, in Istanbul, Turkey(REUTERS) The attack occurred at around 11:40 (0840 GMT) at the Santa Maria church in the Sariyer district of Istanbul and was carried out by two masked men, Ali Yerlikaya said on social media. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. An investigation had been launched to find the attackers, he added, who fled the scene after the shooting. Television images showed police and an ambulance outside the ornate church. The minister said an individual identified only as C.T. -- who was among those attending Sunday's service -- had died after the armed attack. "We strongly condemn this vile attack," Yerlikaya said. ALSO READ| Iran launches 3 satellites into space amid ballistic missile concerns Turkey's ruling AKP party spokesman Omer Celik said the attackers took aim at a citizen during the mass. "Our security forces are conducting a large-scale investigation into the matter," he said. "Those who threaten the peace and security of our citizens will never achieve their goals." Local media reported that others were injured in the attack, but this was not immediately confirmed by the authorities. The motive for the attack was also not immediately clear. In December last year, Turkish security forces detained 32 suspects over alleged links with Islamic State jihadists who were planning attacks on churches and synagogues, as well as the Iraqi embassy. IS extremists have carried out a string of attacks on Turkish soil, including against a nightclub in Istanbul in 2017 that left 39 people dead. House Republicans on Sunday released two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas as they vowed to swiftly push forward with election-year efforts to oust him over what they call his failure to manage the U.S.-Mexico border. The rare step against a Cabinet member drew outrage from Democrats and the agency as a politically motivated stunt lacking the constitutional basis to remove Mayorkas from office. US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas attends a meeting of the Task Force on Reproductive Healthcare Access to mark the 51st anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on January 22, 2024. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)(AFP) Republicans contend Mayorkas is guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors that amount to a willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law on immigration and a breach of the public trust. Impeachment, they say, is Congress's only viable option. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Alejandro N. Mayorkas willfully and systemically refused to comply with the immigration laws, failed to control the border to the detriment of national security, compromised public safety, and violated the rule of law and separation of powers in the Constitution, to the manifest injury of the people of the United States," the impeachment resolution says. Only once in American history has a Cabinet secretary been impeached: William Belknap, President Ulysses Grant's war secretary, in 1876, over kickbacks in government contracts. Going after an official for a policy dispute, in this instance over the claim that Mayorkas is not upholding immigration laws, is unprecedented. Ever since taking control of the House in 2023, Republicans have pushed to impeach Mayorkas. Sundays announcement comes as their other impeachment drive to impeach Democratic President Joe Biden in relation to his son Hunter's business dealings has struggled to advance. But Republicans have moved with rapid speed against Mayorkas after a series of hearings in recent weeks. It all comes at a time when border security and immigration are key issues in the 2024 campaign and as Donald Trump, the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, is promising to launch the largest deportation operation in U.S. history if he returns to the White House. The Republican-controlled House Homeland Security Committee is set to vote Tuesday on the articles of impeachment, aiming to send them to the full House for consideration. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has said the House will move forward as soon as possible with a vote after that. Passage requires only a House majority. The Senate would hold a trial, and a two-thirds vote is required for conviction, an exceedingly unlikely outcome in the Democratic-run Senate. The GOP push also comes at a curious time for Mayorkas. Even as the House is taking steps to try remove him from office, Mayorkas has been engaged in arduous negotiations with senators seeking to reach a bipartisan deal on border policy. He has won praise from senators for his engagement in the process. Democrats have lambasted the impeachment proceedings, calling them a waste of time when lawmakers should be working together to solve the problems. They also say Republicans are part of the problems at the border, with Republicans attacking Mayorkas even as they have failed to give his department the tools it needs to manage the situation. They dont want to fix the problem; they want to campaign on it. Thats why they have undermined efforts to achieve bipartisan solutions and ignored the facts, legal scholars and experts, and even the Constitution itself in their quest to baselessly impeach Secretary Mayorkas, the department said in a statement Sunday. Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson, the top Democrat on the House committee, said the GOP resolution did not have a shred of evidence of high crimes or misdemeanors - the Constitutional standard for impeachment. The two articles mark the culmination of a roughly yearlong examination by Republicans of the secretary's handling of the border and what they describe as a crisis of the administration's own making. Republicans contend that the administration and Mayorkas specifically either got rid of policies in place under Trump that had controlled migration or enacted policies of their own that encouraged migrants from around the world to come to the U.S. illegally via the southern border. They also accused Mayorkas of lying to Congress, pointing to comments about the border being secure or about vetting of Afghans airlifted to the U.S. They cite growing numbers of migrants who have at times overwhelmed the capacity of Customs and Border Protection authorities to care and process them. Arrests for illegal crossings topped 2 million in each of the U.S. governments past two budget years. In December, arrests for illegal border crossings from Mexico reached an all-time high since figures have been released. The backlog of people in immigration court has grown by 1 million over the past budget year. In the articles, Republicans argue that Mayorkas is deliberately violating immigration laws passed by Congress, such as those requiring detention of migrants, and that through his policies, a crisis has arisen at the border. They accuse him of releasing migrants without effective ways to make sure they show up for court or are removed from the country. They cited an Immigration and Customs Enforcement memo written by Mayorkas that sets priorities for whom the agency should target for enforcement proceedings as proof that he is letting people stay in the country who don't have the right to do so. They also attacked the administrations use of the humanitarian parole authority, which allows the DHS secretary to admit certain migrants into the country. Republicans said the Biden administration has essentially created a mass parole program that bypasses Congress. They cited cities such as New York that have struggled with high numbers of migrants, taxing housing and education systems, as proof of the financial costs immigration is taking. Democrats, as well as Mayorkas, have argued that its not the administrations policies that are causing people to attempt to migrate to America but that the movement is part of a global mass migration of people fleeing wars, economic instability and political repression. They have argued that Mayorkas is doing the best he can to manage border security but with a system that hasnt been updated in decades and is chronically underfunded. The department on Sunday cited high numbers of people being removed from the country, especially over roughly the last six months and its efforts to tackle fentanyl smuggling as proof that DHS is not shirking its border duties. And, they said, no administration has been able to detain every person who crosses the border illegally, citing space capacities. Instead, they focus on those who pose security threats. A standard requiring 100% detention would mean that Congress should have impeached every DHS Secretary since the Department was founded, the agency said in the statement. It was almost 150 years ago when the House voted unanimously to impeach Belknap on five articles of impeachment that he had criminally disregarded his Cabinet duties and used his office for private gain. Belknap had resigned earlier that same day, March 2, 1876. After a trial in the Senate, a majority of senators vote to convict him but they didnt have enough votes to hit the the necessary two-thirds majority and Belknap was acquitted. Israel's conflict with Hamas is progressing "better than many expected," according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. ADVERTISIMENT Simultaneously, Netanyahu acknowledges that the Israeli army faces a more challenging task compared to the U.S. and its allies in Iraq combating ISIS. Netanyahu emphasized that the Israel Defense Forces' progress against Hamas has exceeded expectations. He stated, "It took the United States and its allies nine months to defeat radical forces in Mosul (during the 2016-2017 war against ISIS in Iraq). Mosul is smaller than Gaza and did not have a massive terrorist underground infrastructure. We are now in the fourth month, but we have had some difficult days." Regarding his stance on ending hostilities, Netanyahu asserted that, despite external perceptions, he represents the majority viewpoint of Israelis. He addressed criticism from some in the United States, stating, "Some people in the United States think that I am an obstacle to peace with the Palestinians. They don't realize that I reflect the viewpoint of the majority of Israelis." ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, the International Court of Justice recently ordered Israel to prevent genocide in the Gaza Strip. The decision mandates Israel to prevent the killing or injury of Palestinians in Gaza, take measures against incitement to genocide, and provide urgent assistance to address adverse living conditions in Gaza. Hamas welcomed the ICC's decision, while Israel denounced it as a "disgusting attempt to deprive the country of its right to defense. Ukraine's army has been ranked fourth in the annual ranking of the most powerful in Europe by Global Firepower. The top three are the United Kingdom, Italy, and France. ADVERTISIMENT According to the updated list, as of 2024, the Ukrainian army is inferior to even the German army (ranked fifth), which is one of the largest donors of military aid to Ukraine. "Ukraine's military power is strengthened by the financial and material support of Western allies, particularly the United States. February 2024 marks two bloody years since the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war," the review says. Spain's army took sixth place in the ranking, Poland's seventh, Sweden's eighth, Greece 's ninth, and Portugal's tenth. ADVERTISIMENT In total, 145 countries were included in the Global Firepower ranking. It is headed by the U.S. Army with an index of 0.0699, and Bhutan is in last place (6.3704). An index of 0.0000 is considered to be the ideal score. Russia (0.0702) is second, and China (0.0706) is third. The top ten also includes India (0.1023), South Korea (0.1416), the United Kingdom (0.1443), Japan (0.1601), Turkey (0.1697), Pakistan (0.1711), and Italy (0.1863). In 2022, the Armed Forces of Ukraine ranked 22nd in the ranking, in 2023 - 15th, and this year - 18th. In the ranking, Ukraine is "surrounded" by Israel in 17th place and Germany in 19th place. ADVERTISIMENT According to Global Firepower, the Ukrainian army is one of those that are "on the rise." So are the armies of Germany, Sweden, Poland, the Czech Republic, and a number of other countries. Among the Baltic states, analysts see a decline in military potential in Latvia, while Lithuania and Estonia continue to build up their military power. As reported by OBOZ.UA, Kyiv was recognized as one of the cheapest cities. It took 300th place in the world ranking out of 362, and 158th out of 173 in the European ranking. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! National Grid Encourages Customers to Enroll in Heating Assistance Programs WALTHAM, MA As winter weather and colder temperatures persist, National Grid is reminding Massachusetts customers to take advantage of energy programs that can help them manage their energy bills. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), commonly referred to as Fuel Assistance, provides eligible households with help in paying a portion of winter heating bills. Enrollment for LIHEAP is free and open through April 30, 2024, and covers energy usage from Nov. 1, 2023, to April 30, 2024. LIHEAP is open to both homeowners and renters, including households whose cost of heat is included in rent, and eligibility is based on household size and the gross annual income of every household member 18 or older. Household income cannot exceed 60 percent of estimated state median income. The program provides assistance through a fixed benefit amount for the cost of the primary source of heat, which includes, but is not limited to: electricity, oil, natural gas, propane, kerosene, wood and coal. To apply for LIHEAP: Apply online at https://www.toapply.org/MassLIHEAP Visit and apply at an agency in your area. For more information concerning LIHEAP: Visit https://www.mass.gov/service-details/learn-about-low-income-home-energy-assistance-program-liheap. Customers may also call the Cold Relief Heatline at (800) 632-8175. National Grid recognizes winter bills can pose challenges for customers. National Grids Customer Savings Initiative is designed to help customers reduce their energy use and lower energy costs, manage their energy bills and payments, and help them secure available energy assistance . Along with LIHEAP, National Grid has several programs dedicated to helping income-qualified families and customers needing special assistance meet their energy needs. Programs include but are not limited to: Discount Rates where qualifying income-eligible customers may receive a discounted rate on electric and gas service, as well as no-cost energy efficiency upgrades. The Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund is available to any Massachusetts residents who, because of temporary financial difficulty, cannot meet a months energy expense and is not eligible for state or federal energy assistance. Several bill help options and payment plans are available for customers in need of assistance. Customers may enroll in programs such as the Budget Billing Plan, which spreads monthly payments out more evenly throughout the year to offset periods of high energy usage. BCARc Grant Helps Support New Home PITTSFIELD, Mass. Berkshire County Arc (BCARc) received a $250,000 grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank to help offset the cost of building a new home in Southhampton to give new lives to four men with brain injuries. "This program is part of a statewide effort to move people with brain injuries into communities to live more independently," said Maryann Hyatt, BCArc President and CEO. "The list is long for individuals waiting for a residential program. BCArc will continue to do its part to support people with brain injury." BCArc runs 43 residential programs in Western Massachusetts supporting individuals with brain injuries and development disabilities, along with numerous other programs, employing 800 people and supporting more than 1,000 people with disabilities. Lynn DeSanty, a nurse with Northern Berkshire Pediatrics, is the January Hero of the Month for her dedication to ensuring a safe, warm and welcoming environment for children and families. DeSanty welcomes a new patient. She's been Nurse Lynnie to several generations of children and parents. PreviousNext Community Hero of the Month: Lynn DeSanty Pediatrics nurse Lynn DeSanty prepares a vaccine shot. She's retiring this year after a 42-year career in nursing. NORTH ADAMS, Mass. Northern Berkshire Pediatrics nurse Lynn DeSanty has been selected for the January Community Hero of the Month. The Community Hero of the Month series runs for the next 10 months in partnership with Haddad Auto. Nominated community members and organizations have gone above and beyond to make a positive impact on their community. DeSanty has been a nurse for 42 years and during her tenure has built a strong connection with her patients, their parents, and her co-workers. During an emotional interview, DeSanty announced that she will be retiring at the end of May, which is going to be very hard for her. "That is going to be very hard for me because I love these children, and I love all the people I work with," she said. "So my legacy, I just hope that people know how much this has meant to me my whole life, to be a nurse and to take care of their children." Although she is retiring, she intends on staying in communication with Northern Berkshire Pediatrics so she can help out when needed. "I can never not be a nurse. It would be like not being able to breathe," DeSanty said. She has wanted to be a nurse since an incident with a cruel nurse when she was a child. "I was 6 years old, my sister and I had to get our tonsils out and back then you stayed overnight in the hospital, and your parents couldn't be with you. I was very painfully shy and my sister did all the talking for me, she's a year older than I am. And we had the most cruel nurse I've ever met in my life, she was terrible," DeSanty said. "From that day on, I said, 'I'm going to be a nurse and I'm never going to be mean, I'm just going to be kind to everyone.' And so I get to live my dream every single day to do that." She has been living her dream and influencing generations of patients who look back and remember the nurse who made the scary doctor appointments less scary. "She's a staple here. She has been here for a long time and has watched generations of families come into the office and grow through years of time here working closely with them. She is a friendly face to everybody," clinical manager Jaclyn Latimer said. "... She's just very ingrained in the community and everyone knows Nurse Lynnie. She's been great with the flu clinics and all that so, she's definitely well known here and has touched many patients' lives through generations at this point." She was described as a caring, warm, and dedicated nurse who helps create a safe comfortable environment for her patients. "She helps, hugs, and loves every baby, toddler, child, and teen in Berkshire County. She is the warmest and most caring nurse I've ever seen, always a joy for kids to see Lynn. She's an angel on earth," nominator Chad Gross said. Both of Gross' sons went to Northern Berkshire Pediatrics and had DeSanty as their nurse. Although they are grown and in college now, they still remember her. Gross calls her the "Mother Teresa of Berkshire County." She never sees a stranger and can be seen out in public hugging people, Gross said, and she has a special place in heart for kids. These remarks were echoed by her co-workers who have enjoyed working with her and will greatly miss her when she retires. "She is one of the most welcoming people I've ever met. She embraces everyone with love and hugs and Lynn likes to have a good time. She definitely is a ray of positive energy that she puts out," Latimer said. It's important to bond with patients, especially in pediatrics, because it can be scary, certified medical assistant Lisa- Marie Pisano said. When a child visits the office they don't know what is going to happen. Sometimes they are sick and need an invasive procedure, such as testing for strep, or they need to get a vaccine, Pisano said. If you have a rapport with them they feel more comfortable it puts them at ease which makes the job easier, she said. "[Connecting with the patients and their parents is] important because then they develop trust. They trust you," DeSanty said. As a nurse she is responsible for all of their immunizations, scripts, and prior authorizations with insurance so it is important to have that trust, she said. "That's very important to me to take care of these children, and to take care of all their needs and the parents' needs," she said. DeSanty genuinely cares about her patients and their families, behavioral health clinician Timothy Briggs said, she wants the best for everybody. "Lynn just has the ability to just show love and care and support towards everybody. She's, as you probably know, as everybody knows, she's a huge hugger around here. She can tell when somebody's struggling or having a tough day and she reaches out her hugs for people," Briggs said. It has been wonderful working with DeSanty, Pisano said. She is kind-hearted and looks out for everyone. And if you are having a bad day you can always rely on DeSanty to give you a hug and make you smile. "She's got a candy drawer for us that she buys all our special candies that she knows that we like. So if we're having a bad day, we can go grab a piece and it always makes us smile," Pisano continued. "She just makes me want to be more like her, just love everybody for who they are and just put a smile on their face by giving them a hug or just saying a kind word." Check out our video. State Unemployment and Job Estimates for Dec. 2023 BOSTON, Mass. The state's December total unemployment rate was 3.2 percent, up 0.3 percentage point from the revised November estimate of 2.9 percent, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced. The Massachusetts unemployment rate was 0.5 percentage points lower than the national rate of 3.7 percent reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Over-the-year, the state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was down by 0.5 percentage points. The labor force grew by an estimated 13,900 from the revised estimate of 3,729,000 in November, the largest single month increase since January 2022. The increase is a result of 1,300 more residents employed and 12,600 more residents unemployed over-the-month. The state's labor force participation rate the total number of residents 16 or older who worked or were unemployed and actively sought work in the last four weeks increased by 0.3 percentage point at 64.9 percent over-the-month. Compared to December 2022, the labor force participation rate was up 0.2 percentage points. The BLS preliminary job estimates indicate Massachusetts gained 4,300 jobs in December. This follows November's revised gain of 6,400 jobs. The largest over-the-month private sector job gains were in Education and Health Services, Information, and Manufacturing. Employment now stands at 3,793,700. Massachusetts gained 732,100 jobs since the employment low in April 2020. From December 2022 to December 2023, BLS estimates Massachusetts gained 69,800 jobs. The largest over-the-year gains occurred in Education and Health Services, Construction, and Leisure and Hospitality. December 2023 Employment Overview Education and Health Services gained 3,500 jobs over-the-month. Over-the-year, 35,700 were added. Information gained 900 jobs over-the-month. Over-the-year, 1,000 were added. Construction gained 500 jobs over-the-month. Over-the-year, 9,000 were added. Manufacturing gained 500 jobs over-the-month. Over-the-year, 900 were added. Other Services gained 400 jobs over-the-month. Over-the-year, 4,800 were added. Government gained 400 jobs over-the-month. Over-the-year, 3,800 were added. Leisure and Hospitality gained 100 jobs over-the-month. Over-the-year, 6,600 were added. Professional, Scientific, and Business Services lost 100 jobs over-the-month. Over-the-year, 2,900 were added. Trade, Transportation, and Utilities lost 500 jobs over-the-month. Over-the-year, 4,000 were added. Financial Activities lost 1,400 jobs over-the-month. Over-the-year, 1,100 were added. Labor Force Overview The December estimates show 3,622,600 Massachusetts residents were employed and 120,300 were unemployed, for a total labor force of 3,742,900. The unemployment rate at 3.2 percent was up 0.3 percentage point from the revised November rate of 2.9 percent. Over-the-month, the December labor force increased by 13,900 from 3,729,000 in November, with 1,300 more residents employed and 12,600 more residents unemployed. The labor force participation rate, the share of the working age population employed and unemployed, increased by 0.3 percentage points over-the-month at 64.9 percent. The labor force was up 16,500 from the December 2022 estimate of 3,726,400, with 33,000 more employed residents, and 16,600 fewer unemployed residents. The unemployment rate is based on a monthly sample of households. The job estimates are derived from a monthly sample survey of employers. As a result, the two statistics may exhibit different monthly trends. The labor force is the sum of the numbers of employed residents and those unemployed, that is residents not working but actively seeking work in the last four weeks. Estimates may not add up to the total labor force due to rounding. The preliminary January 2024 and revised 2023 unemployment rate, labor force, and job estimates for Massachusetts will be released on Friday, March 8, 2024. See the 2024 Media Advisory annual schedule for a complete list of release dates. 27 Local Firefighters Graduate from Firefighting Academy Local Firefighters Graduate from Firefighting Academy SPRINGFIELD, Mass. The Massachusetts Firefighting Academy recently graduated Class S35 consisting of 27 firefighters representing 16 fire departments including North Adams and Pittsfield. State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine said the graduates completed the 50-day Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program. "Massachusetts firefighters are on the frontlines protecting their communities every day, and today's graduates are needed now more than ever," said Davine. "The hundreds of hours of foundational training they've received will provide them with the physical, mental, and technical skills to perform their jobs effectively and safely." Graduates from the North Adams Fire Department include Jeffrey Rodrigues and Jeffrey Tykot. Graduates from the Pittsfield Fire Department include Nathan Myers, Alexander Sawicki, and Cory Wilcox. The graduating firefighters of Class S35 also represent the fire departments of Agawam, Belchertown, Charlton, Chicopee, Gardner, North Andover, Palmer, South Hadley Fire District 1, Southwick, Turners Falls, Ware, Westfield, Westminster, and Wilbraham. "Massachusetts Firefighting Academy instructors draw on decades of experience in the fire service to train new recruits," said Massachusetts Firefighting Academy Director Eric Littmann. "Through consistent classroom instruction and practical exercises, today's graduates have developed the tools they'll need to work seamlessly with veteran firefighters in their home departments and in neighboring communities as mutual aid." Students receive classroom training in all basic firefighter skills. They practice first under non-fire conditions and then during controlled fire conditions. To graduate, students must demonstrate proficiency in life safety, search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation, and fire attack. Fire attack operations range from mailbox fires to multiple-floor or multiple-room structural fires. Upon successful completion of the Career Recruit Program, all students have met the national standards of NFPA 1001, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, and are certified to the levels of Firefighter I/II and Hazardous Materials First Responder Operations by the Massachusetts Fire Training Council, which is accredited by the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications. Modern firefighters train for and respond to all types of hazards and emergencies. They are the first ones called to respond to chemical and environmental emergencies, ranging from the suspected presence of carbon monoxide to gas leaks to industrial chemical spills. They may be called to rescue a child who has fallen through the ice, an office worker stuck in an elevator, or a motorist trapped in a crashed vehicle. They test and maintain their equipment, including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), hydrants, hoses, power tools, and apparatus. At the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, recruits learn all these skills and more, including the latest science of fire behavior and suppression tactics, from certified fire instructors. They also receive training in public fire education, hazardous material incident mitigation, flammable liquids, stress management, and self-rescue techniques. The intensive, 10-week program involves classroom instruction, physical fitness training, firefighter skills training, and live firefighting practice. The MFA provides recruit and in-service training for career, call, and volunteer firefighters at every level of experience, from recruit to chief officer, at campuses in Stow, Springfield, and Bridgewater. PLDT Inc. and its wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) ramped up the splendor at the Philippines grandest festival, Sinulog, in support of the local government of Cebu City and Sinulog Foundation, Inc. Cebuanos and tourists alike celebrated the 459th Fiesta of Senor Santo Nino in full swing, with the city buzzing with parades, concerts, pageantry, and spirited competitions. We are committed to honoring the rich heritage and passions of the Cebuanos. We believe in fostering a relationship with our loyal subscribers that extends beyond services - valuing their individuality and catering to their interests. Our aim is to be a part of their journey, not just during the festival, but in all aspects of their digital lifestyle, said Melvin Consunji Nubla, FVP and Head of Go-To-Market and Subscriber Management at Smart. Network engineers of Smart Communications, Inc. work tirelessly to maintain seamless communication services during Sinulog Festival. PLDT and Smart fortified their communication and connectivity services in anticipation of Sinulog, enabling attendees to capture and share memorable moments from the festival. Lovey Genoguin-Ascher, an Overseas Filipino Worker on vacation from Germany expressed her delight due to the reliability of Smarts signal during the festival. Smarts signal was really good. We were able to stay connected and meet with my family members at our designated meeting points. We were also able to share photos and videos on social media, said Ascher. In addition, PLDT and Smart equipped Cebu media entities and the Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino de Cebu with fast and reliable wired and data connectivity, facilitating the smooth livestreaming of the festivals mardi gras, masses, solemn foot processions. Cebuanos and tourists alike enjoy Smarts pop-up booth at Plaza Independencia in Cebu, while checking out Smarts services and promo perks for Sinulog. PLDT and Smart also set up booths at designated points around the city, providing immediate assistance to attendees, ensuring connectivity needs were met throughout the festival. In collaboration with local partner establishments such as restaurants and bars, Smart also offered exclusive perks and discounts to loyal customers, part of continuing efforts to give back to subscribers and enhance their festival experience. Overseeing Smarts participation in Visayan festivities for nearly a decade, Lloyd Genesiran, Junior Manager and Sinulog Festival Lead of Smart Go-to-Market and Subscriber Management shared, Our goal has always been to make Smart a meaningful part of Cebu City and its constituents. It's truly rewarding to see our hard work pay off and see the value we add to their Sinulog experience. PLDT and Smart ensured the spirit of the Sinulog Festival was shared with everyone, on-site and online, part of broader initiatives connecting Filipinos, and as aligned with the Group's commitment to the Government's overall digitalization thrust. Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns is not a fan of Mark Zuckerberg. Burns recently said in a podcast interview with The New York Times tech journalist Kara Swisher that Zuckerberg is an enemy of the state who he hopes to see incarcerated. "This is an enemy of the state, and I mean the United States of America, explained Burns. He doesnt give a s*** about us, the United States. He knows he can transcend it. He can get away to any place. And so its just about filthy lucre, thats it." Burns also criticised Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, calling her complicit. The Nuremberg of this, is if it ever happens, which it wont, will be pretty interesting," said Burns. "The way that weve been able to temporise and say, Oh, its OK, well just go a little bit further, right?" Last month, Burns was interviewed on MSNBC, where he said that Zuckerberg allowed "misinformation" to spread on Facebook during the most fraught time in US history. In this same interview, he spoke about Soviet style disinformation. Were at this desperate place, the convergence of all those viruses, the side effects of the misinformation and the paranoia and the lying, voter suppression, said Burns. And then the rewriting of our history are saying that were not interested in facts. Were not interested in the truth. Were not interested in the many varied voices that make us up. Youre going to love my memoir, Ken, said Swisher, plugging her own book during the interview. Burnss most groundbreaking work was producing an award-winning docu-series called The Civil War, which was created for PBS in 1990. His documentary about the Brooklyn Bridge gained him an Academy Award nomination in 1981. This February, PBS came under fire for not having enough diversity in its selection of filmmakers. PBS was targeted for having an overreliance on Burns. The PBS filmmaker released latest film Hemingway, co-created with Lynn Nivock, in April. His forthcoming series on Muhammad Ali premieres on 19 September on PBS. Ellie* was reticent at first. A 31-year-old, successful entrepreneur whod built a business from the ground up, she was hardly looking forward to the prospect of returning home to live with mum and dad. My landlord put the rent up by 300 a month and it just didnt seem worth staying for a shared house, she recalls. So, she packed up and moved to the other side of London; back into the room she grew up in. I feel pretty trapped, she says, noting how her parents are constantly around, surveilling her every move like when she was a teenager. My world just suddenly seems very small. The only other time I felt like that was when I last lived here at 23 and I escaped that by leaving the country. Maybe thats what I need to do this time. The trouble is, Ellie cant afford to leave the country. She can barely afford to leave her parents house or maintain the co-working space she rents out because even that has upped its monthly price by 10 per cent. Essentially, like many other single, city-dwelling millennials, Ellie is slowly being priced out of her life. And its not clear when, or if, shell be able to buy her way back in. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A restaurant took to social media to complain about a mother who believed the childrens menu wasnt inclusive. In a viral TikTok video, a restaurant server (@itsbaebybitch) vented about serving the crunchiest mom who took issue with the lack of healthy options on the childrens menu. She captioned the video, writing: a kombucha mom & not the good kind. She started the video by saying: The other day at work, I had the crunchiest mom at my table and this is what happened. So its a family of four, right? Two kids, mom, and dad. OK? she continued. And so I go over there and I take their order, and just say, you know, our kids menu is not extensive at all. Its like mac and cheese, grilled cheese, chicken tenders, like a kids dream. As the family ordered their food, the server said that when it was one of the kids turn to order, the mom asked, Oh, my son wants the wings. But can he substitute the chicken tenders for wings? The server said she responded, saying: I was like, oh, unfortunately, I cant substitute because, like, I dont know what happened. The price of wings is not equal to the kids menu. I cant substitute. Shes like, Fine. Well take the chicken tenders. It was then that the server said that the mother complained to her. Honestly, its super infuriating how non-inclusive your kids menu is look how much food there is for adults, the mother allegedly said. And then kids get three options and theyre all unhealthy. Yeah, like you think it would have changed over the past 20 years? the server said as she tried to joke. Like thats what I was eating when I was a kid. However, the mother reportedly replied, No, its actually infuriating. The server then suggested that the mother could order her child a side of veggies from the adult menu, but the child reportedly wanted a side of fries. The mother ultimately ordered fries for her child but also asked to speak to the servers manager. After informing her manager about the situation, the server said that their manager spoke to the mother and shut her down. She gets her ass chewed out after I got my ass chewed out and I was like, LOL, this is hilarious, the server said. Since the server posted the video on 8 February, it has garnered over 175,000 views on the platform. Many took to the comment section to sympathise with the server, but noted that with these types of customers, there are no winners. I used to walk away from people like this, someone wrote. Im not getting that tip either way. First of all, what kid is gonna want veggies over fries, one person commented, while another noted, My kid would ask me if they could have both. Thats the kind of balance I strive for. When commenters asked the server if shed been properly tipped, the server revealed that the mother had, albeit horribly. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} For almost two decades, the 2002 killing of Run-DMCs Jam Master Jay stood as one of the hip-hop worlds most infamous and elusive crimes, one of three long-unsolved slayings of major rap stars. Now Jays case is the first of those killings to go to trial. Opening statements are set for Monday in the federal murder trial of Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington, who were arrested in 2020. A brazen act, then-Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Seth DuCharme said at the time, has finally caught up with them. Washington and Jordan are accused of gunning down Jay in his recording studio over a drug dispute, a prosecution narrative challenging the public understanding of a DJ known for his anti-drug advocacy. They have pleaded not guilty, as has a third defendant who was charged this past May and will be tried separately. Jay, born Jason Mizell, formed Run-DMC in the early 1980s with Darryl DMC McDaniels and Joseph Simmons, known as DJ Run and Rev. Run. Together, the hat-wearing, Adidas-loving friends from the Hollis section of Queens built a rap juggernaut that helped the young genre go mainstream. They were the first rappers with gold and platinum albums and a Rolling Stone cover. They were the first hip-hop group with a video on MTV, where their subsequent 1986 collaboration with Aerosmith on the classic rockers' Walk This Way would bust through a wall between rap and rock, literally doing so in the accompanying music video. The group was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. We always knew rap was for everyone, Jay said in a 2001 MTV interview. "Anyone could rap over all kinds of music." Embracing rock sounds, rap wordplay and New York attitude, Run-DMC notched hits talking about things ranging from their fame to people's foibles, including perhaps the only top-100 reference to somebody accidentally eating dog food. The group also made clear where they stood on drugs and crime. We are not thugs, we dont use drugs, they declared on the platinum-selling 1987 single It's Tricky. The group did an anti-drug public service announcement and shows, called for a day of peace between warring Los Angeles gangs, established scholarships and held voter registration drives at concerts. Along the way, Jay opened a 24/7 studio in Hollis and a label, mentoring up-and-comers including 50 Cent. Jay was killed at that studio on Oct. 30, 2002. His death followed the drive-by shootings of Tupac Shakur in 1996 and The Notorious B.I.G. in 1997, a trio of hip-hop tragedies that frustrated investigators for decades. A man was charged in September in Shakurs killing in Las Vegas and has pleaded not guilty; no one has been arrested in The Notorious B.I.G.s slaying in Los Angeles. More than $60,000 in rewards were offered for information on Jays death. Theories abounded. Police received enough tips to fill 34 pages, according to a court filing. But the investigation languished as investigators said they ran up against reluctant witnesses. Prosecutors have said in court papers that the case took crucial strides in the last five years as they interviewed new people, did more ballistics tests and got important witnesses to cooperate, among other steps. But defense lawyers have claimed the government dragged its feet in indicting Washington and Jordan, making it harder for them to defend themselves. Authorities say the two men confronted Jay in his studio after being buzzed in. Prosecutors allege Washington brandished a gun and ordered a witness to lie on the floor, and Jordan shot the 37-year-old DJ in the head and another witness in the leg. The motive, according to prosecutors: anger that Jay was going to cut Washington out of a plan to distribute 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of cocaine in Maryland. Prosecutors maintain the DJ had been mixed up in kilo-level coke deals since 1996. His family has insisted he wasn't involved with drugs. Investigators were quick to eye Washington, who reportedly had been living on Jays couch. Washington already had a record of gun, assault, drug and other convictions, and authorities said he went on a robbery spree after Jay's death, hopping among motels until being arrested three months later in the hold-ups, authorities said. He had told authorities and Playboy magazine in 2003 that he was present during Jay's killing but the armed men were Jordan and another man. Prosecutors publicly identified him in 2007 as a suspect. After being arrested in the shooting while still in prison for the robberies he told agents he never wanted someone else to get in trouble for something he (Washington) had put them up to," prosecutors said in court papers. Lawyers for Washington, 59, have said in court papers that he didn't match DNA on a wool hat found at the crime scene, and they have raised questions about a witness' identification of him. A message sent Friday seeking comment on the upcoming trial was not immediately returned by his lead attorney, Susan Kellman. Prosecutors have portrayed Jordan in court filings as a veteran drug dealer who boasted about his activities in his own raps, including a video called Silver Spoon filmed in front of a mural of Jay and a gun-filled clip titled Aim for the Head." Authorities say they have their own videos, too: recordings of him repeatedly selling cocaine to an undercover agent in 2017. Jordan, 40, has pleaded not guilty to gun and cocaine charges that will be decided at the murder trial. Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall said in 2020 she is "not going to hold any individual accountable for the lyrics in a rap song that is consumed by our community and, in fact, its consumed by me, according to the New York Daily News. Jordan's lead lawyer, Mark DeMarco, declined to comment ahead of the trial. In court papers, he has said Jordan adamantly denied his involvement in the murder and was at his then-girlfriends home when it happened. He considered Jay to be family, since the DJ grew up across the street from Jordan's father, his defense wrote. If convicted, Washington and Jordan face at least 20 years in prison. The government has said it would not seek the death penalty. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A 12-year-old girl has been left with life-changing injuries after being hit by a van at a drive-thru in Oldham. The incident took place just after school at 3.05pm on Friday at Tim Hortons fast-food restaurant on Manchester Road. Police have arrested a male driver on suspicion of causing serious injury by careless driving. He remained in police custody for questioning on Saturday. Emergency services, including paramedics and police, took the girl to hospital, where she was found to have life-changing injuries, according to police. Officers taped off a stretch of the drive-thru as they responded to the incident. A statement from Greater Manchester Police identified the girl as 14, but this was later clarified to say she was 12. The fast food drive-thru remained closed while a police cordon was in place (Google Street View) Tim Hortons is a Canadian franchise popular in the north of England. The branch opened less than a year ago in April 2023 . The child suffered life-changing injuries and was taken to hospital. The male driver of the van was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by careless driving. He remains in police custody and the investigation is ongoing. The Independent has approached Tim Hortons for comment. 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. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The record for the highest maximum temperature on a January day has just been broken after a provisional record was measured in northern Scotland. The Met Office said they had recorded a 19.6C temperature on Sunday in Kinlochewe, a village in the northwest Highlands about an hours drive from Inverness. People walking in the New Forest enjoy the unseasonably balmy recent temperatures (Geoffrey Swaine/Shutterstock) In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the Met Office said: There has provisionally been a new UK January daily max temperature record set today at Kinlochewe where the temperature reached 19.6C. This beats the previous January UK record of 18.3C set at Inchmarlo and Aboyne in 2003 and Aber in 1958 and 1971. The nearly 20C temperature means that it is hotter at the time of writing in northwest Scotland than in Rome, the French Riviera and Barcelona in Spain. Donald MacLennan, manager of the Kinlochewe Hotel, confirmed it was really hot outside. But I can't see anyone out enjoying it as it's blowing a hoolie, he told the BBC. Were surrounded by mountains so the place can be a bit of a heat trap and weve been in the news before for being the hottest place in the UK. According to meteorologists, the northwestern village of Kinlochewe was experiencing unusually warm conditions in part because of southerly winds drawing up a mild air mass across Scotland. The village was also subject to a yellow wind warning on Sunday, with gusts in excess of 40mph forecast. The warning was in place for the northwest Highlands and Outer Hebrides between 11am and 5pm. A gust of 71mph was recorded in the Western Isles. Elsewhere, Scotlands central belt and the eastern coast of Northern Ireland were already under a yellow wind warning, due to last from 10am to 8pm. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A Royal Navy warship successfully repelled a drone attack by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea on Saturday, the defence secretary has announced. Grant Shapps said the UK remained undaunted after the assault by the Iran-backed rebel group, adding that the governments commitment to protecting innocent lives and the freedom of navigation was absolutely unwavering. None of the crew were injured and the HMS Diamond was undamaged, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement. The ship shot the drone down using its missile defence system. RECOMMENDED US Navy secretary Carlos Del Toro said the UK should reassess its armed forces size in light of global threats (PA Media) It is not the first time the HMS Diamond has been targeted by the group. An attack earlier this month is widely seen as the step which triggered joint US-UK airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen, following months of provocation. The militants claim they are targeting ships linked to Israel as part of a campaign of support for Palestinians during the war in Gaza. This assertion has been rejected by the UK and the US, however. In the early hours of Saturday, the US also destroyed a Houthi anti-ship missile, just hours after an attack that left a fire raging on a British-linked oil tanker. Grant Shapps says the UKs commitment to protecting lives in the Red Sea is unwavering (PA Wire) Mr Shapps condemned that assault as intolerable, while the government said Britain and its allies reserved the right to respond appropriately. Despite the strikes by the allies, the defiant Houthis have vowed bloody retaliation and have continued to attack vessels in the Red Sea and beyond. RECOMMENDED The MoD said: These intolerable and illegal attacks are completely unacceptable and it is our duty to protect the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. We want to thank the brave crew of HMS Diamond for their service to defend British and international interests. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A Labour MP has been suspended over a Holocaust Memorial Day post suggesting the Israeli action in Gaza is genocide. An investigation has now been launched over the post on X made by Kate Osamor, the MP for Edmonton in north London, on Friday. In her message, Ms Osamor wrote: Tomorrow is Holocaust Memorial Day, an international day to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, the millions of other people murdered under Nazi persecution of other groups and more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and now Gaza. Her remarks came on the same day judges at the International Court of Justice in the Hague said they found it plausible that Israel has committed acts in Gaza that violate the Genocide Convention during a landmark case brought against them by South Africa. But her reference to genocide in Gaza drew huge criticism, with the Board of Deputies of British Jews issuing a statement saying it unreservedly condemn(s) the attempts by Kate Osamor to link the Holocaust to the current situation in Gaza. The Jewish Labour Movement also condemned the inappropriate and offensive remarks. Sadly Kate Osamor MP used Holocaust Memorial Day to make an inappropriate and offensive comparison to the war in Gaza. Her subsequent non-apology rang hollow, the group said in a statement. These days, we know the Labour Party is better than this. We join others, including her own CLP, in calling on Labour to suspend her while they investigate. Following the backlash, but before her suspension, the MP for Edmonton in north London issued an apology for any offence caused. When referencing the situation in Gaza in a subsequent post, she opted to describe it as a humanitarian disaster as opposed to a genocide. Holocaust Memorial Day is a day to remember the 6 million Jews killed in the Holocaust and the genocides that have occurred since, she posted on X on Friday. I apologise for any offence caused by my reference to the ongoing humanitarian disaster in Gaza as part of that period of remembrance. A Labour source confirmed on Sunday evening that the chief whip has suspended Ms Osamor from the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) pending an investigation. A spokesperson for Momentum, the left-wing activist group set up while Jeremy Corbyn was leader, offered its support to the suspended MP suggesting that racism was behind Labours approach to disciplinary issues. This outrageous decision further damages Labours reputation for anti-racism under Keir Starmer, and should be immediately reversed, they said. Just two days ago, the International Court of Justice found that Israel had a plausible case to answer on genocide in regards to its brutal and inhumane war on Gaza. But instead of echoing this call to stop a potential genocide, Keir Starmer is attacking those calling it out. We call on all in Labour to resist this shameful and opportunistic attempt to hound another Black woman out of the party. A senior figure on Labours national executive committee (NEC) also suggested that racism and misogyny were behind her suspension accusing Sir Keirs team of double standards. Mish Rahman a socialist member of the NEC and vice-chairman of Momentum said there were clear double standards in how Labour treats the cases of Steve Reed and Barry to that of Diane Abbott and Kate Osamor. The left-winger added on X, formerly Twitter: Like Steve, Kate too apologised and deleted swiftly but Kate got suspended and Steve not. I wonder what the difference is? Mr Rahman was previously blocked from becoming the partys parliamentary candidate in Wolverhampton West. South Africa brought the allegations of genocide to the International Court of Justice (REUTERS) UN judges in the Hague said on Friday that Israel must ensure its forces do not commit genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The 17-strong panel said it would not throw out the genocide case against Israel and that it must provide basic humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip but it 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 Strip and killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. The Israeli militarys attacks on Gaza followed a deadly attack by Hamas on 7 October that killed more than 1,100 people and led to roughly 240 being taken hostage. The former shadow development secretary Ms Osamor, who served in Jeremy Corbyns top team, is the second Labour MP to apologise for remarks about the war in Gaza this week. Tahir Ali accused Rishi Sunak of having the blood of thousands of innocent people on his hands over his response to the conflict. Labour MP Tahir Ali apologised after accusing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of having the blood of thousands of innocent people on his hands over his response to the Israel-Gaza war (PA Media) The comments in the House of Commons prompted the Labour leadership to quickly distance itself and Mr Ali later posted an apology on X, formerly Twitter. Earlier at PMQs I asked the prime minister about the actions of Israel in Gaza. This is obviously a deeply emotive issue, he said. While I do not resile from my strongly held views on the situation in the Middle East, I would like to apologise for the way in which I described the prime minister in my question. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Kemi Badenoch has told plotters trying to oust Rishi Sunak from office to stop stirring but did not rule out a future leadership bid. The business secretary said she fully supported the prime minister as she attempted to distance herself from the bid to eject him from Downing Street. Her name is at the centre of intense speculation over who could replace him, but she insisted the shadowy group were not her friends. They dont care about me. They dont care about my family or what this would entail. They are just stirring, she said. But she did not rule out a future tilt at the top job, saying You never know these things [standing again] until youre in the moment. Business secretary Kemi Badenoch (Aaron Chown/PA) The beleaguered Mr Sunak is the focus of a plot by MPs, donors and former aides to force him from office. Ms Badenochs name has been put forward as the possible consensus candidate to replace him the MP who could command the most support across the party. Asked about the plot on Skys Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, she said: A lot of people who are going around doing this are creating problems and difficulties that the party and, more importantly, the country does not need. I fully support the prime minister. Those putting her name forward are not her friends, she said, adding: They need to stop messing around and get behind the leader. Prime minister Rishi Sunak (EPA) The fact of the matter is most people in the country are not interested in all of this Westminster tittle-tattle. Quite frankly, the people who keep putting my name in there are not my friends. Tory donors recently funded an explosive poll that predicted a devastating Labour landslide unless Mr Sunak was removed as leader. Tory peer Lord Frost, who organised the poll, has been warned he risks losing the party whip unless he comes clean and names the anonymous moneymen. And this week a senior Tory linked to Liz Truss and Boris Johnson, Sir Simon Clarke, went public with calls for his party leader to go. Ms Badenoch said she called Sir Simon afterwards and asked him what on earth he was doing. She warned the Tory party cannot keep treating prime ministers as disposable, as she said she was extremely frustrated at the speculation. But another Boris Johnson ally, Nadine Dorries accused Ms Badenoch of pursuing her leadership ambitions despite the denials. On Ms Badenochs effective call for the plotters to shut up, Ms Dorries said: She should take her own advice. She also accused the business secretary and former immigration minister, Robert Jenrick, seen as another leadership contender, of self-interest, saying: What they are out for is themselves. Tim Montgomerie, who worked for Boris Johnson in Downing Street, said Tory members watching her interview would be thinking: I would not mind Kemi as leader. A secret group of up to seven former advisers have been accused of running the campaign, dubbed the Sheekey plotters after a well-known seafood restaurant, J Sheekey, in central London they are said to frequent. One was publicly unveiled as Will Dry, a former No 10 special adviser who worked on polling, while others are reported to have threatened to sue those who publicly name them. The group are thought to be planning a war of attrition against the prime minister and are seen as upcoming pain points for the Tory leader, including looming by-elections and the local elections in May. No 10 has taken to calling their attacks the grid of s***, a play on the Downing Street grid which dictates when government announcements will be made. Politics Explained The Home Office Rwanda stance is a riddle without a solution The Home Office has granted asylum to Rwandan refugees at the same time as arguing the country is a safe destination for asylum seekers. Kate Devlin analyses what this means for Rishi Sunaks flagship policy to stop the boats crossing the Channel The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Archaeologists have found hundreds of preserved artefacts within the remnants of the HMS Erebus nearly two centuries after it sank in Arctic Canada. Pistols, sealed bottles of medicine, fishing rods and seamans chests were among the discoveries made by Parks Canada, the underwater team that completed the most recent exploration of the wreck. Underwater archaeologist Marc-Andre Bernier inspects a seamens chest on Erebus (Brett Seymour/Parks Canada) HMS Erebus and HMS Terror went missing in 1845 during an expedition that set off from Greenhithe in Kent to find the Northwest Passage, a polar route that linked the Atlantic and Pacific. It was led by the British Royal Navy officer and Arctic explorer Sir John Franklin. The ships failed to return and it was not until the 1850s that the Scottish explorer John Rae discovered, after interviewing local Inuits, that Franklin had died in 1847 after his ships had been trapped in sea ice for two years. All 129 crew members were believed to have died. The tragedy is considered one of the worst disasters in the history of British polar exploration. Mr Bernier is part of the Parks Canada team exploring the wreck (Parks Canada ) After the ships were found - Erebus in 2014 and Terror in 2016 - diving missions have been rushed as severe storms continue to degrade the wreckages. Divers conducted 68 missions in September last year to the HMS Erebus, which is positioned just 11 metres below the surface compared to Terrors 24 metres. Erebus was found in shallow water in Wilmot and Crampton Bay in Arctic Canada. Inside a cabin believed to belong to Second Lieutenant Henry Dunda Le Vesconte, archaeologists unearthed artefacts such as an intact thermometer, a leather-bound book cover, and a fishing rod adorned with a brass reel. Meanwhile, a leather shoe, storage jars, and a sealed pharmaceutical bottle were discovered in an area presumed to be the captains stewards pantry. Further exploration focused on a seamans chest in the forecastle area, the primary living quarters for the crew. Within it, archaeologists uncovered pistols, medicinal bottles, and coins. The meticulous documentation extended to the capture of thousands of high-resolution digital images, forming the basis for precise 3D models crucial in understanding the evolving state of the site. Jonathan Moore, who led the expedition, highlighted the challenges posed by dives as the wreckage continues to deteriorate. Parts of the ships upper deck collapsed recently and other parts are sloping over dangerously, he said. Its getting tricky down there. The meticulous investigation, conducted with care, has thus far yielded no human remains. The wrecks, gifted to Canada by the United Kingdom in 2018, are jointly overseen by the Inuit and Parks Canada, ensuring a collaborative and respectful approach to this historical exploration. Mr Moore said they would look to search the Terror only after they had carried out research on the Erebus. Terror is 24 metres below sea level, but Erebus is only 11m down, and that makes the latter our prime concern, he said.We are going to concentrate on it and peel back its story layer by layer. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Planning to escape the brutal cold in exchange for a tropical paradise this winter? Might want to think twice about the Bahamas. The US embassy released a security warning and travel advisory that the island nation is currently unsafe for tourists as the capital city of Nassau has reported 18 murders since the beginning of 2024. The US Embassy in Nassau advises US citizens to be aware that 18 murders have occurred in Nassau since the beginning of 2024, the embassy wrote in the release. Murders have occurred at all hours including in broad daylight on the streets. Retaliatory gang violence has been the primary motive in 2024 murders. Following the security alert, the US State Department on Friday put the Bahamas on its Exercise Increased Caution list raising it to a Level 3 as it warned Americans to keep a low profile, be aware of the surroundings, and to not resist if confronted by robbers. Violent crime, such as burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assaults, occur in both tourist and non-tourist areas, the warning read. Be vigilant when staying at short-term vacation rental properties where private security companies do not have a presence. Sandbars and islands in the Bahamas (Getty Images/iStockphoto) The State Department also told travellers that they should not even try to physically resist when being robbed and use caution when traveling at night. Many recreational watercraft rentals, tours and trips are inconsistently regulated, the State Department also warned. Watercraft may be poorly maintained, and some operators may not have safety certifications, the release said. Always review and heed local weather and marine alerts before engaging in water-based activities. The department also reminded Americans not to swim alone in the Bahamas, where there have been recent shark attacks. In December, a female tourist from Boston was killed by a shark while paddleboarding less than a mile off the western end of New Providence island, where the capital, Nassau, is located, the Associated Press reported. At least 33 confirmed unprovoked shark attacks have been reported in the Bahamas since 1580, with the island ranking ninth worldwide, according to the International Shark Attack File. Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis responded to the recent security alert in a national address last week, stating there will be an increase in police action and roadblocks, according to the Nassau Guardian. This may make you late for your appointments, or delay plans you have, but this is a small price to pay for the collective benefit of having our streets made safer, and our lives less blighted by murder and other violent crimes, he said. Last week, the State Department raised its advisory level for travel to Jamaica to Level 3 based on violent crime including home invasions, armed robberies, homicides, and sexual assaults - which occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Only delivery trucks were barreling down the icy main street of Ouray before dawn on Thursday, but the newspaper kiosks were fully stocked a welcome turnaround from exactly one week earlier. Thats when the roughly 5,000 residents of this mountainous Colorado county awoke to find that almost every copy of the local paper had been swiped from red-branded newspaper boxes dotted around its two main towns. The front page story of the Ouray County Plaindealer detailed sexual assault allegations against three local young men, including the stepson of Ouray Police Chief Jeff Wood, but no one could read it. The Plaindealer cried foul, and the theft launched the story into the stratosphere. It seemed, at first glance, to feature all the gripping elements of a noir small-town scandal: A young girl raped. A local paper censored. A police department blamed. A hunt for the paper thief among a tiny population in a seasonal community. The Plaindealer leaned into that narrative fast. Im sorry that most of you locals who like to get your papers from the racks were not able to put your quarters in and receive your weekly news today, co-publisher Erin McIntyre said last Thursday afternoon in a statement to readers, adding: Its pretty clear that someone didnt want the community to read the news this week. She wrote dryly: Ill leave it up to you to draw your own conclusions on which story they didnt want you to read. The mountain of Ouray in southwest Colorado known for ice climbing, skijoring and the Million Dollar Highway is about a five and a half hour drive from Denver (Sheila Flynn) The implications were clear that the cops, or someone connected to the accused, had stolen the copies or orchestrated the theft. Ourays police department, fire department and county sheriffs office are clustered on the same street in the tiny, scenic historic district; locals are quick to point out that Ouray, while a mountain town, is not a ski town. The tony slopes of Telluride are about an hours drive away, but Ouray founded as a mining camp not even 150 years ago draws a different crowd of ice climbers, skijoring enthusiasts and tourists drawn to its hot springs. (The mercantile store on the main street on Thursday sported a sign on its front door imploring customers to remove crampons before entering.) It would soon become apparent that all had not been what it seemed. Someone, indeed, had not wanted the community to read the news but that someone was connected to the victim, not the alleged perpetrators. Paul Choate, a 41-year-old local restaurateur close to the victims family, had grabbed an early copy and could not make it through the entire article before I was disgusted, he told The Independent on Thursday. The piece, written from a 24-page, heavily-redacted affidavit, included what he considered to be graphic details about the assault allegedly perpetrated last May against the 17-year-old victim by Gabriel Trujillo, 20; Ashton Whittington, 18; and Nate Dieffenderffer, the chiefs then-17-year-old stepson allegedly at Woods home. It wasnt the first local article about the case; the Plaindealer had previously run the accuseds mugshots and reported that there had been an alleged assault. But Mr Choate says the detailed brutality in the 24 January edition left him angrily horrified and, acting out of emotion, he went around emptying the newspaper kiosks before the county began its Thursday. That was dumb on my part, he said. I never would have thought it would hit national news or even state news. I thought, by returning the papers and offering compensation for any damages, that they would kind of realize theyre wrong in it and we would just bury it but instead it was published and it hit the Denver news. The 25 January edition of the weekly Ouray County Plaindealer included an editorial addressing the theft of papers from newsstands the previous week and criticism the publication weathered (Sheila Flynn) He also never would have thought that suspicion would centre on the police and the accused mens families. I know that the family of the perpetrators are not bad people, he said. I wanted no blame to be placed on anyone. But myself, you know, Ill own up to everything and I dont want it to negatively affect the families of everything going on on both sides. He added: I never would have thought it would come to this. I never, ever wanted to draw any negative eye towards this community. His backfiring decision, however, inadvertently shone a spotlight on the difficulties prosecuting and reporting on sex assault cases of such magnitude in a close-knit population so remote. In the days after the paper theft as donations poured in to the Plaindealer from free media supporters and as Ouray hosted the annual Ice Festival for which its famous the town also found itself at the unexpected center of a debate about local journalism, the First Amendment and the ethics of sexual assault coverage. Ouray is perhaps best known as the start of the Million Dollar Highway, a breathtaking 25-mile drive to Silverton, and the town is closer to the Utah and New Mexico borders than it is to the state capital. Denver is nearly 200 miles away as the crow flies the drive a good five and a half hours or more. But few people were talking openly about the sexual assault case in Ouray, where the year-round population hovers around 1,000 but swells seasonally. As is often the way, however, the drama was playing out on Facebook as locals took to their keyboards many supporting Mr Choate, others taunting him, still others sharing unrelated complaints about the paper. The Plaindealer addressed the fiasco head-on in its 25-31 January edition, slapping a below-the-fold editorial on the front page headlined The local news minefield: tough decisions, lessons learned. The previous weeks piece, the publishers wrote, triggered a backlash against us from some who felt like we shared too much information about the alleged violent assault. For that, we are sorry. But we need to explain why we made those tough decisions. Our job is to communicate facts, however gruesome and objectionable, to show what is going on here in our community. Speaking to The Independent, McIntyre said Thursday that she did not expect that backlash at all and I think if this story had been reported in a larger place, it probably would have hit differently and I dont know that it would have elicited the response that it did here. This is a really emotional situation anyway. And to have a case involving sex assault with three separate defendants and pretty egregious allegations, in the basement of the police chiefs house, I mean, thats pretty bad already, the 44-year-old said. But then I think the violence is probably what pushed some people over the edge. The newspaper kiosks holding the 25-31 January edition of the Plaindealer were left untouched this week (Sheila Flynn) It had been her byline on the stolen editions story. McIntyre and her husband, co-publisher Mike Wiggins, staff the paper along with one Report for America journalist and a rescue pup named Walter Cronkite. When I was reading that affidavit and trying to decide how to frame the story and accurately illustrate what happened, its difficult to know what to include or not include because if you include too much, then youre being gratuitous, McIntyre told The Independent. And if you just gloss over it, then its almost like youre silencing the victim and her experience, and youre diminishing what she says happened. So I felt like I tried to choose the right balance, but clearly some people did not agree with that. And I do think that perhaps I was using a lens that wasnt calibrated for this place. The Plaindealer published an expanded letters to the editor section on Thursday, several of the missives critical of its editorial decisions. Three subscribers have cancelled since last weeks publication, McIntyre told The Independent, while 40 more have renewed or signed up. The Plaindealer boasts around 1,000 e-subscribers and 1500 print readers, she said proportionally impressive numbers as the media landscape pales nationwide. Obviously, were going to be really careful about what details we include from here on out, McIntyre said. And we heard people when they said that they felt like it was too much. We did. Choate, without a doubt falling into that camp, included links to victim support groups in his initial Facebook mea culpa including to the Ouray County Support and Advocacy Project (OCSAP), a non-profit formed last January to serve victims of sexual and intimate partner violence. OCSAP Board Vice President Heather Toth, who owns local coffee shop Mojo Cafe, was seething on Thursday about how the entire episode had snowballed. Ultimately, this is because of the perpetrators, she said. All of this the paper, the papers being stolen, the way the paper wrote about it, the way that the community is all stirred up I just want to be really clear that this is caused by the perpetrators of this incident. At the same time, she said, it was not reported, and I think it should have been, that the victim in this case did not want to report to police. Ouray, with a year-round population of about 1,000 which swells seasonally, is also the seat of 5,000-strong Ouray County (Sheila Flynn) They were a minor at the time, and it was a case of mandated reporting. They did not want to report this, and they did not have a choice and then, now, they dont have a choice in what the paper publishes about them. They dont have a choice in what people say about them. They dont have a choice in who knows this, because this has gone national and international. Toth said shed been bolstered by the outpouring of support for the victim, but the awful set of circumstances also offered an opportunity for community learning and growth about how to handle these cases particularly in a very small town. There are fewer than 200 high school students between the two county secondary schools in Ouray and Ridgway, and everyone tends to at least know of everybody else. Not only do you have, as a victim of an act of violence, the trauma, the shock, the physical impact, the psychological impact, just, like, how it affects your ability to function as a human, but then you have this added layer of, what does everybody think of you? Toth said. And theyre telling you, or youre hearing about it, or youre seeing maybe even your perpetrator or the perpetrators family on a regular basis. You cant get away from that in this kind of small community. She emphasized that community entities including media needed to do better when it came to always choosing to prioritize the victim. Imperative when covering or even discussing cases, she said, was to imagine the victims in the room with you; the victim can see you and they can hear you. And that person is your most cherished loved one. So were starting there, with that knowledge, with that approach. When a paper or a news organization reports on these crimes, I would hope and ask that they hold themselves to that standard. At the Plaindealer, McIntyre said feedback following Thursdays front-page editorial indicated that people appreciate that were willing to reflect, and that we heard what people were saying. The Plaindealer says it ran every letter in an expanded Letters to the Editor section following the theft (Sheila Flynn) But weve also said were not going to shy away from telling these stories, because there are people who think we shouldnt have reported it at all. Choate, for his part, says he wishes he would have sat down and taken some deep breaths and wrote a very long letter to the editor. Despite the explosive level of publicity the theft brought to the story, he said the victim is doing remarkably well. She is an amazingly strong young woman, he told The Independent. And its very surprising how well shes coping with this; of course, its very, very difficult on her and everyone around her. I wish I could take my actions back, because I would never have tried to put a spotlight on it the way it has been. Hes facing uncertain legal penalties as the trio accused face sexual assault charges. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation has headed up the assault investigation, and all three charged are scheduled for virtual courts next month. In the meantime, the restaurateur said he hoped that there can be good that comes out of a situation like this for future victims. On Thursday, among the ten letters to the editor the Plaindealer published one calling for the police chiefs resignation, some criticizing the paper, some praising it a message from another Ouray reader stood out. It detailed programs in the Ridgway schools to educate about respect and consent, including visits from the Ouray County Sheriffs Office as well as self-defense courses and other resources. But the writer, Jen Donovan, also directly addressed parents and community members, urging them to be open, present and generous with their time and financial support. But mostly, talk and reflect, she write, end the rape culture by creating the mindset that you dont blame the victim, you blame the perpetrator(s). The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Kaylee Goncalves, one of the four victims in the University of Idaho student murders, was found upright, slumped against the wall, her parents recently revealed. The 21-year-old was brutally stabbed to death in an off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho, on 13 November 2022, along with Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin. A trial date is still unknown for their suspected killer. Steve and Kristi Goncalves, Kaylees parents, sat down for an interview with ABC News this week, where they revealed they had received thousands of photos of the scene of the grisly crime from police. Some of the images revealed the final position of Kaylees body when she died. The side where Kaylee was, was up against the wall. And if you can imagine, Kaylee in an upright sort of position up in the corner slumped. I mean she was trapped, Ms Goncalves told ABC News. The bed was the entire room. You could barely open up the door without swiping the foot of the bed - and it was wall. The headboard was up against the wall. Kaylee Goncalves, 21, was brutally stabbed to death in an off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho (Kaylee Goncalves/Instagram) Goncalves and Mogens bodies were found in the bedroom on the third floor, while Kernodle and Chapin were found on the second floor of the home, The Independent previously reported. Bryan Kohberger is accused of breaking into the off-campus student home on King Road and stabbing to death the four students with a large, military-style knife. Prosecutors say Kohbergers DNA was found on a knife sheath that was discovered on Mogens bed next to her body. The Goncalves said in the interview this week that they were also given some of Kaylees belongings from the house, including a trash can from her room that was full and appeared untouched, her mother recalled. 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, Ms Goncalves said. Police said they had gathered more than 100 pieces of physical evidence from the scene, along with some 4,000 photos and 3D scans of the residence. The Goncalves, who have long questioned the competency of the investigation, publicly stated last month that they were against the demolition of the three-story house where the murders took place. But on 28 December, despite several protests, the home was razed to the ground. Meanwhile, the family said they are still waiting on a full digital copy of Kaylees phone from police. "Were just left in limbo, Kaylees dad, Steve Goncalves said. These are the last moments of your childs life and youre sitting here fighting with somebody who just doesnt care. The Goncalves, along with the other victims families, have eagerly been waiting for a trial date to be set for Kohberger. But getting that answer was put on hold again. The Goncalves publicly stated last month that they were against the demolition of the three-story house where the murders took place (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) On Friday, the 29-year-old criminology PhD student and accused mass killer appeared in a Latah County courtroom where his legal team made another bid to have his indictment dismissed and to unseal documents in the case, which Judge John Judge denied. The judge was also expected to set a trial date with prosecutors arguing for summer 2024 due to concerns of more school traffic in the fall and the spring. I am still concerned about the victims and their families, prosecutor Bill Thompson said. 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. 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, he added. Kohbergers defence team 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. Ultimately, Judge Judge decided to hold off on setting a date. 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. Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, were killed in November 2022 (Instagram) The demolition of the house in December marked an emotional step for the victims families and a close-knit community that were devastated by the brutal slayings of the students. 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 in on Kohbergers family home in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania and arrested him for the quadruple murders. 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. 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. Kohberger, who is facing the death penalty for the killings (AP) A criminal justice PhD student at WSU, 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. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Kenneth Eugene Smith became the first person in the world to be put to death using nitrogen gas, after his execution was carried out on Thursday at an Alabama prison. Smith, 58, was pronounced dead at 8.25pm CT after breathing pure nitrogen gas through a face mask to cause oxygen deprivation a method that is wholly untested and decried as inhumane by death penalty experts and the United Nations. It marked the first time that a new execution method has been used in the United States since lethal injection, now the most commonly used method, was introduced in 1982. The US Supreme Court and a federal appeals court both refused to halt his execution on Wednesday, following last-ditch efforts by his legal team. The execution took about 22 minutes from the time between the opening and closing of the curtains to the viewing room. For at least two minutes, Smith appeared to shake and writhe on the gurney, sometimes pulling against the restraints. In his final statement, Smith said, Tonight Alabama causes humanity to take a step backwards. ... Im leaving with love, peace and light. Thank you for supporting me. Love, love all of you, Smith said as he made the I love you sign with his hands toward family members who were watching from the viewing room. But how did Smith end up on death row in the first place? In 1988, Smith was convicted of murdering Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett in a murder-for-hire plot in Colbert County, Alabama. Sennett was the wife of Church of Christ pastor Charles Sennett, who allegedly paid Smith and another man $1,000 to kill his spouse. The pastor was allegedly deeply in debt and wanted to collect on insurance from her death, according to court documents. Sennett was killed in a brutal attack inside her home. She was beaten by a fireplace implement and stabbed 10 times in the chest and neck, according to theBBC. Her death had been staged to look like a home invasion and burglary. In 1989, Smith was sentenced to death for capital murder, but it was overturned on appeal in 1992. A jury then sentenced him to life without parole by a vote of 11 to one. But Smith ultimately wasnt spared a death sentence, as a judge overruled the jury and handed him the death penalty for a second time in 1996. Judicial overriding of capital punishment was recently barred in the state, but the law does not apply retroactively. Smith has already survived one botched execution attempt in November 2022, when he was punctured with needles for nearly four hours. Prison employees called the execution off as they were unable to set an IV line into his veins. Smiths accomplice in the murder-for-hire plot, John Forrest Parker, has already been executed in 2010. Meanwhile, Charles Sennett killed himself as law enforcement began suspecting him of ordering the hit on his wife. The Independent and the non-profit Responsible Business Initiative for Justice (RBIJ) have launched a joint campaign calling for an end to the death penalty in the US. The RBIJ has attracted more than 150 well-known signatories to its Business Leaders Declaration Against the Death Penalty with The Independent as the latest on the list. We join high-profile executives such as Ariana Huffington, Facebooks Sheryl Sandberg and Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson as part of this initiative and are making a pledge to highlight the injustices of the death penalty in our coverage. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Annie Farmer knew the answers shed been looking for nearly three decades would not magically appear in the more than 4,000 pages of Jeffrey Epstein documents unsealed this month. But she hoped she might get some semblance of an explanation. Because Annie wasnt just a victim of Epstein she was a whistleblower. After being molested as a teenager by Epstein and his associate, convicted child abuser Ghislaine Maxwell, her sister reported what they knew to the FBI. They expected a full-scale investigation. What they got was ten years of silence. Annie followed the unsealing of the Epstein documents in New York from a distance more than a thousand miles away, in a different state where shes created a life far removed from the events shes recounted to investigators, journalists and in court countless times. It can feel really tiring, she tells The Independent over the phone. I was glad to hear that these documents were being unsealed and there was going to be a little bit more to be shed on some of the players involved, but it was also something I was trying not to focus on too much. Annie was introduced to Epstein and Maxwell by her older sister Maria, a New York City-based artist whom Epstein had hired to do artwork. Under the guise that he wanted to support Annies education, Epstein invited the then-16-year-old to his ranch in Santa Fe in 1996. There, Annie was molested by Maxwell and Epstein after they pressured her to have a topless massage. At night, Epstein curled up in bed behind the terrified teen a scene she later described while testifying in Maxwells 2021 trial. Months later, her sister Maria was also assaulted at his New York City townhouse. When Maria learned that Annie had been similarly abused, she reported Epstein to the FBI. Twenty-eight years after Maria first contacted federal authorities only for the report to be buried for a decade before Epsteins Florida investigation and twenty-two since the Farmer sisters first came forward with their story to the media for a Vanity Fair story that was eventually killed the full extent of Epsteins crimes is still unravelling. But while the public attention has been largely placed on the prominent names linked to Epstein and the scandalous revelations in the last batch of unredacted documents, core questions about the way federal investigators essentially ignored the Farmer sisters reports have yet to be answered. Theres been sensational aspects of the case and a lot of focus on whos been on what plane, on what date and what does that mean, Annie said. But we still havent had any answers in terms of: Why was that FBI report not followed up on? Why was nothing done earlier to stop him? An investigation that took 10 years and bore no federal charges The first indication Maria had that the FBI even filed a case for her complaint was in 2006, when agents showed up at her door following the initial investigation by the Palm Beach Police Department into Epsteins sex trafficking ring. Epstein was only charged at the state level, landing a plea deal that many saw as an insult to his many victims. The paedophiles 2008 secret sweetheart deal allowed him to serve a short 13-month sentence in a private wing of the Palm Beach County Stockade, which he was allowed to leave and return to every day so he could work at a charity he dissolved as soon as he was released. Epsteins door was often left unlocked; deputies tasked with his security outside of prison premises wore business suits rather than uniforms; and he was often photographed flying to and from New York and his private island, Little St James, during his year of house arrest after being released. His victims were not notified of the sweetheart deal. To add insult to injury, one of the agreements written into the deal was that authorities would not go after Epsteins co-conspirators. The distressing fact is that while that investigation was going on in 2006, years after seeing it initially reported... other clients of ours were being abused. This happened right under the nose of the FBI, Jennifer Freeman, an attorney representing Maria Farmer, tells The Independent. Last year, Freeman sent a notice of claim to the FBI, a necessary step before suing a governmental agency. In it, she argued that the bureau had done little to investigate Epstein, and nothing at all regarding reports of child sexual abuse material at Epsteins homes. According to Freeman, Maria and fellow Epstein victim Sarah Ransome now plan to sue the FBI. They are all now demanding an investigation by the Department of Justice and the Attorney General to determine why it took so long to prosecute Epstein when evidence of his depravities had been made available to the agency decades before. The federal authorities could have could have brought their own indictment, Ms Freeman said. Thats the thing for the elite, theres no accountability... Trafficking in a motel? You go to jail. Sex trafficking on a private plane and on a private island? Nothing happened, nothing consequent happened. Why does sex trafficking for the elite have virtually no consequences? Freeman pointed out that there have been instances in the past in which the FBI has conducted internal reviews when investigative failures are suspected, such as in the Parkland shooting investigation, the Larry Nassar sexual assault scandal, or the Charleston mass shooting. But months after sending their request for a review, the FBI has yet to respond to Freemans notice. We havent received any suggestion that any kind of investigation has been going on. None of our clients have been contacted, Freeman told The Independent. Was Trump on the plane? Was Clinton on the plane or the island? [Thats what people seem to be interested in]... Theyre useful and important questions, but thats not the whole of it. (Both Donald Trump and Bill Clinton vehemently deny any wrongdoing and there is no investigation into their activities.) Mystery surrounds material seized from Epsteins island Another question that has yet to be addressed and a focal point in the impending lawsuit is the lack of transparency regarding the reported child sexual abuse material seized from Epsteins home in Little St James. In litigation between an Epstein victim and JP Morgan, it emerged last year that the late paedophiles estate had encountered a trove of pornographic content, some of which might contain child sex abuse material (CSAM). The judge in the now-settled suit ordered the estate to stop reviewing the material and immediately report to the FBI if there was any suggestion that it indeed contained CSAM. However, months after the filings, it remains unclear what became of the material, or whether it is under review by federal authorities. The FBI declined to comment on Ms Freemans remarks and the potential existence of CSAM in Epsteins estate when reached by The Independent. There is certainly more to know, Annie told The Independent. I dont know whether we will ever learn more about that but I dont think we know everything. Annie says shes grateful for the accountability she did witness she was able to face Epstein during a bail hearing before he died by suicide in 2019 but has reckoned with the fact that a flawed system has repeatedly failed victims. Abuse continued even after reports, victims were labelled teenage prostitutes, and now it seems that answers victims were seeking will not be provided. When people are seeking a sense of closure ... the criminal justice system feels hollow, she said. I think thats in part just the nature of the system. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Watch as President Joe Biden continutes to campaigns in South Carolina as the race for the White House heats up. It comes after three US service members were killed and more than two dozen wounded in an unmanned drone attack on a military outpost in Jordan. Mr Biden said US forces would hold those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing. The president visited a congregation in South Carolina earlier on Sunday, 28 January in a bid to appeal to voters in the state. However, president Biden faces an uphill battle to win the red state as South Carolina hasn't voted for a Democrat since 1976. Democrats hope South Carolina's new role as host of the party's first official primary on 3 February will bolster support among Black voters. Top party officials also see it as an opportunity to increase voting shares in the South. The Democratic Party has historically struggled to win elections in the South since the 1960s Civil Rights era. However, in recent years, a string of statewide wins in Kentucky and North Carolina and Biden's nail-biting win in Georgia in 2020 have increased optimism within the Democratic Party that they can improve in the coming general election. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Two champions of different wings of the Democratic Party offered dueling takes on the increasingly vocal protests against Joe Biden over the USs role in funding Israels military assault against the Gaza Strip during interviews on Sunday. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a leader of the partys progressive wing, appeared on Meet the Press where she hesitated to embrace the label of genocide being applied to the sustained carnage caused by Israels invasion of Gaza; the congresswoman did, however, defend those in her party (including fellow Squad member Rashida Tlaib) who have used the term and accused the US government of being complicit. The International Court of Justice is currently hearing arguments brought by the South African government in favour of declaring the Israeli campaign a genocide an initial ruling by the Court this past week demanded that Israel work to prevent one from occurring while the determination is made. The Israeli government has strongly opposed accusations of committing a genocide or ethnic cleansing against Palestinians, but a growing list of Israeli government officials have been heard in public using rhetoric which undermine those denials. Kristin Welker, NBCs moderator, noted to Ms Ocasio-Cortez during their interview that some activists on her partys progressive left flank have started using the derisive moniker Genocide Joe for the US president. Welker then asked Ms Ocasio-Cortez if the descriptor of genocide went too far: Some of your colleagues have accused the president of supporting genocide, including Rashida Tlaib. Do you agree with that word, genocide, that the president's been supporting a genocide, or does that go too far? Young people are appalled at the violence and the indiscriminate loss of life, the congresswoman responded. We are not just seeing twenty-five thousand people that have died in Gaza. We are seeing the starvation of millions of people, the displacement of over 2 million Gazans. As the two noted that the ICJ has yet to make a formal determination, the congresswoman from New York continued: In the interim ruling, the fact that they said there's a responsibility to prevent it, the fact that this word is even in play, the fact that this word is even in our discourse, I think demonstrates the mass inhumanity that Gazans are facing. Though the ICJs process of determining whether a genocide is being committed by Israel in Gaza remains ongoing, it is notably not the standard that the US government, under Joe Biden, has used when deciding whether military action or other conflicts cross that line. The president himself described Russias invasion of Ukraine as a genocide in an April 2022 interview; the ICJ has yet to make a determination on that case either, though it has demanded that Russia cease military action in Ukraine. The civilian death toll since in Ukraine is reported to be less than half of the death toll in the Gaza Strip dating back to just October of last year; Israeli officials and international monitoring organisations strongly disagree over the number of Hamas militants killed, with Israel claiming as many as 9,000 have died. Ms Ocasio-Cortezs words came as a startling new poll from YouGov and The Economist reported that half of respondents who said they voted for Mr Biden in 2020 thought that the Israeli government was committing a genocide in the Gaza Strip. Similar numbers thought that the conflict was likely to broaden across the Middle East. Meanwhile, a representative of the Democratic Partys old guard (in both age and political thinking) appeared on CNN to discuss the same issue. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi was interviewed by Dana Bash and argued (without any evidence to support her view) that some of the recent demonstrations against Mr Biden were connected to Russia. The dismissal did not go over well with her detractors on the Democratic Partys left wing. Mr Biden himself is the subject of a lawsuit brought by civil rights groups and Palestinian-Americans arguing that the president has violated both US and international law by allowing US military aid to support a country accused of committing genocide. Initial arguments began in the case this past week. A White House spokesman, John Kirby, did not comment on the suit itself but told reporters on Tuesday that nothings changed about the presidents strong view that weve got to continue to make sure Israel has what it needs to defend itself. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} 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. Fear struck across Europe, a continent that is home to more than 746 million people, as just over 300,000 people turned out to vote in a small state in the upper northeast corner of the United States and delivered a resounding 11-point victory (a lead of just over 36,000 votes) for former president Donald Trump. With the result in the New Hampshire primary contest, the hope that Nikki Haley could turn the tide and bring a degree of normalcy back to the Republican Party quickly collapsed. Moderate Republicans, Democrats, independents and Americas closest allies in Europe and Asia had been watching this picturesque New England state to see if voters would catapult Haley into being a serious contender for the Republican nomination. In a high-stakes election that could have a dramatic effect on democracy in the United States, and for long-standing US global commitments on everything from climate change to Europes security, the defence of Ukraine, and US security commitments to both South Korea and Japan, there is no shortage of onlookers. The departure first of the former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, then of Florida governor Ron DeSantis, left Haley and Trump in a head-to-head race in a state known for delivering upsets. The New Hampshire GOP electorate is less conservative, less evangelical, and more moderate than either Iowa or South Carolina. Primary rules that allowed independents to vote in the Republican primary also led several high-profile Republican donors to seize this opportunity and back Haleys campaign. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Three US service members were killed and more than two dozen wounded in an unmanned drone attack on a military outpost in Jordan, according to US Central Command. President Joe Biden said the strike on Tower 22 near the Syrian border had been carried out by an Iranian-backed militia, and marked a significant escalation in the growing conflict in the Middle East. Mr Biden said US forces would hold those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing, as facts about the attack were still being gathered. Today, Americas heart is heavy, the president said in a statement. We know it was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq. These service members embodied the very best of our nation: unwavering in their bravery. Unflinching in their duty. Unbending in their commitment to our country risking their own safety for the safety of their fellow Americans, and our allies and partners with whom we stand in the fight against terrorism. This satellite photo shows a military base known as Tower 22 in northeastern Jordan, where three American troops were killed and many' were wounded on Sunday (AP) US Central Command initially said 25 troops were also injured in the strike, which took place early on Sunday morning. A US official later told Reuters that at least 34 service members were being evaluated for possible traumatic brain injury. Several of the wounded were transported to separate military facilities for care. The identities of the deceased are being withheld for 24 hours until their next of kin can be notified. Tower 22 is situated in northeastern Jordan across the border from the Al-Tanf garrison in Syria, where US forces have teamed up with local forces to confront Islamic State. An Iranian militia group known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has claimed responsibility for three simultaneous drone attacks on US forces, including the deadly Tower 22 assault. A statement released by the Islamic Resistance threatened more attacks if the US keeps supporting Israel. All the US interests in the region are legitimate targets and we dont care about US threats to respond, we know the direction we are taking and martyrdom is our prize, it said. David Cameron, the UK foreign secretary, said Britain strongly condemns attacks by Iran-aligned militia groups against US forces. We continue to urge Iran to de-escalate in the region. Our thoughts are with those US personnel who have lost their lives and all those who have sustained injuries, as well as their families, Lord Cameron added. Jordanian officials say the attack occurred on Syrian territory at the Al-Tanf base. Speaking to public broadcaster Al-Mamlaka television, Jordanian government spokesperson Muhannad Al Mubaidin denied that the dead and injured US troops had been stationed in their country, Reuters reported. The deadly drone strikes came amid increasing fears that the Israel-Hamas conflict could grow into a wider regional conflict. President Biden has vowed to hunt down those responsible for the attack at a time and in a manner of our choosing (Associated Press) Last night, three US service members were killed, and many wounded, during an unmanned aerial drone attack on our forces stationed in northeast Jordan near the Syria border, President Biden wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday. Jill and I join the families and friends of our fallen in grieving the loss of these warriors in this despicable and wholly unjust attack. In a statement released on Monday, Irans mission to the United Nations distanced itself from the attack. Iran had no connection and had nothing to do with the attack on the US base. Published by the state news agency IRNA, it added: There is a conflict between US forces and resistance groups in the region, which reciprocate retaliatory attacks. Republican senator Tom Cotton, of Arkansas, called on the US to respond with devastating military retaliation against Irans terrorist forces, adding: Anything less will confirm Joe Biden as a coward unworthy of being commander-in-chief. He blamed Mr Biden for emboldening Iran by tolerating attacks on our troops, [and] bribing the ayatollahs with billions of dollars. Senator Cotton: He left our troops as sitting ducks and now three are dead and dozens wounded. Mark Hertling, a former commander of the US army in Europe, said the Iranian-backed paramilitary forces had presented a continuous challenge over the past decade. Many think its easy to eliminate this threat. It isnt, Mr Hertling wrote in a post on X. Tensions have been inflamed by Israels invasion of the Gaza Strip, where more than 25,000 Palestinians have been killed and a United Nations aid agency has warned faces an imminent famine. Nine countries have suspended funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) over allegations its workers took part in the 7 October attacks in Israel, which claimed around 1,200 lives. A further 250 people were taken hostage. Since Israels war on Hamas began, US troops stationed in Iraq and Syria have faced regular drone and missile attacks on their bases. Some 70 US and coalition soldiers have been injured in attacks in Iraq and Syria since October, most of which were classified as minor, a military official said during a press briefing last week. The attack in Jordan marks the first time Americans have been targeted in Jordan during the war. Jordan is a close US ally in the region, and around 3,000 American troops are stationed there. Mr Biden, who was in Columbia, South Carolina on Sunday, was briefed by defence secretary Lloyd Austin, national security adviser Jake Sullivan and principal deputy national security adviser Jon Finer. Close Moment Russian plane carrying Ukrainian prisoners of war appears to crash For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} 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. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Ukrainian officials say Russia has still not provided any credible evidence to confirm that a downed Russian transport plane was carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war. Russia claims the Ilyushin Il-76 military aircraft was carrying 74 people six crew members, three Russian soldiers and 65 POWs being readied for prisoner exchanges with Ukraine when it was shot down near the Russian city Belgorod, 40km north of the border with Ukraine, on Wednesday. Regional Russian officials said all onboard the plane had been killed. But Ukraine said it believed the plane was transporting missiles. The Il-76 is designed to airlift troops, cargo, military equipment and weapons. It has a normal crew of five people and can carry up to 90 passengers. After the Russian military transport plane crashed and exploded early on Wednesday, Russian officials were only able to give Ukraine a list with great delay, late on Friday, of the 65 Ukrainians who Moscow claimed had died, said the Ukrainian agency that deals with prisoner exchanges. The list was also released publicly by Margarita Simonyan, the head of Russias state propaganda channel RT, but it was quickly noted by independent news outlets that at least some of those named were POWs who had already been released in earlier exchanges. The relatives of other prisoners named and still missing said they were unable to identify their loved ones in crash site photos provided by the Russian authorities, according to Ukraines Coordination Staff for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Kyiv does not have any verifiable information about who was on the plane, Ukrainian Lt Col Kyrylo Budanov said. We currently dont have evidence that there could have been that many people onboard the aircraft. Russian propagandas claim that the Il-76 aircraft was transporting 65 Ukrainian POWs [heading] for a prisoner swap continues to raise a lot of questions, he said. Officials in Ukraine confirmed a prisoner swap was expected to take place on Wednesday but said it was called off after the plane crash in Belgorod. Ukrainian military intelligence officials said Moscow had not asked for any arrangements to be made such as securing a specific part of the airspace for a certain period of time as has happened in the past prisoner exchanges. The Red Crosss spokesperson in Ukraine has asked Russia to return the bodies of any POWs who might have died in the plane crash, reiterating requests made by Kyiv. Alexander Vlasenko, a media officer for the Red Cross, said very little time passed between the initial reports of the crash and Moscow declaring it was ready to return the bodies of the Ukrainian POWs. He explained that while Ukraine and Russia regularly exchange the bodies of dead soldiers, each trade has required considerable preparation. While Russia has accused Ukraine of shooting the plane down with missiles, Kyiv has neither confirmed nor denied that its forces downed a Russian military transport plane that day. Volodymyr Zelensky has called for an international investigation into the crash, saying that the site is currently only accessible to Russia. 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 on Wednesday in his evening address. The Ukrainian president said the facts concerning the downed plane had yet to be ascertained. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The UNs aid agency in Gaza is said to be on the brink of collapse after nine nations, including the US and UK, suspended funding over allegations that several agency workers participated in the Hamas attack against Israel. Philippe Lazzarini , head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA ), said he was shocked by the decisions taken by Western nations to pull aid funding as famine looms for the population of Gaza amid the continuing Israel-Hamas war. UNRWA lifesaving assistance is about to end following countries decisions to cut their funding to the agency. Our humanitarian operation, on which 2 million people depend as a lifeline in Gaza, is collapsing, he wrote on X. He added: I am shocked such decisions are taken based on alleged behaviour of a few individuals and as the war continues, needs are deepening and famine looms. Palestinians in Gaza did not need this additional collective punishment. This stains all of us. UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said: While I understand their concerns, I was myself horrified by these accusations. I strongly appeal to the governments that have suspended their contributions to, at least, guarantee the continuity of UNRWAs operations. Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said the Israeli accusations against UNRWA were a challenge to the International Court of Justices decision on Friday that ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza. Injured Palestinians are brought to al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City following an Israeli airstrike on Sunday (AFP) Palestinians expressed anger at the funding cuts. We used to say Israel was launching a war of famine against us in parallel to its war of destruction, now those countries who suspended the aid toUNRWA declared themselves partners in this war, and collective punishment, said Yamen Hamad, who lives at an UNRWA-run school in Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza Strip, after fleeing northern Gaza. Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry said he was surprised by the move to pause UNRWA funding and said it would lead to more suffering for Palestinians. The Turkish Foreign Ministry also urged countries that had paused funding to reconsider their move. Norway and Ireland both said they would continue funding the agency. Mr Lazzarini said several UN agency employees were fired and are being investigated over allegations that they participated in the 7 October attack. It would be immensely irresponsible to sanction an agency and an entire community it serves because of allegations of criminal acts against some individuals, especially at a time of war, displacement and political crises in the region, he said in a statement. About 12 agency employees are thought to be under investigation. UNRWA has 13,000 employees in Gaza, mostly Palestinians. The USA has been joined by the UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Finland in the decision to stop providing life-saving aid amid the continuing humanitarian disaster. The Foreign Office said in a statement that the UK was appalled by allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the 7 October attack, a heinous act of terrorism that the UK government has repeatedly condemned. The UK is temporarily pausing any future funding of UNRWA whilst we review these concerning allegations, it said in a statement on Saturday. We remain committed to getting humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza who desperately need it. Palestinians flee the Israeli ground offensive in Khan Younis on Sunday (AP) The Scottish government denied media reports that it had either paused or withdrawn its own funding for the UN relief agency in Gaza. First minister Humza Yousaf wrote on X that the 750,000 Scotland has already paid to the UNRWA was as much as we can within our financial constraints. We will always seek to do more where we can and urge others to continue to provide aid to the people of Gaza, he said. Mr Lazzirini said that UNRWA is the primary humanitarian agency in Gaza, with over 2 million people depending on it for their sheer survival. The UNRWA commissioner general also cited the International Court of Justice ruling asking Israel to take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance, adding that these measures are aimed at preventing irreparable damage to the rights of Palestinians. More than 26,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war since the first week of October, according to the Gaza health ministry, which does not distinguish between civilian and militant casualties. Nearly 85 per cent of the territorys 2.3 million people have been displaced. At least 174 Palestinians were killed over the past day, the health ministry in Gaza said on Saturday. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Iran says it successfully launched three satellites into space on Sunday, the first time it has done so using a controversial rocket programme that has been heavily criticised by the West. Sunday mornings launch involved Irans domestically-produced Simorgh rocket, and was described by Irans Revolutionary Guard-led news agency Fars as an important test of Simorghs ability to accurately deliver multiple payloads into space. The largest of the three satellites weighs 32kg and was named Mahda, while the two others were nano-satellites of less than 10kg, according to Fars. State TV named the other two satellites Kayhan-2 and Hatef-1, described as nanosatellites focused on global positioning and communications respectively. This is the first time Iran has successfully utilised the Simorgh rocket, having failed with its previous five launches in row. The unsuccessful attempts to launch Simorgh, or "Phoenix," had served as a serious setback for Irans civilian space programme, and mishaps included explosions of the launchpad and massive fires during tests. Earlier this month, Iran placed another satellite Soraya in an orbit some 750 kilometres (460 miles) above the Earths surface with a three-stage rocket, advancing the Irans Revolutionary Guards space programme along with the countrys civilian astronomy ambitions. Britain, France and Germany jointly condemend Sundays launch using the Ghaem-100 Space Launch Vehicle (SLV), pointing out that the SLV uses technology essential for the development of a long-range ballistic missile system. This could allow Tehran to launch longer-range weapons. Launches such as these allow Iran to test technology that could be used to further develop its ballistic missile programme, which poses a significant threat to regional and international security, the joint statement read. It added: We have longstanding concerns over Irans activity related to ballistic missile technologies that are capable of delivering nuclear weapons. These concerns are reinforced by Irans continued nuclear escalation beyond all credible civilian justification. Iran said it reserved the legitimate right to peaceful technological advancement in the aerospace field. The US has already said that Irans satellite launches defy a UN Security Council resolution, asking Tehran to not undertake activities that involve ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Holidaymakers could face confusion when jetting off this summer after the UKs busiest airports admitted that they will miss the deadline for installing new security scanners that would end the need for a 100ml limit on liquids. The Department for Transport (DfT) set the June 2024 target at the end of 2022, with the transport secretary at the time, Mark Harper, pledging to lift the need for the tiny toiletry, which he said had become a staple of airport security checkpoints. However, London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Manchester airports look set to miss the deadline, reports BBC News. This will mean that while some new scanners will be in place, other lanes will be operating the current scanners, meaning 100ml limits to carry-on liquids will still apply which could lead to confusion and travellers being caught out by the inconsistency, according to one consumer group. Read more: Simon Calder on airport security: What are the rules for liquids? Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said: Its very disappointing that some airports may miss the government deadline to install new CT security scanners by June this year. By allowing passengers to keep items like laptops and liquids in their bags, these scanners had the potential to drastically cut security queues in time for the peak summer travel season. With different rules and processes now likely to apply at different airports, its essential passengers check before they travel so they dont get caught out. Unfortunately, the lack of consistency is likely to be confusing for a lot of travellers and may lead to further hold ups." The delays could be down to the weight of the scanners, as well as the cost, according to aviation expert Sally Gethin. She told BBC News that sometimes the floors in the actual terminal have to be reinforced and that the price is high as its the latest technology. Heathrow has 146 security lanes, more than all the other UK airports combined, meaning the installation is a complex operation especially when taking steps to avoid disruptions to current passengers making their way through security. Some of Heathrows terminals T2, T3 and T5 already have some new scanners, with T4 expected to have some by the summer. The UKs largest airport declined to comment when approached by The Independent. A spokesperson for London Gatwick said the airport will have made significant progress installing state of the art next generation security scanners by June 2024 in both terminals, and that they plan to have completed the major logistical operation required to install the remaining scanners in Q1 2025, after the busy summer peak period has concluded. MAG, which operates Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands airports, told The Independent that the new scanners will be in place on a large number of our security lanes by June 2024, with completion of the programme expected in 2025. This is a complex programme of work requiring the expansion of terminal facilities, while at the same time maintaining operations during construction, a spokesperson added. We are currently rolling out the new technology lane-by-lane at Manchester and London Stansted airports, with several new lanes already in operation. Work is also underway on major construction projects at both Manchester and East Midlands airports to expand the size of the terminals to accommodate the new equipment. The DfT has been approached for comment. The current 100ml restrictions on liquids have been in place since November 2006. The rules were introduction after a previous complete ban on liquids in the cabin was enforced three months earlier due to a foiled terror attack in which liquid explosives hidden in drinks bottles could have brought down 10 planes. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Millions of us are making up for lost sunshine, and taking extra trips to compensate for the dark days of lockdown during the pandemic. Unfortunately, villains know we are desperate to travel and that finances are tight. The number of online scams appears to be at an all-time high, targeting people who cannot afford to lose a small fortune. Any travel purchase of transport and/or accommodation is an act of faith, because you usually pay a substantial sum of money upfront and dont take delivery until you turn up and, hopefully, get the flights and/or villa you were hoping for. If you go to your local travel agent and buy a holiday, the overwhelming odds are that it will be a genuine and problem-free transaction. But if you are booking online, you are vulnerable to fraudsters. Be wary of these seven signs to ensure you are not going to be left thousands of pounds out of pocket, with no holiday. 1. Are prices way out of line? A favourite hunting ground for fraudsters in search of unwitting victims is to offer ultra-cheap airline tickets. While many online agents will assert they have the best fare, prices for a particular flight are usually in a fairly narrow band. A check on Skyscanner.net can give you a good idea of the ball-park figure. If an agent is selling well below the norm, be wary especially if the company tells you it has access to secret fares. 2. Do they make onerous demands? Scamsters arent simply interested in stealing your money. They also want your identity. A genuine business will not ask for a scan of your passport or driving licence, unless there are good and specific reasons that you can verify (e.g. a local law insisting on identity checks for propective guest). 3. Are the address and phone number disconnected, geographically? A genuine site should make it easy to find both the address and phone number. If the firm appears to be based in west Cornwall (code 01736) but has a dialling code in northern Scotland (01955), for example, you should ask why. If the number is foreign, be especially circumspect. If a business says it is a member of Abta, the travel association, then use the very straightforward checking system to confirm its membership status ring the landline shown on the Abta website to ensure that you are dealing with that company. Many scam sites have no telephone number, but may have an address. If you search this address online, you will often find the real company that is based at the address the fraudsters claim to use. Find a number for that company, dial it and see what happens; one shut-down scam site, CycladesRentals.com, claimed to be based at an address in west London that was actually the premises of a Polish restaurant. Recommended The 6 travel scams that can outsmart the savviest tourist 4. Is the marketing material dodgy? Many scam websites are set up using extracts copied and pasted from genuine travel companies. If something strikes you as odd, try a bit of copying and pasting yourself an odd phrase may take you to a genuine holiday company. In the CycladesRentals.com case, a phrase about health looked distinctly out of place; it turned out to have been stolen from a legitimate operator specialising in wellbeing holidays. 5. Could those friendly staff be pretending to be the real villa owners? Some fraudsters intercept emails to and from genuine companies. To ensure you are not dealing with a criminal, diverge from email conversations. Demand a landline rather than a mobile, check that the dialling code is commensurate with the location, and phone up the owner. You could ask, for example: Just before I book can you give me a few more details about the area: how far is the beach, how good is the WiFi, whats the mobile-phone reception like? If you are not satisfied with the answer, probe more deeply: ask for the name of the nearest restaurant and the days it is open, then find the number for this place and call the proprietor to cross-check. 6. Do they demanding payment by bank transfer? Paying for a service with a credit or debit card generally confers some protection if you dont get what you paid for. In contrast, sending a bank transfer directly to someones account is equivalent to handing over a big bag of your hard-earned cash, with little hope of retrieving it if you are defrauded. Yet plenty of genuine villa owners will ask for payment by bank transfer. Typically they will do this to keep handling costs down and avoid having to get inverviolved in complex and expensive systems for credit or debit card card payment. Regrettably, criminals know it, and in a bid to persuade you to send some cash over they will typically make up a story to explain why . So it is essential to make checks before you press confirm. Talk to the property owner at length, asking questions about the ownership of the property: when they bought it, what improvements they have made and background on the immediate vicinity. A genuine owner will typically talk knowledgeably and enthusiastically. If you feel something is not right, do not proceed. Be especially suspicious if the destination bank account is in an improbable location. If it is a villa in Spain through a British intermediary, being asked to pay into a bank account in a third country should be a red flag. Some scammers who have placed fictional accommodation availability on well-known platform may ask you to liaise direct and pay by bank transfer rather than going through the official payment platform. If anyone asks you to do this, you can be fairly sure you are dealing with a criminal. 7. Are they hurrying you? Fraudsters invariably want to pressure you into parting with your hard-earned cash quickly. They will warn that the property will be let to someone else unless you commit immediately. They may also offer a 10 or 20 per cent discount for immediate payment. You should be able to sense if they are getting agitated: a good way to test their response is to suggest you communicate by mail. A villain wont contemplate such an arrangement, but a genuine owner may cut you some slack and agree to receive your deposit as cash through the post. While that concept might sound ridiculously 20th century, it can offers safeguards you dont get online. I have phoned an accommodation owner in Greece and then posted the deposit in cash (by registered mail, of course) to a physical address in the village where the property was located. It is a safer transaction than transferring money to a bank account in a distant land. Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, former UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, met with the newly appointed minister, Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, to discuss the ministrys strategies and priorities moving forward. During the meeting, Almheiri, who is now the Head of the International Affairs Office at the Presidential Court, discussed the ministrys upcoming plans, initiatives and projects that serve the government and its national priorities. They agreed to offer mutual support to ensure a seamless continuation of vital environmental agendas without disruption, said a statement from the ministry. Expressing gratitude for the work undertaken by Almheiri, the minister asserted her commitment to building upon this legacy. "I am honored to assume this responsibility and deeply appreciative of Almheiris efforts in leading environmental efforts at the ministry. Under her wise guidance, significant strides were made in our environmental pursuits. I look forward to continuing our national efforts towards sustainable practices and innovative policies," she added. Lauding her support, Al Dahak said: "This is an important time for the UAEs environmental work, and I thank her for her support in ensuring a smooth transition. The UAE has proven its leadership on the international stage with the UAE Consensus and a highly successful COP28, and so, we must continue to lead the way at home in protecting our own environment and biodiversity" "I look forward to working with all our partners to further our sustainable practices and chart a path towards a greener future," she added. Almheiri said: "The UAE is a pioneer in the field of environmental sustainability and its commitment and innovative practices are a testament to the governments dedication to preserving the environment. I am delighted to hand over this important role to Dr. Amna and wish her the very best in leading our initiatives towards a brighter, more sustainable future." Al Dahak, a proficient government leader and distinguished academic, brings her wealth of experience in leading and driving forward key strategic initiatives to the ministry. In her new role, Al Dahak will oversee and lead environmental initiatives in partnership with other government partners, the private sector, startups in relevant sectors, and all segments of the community, in an effort to achieve the UAEs ambitious Net Zero 2050 Strategy.-TradeArabia News Service Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A passenger on Royal Caribbeans nine month cruise has claimed that theres a certain thing that travellers arent allowed to discuss while onboard. On his popular TikTok page, Marc Sebastian, has shared a series of videos about his experiences on the cruise, which officially departed on 10 December 2023. The nine-month cruise will come to an official end on 10 September 2024, with the ship docking in Miami, Florida. In the video posted to his TikTok on 22 January, Sebastian shared some of the things he has learned about cruising, after spending 18 nights so far on the ship Serenade of the Seas. He started the video by describing his first claim, that passengers arent allowed to talk about the Titanic, which sank in 1912 after hitting an iceberg. While describing his confusion about the alleged rule, he also shared the shocked reactions that his peers had when he mentioned the Titanic. I brought up to an entire room of people having lunch that our ship is only 100 feet longer than the Titanic, he said. [And] when I tell you that. Utensils dropped. Waiters gasped. Its dead silent. Sebestian said he then realised the rule on the ship, when his friend whispered to him: Youre not allowed to talk about the Titanic. He quipped about how he had no idea that he couldnt mention the word, adding: Well, it wasnt like that was in the f***ing handbook. Not that I read the handbook, clearly. Sebastians video has quickly gone viral on TikTok, with more than 2.6m views as of 23 January. In the comments, many people mocked the alleged rule regarding what passengers can discuss onboard. Im sorry if Im going on a boat, Im talking about Titanic and OceanGate, one wrote, referring to OceanGates Titan submersible, which experienced a catastrophic implosion when it submerged in June 2023, killing all five people aboard the vessel. The way I would be talking about the Titanic all the time, another wrote, while a third claimed: When I went on a cruise my mom told me saying Titanic was equivalent to screaming bomb at an airport. Elsewhere in the video, the influencer made some other claims about cruises, as he also said that ships have godmothers. He then specified that Whoopi Goldberg was the godmother of the Serenade of the Seas, before showing a picture of the actor on a wall. Girl, you and I, weve got to talk, he quipped, referring to Goldberg. Because I gotta let you know whats going on on this ship. As an EGOT winner, I dont think this is the right ship for you. He went on to continue the bit in the caption, writing: Someone get Whoopi on the line girl. I have some goss[ip] for her. The Independent has contacted Sebastian and Royal Caribbean for comment. In December 2023, the Ultimate World Cruise went viral on social media after passengers began opening up about their time on the boat. As noted by Royal Caribbeans itinerary, the trip consists of 274 nights, with some of the destinations including Aruba, Barbados, Japan, Italy, Greece, Spain, Denmark, Germany, and France. Passengers will also have the opportunity to bond with like-minded explorers over global discoveries across all seven continents, according to Royal Caribbeans website. Since the start of the trip, people have joked bout what could happen on the cruise, with a woman named Kara, who goes by the name @whimsysoul on TikTok, sharing The Ultimate Bingo Card for the next year for anyone else who is buckling in for this nine months TikTok reality show. Some of the spaces on her Bingo Card included someone goes home early, staff dates passenger, lobster style sunburn, brands sponsor passengers, and minor mystery to solve. Earlier this month, the cruise once again went viral when travellers shared videos of the flood onboard. In a TikTok video shared by one passenger, Adita, on 2 January, one deck of the ship could be seen with floods of water along the carpeted floors. The footage also showed the large amounts of water that were coming from the outside deck of the ship. The traveller continued to walk through the floors of the ship amid the flood, before they went down a flight of carpeted stairs. The video was posted during a cruise day as the ship was heading to South America. In a statement to The Independent at the time, a representative for Royal Caribbean said: On Tuesday 2 January, while sailing to Montevideo, Uruguay, the Serenade of the Seas experienced heavy wind and rain. One set of elevators and six rooms were impacted by some of the rain. Our team on board is managing the minor cleanup and elevator repairs. Seranade continued to its next destination, as scheduled, and arrived in Montevideo on Thursday. Travellers on the Ultimate World Cruise are also paying a hefty price, as the most inexpensive room option is $59,999 per person for an interior stateroom, according to Royal Caribbeans website. Prices for other rooms are in a higher range, with the junior suite starting at $117,599 per person. Donald Trump has said he will send Texas "reinforcements" to deal with border control if elected president in the upcoming 2024 election. Amid the ongoing stand-off between Texas and federal authorities over the border, Mr Trump has vowed to support Governor Greg Abbott. When Im president, instead of trying to send Texas a restraining order, I will send them reinforcements, he said. The former Republican president made the remarks at a campaign rally in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, 27 January. Crowds of Maga supporters cheered after the leading contender for the GOP nomination made the comments. A British warship successfully repelled a drone attack from Yemens Houthi rebels, the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has said. Footage shows the HMS Diamond using its Sea Viper missile system to shoot down a drone illegally targeting the ship in the Red Sea on Saturday, 27 January. These intolerable and illegal attacks are completely unacceptable and it is our duty to protect the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, the MOD said. They confirmed that no injuries or damage were sustained. We want to thank the brave crew of HMS Diamond for their service to defend British and international interests. Watch the moment Royal Caribbeans Icon of the Seas embarks on its maiden voyage from Miami on Saturday, 27 January. Fireworks can be heard as the cruise ship takes off from Miami. The 1,198-foot (365-meter) vessel is the worlds largest cruise ship and has 20 decks with a maximum capacity of 10,000 people. The ship, which comes with a 55ft indoor waterfall, is longer than the Eiffel Tower. Royal Caribbean president Jason Liberty described the vessel as the biggest, baddest ship on the planet. Ardale CEO Emma Maye on doing justice to her developer fathers legacy: I have a lot of scars but I think dad would be so proud Emma Maye cut her teeth in business by negotiating with Nama about her late father Liam Mayes enormous property debts but has since built a business empire of her own Emma Maye, CEO of CORE and Ardale Property. Photo by Steve Humphreys Fearghal O'Connor Sun 28 Jan 2024 at 03:30 As if Emma Maye did not have enough to be getting on with, she decided to become a funeral celebrant. Listen to people, ask questions, be open your life will become richer I hadnt been to Limerick in two years and then suddenly this month I found myself there twice in two weeks. Most recently, I spoke last Wednesday night at the kick-off 2024 event for Network Limerick, a chapter of the national professional womens organisation Network Ireland. Im extremely proud of this organisation, having been a past member of Network Cork and speaking before a number of chapters over the years. What they do to uplift and empower professional women is commendable. And the week before that, I was in Limerick delivering the opening keynote speaker at the 21st annual Irish Universities Association conference on HR, hosted by the University of Limerick. Be open to meeting new people Its always so inspiring to spend time sharing with fellow entrepreneurs and business leaders about the common challenges we face and then working together to innovate solutions and discuss strategies and techniques that may help us overcome and move forward. I love meeting new people. Please dont make me call another taxi for such a short distance, Id joked And, often, its the secondary story of an event excursion that can bear unexpected positive impact when you are open to meeting new people. Come with me to Limerick now as I share the story of Enda Heffernan, my taxi driver and historian who took me on a wonder-filled journey of the Treaty City. Talk to the new people you meet The morning I needed to depart from my hotel room in Castletroy to go to UL was especially cold. The clerk at the front desk said: Its only a 10-minute walk. But I still opted to call a cab. From the moment I got into the vehicle, until the moment I stepped out in front of the Kemmy Business School auditorium where the conference was held, I engaged in a round of verbal sword-play with the driver, whose name I noted from the laminated ID card on his dash was Enda. Ah, you couldve easily walked, he teased. This fare is not going to be worth my while. Dont worry, Ill make sure and give you a solid tip, I countered. Like: Be nice to women in wobbly, high-heeled shoes. Heres another tip: pack boots. Score one for the driver. I did give him an actual good tip and I was still laughing about our encounter as I entered the auditorium. After the conference, one of the UL organisers dropped me back to the hotel. Please dont make me call another taxi for such a short distance, I had joked with them. Listen to people. Ask questions. Be open. Take a chance to care. Your life will grow richer The following morning, I called for a taxi to take me to the train station to go back home to Dublin. Lo and behold, who pulled up in front of the Castletroy? Enda. You again! we both exclaimed. Pay attention to seemingly chance encounters It was completely by chance that he picked me as a fare for the second time. I couldnt get over it. We began chatting. He asked me if I knew much about Limerick. I told him Id been a couple of times before and had visited St Johns Castle. Have you been to St Marys Cathedral? It was built in the 12th century and Cromwell kept his horses there. He then began sharing so many stories about Limerick that I made a decision. Seize a moment and make it meaningful I can take a later train. Would you be up for showing me around a few places? We visited St Marys. We stopped at the Treaty Stone. We paid homage to Angelas Ashes author Frank McCourt at his old school (its now a museum). We turned the corner and arrived at a Georgian house with a sign on the steps: Peoples Museum. A man came out the front door. Ive never been in this one, Enda said. Roll down your window and ask if he could give you a quick tour. I did, and he did. Curator Will ONeill rolled out the red carpet. What a delightful and insightful morning. By the way, the theme of ULs conference was Prioritising Our People. I couldnt agree more. And its important to consider how you might define our people. Does that refer to your family, friends and colleagues and thats it? How actively do you pay attention to the everyday person who may cross your path in a more ordinary way? Im going to encourage you to pay more attention. Listen to them. Ask questions. Be open. Take a chance to care. Ill bet your life will become richer for it and you might even learn a little something along the way. Thank you again to Enda and Will for giving me a day in Limerick that Ill never forget. Tip of the hat from The Communicator To the hard-working team at Dunnes Stores in Stillorgan shopping centre. Over the years that I have lived in the neighbourhood, I frequented the store nearly weekly and found everyones service consistently professional and kind. That is a testament to a companys culture and particularly in this case to the leadership style of the stores admirable general manager, Pierre. Sadly, the store closed its doors for good at this location last week. I wish you all well. You will be missed. You can write to Gina care of SundayBusiness@independent.ie Retail Last year, the WRC ruled in favour of Musgraves after a SuperValu worker who was out sick for four days complained that she was paid for just one days sick leave The introduction of a legal obligation for employers to pay for sick leave has led to 70pc of retailers experiencing an increase in sick leave taken by workers, with the companies complaining that some employees are treating the new benefit as additional holiday leave. The findings came from a Retail Excellence Ireland (REI) survey of 128 retail companies with a combined 3,000 stores. Under the Sick Leave Act 2022, which came into effect on January 1, 2023, employers had to pay workers for the first three days of their absence due to illness or injury for the first time. Before then, employees were not paid for those three days and instead had to claim illness benefit from the Department of Social Protection on the fourth day. Since the start of this month, employers have to pay for five days sick leave, as part of the Governments plan to raise it to 10 days by 2026. The statutory sick leave entitlement is paid at 70pc of gross earnings, up to a cap of 110 per day. An employee can file a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) if an employer fails to meet its obligations. Today's News in 90 Seconds - January 29th Last year, the WRC ruled in favour of Musgraves after a SuperValu worker who was out sick for four days complained that she was paid for just one days sick leave and should have been entitled to statutory sick pay for the first three days. However, the WRC decided that because Musgraves has a sick pay scheme that provides for 40 days paid sick leave over 12 months, albeit with the first three days of absence unpaid, that the companys sick pay policy applied instead. The REI survey also found that 48pc of retailers cannot handle escalating business costs such as sick pay and this months increase in the minimum wage. More than a third are considering price rises, while half are mulling reduced operating hours. Capreit, which has a stake of 18.7pc, announced that it supports proposals put forward by Vision Capital, and will vote in favour of all its resolutions at an egm in Dublin on February 16. Vision is aiming to replace five board members with its own candidates, and shareholders will also be asked to vote on whether Ires should be sold, broken up, or taken private. Ires share price reached 1.20 in early trading, close to its 52-week high of 1.212, achieved in February 2023. John Cronin, an analyst with Goodbody Stockbrokers, said Capreits public declaration of support for all of Visions proposals represents a significant moment in the power struggle at Ires Reit. Vision, which launched its activist campaign last April, owns about 5pc of the company. This takes known shareholder support for Visions proposal to about 23.7pc, and about 24.4pc if one assumes that Ewing will also support the proposals, though there has been no confirmation of that, he said. Mr Cronin pointed out that Vision, a Canadian investment fund, now needs secure the support of just over one in three of other shareholders in order to secure the election of its nominees to the board. However while there is a 50pc threshold to get a director elected, Vision would need the support of 75pc of shareholders in order to achieve its aim of selling off assets. It is less clear as to whether that is realistically achievable at this juncture, Mr Cronin said. In a statement, Ires said it noted media comment on Capreits support for Vision. Capreit has previously indicated its wish to exit Europe and focus on the Canadian market, the company said. The board recognises every shareholder will vote in line with their own requirements. However, the role of the board is to represent the interests of all shareholders. Ires has been attempting to persuade investors to support the boards plan of launching a wide-ranging strategic review of the business in late February. It has denied claims by Vision that the current directors cannot be trusted to do a proper review. The company, which owns 3,734 apartments and houses with an approximate value of 1.5bn, has said the review will examine how to maximise value, including looking at potential mergers, the sale of properties or of the entire company, and its status as a listed Reit. Urging shareholders to vote against all Visions motions, Ires has warned that there is limited liquidity for large real-estate transactions in Ireland. A sale of assets en bloc, or over two years, would fail to capture the value of its platform and scale. Vision has suggested that some of the companys less valuable apartments could be sold to the Government or non-profit groups, as they are well recognised as being desperately needed in the Dublin market at this time. A government source told the Irish Independent earlier this week that it is unlikely to purchase affordable apartments from the company because they are already occupied. Is it ever wise to buy a home with a friend to escape the rental trap? The pitfalls of getting a mortgage with a friend or relative and how to protect yourself Partnering up to get a home can seem like a good idea - but only if you know the risks. Stock image: Getty Sun 28 Jan 2024 at 03:30 You go on holidays together, split the bills on your flat-share, and even loan each other a few quid until payday. But would you share the biggest financial commitment of your life with your best friend? The sale of Eight Degrees Brewing has been ongoing for some time, with its founders returning to the business they sold feeling refreshed Eight Degrees Brewing was founded in 2010 by Scott Baigent (left) and Cameron Wallace (right) Jameson manufacturer Irish Distillers has sold its Co Cork-based craft beer business Eight Degrees Brewing back to its founders for an undisclosed sum. Irish Distillers has been trying to sell Eight Degrees Brewing, founded in 2010 by Scott Baigent and Cameron Wallace, for some time. In October 2022, the Sunday Independent reported that alcohol giant Pernod Ricard-owned Irish Distillers had approached potentially interested parties about acquiring the Mitchelstown brewery it had purchased in 2018. Speaking with the Sunday Independent, co-founders and now owners of Eight Degrees Brewing Baigent and Wallace said they had missed the craft beer brewing business. While the two sold Eight Degrees in 2018, they only left the company a year and a half ago. We are back, and we are enthusiastic, said Wallace. We have recharged the batteries and are ready to get stuck in. Wallace said he became aware that Irish Distillers had been looking to divest Eight Degrees Brewing since the pair departed. He added that he had heard of one or two interested parties, but any deal ultimately fell through. A selection of Eight Degrees Brewing's products Last summer, the two decided to return to Eight Degrees, missing the creativity of coming up with new beers. As part of the deal, Irish Distillers will continue to help distribute the Eight Degrees beer brand. Irish Distillers has been instrumental in getting our core range into the multiples, said Wallace. Working with those guys has been fantastic. It was a great education. Both Baigent and Wallace recognised that the market for craft beer was challenging, with the retail trade performing better than draught. We have reckless optimism here as well, said Baigent. We have rose-tinted glasses, remembering the good times when we ran the brewery. We have the benefit of having some time out and gaining a bit of perspective. Our peers in the industry have been in the trenches for several years now. The challenges can weigh you down, but we are feeling fresh and invigorated. After they left the Eight Degrees business, Baigent and Wallace became the owners of Active Tribe Courtown, a fitness and wellness facility in Co Wexford. The pair will continue to run this business alongside the Co Cork craft brewery. The brand has grown nationwide, with hundreds of retail store listings across Tesco, Musgrave and Dunnes In May 2018, Irish Distillers acquired Eight Degrees Brewing and said the deal would see the craft brewer provide beer supply to support the growth of its Jameson Caskmates range. Reports at the time quoted industry insiders describing the purchase of the craft beer brand and brewer as being a multimillion-euro deal. The brand has grown nationwide, with hundreds of retail store listings across Tesco, Musgrave and Dunnes. It also exports its beers to countries including Italy. In 2022, Irish Distillers hired financial services firm EY to manage a potential sale of Eight Degrees. Irish Distillers confirmed it had sold Eight Degrees Brewing to its founders. The Midleton-based company added the sale agreement would see the brewery continue to supply craft beer to Irish Distillers to support the Jameson Caskmates range and that all existing staff would remain under the new ownership. Neil Jordan: Id originally asked Andy Warhol to play that role, but he had just been shot. Terence Stamp boldly stepped in The director talks about the themes behind his eponymous 1984 film adaptation of Angela Carter's short story, The Company of Wolves 'The Company of Wolves'. Photo: Getty Images Barry Egan Sun 28 Jan 2024 at 03:30 Directed by Neil Jordan, The Company of Wolves was a lot more than Little Red Riding Hood remade as a feminist, slasher movie. Released in 1984, it was (as the New York Times noted) absolutely jam-packed with the kind of symbols that delight Freudian analysts of culture, particularly of folk tales. Dancing with the Stars drag queen Blue Hydrangea has said taking part in the show is helping to highlight what it is like being a queer person in Ireland amid a small amount of extremist hate. Joshua Cargill (27), who wowed judges in last weeks episode for their Lady Gaga tango with pro dance partner Simone Arena, said it is important that a drag artist is getting visibility on national television. Normally the shows I would take part in would have a queer audience, so I would very much be in a safe space, said Cargill, who won RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs the World two years ago. However I realised on this show it is going to be a wider audience of people who might not understand or like people like me, said the Belfast resident, who identifies as non-binary. While the response to their performances on the hit RTE show has been largely positive, Cargill conceded that there has been a small amount of extremist hate since last weeks episode. These are the same people that sit at home and wait for these type of things to happen so that they can jump on it. "They are the exact same people that burn down shelters. They are obsessed with taking things down that they think are wrong, they said. In spite of this, Cargill said I wont let it get to me, adding that the majority of people in Ireland are lovable and likeable and happy to get to know you, no matter what your background is. That is what is coming through on a Sunday night when we are performing, it is all that joy that Ireland has to give, the Hillsborough, Co Down, native said. Cargill said what makes Dancing with the Stars so special is the diversity of backgrounds, ages and cultures coming through the screen, making it a place to show the diversity of Ireland. I love being on the show. Even if I was getting lots of hate I would still be doing it as it is important for my community. I think you don't get these opportunities very often, they said. Before coming onto this season of DWTS, Cargill expressed reservations about whether their drag persona Blu Hydrangea would be universally accepted, however, they are not looking back. It's important for me to show what it is like as a queer person living in Ireland, they added. This week, the stars will move to the rhythm of their favourite movies, with Cargill and partner Simone looking to tap into the cultural phenom that is the multi-Oscar nominated film Barbie. Blu Hydrangea and Simone will perform a Salsa to Dua Lipas Dance the Night, following their leader board topping score last Sunday. On whether audiences might see a performance without the costume, Cargill conceded that drag has always given me a lot of confidence likening it to the confidence that one gets while wearing a mask during Halloween. Me doing a performance out of drag would take a lot of confidence that I dont naturally have. It would be an achievement in itself. I have never told a joke or been on stage or given a performance without at least an inch of make up on my face, they added. A veteran campaigner has called on Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan to give an immediate and detailed explanation for his defrocking of the former president of St Johns Seminary in Waterford & Lismore. Tony Gribben of the Dromore Group said the sacking of a priest is a serious matter and the people of Waterford & Lismore deserve an explanation for the move. Bishop Cullinans failure to explain the sacking generates suspicion and intrigue. In a statement this weekend, Bishop Cullinan said he commissioned an inquiry into Fr Michael OConnor, a priest of the Diocese of Waterford & Lismore, in accordance with church procedures. Fr OConnor was president of St John's College in Waterford city for nine years between 1985-1994. The seminary closed in 1999 due to dwindling vocations. The Irish Independent understands that Fr OConnor has been out of ministry for nearly 25 years when the process was undertaken. While no priest in the diocese was willing to speak publicly about the case, it is understood that Fr OConnor is now over 80 and has been living in a church property. According to Dr Cullinan, the process he initiated involved referring Fr OConnors case to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith in the Vatican. The result of this inquiry is that Michael OConnor has been dismissed from the clerical state, and therefore he is no longer a priest, Dr Cullinan said. This decision is solely based on the outcome of this church inquiry, the bishop added. Speaking to the Irish Independent, Tony Gribben, who suffered abuse at the hands of the late Fr Malachy Finnegan when he was a pupil at St Colmans College in Newry, noted the the involvement of the Vaticans Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. The Rome-based campaigner said the failure by Bishop Cullinan to provide any detail about nature of the church inquiry will only generate suspicion and speculation. The Irish Independent contacted the Catholic Communications Office with questions about the reasons for Fr OConnors defrocking, but was referred back to Bishop Cullinans original statement. Two more men have been arrested over the Christmas Eve attack in a Blanchardstown restaurant in which fleeing gunman Tristan Sherry was killed after shooting Jason Hennessy Snr, who later died in hospital. Two men and a teenage boy have already been charged with murder in relation to Sherrys death, while several others have been charged with other offences in relation to the death. The two men held this morning were the eighth and ninth people arrested as part of the garda investigation. In a statement, gardai said: Gardai arrested two males this morning, Sunday 28th January 2024, as part of the investigation into the murder of Tristan Sherry that occurred at a premises on the Main Street in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 at approximately 8pm on Sunday, 24th December 2023. Both males are currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at Garda Stations in West Dublin. This is the eighth and ninth arrest made as part of this investigation. On Wednesday, a boy aged 17 was brought before the Childrens Court charged with Sherrys murder and was refused bail. Sherry (26) was found dead after he carried out a gun attack in Brownes Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on Christmas Eve. Hennessy Snr (48) was shot by Sherry while having a meal with family and friends. Hennessy Snr was shot in the neck and upper body as he stood up and confronted Sherry in the popular restaurant. He was rushed to hospital, but his condition deteriorated, and he passed away on January 4 as a result of his injuries. Sherry was confronted at the scene and disarmed before being killed and a number of people are currently before the courts in relation to his death. On Saturday week, around 15 to 20 mourners, which included Hennessy Snrs sons, Jason and Devon, led the funeral procession from the murdered mans home to St Patricks Church in Corduff. Behind them, Hennessy Snrs Incredible Hulk wrapped casket was transported to the church on the back of one of his Hulk Recovery towing trucks. His funeral saw gardai enact a major security operation over fears the funeral cortege or church could be targeted by the rival gang. Checks were carried out both inside the church and at the exits ahead of the ceremony. Three busloads of public order gardai provided back-up to uniformed and plainclothes officers, while more than a dozen mobile units from Armed Support patrolled the roads around the church. A number of gardai present used discreet hand-held cameras as an intelligence-gathering tool aimed at collating the members of the gang with whom Jason Hennessy Snr had been associated. A man has been sentenced to four years in prison for money-laundering after he was caught with over 1.78 million in cash at Dublin Airport. Journalist Ali Bracken spoke to Bailey hundreds of times on the phone The time of day or night when the phone rang determined what type of Ian Bailey would be on the other end. If it was after 9pm, which it often was, he almost certainly would have drink taken. He might recite his poetry or attempt to impart some knowledge, all generally delivered in good humour. As his cousin Ryan Tubridy reinvents himself in London, Fianna Fail man aims to hang on to seat in Brussels Barry Andrews felt sorry for his cousin Ryan Tubridy last year amid the storm of controversy that engulfed the former Late Late Show presenter. I was sad for him. I think it was a tough time for him; being in the public domain, your privacy is completely undermined, the Fianna Fail MEP told the Sunday Independent. Did he think there was an overreaction to the story of undisclosed payments that sundered Tubridys relationship with RTE and exposed wider controversies at the station? Look, it was the summer, there was very little else in the media at the time. Hes turned a page, I am delighted for him to get on with things, he said. I think London is a great opportunity for him to reset his life and I am looking forward to seeing him over there. For now, Andrews focus is on winning re-election to the European Parliament for the Dublin constituency in the June elections after he was re-selected as the Fianna Fail candidate without a contest last Tuesday night. His first term was interrupted by Brexit and Covid. As the last elected in the capital five years ago, he was unable to take his seat in Brussels/Strasbourg until Britain formally left the EU on January 31, 2020. Weeks later, the pandemic meant the normal life of an MEP was upended. He hopes a second term will give him more seniority and high-profile parliamentary committee roles. Much hinges on the outcome of Junes elections where he must buck the national trend in the capital to keep his seat amid a Sinn Fein surge. Unsurprisingly, he makes the case against Sinn Fein because of its current alignment with the GUE/NGL political grouping of communist and Eurosceptic parties. Voters really have to reflect on where they are sending their MEPs and what the consequences of that are, he said. But he is scathing of the European Peoples Party (EPP), which Fianna Fails coalition partners Fine Gael are members of. He takes aim at one of its figureheads, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, for her very public show of support for Israel in the immediate aftermath of the October 7 attacks. I think it is uncomfortable for Fine Gael to come into this election defending the candidacy of President von der Leyen for [a second term] because her unqualified support for Israel has not been a good look, and I am not sure its fully aligned with Irish public opinion. Earlier this month, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail MEPs split on a European Parliament vote calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Andrews and fellow Fianna Fail MEP Billy Kelleher said they could not support the final vote which Fine Gael did because right-leaning political groupings put forward too many conditionalities. He also raised wider concerns about what he described as an EPP kill list of legislation including labour market reform to outlaw products that have modern slavery in their supply chains. Theres lots of examples of this right-wing narrative that has seeped into the EPP, he said. I dont think the Fine Gael MEPs have become more right wing or are right wing. They find themselves out of step with their own EPP leadership quite a lot. Although reluctant to declare that Fine Gael should quit the EPP, he added: I think if the EPP continues to drift in the direction that theyre drifting it will be more difficult for Fine Gael to align themselves [with the EPP]. But we are in electoral mode and people tend to say things in electoral contexts that they dont necessarily do in governance. He is also critical of Taoiseach Leo Varadkars indication earlier this month that the Government is likely to pay a financial contribution instead of accepting more migrants under a new EU migration pact. I dont think thats a great message. That was a provision that was insisted upon by Viktor Orban, he said, making a pointed reference to the controversial Hungarian prime minister who has been at loggerheads with the EU in recent years. Orbans Fidesz party was formerly a member of the EPP though quit nearly three years ago ahead of its likely expulsion. It wasnt in the original commission proposal and its surprising to see Ireland putting its hand up already for an option which doesnt demonstrate solidarity, Andrews added. If every country puts up 20,000 per head, youre back to square one, and weve agreed something that is focused on human rights; to try to help people who are fleeing because of well-founded fears of persecution. Theyve already got refugee status, were not talking about asylum seekers, were not talking about bringing them here to assess their claim. A former junior minister and TD in Dun Laoghaire for nearly a decade, Andrews is not planning a return to domestic politics, saying he absolutely intends to serve a five-years term if re-elected. He demurs when asked about the outside chance of being nominated as Irelands next EU Commissioner. All of my concentration is on the European elections, issues like that dont arise if you dont get elected, he added. I was one of the lucky ones: TD reveals shock diagnosis with skin cancer during pandemic If you see any change on your skin, have it checked out immediately Aontu TD Peadar Toibin had to get patches of skin removed from his head during skin cancer treatment. Photo: Seamus Farrelly Eilish O'Regan Sat 27 Jan 2024 at 03:30 Skin cancer is the most common form of the disease diagnosed in Ireland and this week, Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson drew a global spotlight on the risks of sun exposure when she revealed she was treated for malignant melanoma. The Cork artist is suing the streaming service, claiming she never signed a location agreement for filming on her property during making of the 2021 series Three months before his sudden death, Ian Bailey signed a declaration in favour of his estranged partner Jules Thomas to help her in a legal battle with the streaming giant Netflix. Thomas is suing Netflix, claiming she never signed a location agreement with the company during the making of a 2021 documentary on the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier. In proceedings issued in the High Court in Dublin against Netflix Inc, Lightbox Media, and John Dower, she claimed that the filming on her property was an invasion of privacy and that a series of false statements were made in relation to her involvement in the aftermath of the murder. On October 17, 2023, Bailey described as a gentleman of Barrack Street, Bantry, Co Cork signed a solemn statutory declaration at the offices of ODonovan Murphy & Partners supporting her case, although they were estranged at that point. In May 2018, I did write to the managing director and the legal department at Lightbox Media and informed them that my then partner Jules Thomas was deeply unhappy that I had facilitated filming of the Netflix series about the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier on her property on May 7, 2018, and May 8, 2018, he said in his declaration. The filming had taken place without her permission or authorisation I informed Lightbox Media that Ms Thomas, the owner of the property, did not consent to the filming and that she instructed that none of the recordings should be used in any way, he continued. In this letter, dated May 18, 2018, sent before the Netflix series, Sophie: A Murder in West Cork, was aired, Bailey informed the makers that an issue has arisen concerning consent and location. Jules Thomas in her studio in Schull, Co Cork, in 2001. Photo: Donna McBride/Provision It went on: As you will be aware I gave extensive interviews on the property. Ms Thomas has asked me to make it clear to Lightbox Media that she gave no consent, nor was asked and she wishes that none of the recordings are used in any way. I myself was happy to co-operate with your crew and was unaware at the time of her objection to what she saw as an invasion of privacy. I am sorry about this and maybe I was at fault not to check with her first, although with the benefit of hindsight a more professional approach would have been for the company to have raised the matter of consent prior to recordings, which might have saved so much wasted time. Bailey who signed his letter Ian Kenneth Bailey BCL, LLB, LLM said that a small amount of recording had taken place on a public boreen and he had no objection to this footage being used, but any further interviews would have to take place at the West Cork Hotel in Skibbereen. Jules Thomas had ejected Bailey from the farmhouse they shared for years around March 2021. Ian Bailey In a separate document, dated October 26, 2023, lodged in the High Court in Dublin, (Catherine) Jules Thomas, of The Prairie, Lissacaha, Schull, Co Cork, has challenged the documentary makers, claiming that inaccuracies, fabrications and falsehoods in the series caused her financial and psychological damage. Ms Thomas, who is a lay litigant (taking the case without legal representation), said she had been shunned by her neighbours, ostracised by friends, forced for a time to stay away from the local market where she sold artwork, suffered losses from customers and galleries refusing to deal with her, and experienced stress, isolation and depression because of the Netflix series. She also disputed that Ian Bailey exercised coercive control and manipulated her, that he had told her he had a feeling that something bad was going to happen that night or that he was going over to Alfies a property adjacent to where the murder took place. The Indo Daily: 'I never had any doubt that Ian Bailey killed Sophie Toscan du Plantier She said claims that Ian Bailey had confessed to the murder of Sophie to their neighbours Richie and Rosie in her presence and that they had run screaming from the house, were false. The false narrative, she claimed, also included statements that when questioned by a French journalist if Bailey could be the murderer she had replied I dont know and that she was aware that a coat belonging to Bailey had been washed and was soaking in a bucket in the bathroom of her house the day after the murder. The documentary makers were aware that this material was false or had a reckless disregard for the facts and she was never invited to contradict them she said. She added that an inevitable consequence of these statements was emotional harm and suffering inflicted on the injured party and she could produce medical evidence to support this. The legal document concluded that she, the plaintiff, has suffered a psychiatric and/or psychological injury arising from the wrongful actions of the defendants (Netflix etc) and as of the time the claim was lodged (October 26, 2023) it was premature to calculate income losses she had suffered from sales of her artworks. The document setting out replies for further and better particulars from solicitors for Netflix and the other defendants (Matheson) also refers to defamation proceedings in the USA in relation to two of its earlier series, The Queens Gambit and Inventing Anna arising from its false portrayal of real persons for dramatic effect. On December 14, 2023, Matheson Solicitors wrote to Ms Thomas saying it was currently taking our clients instructions regarding her request for voluntary discovery of material relating to her case, and it hoped to respond to her request within the next few weeks. It is understood that Ms Thomas will apply to the Master of the High Court on March 6, 2024, to make discovery of the documents which are or have been in their possession relating to the matters at issue and for costs relating to the application. Lightbox Media was contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of publication. A prison term can offer a woman respite from a hard life but it also presents challenges What is she going to do to change our lives? Is she going to let us all out on temporary release? she asks another inmate, who laughs, before the pair are quickly shepherded inside, after being instructed to put their cigarette butts in the bin, rather than toss them on the ground. Reports emerge of 12 UN agency workers involvement in October 7 attack on Israel Ireland is to continue funding a United Nations aid agency for Palestinian refugees, notwithstanding claims that 12 of its now suspended employees are accused of taking part in the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. The US, UK, Australia, Italy and Finland have temporarily suspended funding after shocking reports emerged that UNRWA workers were involved in the attack which claimed the lives of 1,200 Israelis. The Israeli foreign minister has said Israel will work to garner bipartisan support in the US, the EU, and other nations globally, for its policy aimed at halting UNRWAs activities in Gaza. However, Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin yesterday praised the life-saving work of UNRWA, pointed out that 100 of its staff had been killed in the past four months and vowed that Ireland would continue to fund its work, at a cost of 18m last year. Micheal Martin said Ireland had no plans to suspend funding for UNRWAs vital Gaza work Mr Martins position puts Ireland at odds with some European countries, such as Italy which has also suspended support, and is a direct challenge to Israels stated aim of stopping UNRWA ever operating in Gaza again. A British government spokesperson yesterday said: The UK is appalled by allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the October 7 attack against Israel, a heinous act of terrorism that the UK government has repeatedly condemned. A Palestinian woman and children rest while fleeing Khan Younis. Photo: Reuters The UK is temporarily pausing any future funding of UNRWA whilst we review these concerning allegations. We remain committed to getting humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza who desperately need it. Penny Wong, foreign minister of Australia, said she was deeply concerned by the allegations and would temporarily pause disbursement of recently announced funding. Italy has also suspended funding, with foreign minister Antonio Tajan saying: Allied countries have recently made the same decision. The US state department said on Friday it had paused funding while we review these allegations and the steps the United Nations is taking to address them. UNRWAs 13,000 employees provide lifesaving assistance to 2.3m people at an incredible personal cost However Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin yesterday said he had full confidence in the decision to immediately suspend the UN staff suspected of participation in the heinous attacks of October 7, to investigate thoroughly and show zero tolerance on terror. He said Ireland had no plans to suspend funding for UNRWAs vital Gaza work. Writing on the social media platform X, Mr Martin said: UNRWAs 13,000 employees provide lifesaving assistance to 2.3m people at an incredible personal cost, with over 100 staff killed in the last four months. Ireland provided UNRWA with 18m of funding in 2023 and would continue its support this year, Mr Martin sad. In Israel, foreign minister Israel Katz said his government planned to stop UNRWA from ever operating in Gaza again. Under my leadership, the foreign ministry aims to promote a policy ensuring that UNRWA will not be a part of the day after, addressing other contributing factors, he said. In a statement yesterday, Hamas dismissed Israels allegations and urged the UN and other countries to not cave in to the threats and blackmail. More than 100 UNRWA staff have been killed in the last four months The UNRWA said on Friday that Israel had handed over intelligence alleging that a number of its workers were involved in the October 7 attacks. Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary general, had been briefed about the allegations, his spokesperson said. The secretary general is horrified by this news, said Stephane Dujarric, adding that an urgent and comprehensive independent review of UNRWA will be conducted. The UN Watch, a Geneva-based NGO that scrutinises the work of the UN, earlier this month raised the alarm about alleged Hamas sympathies among multiple UN employees in Gaza. The group cited posts in a Telegram group of about 3,000 UNRWA teachers in Gaza, which had praised the Hamas attackers as heroes. And just 54 applicants in Donegal and Mayo have completed the process by drawing down their full grant to pay for repairs Only 43 homeowners in Donegal affected by the defective blocks crisis have been able to receive a full payment for remediation works in the first three years of a redress scheme. An amended defective blocks redress scheme was launched last year but homeowners say it is still not working and will leave families in debt. Applications initially opened in 2020 and 1,880 homeowners have since sought the support. Work has since started on 228 homes. Campaigners estimate thousands of homeowners are yet to apply because they cannot afford necessary upfront costs or have no confidence in the scheme. Figures obtained by Sinn Fein housing spokesperson Eoin O Broin shows 54 applicants in Donegal and Mayo have completed the process by drawing down their full grant to pay for repairs. Mr O Broin also said that the fact that only 236 people have applied for the scheme since it was revised last June shows it is not fit for purpose. When the legislation underpinning the revised scheme was introduced in 2022, we argued it was fundamentally flawed. At the request of homeowners we tabled more than 80 amendments to fix the scheme but the minister ignored us, Mr O Broin added. The legislation was rushed without scrutiny and six months in, we can see a low level of applications. This shows the scheme is not fit for purpose and needs to be radically reformed in line with the amendments tabled in 2022. Mica Action Group chair Lisa Hone said there is a significant cost burden on families, even after they get approval. Because the scheme is retrospective there are cashflow issues with it as well, Ms Hone added. It is not a 100pc scheme because there are caps in place, so any home beyond a certain size is not fully covered. Even with the grants that are allowed, there are significant costs for professional fees, engineers fees, demolition costs and planning fees in cases where a person cannot rebuild the house they are using. There are also things not included in the scheme, such as flooring. But you cant repurpose tiles or try and relay the same wooden floor. After receiving grant approval, homeowners can apply for an additional 15,000 to pay for alternative accommodation, 5,000 to cover storage or removal fees and 5,000 for other repairs. These costs must be within an overall 420,000 grant cap, but homeowners say complications and high material prices mean the scheme does not cover all costs. Martina Hegarty expects her home in Crossmolina, Co Mayo, to be demolished in the coming weeks. Photo: Michael McLaughlin Martina Hegarty of the North Mayo Pyrite Group expects her old Crossmolina home will be demolished in the coming weeks. She applied for redress, but estimates she will be 50,000 out of pocket once her home is finished. It is so disheartening for us to hear the constant spin on how things are better, when the stress everybody is under is well known, Ms Hegarty said. The Government needs to be realistic. This is not 100pc, it is a grant allocation for a square foot rate of your house. Their verbiage is 100pc but in practice it feels more like up to 100pc. The reality is a lot of people are getting 70pc, 80pc or 90pc. Homeowners need to receive an allocation of a grant that will cover rent for their temporary home, storage, engineer fees and the total amount its going to cost them to rebuild their house not just part of their house. Ms Hegarty also feels crisis victims are less attractive options for builders than a new build customer. If the builder is dealing with a pyrite homeowner who has to find money for the builder to get started, the money for rent, for their mortgage, their storage and has to make all these payments upfront, while not getting 100pc redress it means the builder will have concerns that the homeowner may not be able to pay to see the project through. MAG chairperson Lisa Hone Ms Hone said homeowners in Donegal are particularly concerned about the foundations of their homes being defective but such works are not covered by the scheme. Research last year at Ulster University on the causes of defective concrete failure in Donegal found foundations that are at risk of deterioration due to internal sulphate attack. This occurs when pyrrhotite in the concrete oxidises as it comes into contact with oxygen and moisture, eventually contributing to faults and cracks. The government has tasked the National Standards Authority of Ireland with conducting similar research. Housing Minister Darragh OBrien said this work is expected to be completed later in the year and could lead to the defective concrete block scheme being reviewed if necessary. Mr O Broin said this needs to happen sooner, so foundation works are included in the scheme. The Department of Housing said a steering group works through administrative issues with the scheme as they arise. A scene from Agreement, which is to get its US premiere in April (Carrie Davenport/PA) A play which dramatises the final days of negotiations which led to the Good Friday Agreement is to get its US premiere later this year. Agreement, by playwright Owen McCafferty, will be staged at the Irish Arts Centre (IAC) in New York from April 11 to May 12. Ahead of its US run, the play will return to the Lyric Theatre in Belfast from March 9 to 30. The play focuses on the final days of the negotiations which led to the historic 1998 peace deal which largely ended decades of violence in Northern Ireland. It is the second time the Lyric Theatre has collaborated with the IAC following the US premiere of the punk-rock musical Good Vibrations, telling the story of Belfast punk legend Terri Hooley, last year. Agreement was previously staged at the Lyric as part of events in Northern Ireland to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in 2023. The award-winning play will be directed by Charlotte Westenra, with set and costume design by Conor Murphy. The cast includes Andrea Irvine as former Northern Ireland secretary Mo Mowlam, Chris Corrigan as Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, Dan Gordon as SDLP leader John Hume, Martin Huston as UK prime minister Tony Blair, Richard Croxford as George Mitchell, the US senator who chaired the negotiations, Ronan Leahy as Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Ruairi Conaghan as Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble. The US premiere will take place in a flexible, state-of-the-art theatre in the IACs new home in New York. Aidan Connolly, executive director of IAC (left) with Jimmy Fay, executive producer at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast (Lyric Theatre/PA) Jimmy Fay, executive producer at the Lyric Theatre, said: The successful run of Good Vibrations, and shortly a run of Agreement, are not only a fantastic opportunity to showcase the immense creative talent from this place, but also a unique opportunity to tell important and significant cultural and historical stories. We look forward to the return of Agreement to our main stage following its sold-out run. Over the past 25 years the Lyric has had its own part to play in the story and journey of the Good Friday Agreement, and it is fitting that this powerful production is returning to Belfast and travelling to international audiences. We are very grateful to all our funders and our title sponsor FinTrU for their support in helping us get there. Aidan Connolly, executive director of IAC, said: Were thrilled to welcome the Lyric Theatre back to New York with Owen McCaffertys extraordinary Agreement, building on the wonderful IAC-Lyric partnership inaugurated with last seasons hit musical Good Vibrations. Thanks to generous support from Culture Ireland and our many funders and stakeholders, this will be yet another opportunity for New York audiences to enjoy the great art and artists of Northern Ireland, and appreciate the enduring legacy of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement. Doctor warns vehicles are not suitable for children New laws have been introduced to try and cut the number of people seriously injured in quad bike crashes. Photo: Getty A new study has revealed a litany of major trauma injuries from quad bike incidents in Ireland ranging from crushed limbs to electrocution, burns, frostbite, serious brain and spine trauma as well as horrific eye and facial wounds. Dr Enda Hession, who examined hospital files relating to the four-wheeled vehicles in Ireland across a recent six-year period, found the cases predominantly affected young males, and there were three patients under the age of nine. They are not suitable for children to operate. I would hope the new recent legislative changes will improve their safe use, he said. Figures from the Health and Safety Authority show 11 people have died in quad bike incidents over the past decade. New quad bike laws requiring mandatory training along with the wearing of an approved helmet during their use in workplaces have recently been introduced. In the 69 quad bike-related cases recorded on the major trauma audit in Ireland from 2014 to 2019, the most severely injured region of the body was the head. Overall, 91pc of the patients were male with just under two-thirds between the age of 19 and 65. Head injuries included skull fractures, traumatic haemorrhage, brain laceration or penetration along with traumatic brain swelling. The audit captures the care of traumatically injured patients whose hospital lengths of stay are more than 72 hours, require admission to an intensive care unit or high-dependency unit, die in hospital within 30 days, or are transferred for further tertiary or specialist care. No use of a helmet was recorded in 50pc of the cases examined in the study. The proportion of paediatric patients and lack of helmet use was alarming, said Dr Hession. The study found 22pc of patients were boys and 3pc were girls under the age of 18. Along with the small number of patients under the age of nine, there were 16 young patients aged between 10 and 19. Dr Hession added: It is important to remember that these cases again are on the higher range of severity typically and will also underestimate the extent of paediatric patient involvement. It is possible that quads being predominantly operated on private property is a contributing factor and the danger associated with their operation is perhaps underestimated. Sixteen years is the legal age limit to operate a quad on public roads. The research team found the head was the most severely injured body region in 47pc of all cases documented without helmet use, but in patients wearing helmets, only one was most severely injured in the head. Mandatory head protection has only recently been introduced and again quads are typically operated on private property and people perhaps dont appreciate the risks involved, said the emergency doctor. Among the paediatric cases, the head was the most injured part of the body followed by the limbs and the spine and the face. Operations carried out on children included surgery to the limbs, spine, head and face. Overall, the most common incident location was on roads at 44pc but nearly a quarter of cases (23pc) occurred on farms. Across both adult and child cases, facial injuries included orbital blowout fractures, eye avulsion and traumatic retinal detachment. Patients also suffered panfacial injury which is defined as facial fractures simultaneously involving the upper, middle and lower thirds of the face. Other serious injuries included the crush of an entire hand, the crush of an entire foot, burn injuries, electrocution injuries and full-thickness frostbite. Dr Hession, who is completing advanced specialist training in emergency medicine, said the head injuries examined in the study are significant and on the higher end of the spectrum as they are included in the major trauma audit. The study said the potential for serious injury and death with quad bike use is a growing public health concern. Theres an inherent instability in their design and they are typically used on rugged terrain characterised by dangerous driving surfaces. Rollover crashes, even at low speed, can have adverse debilitating health consequences, added the research paper. Dr Hession, who carried out the research in St Vincents University Hospital Dublin, with emergency medicine consultant Dr John Cronin, said he hopes the research will help convey a recognition of the dangers and potential for serious injury associated with quad use. He added that roll bars are also a potential safety measure that could be introduced. Pat Griffin, senior inspector with the Health and Safety Authority, said Ireland is the first country that has introduced these regulations. We know ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) are a fantastic aid for farm work as they are designed to cope with a wide variety of terrain types, but they are also heavy, dangerous pieces of machinery that can cause life-changing injuries or death if not operated correctly. When investigating incidents, we have found the most important safety issues with quad bikes are lack of training, experience, lack of head protection and poor maintenance. By introducing the new regulations in November 2023 ensuring operators are fully trained and wear an appropriate helmet, we aim to reduce the risk of serious injury or death on quad bikes in the workplace. Broadcaster bracing itself for damaging revelations on severance packagesWith Coalition split on the issue, Varadkar wants RTE funded by the Exchequer Taoiseach Leo Varadkar favours the abolition of the TV licence and replacing it with exchequer funding for RTE as part of a tax-cut package in the Coalitions last budget before the general election, the Sunday Independent can reveal. It comes as RTE is refusing to explain why plans to publish its list of its top-10 highest on-air earners for 2022 were abandoned last week despite those on the list being informed it would be made public last Monday. The broadcaster is also bracing itself for damaging revelations on severance packages, with a report set to shed light on former director general Dee Forbess involvement in former finance director Breda OKeeffes controversial exit deal, which it has previously been claimed may have been as much as 400,000. Mr Varadkars preference for exchequer funding of RTE and public service broadcasting puts him at odds with Fine Gaels Coalition partners Fianna Fail. Tanaiste Micheal Martin and Finance Minister Michael McGrath have both argued publicly for the retention of a charge on households and questioned the appropriateness of an exchequer funding model. Media Minister Catherine Martin, the Green Party deputy leader, has strongly argued in recent weeks for exchequer funding, which was recommended by the Future of Media Commission in 2022, to be considered, and doubled down on her position in media interviews late last week. Media Minister Catherine Martin. Photo: Mark Condren The Sunday Independent understands Mr Varadkars overriding concern is to get a decision made as soon as possible as the lack of certainty is hampering the future of public service media. But his preference for direct exchequer funding as part of the Budget 2025 tax package, underscores the lack of consensus within the Government over how to proceed. Mr Varadkars party colleague, Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe, has previously argued for the retention of a charge. Senior Fianna Fail sources are adamant a reformed licence fee which currently stands at 160 per year or remodelled household charge at a lower rate, will be retained and that RTE and public service broadcasting will not be funded through the general exchequer. However, Fine Gael figures have cast doubt over whether this would be politically tenable in advance of the local and European elections in June and general election after that. Do we really want a battle over a new tax that doesnt even raise that much really, said one source. Several Coalition sources downplayed suggestions of tensions, with one senior figure insisting it was a policy debate with legitimate views on both sides and that nobody would go to war over the matter. It is understood Mr Varadkar would ultimately be prepared to support a household media charge that could be collected by Revenue, if Fianna Fail insists upon it. All parties are agreed on the need to make a decision in the coming months with Ms Martin saying on Friday there would be a decision before the summer. Meanwhile, the Sunday Independent has learned RTEs highest-paid presenters were told of plans to publish its top-10 highest on-air earners last Monday only for the publication of the list to be later abandoned. It remains unpublished this weekend. RTE has refused to comment on the reasons why its publication has been delayed One of those on the list said privately yesterday they had been put on notice on several occasions in recent weeks that publication was imminent only for it not to emerge. Several of those on the list privately confirmed they had been told it would be published last Monday. RTE has refused to comment on the reasons why its publication has been delayed amid speculation among some of those on the list that one presenter, whose identity is not known, is refusing to have their name published over GDPR concerns. They are reportedly citing the precedent of some management figures refusing to have their names and salaries made public by RTE last year. Sources acknowledged the possibility that a new entrant on the list for 2022 may have raised objections to their name being published. An RTE source denied this was the case. A spokesperson said: Due care and attention has been paid in the preparation for publication of the top-ten highest on-air earners figures for 2021 and 2022, including appropriate liaison within the internal finance functions, the external auditor and relevant board committee. RTE hopes to publish shortly. Last year, RTE confirmed that its highest paid on-air presenters in 2021 were Ryan Tubridy (440,000); Joe Duffy (351,000); Claire Byrne (350,000); Ray DArcy (305,000), Miriam OCallaghan (263,500), Brendan OConnor (245,004); Bryan Dobson (209,282); Mary Wilson (196,961); Darragh Maloney (183,738), and George Lee (179,131). The Sunday Independent understands Mr Duffy, Ms Byrne, Mr DArcy, Ms OCallaghan, Mr Dobson, Ms Wilson and Mr Maloney are not objecting to the publication of their names and earnings from RTE in 2022. Mr OConnor, Mr Lee and Mr Tubridy were also contacted for comment. Following a damning report into the nearly 2.3m lost on the Toy Show Musical debacle last week, RTE is facing further turmoil in the coming days when a report into controversial exit packages, including for its former finance director, is published. The report by solicitors McCann Fitzgerald into the operation of two voluntary exit programmes by RTE in 2017 and 2021 is expected to make findings about the six-figure severance for Breda OKeeffe, RTEs former finance director, whose role was not made redundant. Formerf RTE director general Dee Forbes. Photo: Niall Carson/PA It is expected to shed light on former director general Dee Forbess involvement in Ms OKeeffes exit package, which the NUJ has previously claimed would have been in the region of 400,000 when she left in 2020. RTE director general Kevin Bakhurst commissioned reports into the redundancy schemes last September after unions raised concerns about the manner of Ms OKeeffes exit. Mr Bakhurst has previously said he was surprised that Ms OKeeffe had received an exit package and was aware that some within RTE had been refused redundancy under the scheme. His deputy, Adrian Lynch, told an Oireachtas committee last July that Ms OKeefes redundancy never came before the stations executive board for sign-off. At a committee hearing last summer, Ms O Keeffe said she left RTE under a voluntary restructuring programme. RTE later confirmed this was the case, but refused to answer questions about how her exit satisfied the terms of the restructuring programme where a position was either suppressed or a reorganisation took place to reflect the role being made redundant. Ms OKeeffe was replaced as CFO by Richard Collins who has since resigned and there were no changes to the stations executive board so it is unclear what, if any, savings amounted to RTE. Her departure was announced in September 2019, there was no reference to her taking any type of voluntary exit package. NUJ general secretary Seamus Dooley previously said on the basis of Mr Collinss salary of 200,000 plus a 25,000 car allowance we can only anticipate that the figure for her redundancy would be in the region of 400,000. Sean Crowe told the 'Sunday Independent' his letter about the planned apartments at Broomhill Road in Tallaght raised 'legitimate questions', most of which, he said, the council agreed with A Sinn Fein TD has objected to a proposal to develop more than 80 homes across three-, five- and six-storey apartment blocks in his constituency. Dublin South-West TD Sean Crowe raised several concerns about the proposed development of 82 residential apartment units and a commercial floor space on a greenfield site on Broomhill Road in Tallaght, south Dublin. Mr Crowe described plans by Atlantico Partnership to build one-, two- and three-bed apartments across one six-storey and two five-storey blocks as highly inappropriate for the locality in a submission to South Dublin County Council (SDCC) last month. Fianna Fail councillor and former TD Charlie OConnor formally objected to the planning application. Local Green TD Francis Noel Duffy welcomed the proposals although he outlined residents concerns in his submission to the council. However, in his letter on December 5, Mr Crowe said while he was not opposed to social and affordable or other housing, he urged the council to refuse to consider the application from Atlantico Partnership until more details were available. His letter also stated: The 82 apartment units alone constitute a density of 119 apartments per hectare which constitutes gross over-development of the site. I am asking the council not to consider such a density which is highly inappropriate for the locality. Mr Crowe said the development is totally out of scale with the locality and totally ignores existing dwellings on the site and asked the council to review its scale, while also highlighting concerns about overshadowing existing houses in the area. He also described the provision of 41 parking spaces as grossly inadequate and raised concerns about the short supply of shops and creches in the locality. Mr Duffys submission specifically welcomed the proposal while outlining residents concerns around the height difference with existing homes, traffic concerns, the need for a comprehensive biodiversity plan, and issues around public service provision and drainage. Mr Crowe told the Sunday Independent his letter was not an objection but raised legitimate questions, most of which he said the council agreed with. It would be inappropriate for public representatives not to be considering these things, he said I know there is a housing crisis, I deal with housing issues every day. I am more than aware of the challenges that are facing people. But these buildings are going to be there for a long time, so we need to build them right and properly, whether it is traffic, environment or impact on other residents there in 30 to 40 years. In a letter last December, SDCCs senior planner sought additional information from the developer, raised concerns about some of the design of the units within the scheme and urged it to consider issues like open space, green areas, play spaces, and the provision of childcare in the area. Fine Gael Minister of State Jennifer Carroll MacNeill criticised Mr Crowe and Sinn Fein. Why put in objections that arent necessary; the council is well able to work out tweaks, she said. Putting in submissions that look like planning objections and smell like planning objections and saying theyre not really is playing both sides of the argument. Council tells developer to apply for planning permission to use the properties as student residences The university bought the properties to ease the student accommodation shortage New homes purchased by the University of Limerick (UL) to house students are currently in use without the appropriate planning permission. Limerick City and County Council told the developer responsible for the scheme new planning permission is required for the homes to accommodate students. UL said postgraduate students and researchers who attend and work at the university have been living at the student village since October. A UL subsidiary, Plassey Trust Company Ltd, is responsible for managing the homes and remains in dialogue with the council about the planning issue. The college announced plans in 2022 to add the 20-house student village in Rhebogue to its portfolio. The student village, 2km from its Castletroy campus, was to be built by Silvergrove Developments before being purchased by the university. The plan was unusual as universities often develop their own schemes rather than buying homes. Silvergrove was originally granted permission for 20 residential units at the site in 2018. This was despite local objections over fears the scheme would lead to a significant rise in the volume of social housing in the area and a lack of amenities. Some local residents later raised concerns about the site being used for student housing. When the student housing plans were announced UL said full planning permission was in place. New planning documents show Limerick City and County Council is unhappy with the permission in place for the student housing plan. Silvergrove applied to the council last September to retain planning permission for a boundary and a landscaping plan at the student village site. The council responded to the developer in November saying it was aware of plans for the development to be used as student accommodation. As this is a change of use, planning permission is therefore required. This is considered significant further information and should be re-advertised accordingly, the council said. Planning files show the council felt the developer should submit a planning statement outlining a justification for the change of use. It also asked the developer to confirm using the development as student accommodation complies with government guidelines and provisions in the Limerick development plan. The developer was given six months to respond. Its original application to retain planning for the boundary and landscaping will not be processed until the council receives the additional information it sought. Attempts to contact Silvergrove last week were unsuccessful. The Sunday Independent understands the subsidiary managing ULs student accommodation is likely to argue the occupation of housing units by a particular type of tenant does not raise new planning considerations if the homes are used as designed and permitted under the original planning permission. A source pointed out that many private landlords in nearby housing estates also rent homes to students. However, the planning issue raise questions about oversight of ULs deal with Silvergrove. Last year the university told the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee (PAC) the Rhebogue deal was the first one conducted under new policies and procedures for the acquisition of buildings and property. These were introduced after controversy erupted over ULs 8m purchase of a former Dunnes Stores outlet in Limerick city centre in 2019. This weekend a UL spokeswoman said the college has robust governance policies and procedures in place for the acquisition of buildings and property. UL has been very active in seeking solutions to the ongoing severe shortage of accommodation which is a national issue, she said. Its nearly February, a grim time of year in the Irish calendar, so what wouldnt we all give right now for a few days of blue-skied sunshine accompanied by temperatures high enough to tempt us into last summers swimming attire? Or even into a T-shirt and shorts while enjoying a spot of lunch on an outdoor terrace overlooking the sea and tucking into some lovely fresh fish and a glass or two of wine. Sam McBride: Would Mary Lou McDonald dare to please the Sinn Fein faithful by snubbing Joe Biden over Gaza? The partys staunch support for Palestine is causing republicans conflict over whether she should meet Israels key backer on St Patricks Day at the White House Mary Lou McDonald is preparing to meet Joe Biden around St Patrick's Day Sam McBride Sun 28 Jan 2024 at 03:30 Sinn Fein is facing an awkward decision that will demonstrate how much its prepared to annoy its base in pursuit of greater power. How Mary Lou McDonald handles the next seven weeks will reveal how far she is prepared to bend to win the next election. Today Ireland commemorates Holocaust Memorial Day, which is held on the Sunday nearest January 27 to remember six million Jews who died in the Holocaust, together with all non-Jewish victims of Nazi persecution and murder. The most notorious Nazi concentration camp, Auschwitz, was liberated on January 27, 1945. The commemoration cherishes the memory of all people who died in the Holocaust and recalls the millions of Jewish men, women and children and other victims who were persecuted and murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators because of their ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliations or religious beliefs. Todays event here, and others around the world, are taking place under an unprecedented spotlight that of comparison with Israels bombardment of Gaza. Last week the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered six provisional measures to be implemented to protect Palestinians in Gaza, including orders for Israel to prevent death and destruction and to enable the provision of basic services and humanitarian aid. A final verdict in an allegation of genocide against Israel, in a case taken by South Africa, is not expected for several years. Meanwhile, Israels prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the country will continue to defend ourselves and our citizens while adhering to international law. While the court, regrettably, did not call for a ceasefire in Gaza, it has ordered Israel and its defence forces not to commit any acts of genocide. It also ruled that Israel should punish any incitement to genocide and has cited comments made by Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant, who has said that Israel will eliminate everything and that Israel was fighting human animals. Such remarks clearly suggest a prima facie case against Israel under the Genocide Convention. Micheal Martin, our Minister for Foreign Affairs, has said that, irrespective of whether any actions in Gaza are eventually judged to meet the threshold of genocide, all parties to the conflict must be held to account for their actions. The prosecutor of the ICJ is continuing to investigate all serious allegations of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in and from Gaza, whether by Israel, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad or other non-state armed groups. Today the world remembers the Holocaust, a watershed event in human history and the most extreme case of genocide that has yet occurred. What distinguished the Holocaust from other genocides was the totality and scope of intent the goal of killing every last Jewish man, woman and child throughout the reach of the Nazi empire and the means employed: the harnessing of the administrative, bureaucratic and technological capacities of a modern nation state and Western scientific culture. The International Court of Justice will, ultimate- ly, decide whether Israels actions in Gaza amount to genocide. It is not a word to be lightly thrown around. The Irish Government has said it will strongly consider intervention in the South Africa case, following a detailed analysis of the ICJs decision. And officials are preparing legal advice with some urgency. Ireland has long-standing commitments to international law and is a strong defender of the international rules-based system. At a minimum, we should intervene if Israel fails to implement in good faith and as a matter of urgency the provisional measures that have been ordered by the International Court of Justice. The human tragedy unfolding in Gaza sears the conscience of the world. It has created waves of empathy and anguish, as well as anger and outrage. The horror we are witnessing of mass loss of life is incompatible with any concept we may cherish of civilisation in a 21st-century, post-modern world. That is why all eyes were trained on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as it issued its explosive order to Israel to limit harm to Palestinians in Gaza. To date, more than 26,000 Palestinians have been killed in retaliatory attacks since the Hamas massacre last October 7. The UNs highest court found Israel must take steps to prevent and punish incitement to genocide, as well as ensure basic services and humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza. But the 17-strong panel of judges in the Hague did not grant the request of South Africa which took the case that Israel should be ordered to immediately suspend its bombardment of the enclave. An ultimate ruling on the allegation that Israel is committing genocide may take years. The order is nonetheless a watershed. For a Western-backed democracy to be confronted with such grave allegations of committing international crime is extremely unusual. The order can only crank up the already intense international pressure on Tel Aviv to rein in its operations in Gaza. True to form, in the aftermath of the ruling, Israels prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue the military campaign while doing our utmost to keep civilians out of harms way. But too many similar vows have been made already as the relentless carnage continued, for this to be taken seriously. Although impervious to advice to scale back attacks, the order must at least give Israel pause for thought on any remaining illusions of impunity. Israel has furiously rejected the claims as profoundly distorted. But the over-crowded morgues, bodies in the streets, bombed schools and hospitals all tell a story that the people of Gaza are being punished collectively. They are being systematically driven from their homes, with no safe sanctuary. Now, as temperatures reach freezing point, they are also facing threats from famine and disease. Israel has given no sign that it will end its onslaught. The ruling also renders its dismissal of critical moves towards the only equitable way to secure peace in the region the two-state solution less sustainable. Many Arabs hoping the ICJ would call for a ceasefire may be disappointed. But the ruling will have reverberations. Human Rights Watch described it as a landmark decision, saying it puts Israel and its allies on notice that immediate action is needed to prevent genocide and further atrocities against Palestinians in Gaza. Given its own traumatic history, and the ineffable suffering of the Holocaust, for Israel to find itself being ordered by the international court to prevent genocidal acts, must represent a seminal moment. Gardai will meet with National Parks and Wildlife Service representatives in the coming weeks to discuss road-traffic collisions involving deer and actions that can be taken to address the issue. This was outlined in response to a question by Fianna Fail Councillor Michael Cahill at the most-recent meeting of the Kerry Joint Policing Committee (JPC) on Friday. The matter had been raised earlier in the meeting by his Fianna Fail colleague, Cllr John Francis Flynn. While Cllr Cahills question focussed on accidents on the Ring of Kerry road, Cllr Flynn said the problem is widespread. It was an issue, for years, around the outskirts of Killarney, but now its all over the county, Cllr Flynn told the meeting. A week doesnt go by that a car doesnt crash because of a deer running out in front of them. The local media have been brilliant over the years in highlighting this, but its a solution we need more than awareness now, because if people havent hit a deer themselves, they know somebody who has hit a deer. In response to Councillor Cahill, Kerry County Council said it would need to review statistics on accidents involving deer to determine the extent of the problem, and in which locations accidents have occurred. Is that because you dont have them, or is it because of data protection, or why is that line in there? Cllr Cahiill asked. I know that the majority of people dont report accidents for one reason or another. It might be to do with insurance or they sort it themselves, but we need these statistics. Id say theres a minimum of two to three accidents every week. It could be a lot more, I honestly dont know. The local authority added that it and An Garda Siochana will meet with Transport Infrastructure Ireland to discuss the issue. Sinn Fein Councillor Fionntain O Suilleabhain and Fine Gael Councillor Anthony Donohue clashed on the topic of vulture funds and inflated rental prices at a recent Gorey Kilmuckridge District Council meeting. At the meeting, Cllr O Suilleabhain highlighted a case where a London based company snapped up 85 per cent of an estate and then rented it back at an inflated price to local families. Its just shocking that councillors dont have a problem with that, said Fionntain O Suilleabhain. Cllr Anthony Donohue disagreed with Cllr O Suilleabhain statements and said that wasnt inflated market rent. If theres two buildings beside each other and the rent in A is 1000 and the rent in B is 1300, thats inflated, Im not going to rent in B because its 1300. Its a market, the market sets the rent, theres no inflated, said Cllr Donohue. Its amazing that theres such free marketeers here that they dont have a problem with renting back at 3,000 a month to families in Dublin. They say thats just the free market. Thats extreme right wing position that you could possibly have! said Cllr O Suilleabhain in response. There was uproar at the meeting following this last statement and Cathaoirleach Pip Breen had to call the meeting to order. Cllr Donal Kenny, Cllr Pip Breen and Cllr Willie Kavamagh spoke against it. Cllr O Suilleabhain has been very outspoken about vulture funds buying up estates. Luxury lingerie is not something you tend to associate with the avant-garde punk-rock movement, but Susan Moylett broke the mould with her fashion journey from No Romance to Susan Hunter "Attention to detail is whats kept us open, and a huge amount of luck," says Susan Moylett. The luxury lingerie boutique Susan Hunter has stood in Dublins Westbury Mall for 40 years, but has a somewhat unlikely backstory. Shop owner Susan Moylett tells me how this ultra-feminine location developed out of her punk-rock roots. I was living in London at the time punk had exploded it was so long ago, I dont actually remember when! laughs Moylett. Me and my sister Regine were so young and naive, we said, Lets open a shop! When youre young, youre fearless you have nothing to lose. We went to London to figure out where people were getting their stock. There was a great burst of creativity there at the time. The sisters equally creative brother Johnnie, founder of The Boomtown Rats, came up with the name No Romance. The sister duo stocked brands such as Vivienne Westwood, BOY and Lloyd Johnson in their cutting-edge Dublin punk-fashion store. No Romance lasted six years, Moylett recalls. I opened Susan Hunter in 1984 and closed No Romance in 1985. I had gotten married, I was a bit older; No Romance was very much young fashion and on the button. I didnt want to be a person asking, What do the kids want? I wanted to sell what I wanted. Silk Satin slip, 380, Marjolaine, susanhunter.ie Regine now manages Blur, Damon Albarn and Gorillaz. She also does press for U2, adds Moylett, who had an encounter with Bono herself when No Romance dressed him back in the day. Its only now, 30 years later, you realise Oh my god, was I standing beside him? Its like the Irish joke of everyone knows everyone. So, what made Moylett move from punk to panties? When I was getting married, I went into Arnotts to get some lingerie but they didnt have any sets it was too exotic, she smirks. So I thought, Theres a market there. I opened it with a business partner, Pamela Hunter. The women combined their names for the store and Susan Hunter was born a destination for silky lace intimates guaranteed to make anyone feel beautiful from the inside out. Balconette bra, 120, Andres Sarda, susanhunter.ie Brick-and-mortars are notoriously difficult to keep open; however, business-savvy Moylett is now celebrating 40 years of her Dublin store. Attention to detail is whats kept us open, and a huge amount of luck, she says. However, 40 hasnt come without its struggles. In the 1980s, we had the bomb scares people were afraid to come into town. Then we had the 2008 crash. Someone said to me if you survived the crash, youd survive Covid. Theres always something going right or wrong. Moylett has indeed survived all the bumps along the road. She is now the sole owner of Susan Hunter, which has become a beloved destination for brides-to-be and lovers of luxurious lingerie that has stood the test of time. You can find Susan Hunter in the Westbury Mall, Dublin 2, or see susanhunter.ie The Prime Minister said the trend of vaping among young people was very worrying (Ian Forsyth/PA) British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will announce plans on Monday to ban the sale of disposable vapes to prevent their use by children, and reiterate the government's intention to introduce a law preventing younger generations from buying tobacco. Under the new powers, there would be restrictions on vape flavours, a requirement for plain packaging, and changes to how vapes, or e-cigarettes, are displayed to make them less attractive to children. French farmers are maintaining traffic barricades on some of the countrys major roads after saying measures announced by the government do not fully address their demands. The farmers movement, seeking better remuneration for their produce, less red tape and protection against cheap imports has spread in recent days across the country, with protesters using their tractors to shut down long stretches of road and slow traffic. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash Jammu to host first ever Dogri Kavi Sammelan on January 30 here at Abhinav Theatre. "The first ever Dogri Kavi Sammelan will be held here at Abhinav Theatre on January 30 as a part of Republic Day celebrations," said an official. Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) on Sunday organised All India Urdu Mushaira at Abhinav Theatre here to commemorate celebration of 75th Republic Day. The annual event, started in the year 1960 by JKAACL, was joined by the renowned poets of J&K and other states and UTs of the country. Principal Secretary, Culture, Suresh Kumar Gupta, inaugurated the literary gala in presence of Vice Chairperson J&K Waqf Board, Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi, Secretary, JKAACL, Bharat Singh, and others. On the occasion, Secretary JKAACL highlighted the significant role of literary personalities and events like this Mushaira in shaping new ideas in the world of literature and culture. Such events not only bring together the literary talent but also celebrate our linguistic and cultural heritage, he added. Facebook/Nitish Kumar Patna/IBNS: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is all set to return to an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ditching the opposition INDIA alliance on Sunday. He will meet the Governor at 11.30 am and resign to start the process, reports said. The 72-year-old met with all JD(U) legislators in the morning before resigning as the Chief Minister, only to take a fresh oath with the BJP alliance in the evening. All BJP MLAs in Bihar have already given letters of support to Nitish Kumar. The BJP and JD(U) have also finalised a seat-sharing agreement for the Lok Sabha election due in three months. Nitish Kumar had hoped to be chosen as the leader of the opposition alliance. However, the allies opted for Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge for the role after Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal proposed his name. The JD(U) leader was also unhappy with the Congress for assuming a "big brother" role in the alliance and causing delays in the discussions about seat-sharing. Kumar, who is upset with Congress's indifference towards his role in the formation of the opposition INDIA bloc, lost his cool when he was targeted by RJD on Thursday. While addressing a party event on Wednesday to mark the birth centenary of former Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur, he obliquely slammed RJD Chief Lalu Prasad for promoting his sons in politics. The reports have sent RJD and the Congress into a huddle, with both parties holding several meetings to discuss the plan of action if Kumar exits. JD(U) was among the top parties in Opposition's INDIA bloc which aims to challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Lok Sabha polls. 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. In images (from L-R): Samrat Chaudhary & Vijay Sinha / courtesy: Wikimedia commons Patna/IBNS: As Nitish Kumar gears up to take oath as the Bihar Chief Minister with the support from the Bharatiya Janata party (BJP), he will be assisted by two deputies from the saffron camp, media reports said. Bihar BJP chief Samrat Chaudhary and Leader of Opposition in the Bihar assembly Vijay Sinha will be appointed Deputy Chief Ministers, as per reports. The party's national head JP Nadda will reach Patna this evening to finalise the Bihar realignment with Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United), or JD(U). Nitish Kumar Sunday resigned as Bihar Chief Minister ending days of political speculation over his fifth switching of alliance in a decade. Kumar met Bihar Governor Rajendra Arlekar this morning and handed over his resignation. This is his eighth resignation in a political career, which saw his rise as a model of good governance before his repeated jumps across the political aisle that hit his popularity and his party JDU's electoral stature. Speaking to reporters outside the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Kumar said: "I have tendered resignation as the chief minister today. I took this decision after listening to my party's MLAs. I will now form a new alliance today," Kumar said indicating his switch to BJP. "I tried to put up an alliance of opposition but nothing was happening there," Kumar said on the decision to ditch the opposition INDIA alliance, something that was initiated by him. The 72-year-old met with all JD(U) legislators in the morning before resigning as the Chief Minister, only to take a fresh oath with the BJP alliance in the evening. All BJP MLAs in Bihar have already given letters of support to Nitish Kumar. The oath ceremony is likely to take place at 5PM this evening. The BJP and JD(U) have also finalised a seat-sharing agreement for the Lok Sabha election due in three months. Photo Courtesy: UNI Patna: Janata Dal (United) national president and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is once again back in the Bhartiya Janata Party-led NDA, just a year after he had joined hands with the Oppositions Grand Alliance to form his government in Bihar. Exasperated with Nitishs move, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had said that the BJP had closed its doors to JDU leader Nitish Kumar, underscoring that the NDA would not ally with him in the future. Amidst political speculation in Bihar, this old video of Amit Shah is going viral on social media. When he said that "BJP's doors are closed forever for you people (" " and Singh)".#NitishKumar | Nitish | Nitish Kumar | #JDU #TejashwiYadav, #BiharPolitics pic.twitter.com/P9r6hELFUY Neha Bisht (@neha_bisht12) January 27, 2024 However, in a sudden turn of events that has tipped the political balance months before the Lok Sabha polls, the eight-time Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is back in the NDA fold. This is his fifth change of stance in a decade, which caused a rapid decline in his popularity and his party's electoral performance. Voters can no longer perceive Nitishs political ideology given his tendency to quickly shift allegiance based on his own aspirations. BJP MLAs in Bihar have given letters of support to Nitish Kumar. The party's legislators also convened a meeting in Patna today, just before Kumar submitted his resignation to Governor Rajendra Arlekar. However, this did not come without a hefty exercise on the part of BJPs central leadership as it had to pursue party MLAs in Bihar, who were unhappy over Nitishs repeated jumps across the political aisle. With the Lok Sabha elections around the corner, clearly, the saffron party considers Nitishs presence advantageous enough to overlook his mercurial attitude for the time being. Until a few months back, Nitish Kumar was a prominent figure in the Opposition's INDIA bloc and played a leading role in uniting various parties to challenge the formidable BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that Kumar had been instrumental in convening INDIA meetings, and the Opposition bloc anticipated his commitment to fighting against the BJP until the end. However, his recent change of stance has put the INDIA bloc in an awkward position months before the Lok Sabha polls, lending support to the BJP's argument that the Opposition alliance is inherently unstable. Nitish Kumar had been unhappy with Congresss attitude and accused it of assuming a "big brother" role in the alliance and causing delays in the discussions about seat-sharing. Nitish Kumar had hoped to be chosen as the leader of the opposition alliance. However, the allies opted for Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge for the role after Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal proposed his name. Congress, which had elected Mallikarjun Kharge as its president, has been pitching Rahul Gandhi against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Congress has a clear motive for joining the allianceit aspires to take the lead and see one of its own, ideally Rahul Gandhi, become the Prime Minister, provided the INDIA bloc secures a majority in the Lok Sabha polls. Over the past decade, despite his consistent changes in commitment, Kumar has managed to retain the position of Chief Minister. However, both his personal popularity and his party's electoral performance have witnessed a steady decline. His once-held image as 'Sushashan Babu,' the development-oriented man, has now been replaced by the perception of 'paltu kumar,' the one who frequently switches sides. The JDU's strength in the Assembly has considerably decreased, dropping from 115 seats in the 2010 Bihar polls to 71 in 2015 and further down to just 43 in 2020. As a result, his party holds the position of the third-largest force in the Assembly though Kumar is the Chief Minister's chair. Whether he is aligning with the RJD or the BJP. Kumar's autonomy has diminished, as his allies hold more numerical strength. Therefore, even if the BJP allows Kumar to retain the Chief Minister post, it maintains greater control over the decision-making in the Bihar government. In this way, it becomes a win-win situation for the BJP, NDTV reports. Kumar's frequent flip-flops over the past decade have had a negative impact on his public image. According to the report, the BJP perceives that it has relatively little to lose in the perception game since, unlike in Madhya Pradesh or Maharashtra, it does not involve a section of ruling party MLAs switching sides. In those states, the BJP was accused of orchestrating coups to overthrow governments. In this case, with Kumar repeatedly changing allies, the BJP is less likely to be viewed as the instigator. As expected, BJP leaders have reverted to their "jungle raj" rhetoric to justify their willingness to collaborate with Kumar once again. "Jungle Raj" is a term used by the BJP to characterize the corruption- and crime-tainted tenure of the Lalu Prasad Yadav-led RJD. Photo courtesy: UNI New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the Supreme Court on Sunday at the Supreme Court auditorium in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the role of the judiciary in strengthening Indias vibrant democracy and its commitment to safeguarding the fundamental rights of every citizen. The Prime Minister launched the new website of the Supreme Court and its citizen-centric information and multiple technology initiatives, including the Digital Reports (Digi SCR), Digital Courts, and other technological innovations. The PM said that the government approved Rs 800 crore last week for the expansion of the Supreme Court Building Complex and is committed to providing all help in terms of infrastructure, funds, and manpower to modernize and facilitate the legal system. The government has also disbursed Rs 7,000 crores since 2014 for the physical infrastructure of the courts, the PM said. The PM said that ease of justice is the need of the hour, and the government is committed to providing support to the judicial system to reach out to every person in an efficient and cost-friendly manner. The E-Courts Mission Projects third phase will have four times more funds, the PM added. Justice Chandrachud said the Supreme Courts E-Court project has attained many milestones. On several days, lawyers reached the courts with trolley carts of paper. But now, this has changed. Now we have the facility to file cases at the click of a button, said Justice Chandrachud. Nearly 1,28,000 e-filings have been done so far, with a consistent rise in the share of e-filings compared to physical filings. The e-filings are available in 25 states. They have recorded over 29 lakh case filings, the CJI said. The CJI further said that with the immense support of the bar and the bench, we were able to swiftly shift to virtual hearings during COVID-19. Even after the pandemic, hybrid hearings continue to be a feature of our courts, and any Indian lawyer sitting in any part of the country, or the world can argue before this Court through video conferencing. This has democratized access to the Supreme Court. It has opened the door for those who were unable to approach the Supreme Court due to physical distance, the CJI said. The CJI said that the live proceedings of the Supreme Court Constitutional Bench hearings are popular and speak to the genuine curiosity that people have towards our courts and procedures. The e-Courts project attempts to enhance the accessibility and transparency of the justice delivery system. At the heart of these initiatives is the desire to transform the judicial system into a technology-enabled, efficient, accessible, and environment-friendly institution. Dr. Adhish Aggarwala, President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, lauded the CJIs orders and said that his judgments are cited across the world, including the European courts. Lauding the government for its support of the legal system, Dr. Aggarwala said that the government is seen as a partner of the legal system and not in opposition to the judiciary. The event was marked by the presence of stalwarts like former Supreme Court Chief Justices N. V. Ramana, K. G. Balakrishnan and Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, High Court Judges, Vice Chancellors of Law Universities, Senior Advocates, and other dignitaries were present during the occasion. The Chief Justices of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Mauritius, Nepal, and Sri Lanka were also present at the event. The CJI thanked them for attending the event. India has long-standing cultural bonds with them, and the presence of the Chief Justices today strengthens India's ties with their nations, he said. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said that courts decisions, both in the judicial and administrative realms, have been aimed at enhancing accessibility to the Indian judicial system for common citizens. He also said that there is a need to start a conversation on the long court vacations and propose alternatives to them with discussions with the bar on this aspect. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal noted that the Supreme Court was established 75 years ago with six judges and now it has a strength of 34 judges. Since independence, we have endeavoured to have laws that would be interpreted by a constitutional court under the rule of law and not by colonial values or social hierarchies. There is a need to decolonize the legal system, he said. Bar Council Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra said that the Indian judiciary is one of the strongest in the world. Attorney General R. Venkata Ramani also stressed the need to uphold the Constitutional values of the country. (With UNI inputs) Photo Courtesy: Unsplash South Korea on Sunday claimed North Korea fired several cruise missiles from its east coast, media reports said. The latest firing happened just days after Pyongyang test-fired new strategic cruise missiles from the west coast. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) told Yonhap news agency that the North's launch took place around 8 am in waters off Shinpo Port, but did not elaborate, citing an ongoing analysis. "While strengthening our monitoring and vigilance, our military has been closely coordinating with the United States to monitor additional signs of North Korea's provocations," the JCS said in a text message sent to reporters as quoted by Yonhap. The strategic cruise missiles fired on Wednesday were named Pulhwasal-3-31. The missiles were fired towards the Yellow Sea. Experts told Yonhap news agency that the Pulhwasal-3-31 appears to be a nuclear-capable cruise missile, considering that the number in its name is identical to that of the Hwasan-31, a tactical nuclear warhead that North Korea first unveiled in March 2023 Photo Courtesy: X page video grab At least one person died after two masked men attacked an Italian church in Turkey's Saryer district on Sunday (January 28, 2024), Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said. The attack reportedly took place when a religious ceremony was underway. Yerlikaya wrote on X that two masked gunmen attacked the church at around 11.40 local time. "A large-scale investigation into the issue and efforts to catch the attackers have been initiated," he posted on X. Bugun Saat 11.40 sralarnda Saryer Buyukdere Mahallesinde bulunan Santa Maria Kilisesindeki ayin srasnda, ayine katlanlar icinde bulunan C.T. maskeli 2 kisi tarafndan silahl saldrya ugrams ve maalesef hayatn kaybetmistir. Konuyla ilgi genis capl sorusturma ve Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) January 28, 2024 "We strongly condemn this vile attack," he said. The motive behind the attack is still not clear. Photo Courtesy: Pixabay A man threatened police officers with a knife and was shot dead by police earlier Sunday morning in Australia's state of Queensland. A Queensland police report issued on Sunday morning said the police were called to a Payne Street address in Mount Louisa, a suburb in Queensland's City of Townsville after 12:10 a.m. local time. During the incident, one man threatened officers with a knife and was subsequently shot by police. The man was declared deceased at the scene. The police report did not disclose details of the fatal incident but said the police investigations are continuing. (With UNI inputs) Gunmen kill nine Pakistani labourers in Iran. Photo Courtesy Unsplash Unidentified attackers gunned down nine Pakistani workers in Irans Sistan-Baluchestan province on Saturday. The incident occurred close to the Iran-Pakistan border. Informed sources told Mehr News Agency that the incident occurred early Saturday as gunmen attacked a house in the Sirkan city. No group has claimed responsibility for the incident so far. Pakistan Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani condemned the incident posted on X: "Saddened over the death of Pakistanis in Iran in a terrorist attack.This heinous attack is an attempt to spoil relations between Pakistan and Iran by our common enemies. While offering condolences to the families of victims, urge the Iranian govt for action." Iran responds Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani has strongly condemned the Saturday morning armed attack on a suburb of the city of Saravan that according to initial reports regrettably killed 9 Pakistani citizens and critically wounded 3 others. Kanaani extended his sympathies to the Pakistani government and the families of the victims. The Foreign Ministry spokesman further noted that the responsible bodies have launched an investigation into the attack. Iran-Pakistan border tension Iran and Pakistan carried out a tit-for-tit strike last week on militants on each others soil. The episode hiked tension between the two nations. Photo courtesy: PTI X page screen grab Karachi Police on Sunday arrested at least 20 Imran Khan's PTI workers when the party tried to carry out an election rally in the Pakistani city ahead of the February 8 national polls. The development came as the leaders of all major political parties including the PPP, the PML-N and the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) continued their election trail, reported Dawn News. PTI posted on X: " Police are arresting peaceful people at Karachi, during PTIs rally." "These are visuals of free and fair elections," the party said. The political outfit also shared videos of police arresting PTI members. PTI claimed police lobbed tear gas during their Karachi rally. The party posted on X: "Using tear gas during an election rally is one of the most shameful acts by these caretakers showing their loyalty to Sharif and Zardari.ECP has completely failed in their basic job." Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) South Asad Raza told Dawn.com that action was taken because the party did not have a no-objection certificate (NOC) to stage a protest or rally in Karachis Clifton area. The police did not receive any request for a NOC, he said. Seven to eight policemen were injured while 20-25 people affiliated with the PTI have been arrested, he said. PTI leader and former federal minister Hammad Azhar said police arrested his 82-year-old father, who is also the former Punjab governor, ahead of the election rally in Lahore. Hammad posted on X: " My 82 year old father arrested. He wanted to lead a rally as per his democratic and constitutional right. Pakistan has today been reduced to a total fascist state with zero human rights or rule of law. One Nawaz Sharif & his daughter calling the shots and ruining the country." Photo Courtesy: Mahrang Baloch X page Baloch Yakjehti Committee leader Mahrang Baloch, who led the month-long sit-in protest to highlight the issue of mission persons and police torture in Balochistan, on Saturday said a revolution was brewing in the Pakistani region. In her address at the Shahwani Stadium in Quetta, Dr Baloch also called the ongoing movement against enforced disappearance and operations a watershed moment, reported Dawn News. Women, political workers and students from different areas of the province attended the gathering on Saturday. Today, the participants have proved that they are with their mothers and sisters in their struggle for the recovery of their loved ones, she said. We proudly hold our heads high because of you, she said. She said the people of the Pakistani region have been protesting against atrocities and injustices committed by the state for the last 75 years. Vowing that the protest would continue, she said: "They have weapons, but we have the courage to continue our struggle against the atrocities and injustices." As a daughter of Balochistan, I appeal to the people to continue this awami (public) movement as it is our mandate," the leader said. Photo Courtesy: Screen grab X page Maldivian Parliament on Sunday witnessed unruly scenes when some lawmakers exchanged blows with each other during a special session convened to seek parliamentary approval for President Mohamed Muizzu's cabinet ministers. The decision of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and The Democrats' parliamentary group not to approve some members of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's cabinet, has lead to the ruling party Progressive Party of Maldives and Peoples National Congress (PPM/PNC) coalition affiliated parliamentarians to disrupt parliament proceedings and enter the chambers of the Speaker, reported The Edition. During the altercation, MP Shaheem was injured when he clashed with Kendhikulhudhoo MP Ahmed Easa. MP Shaheem had also sustained injuries on his head when the two parliamentarians fell near the chamber during the scuffle, the news portal reported. Shaheem was later taken to a hospital for treatment. According to reports, Mathiveri MP Hassan Zareer also sustained serious injuries on his finger. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence on Saturday said 33 military aircraft and six naval vessels from China were detected between 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday around the nation. "33 PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels around Taiwan were detected until 06:00 (UTC+8) today. 13 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwans SW, North ADIZ. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and tasked appropriate forces to respond," the Ministry posted on X. Taiwan has been governed independently from mainland China since 1949. Beijing views the island as its province, while Taiwan a territory with its own elected government 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. US and UK and several nations have halted funding to an UN agency amid claims that some of its members were involved in October 7 Hamas attack Photo Courtesy: Unsplash Several nations, including the UK and the US, have halted donations to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees amid accusations by Israel that several UNRWA staff were involved in the October 7 attack by Hamas members. In a statement, the US State Department 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. The Department of State has temporarily paused additional funding for UNRWA while we review these allegations and the steps the United Nations is taking to address them." "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 statement said. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson said its government is appalled by allegations levelled against UNRWA. "The UK is temporarily pausing any future funding of UNRWA whilst we review these concerning allegations," the statement said. Allegations UNRWA staff were involved in the abhorrent October 7 terror attacks are deeply concerning. Australia welcomes UNRWAs swift response and will engage closely on investigations. We are speaking with partners and will temporarily pause disbursement of recent funding. pic.twitter.com/Havwserjh3 Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) January 27, 2024 Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong posted on X: "Allegations UNRWA staff were involved in the abhorrent October 7 terror attacks are deeply concerning. Australia welcomes UNRWAs swift response and will engage closely on investigations. We are speaking with partners and will temporarily pause disbursement of recent funding." Antonio Guterres reacts Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has asked the head of the UN agency assisting Palestine refugees, UNRWA, to swiftly investigate extremely serious allegations that several agency staffers were involved in the 7 October terror attacks in southern Israel. Guterres has also asked UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini to swiftly investigate and any employees found to have taken part in or abetted what transpired in the brutal attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian militants that day to be fired and referred for potential criminal prosecution. The Secretary-General is horrified by this news, Mr. Guterres spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said in a statement issued on Friday morning in New York, noting in the regular Noon Briefing in New York that the UN chief had been told about the allegations by the UNRWA Commissioner-General earlier this week. Urgent independent review An urgent and comprehensive independent review of UNRWA will be conducted, the statement added, a move announced on 17 January. The UNRWA chief said information had been provided by Israeli authorities of the alleged involvement of some agency staff members. 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, Lazzarini said. Any UNRWA employee who was involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution, he added. He reiterated UNRWAs condemnation of the terror attacks in the strongest possible terms and called again for the immediate and unconditional release of all Israeli hostages. Betrayal of fundamental values These shocking allegations come as more than two million people in Gaza depend on lifesaving assistance that the agency has been providing since the war began, Lazzarini said. 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. In a surprising turn of events, Nitish Kumar has announced his departure from the alliance with Lalu Prasad Yadav's Rastriya Janata Dal (RJD) and stepped down from his position as Bihar Chief Minister, marking his fifth flip-flop in a decade of political maneuvering. Nitish Kumar To be sworn in for the 9th time Following days of intense speculation, Kumar made the decision official and wasted no time in staking claim to form a new government with the backing of his former ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This morning, Kumar met with Bihar Governor Rajendra Arlekar and tendered his resignation. The Governor, in turn, requested Kumar to continue as caretaker Chief Minister until a new government is sworn in. Later in the day, Kumar presented a letter of support from BJP legislators to the Governor, who accepted it promptly. With this development, Kumar is poised to return as Chief Minister for the ninth time, solidifying his political trajectory marked by alliances and realignments. #WATCH | Patna | Bihar outgoing CM and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar says, "Today, I have resigned as the Chief Minister and I have also told the Governor to dissolve the government in the state. This situation came because not everything was alright...I was getting views from pic.twitter.com/wOVGFJSKKH ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2024 All about Nitish Kumar Here's everything we know about the Bihari stalwart. Nitish Kumar's political career Nitish Kumar, born on March 1, 1951, is a prominent Indian politician who, until this morning, was serving as the Chief Minister (CM) of Bihar, a position he has held since February 22, 2015. With a career spanning over decades, Kumar has been a key figure in Bihar's political landscape. A member of the Janata Dal (United) party, Kumar's political journey began after earning a degree in electrical engineering from the Bihar College of Engineering in 1972. Initially, he worked with the Bihar State Electricity Board before transitioning into politics. Kumar's early political influences include leaders like Ram Manohar Lohia, S N Sinha, Karpuri Thakur, and V P Singh. He actively participated in Jayaprakash Narayan's movement between 1974 and 1977 and later joined the Janata party under Satyendra Narain Sinha's leadership. In 1985, Kumar secured his first electoral victory, winning a seat in the state assembly from Harnaut. He later switched his loyalty to BJP in 1996 after winning his first Lok Sabha seat from Barh. Kumar's political prominence rose when he was appointed as the Minister of Railways in the United Front government in 1996. He later served as the leader of the Lok Sabha, further solidifying his stature in national politics. He had served as Bihar CM for little over seven days in March 2000, after which he was elected in 2005 when he served a full term. However, after corruption allegations were levelled against his deputy Tejashwi Yadav in 2015, Nitish resigned only to be sworn in as Chief Minister merely 12 hours later joining hands with the BJP to form a government in the state. BCCL Nitish's relations with BJP Kumar's relationship with the BJP has been characterized by shifts and realignments. He has alternated between alliances and separations with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, at times expressing criticism towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration. Despite a previous split with the BJP in 2013, Kumar rejoined the NDA in 2017 after breaking ties with the RJD and Congress. On August 9, 2022, Kumar terminated his alliance with the BJP-led NDA. He resigned as the Chief Minister and reestablished ties with the RJD, marking another chapter in Bihar's dynamic political landscape. And today, in his fifth flip-flop in a decade, Nitish Kumar exited the alliance with Lalu Prasad Yadav's Rastriya Janata Dal and soon after, staked claim to form a new government with the support of the BJP, his former ally. For more on news and current affairs from around the world please visit Indiatimes News. The Allahabad High Court has reinforced the obligation of husbands to provide maintenance to their wives, stating that even if a husband does not have a formal income, he is still responsible for supporting his spouse. UNSPLASH Mandating him to pay 2,000 monthly as maintenance The court made these remarks while dismissing a revision petition filed by a man against a family court order mandating him to pay 2,000 monthly as maintenance to his estranged wife. Justice Renu Agrawal, presiding over the Lucknow bench of the High Court, directed the principal judge of the trial court to take necessary measures to recover the maintenance already awarded to the wife. The case stemmed from the couple's marriage in 2015, which subsequently soured, leading the wife to file an FIR against her husband and in-laws over dowry demands. She then left their shared residence to reside with her parents in 2016. Twitter Claimed he was battling serious illness and responsible for the care of his family In his defense, the husband argued before the High Court that his wife was a graduate earning 10,000 monthly from teaching, while he himself was battling serious illness and responsible for the care of his dependent parents and sisters. He claimed to be working as a laborer and living in rented accommodation. However, the court found that the husband failed to provide evidence supporting his claims regarding his wife's income and his own circumstances. Despite his assertions of illness and familial responsibilities, the court deemed him capable of earning income through physical labor. The High Court cited a precedent set by the Supreme Court in the case of Anju Garg in 2022, emphasising that even if the husband engaged in manual labor, he could earn a minimum wage of 300 to 400 per day as an unskilled laborer. Therefore, regardless of the husband's employment status, he remained obligated to provide maintenance to his wife. This ruling underscores the legal principle that spouses have a duty to support each other, regardless of their individual financial situations, and reinforces the importance of upholding spousal maintenance laws to ensure the well-being of all parties involved. For more on news and current affairs from around the world please visit Indiatimes News. After the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Lord Ram at the temple in Ayodhya, there has been a notable increase in tourist arrivals to the town. This surge has sparked investments in the hospitality sector to enhance tourism potential and accommodate the growing influx of visitors. "In response to this trend, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on January 27 in the presence of Tourism Director Prakhar Mishra, formalizing a partnership with the American firm Anjali Investment LLC at Paryatan Bhawan," according to a press release from the Chief Minister's Office. ap Construction of a 100-room resort in Ayodhya The focus of the agreement is on the construction of a 100-room resort in Ayodhya. This initiative is expected to elevate the amenities available to tourists and guests, fostering the growth of tourism in the region and providing high-quality facilities to visitors. The American firm is led by Ramesh Nangurnoori, an entrepreneur from Hyderabad involved in real estate and other ventures in the US. "The resort aims to enhance the facilities available to tourists and guests, thereby contributing to the overall growth of tourism in the region," emphasised Ramesh Nangurnoori, highlighting the strategic decision to invest in Ayodhya's hospitality sector following the consecration of the Ram temple. "Suitable land has already been identified, and with the signing of the MoU with Uttar Pradesh Tourism, construction work is set to commence soon," stated the release. The investor commended the investor-friendly policies of the tourism department. To enhance the overall experience for tourists, devotees Director of Tourism Prakhar Mishra emphasised that the construction of the hotel and resort would enhance the overall experience for tourists and devotees visiting the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The expected increase in tourist numbers is anticipated to create new employment opportunities for locals. "Echoing these sentiments, Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh highlighted the rapid development of Uttar Pradesh in the tourism sector," the release stated. The state is currently a leader in domestic tourism, and efforts are ongoing to attract more foreign tourists. The inauguration of the Ram Temple has led to an unexpected surge in tourists, prompting proactive measures to encourage investments in hotels and resorts to enhance facilities for visitors. PTI The 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of Lord Ram took place on January 22, with the main rituals conducted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The unveiling of the idol of Ram Lalla followed the rituals. Subsequently, on January 23, the Ram Temple was opened to the general public. For more on news and current affairs from around the world please visit Indiatimes News. A 28-year-old woman from Pennsylvania, Anigar Monsee, faced arrest after allegedly torturing and killing animals live on YouTube in an attempt to boost her followership. Twitter/@treason_season Cops called it "barbaric", "inhumane" According to the New York Post, Monsee admitted to torturing and mutilating live animals. She is charged over four livestream videos on her channel, where she allegedly inflicted harm on a live chicken, pigeon, rabbit, and frogs. Monsee reportedly sought more likes and followers from her 20,000 subscribers during these acts. Upper Darby Police Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt expressed his shock, calling the actions "barbaric" and "inhumane." He highlighted the concerning aspect of soliciting and encouraging such behavior. In her recent video titled "Cooking Lucky," it showed her using a knife to slice a chicken's neck over a kitchen sink as the distressed animal tried to flee. The distressing video was posted shortly before her arrest last Friday. Accused of using a "dull knife" to torture a rabbit to death "During the video, she is soliciting more likes and more viewers. And once she gets to the point where she is satisfied with the number of likes, she then proceeds -- over the course of 10 minutes -- to harm and ultimately kill that chicken," explained Bernhardt. Other clips reportedly showed Monsee dismembering frogs and plucking a live pigeon's feathers before subjecting it to scalding water and decapitation. Additionally, she is accused of using a "dull knife" to torture a rabbit to death in another video. Monsee faces four felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals. File The investigation began with an email tip from the animal rights group People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Bernhardt praised PETA for their role in gathering information. Authorities are still probing to ascertain if others were involved in producing these videos. Meanwhile, Monsee is in custody on a $200,000 bail. PETA's Kristen Rickman stressed the importance of preventing such behavior from continuing, stating, "The best we can do is just to honor them by making sure this kind of behavior does not continue, and that more animals aren't made victims." For more on news and current affairs from around the world please visit Indiatimes News. The International Space Station (ISS) provided the globe with a stunning view of our planet taken from space. ISS shared a rare photo of earth along with stars The never-before-seen photograph captures Earth's atmospheric glow and a starry sky as the ISS orbits 258 miles above the Pacific Ocean northeast of Papua New Guinea. The photograph shows the Nauka scientific module and the Prichal docking module from Roscosmos | Image: Instagram The intriguing photograph, which shows the Nauka scientific module and the Prichal docking module from Roscosmos on the left, was posted on the ISS's official Instagram account. The post rapidly went viral, with over 48,000 likes on the social media platform. The caption of the image read, This high exposure photograph from the International Space Station shows Earths atmospheric glow and a starry sky as the orbital complex soared 258 miles above the Pacific Ocean northeast of Papua New Guinea. At left are the stations Nauka science module and the Prichal docking module, both from Roscosmos." People on the internet couldn't help but admire the beauty Social media users quickly expressed their admiration. A commenter wrote, "This is actually the most beautiful photo that I have ever seen," while another marvelled at the immensity of space, saying, "These star-studded spaces always make me wonder where this dark sky ends." A user commented on the technical elements, saying, "This photo must have required some crazy ISO setting to get the stars. "Look at all the noise!" Check the viral post here. Meanwhile, NASA, Northrop Grumman, and SpaceX plan to deliver additional science experiments, supplies, and equipment to the ISS. If everything is ready, they plan to launch at 12:07 p.m. EST (10:37 p.m. IST) on Tuesday, January 30. This flight marks the 20th time Northrop Grumman has assisted NASA by transporting supplies to the space station. What do you think about this? Tell us in the comments. For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. The Burj Khalifa, known as the world's tallest building, has numerous world records, including one in the Guinness World Records. While it speaks volumes about Dubai's architecture, propelling the emirate to international attention, the 160-story tower is plainly seen from the city's farthest locations. While the Burj Khalifa remains one of the world's most recognized tall skyscrapers, a piece of news from our own state of Bihar has sparked widespread interest on the internet. It is termed "Bihar's Burj Khalifa." The name itself sounds intriguing; read on to learn more about it. Bihar man built a five-storey house on a 6-feet wide plot A five-story skyscraper built on a plot of land measuring only six feet | Image: Instagram In a viral video from Bihar's Muzaffarpur, a five-story skyscraper built on a plot of land measuring only six feet has piqued everyone's interest. As indicated in the video, the house is located in Muzaffarpur's Gannipur neighbourhood. Despite being built on six feet of land, the house is only five feet wide from the interior. The building has become a popular spot among the locals It has also been termed the 'Eiffel Tower of Bihar' and compared to the famed Taj Mahal | Image: Instagram The vlogger refers to it as 'Bihar's Burj Khalifa,' but it has also been termed the 'Eiffel Tower of Bihar' and compared to the famed Taj Mahal. The building has become a popular tourist attraction, with many people visiting to take pictures of it. Furthermore, the user provides more information about the building in Muzaffarpur's Gannipur, stating that it is directly on the major road. The house all the amenities The house has been designed in such a way that, despite its modest size, it includes all of the amenities, including a kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. The home is separated into two parts: the first has the stairs, and the second contains the rooms. Check the video of the house here. What do you think about this? Tell us in the comments. For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. In South Korea, a strange cuisine fad using an unusual ingredient has acquired popularity on social media. Numerous videos circulating online show people boiling or stir-frying toothpicks. What are South Koreans selling? South Korean restaurants and supermarkets regularly sell colored toothpicks | Image: YouTube Screengrab South Korean restaurants and supermarkets regularly sell colored toothpicks manufactured from maize or sweet potato starch. These toothpicks differ significantly from the wooden toothpicks used in India. People use starch-based toothpicks because they are more sustainable. However, the South Korean government is concerned about the growing number of individuals ingesting them and the associated health concerns. Why did the authorities issues a warning? On January 24, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety issued a warning, cautioning and urging people not to eat or cook with toothpicks. "Their safety as food has not been confirmed. Please do not consume them," the authority stated in a post on X. A YouTube viewer commented on a video showing a person frying toothpicks that turn into an appetizing-looking shape, saying, "The fact that u have to put warning labels on toothpicks that says 'Do not eat' is scary. Social media needs to go." Another person wrote, Look up South Korean toothpicks. They are made from corn or potato starch and sorbitol, a fruit sugar alcohol. Green food coloring is often added. They are meant to be biodegradable not exactly ingested." How other unusual things are on the market in South Korea? This isn't the only unusual and perhaps harmful culinary fad that has gone widespread on social media. In early 2018, the "Tide Pod Challenge" encouraged individuals to consume Tide Pods, a laundry detergent product used in washing machines. The challenge resulted in multiple poisonings. In reaction, Google and Facebook pulled videos featuring the challenge. Check the videos surfacing here. What do you think about this? Tell us in the comments. For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. We've all put a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on our hotel room door once or twice, whether we want to sleep in, don't want the maids to turn down our beds, or simply want some quiet. However, it appears that you should exercise caution while utilizing the door hanger, since it may produce the opposite effect than intended. Why you should be cautious while putting up a 'Do Not Disturb' sign? Why you should be cautious while putting up a 'Do Not Disturb' sign | Image: Unsplash You may question how a 'Do Not Disturb' sign could lead to that, but such is life. Let's be honest, their effectiveness is still debatable - remember when you'd make your own homemade version to discourage your parents and siblings from barging into your bedroom? Look how it turned out. Anyway, journalist Sophie Vershbow revealed that she and her father had checked into a hotel in Las Vegas and posted a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on her door because they did not need the room cleaned on a daily basis. What happened later? But it all went a little Pete Tong after they left the door hanging up for an extended amount of time. How does it work if you leave the sign on for too long? In Las Vegas, if you leave the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on your hotel door for more than 72 hours, they immediately send over a police officer to ensure you're still alive | Image: Unsplash Sophie said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that in Las Vegas, if you leave the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on your hotel door for more than 72 hours, they immediately send over a police officer to ensure you're still alive. Steve was quite friendly." She decided to share the unusual event with other social media users after the cop knocked on 'a random Tuesday afternoon,' which evidently surprised her. What do you think about this? Tell us in the comments. For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. Tell Harris, Padilla, and Butler that Ceasefire is Reproductive Justice! Date: Monday, January 29, 2024 Time: 8:00 AM - 8:00 AM Event Type: Protest Organizer/Author: Angela Location Details: Mexican Heritage Plaza 1700 Alum Rock Ave San Jose, CA You know all too well that the Biden-Harris administration has not been listening to our calls for a ceasefire. And now VP Harris is coming to the Bay Area just DAYS after we brought Biden to court in Oakland. We arent having it. Meet her in San Jose on Monday morning, during her Reproductive Freedoms tour -- where Senators Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler will also be joining her! Let's make sure she and the Senators hear US! We need you to show up to tell her that reproductive justice is not possible while Palestinian mothers, children, hospitals, and schools are being bombed. Permanent ceasefire now and no US funds for genocide! Bring signs connecting the dots between reproductive justice and a ceasefire, your demands for the Biden admin to end this U.S.-backed genocide, your keffiyehs, flags, and of course your ENERGY! Alimot Haruna, a child trafficker, has confessed that she has traded over 42 kids for labour in the last five years. The 45-year-old suspect was arrested on by a team of policemen from Ijora Badia Police Station of the Lagos Police Command, in Wednesday. It was learnt that the suspect whose operational base is in Ilorin, Kwara state capital, had been on the police wanted list over similar crime. According to her confession, she operates from her base in Molete village in Kwara. I have sold over 42 children to different clients in the past. Most of my clients are based in Lagos. My target are children between the ages 7 and 12 years. I bring the children to Lagos for child labour she said. Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, who confirmed the arrest in a weekend statement, said three underaged children have been rescued from the suspect. Hundeyin said the suspect who is the leader of a child trafficking syndicate was finally arrested after three months of discrete investigation. He said the command had been on the trail of the syndicate since it got information about its activities. READ ALSO: Women Suffer In Relationships Because They Dont Have Money Tochi On January 25, 2023, at about 5.45pm, the leader of syndicate one Alimot Haruna of Molete village in Ilorin, Kwara state, was apprehended by detectives monitoring her movement. In the process, three under aged children, two female and one male whose names could not be ascertained, ages 12 and 7 of no fixed addresses were rescued from her. During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect has illegally brought over 52 children to Lagos for child labour without the consent of their parents. It was also revealed that the suspect had been declared wanted by the Kwara state Police Command in connection to the disappearance of many under aged children. All the disappeared children had been linked to her syndicate by the Anti-Humab Trafficking unit if Kwara state Police Command. When contacted the Kwara state Police Command confirmed that they have recovered some of the children. However, about 11 others could not be accounted for. When interrogated, the suspect mentioned paces where she kept the other children When the current custodians were contacted, they admitted that the children are in their custody. Efforts are on to rescue them while awaiting the arrival of Anti-Trafficking unit of Kwara state Command to harmonize the case. Meanwhile efforts are on yo rescuing the remaining eight children. No less than six children lost their lives on Saturday after an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded near a Quranic school in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State. Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, said the incident occurred at about 2 p.m. The undetonated IED was collected among scraps stored in a building by a metal scavenger, the publication disclosed An improvised explosive device (IED) has detonated in Gubio town, Borno, resulting in the tragic deaths of six Quranic school pupils popularly known as Almajirai. READ ALSO: Unknown Gunmen Attack Military Brigade In Borno The incident took place on Saturday, January 27, when a metal scavenger unknowingly collected and stored various metallic items in a building in close proximity to a Tsangaya school. Little did the scavenger know that among the collected metal was an abandoned undetonated IED, which exploded at approximately 2 pm, claiming the lives of the children and causing severe bodily harm, the publication disclosed. Sylvester Oromoni Jr., a 12-year-old student at Dowen College in Lekki, Lagos State, who passed away on November 30, 2021, has been laid to rest. After two years of struggle for justice, Oromoni was buried on Saturday at the familys compound in Ogbe-Ijoh, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta. He was born December 4, 2009, and he passed away on November 30, 2021, under circumstances that are contentious because some of his colleges senior pupils had allegedly subjected him to torture. Several dignitaries were present for the funeral. As friends, family, and well-wishers cried over Sylvesters unexpected death, emotions were high. Revd. Goodluck Bayagbon of the Gods Grace Ministry, Warri, urged Christians to live a life worthy of emulation and aspire to be heavenly candidates in a brief homily titled Forever With The Lord, drawn from the book of Isaiah 57:1-2. While describing the deceased as a true believer in Christ, the cleric noted that Sylvester Oromoni Jnr had gone to rest with the Lord and free from all evil and calamity of the world. We are not here to weep and mourn over Sylvester but to celebrate a great man, a young man that God almighty loves so much. Sylvester left an indelible mark in the hearts of all men that must be emulated. The most important thing about life is that everyone on earth must strive to make heaven because that is a great achievement for everyone, where there is no pain, sorrow, sadness, calamity, worries. Sylvester should be emulated according to his brief biography read to us all. He was a good young boy, who cared so much about his fellow students, friends, sisters, brothers and all those who crossed his path. He was diligent and was a devout Christian. At a young age, he cared for the needs of his fellow students, and he was very good both at school and at home. Though he left very young he has achieved the purpose of God who created him. We are here to celebrate him not to mourn. At his age, look at the mammoth crowd that came to bid him farewell to the heavens. Human rights attorney Femi Falana also paid tribute to Sylvester in a succinct statement, calling him a brilliant Nigerian whose life was cut short. READ MORE: If He Gets Infected With Deadly Disease, Well Die Together Portables Babymama Opens Up On Her Love For Him He said, We are here to celebrate a great Nigerian whose life was cut short. His short life was so eventful according to his biography that was just read to us now. The short life of Solomon cannot be compared with that of Methuselah. Sylvester touched the lives of his teachers, friends, and fellow students and we should reminded and ask ourselves what will be remembered for after this life. We must try as much as possible to rededicate our lives to God almighty. I must thank the parents of Sylvester Oromoni Jnr for standing and demanding for justice for their son. The family, through the father of the deceased, had vowed while marking the second anniversary of their sons untimely demise, that as a family, they would not stop crying out for justice for their departed son, adding that As the father of the deceased, I cannot be tired or discouraged from pursuing justice as I have promised my son to get him justice even if it will take thirty years to achieve it. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has announced the suspension of the Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) of Mattini Airline Services Limited. The decision follows Fridays incident where the airlines Challenger CL 601 aircraft, carrying 10 persons, experienced a runway excursion at Ibadan Airport. The NCAA in a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of NCAA, Mr Michael Achimugu, on Saturday, noted that the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has launched an investigation into the occurrence in line with statutory provisions. The agency stated that the suspension will subsist until it is determined that the conditions of the PNCF have been adhered to. The statement partly reads: NCAA is aware of the runway excursion involving a Challenger CL 601 aircraft, operated by Mattini Airline Services Limited, with registration marks N580KR at Ibadan Airport on 26th January, 2024. READ MORE: 10 Escape Death As Private Jet Crash-Lands In Ibadan Mattini Airline Services Limited holds a valid Permit for Non-Commercial Flight, PNCF. In line with statutory provisions, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, has launched an investigation into the occurrence While the NSIB is conducting the safety investigation, the NCAA has initiated an economic inquiry into the operation of the aircraft viz-a-viz the terms and conditions of the PNCF as detailed in its Annexure. Recall that the jet with registration number, N580KR, missed the runway and skidded into the nearby bush. However, firefighters and rescue officials from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria were immediately deployed to the scene. But there was no death or casualty recorded. The Chairman of Oyo State Tipper, Lorry, and Quarry Park Management System, Alhaji Akeem Akintola, popularly known as KUSO, has been kidnapped by some yet to be identified gunmen. It was gathered that the abduction occurred in the early hours of Saturday, around Ajiboye area, Omi Apata, Ibadan, the state capital. According to a source who spoke with Daily Trust, the attackers stormed Akintolas residence and abducted him to an unknown destination. READ MORE: Ibadan Explosion: Bodija Residents Cry Out Over Missing Neighbours The source said: The gunmen arrived earlier this morning and attacked him without any resistance before whisking him away. Meanwhile, INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the police in the state have not issued a statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report. Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Taoreed Lagbaja, has ordered troops of the 3rd Division of the Nigerian Army and joint task force of Operation Safe Haven in Plateau State to go after the terrorists disturbing the peace of the state. This is as recurring attacks in Mangu Local Government Area of the State, constantly leads to loss of lives and property. According to a Saturday statement, Lagbaja gave the order while addressing the troops during an operational tour of the State. Lagbaja told the troops to adopt a more aggressive posture and decisively stamp out terrorists causing mayhem in Plateau and adjoining States. READ ALSO: Security Agencies Know Sponsors, Masterminds Of Plateau Attacks Gov. Mutfwang The COAS who inspected the arms and ammunition recovered by the troops expressed confidence in the troops to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that peace is restored. Go hard on those disturbing the peace of Plateau and neutralize any terrorist annihilating people and burning or destroying property and other economic valuables. Our Operations and activities must be in compliance with the rules of engagement and devoid of sentiments. On his part, Governor Caleb Mutfwang noted that he had never doubted the capability of the army and other security agencies to deliver on their constitutional mandate. The recent breach was totally avoidable and people must work harmoniously to regain peace and harmony, Mutfwang said. Minister Nyesom Wike of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has warned criminals in the nations capital to repent or end up dying in the hands of security operatives. He gave the warning at the weekend while rounding off his townhall meetings with relevant stakeholders in area councils across Abuja. Wike who held similar meetings in Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kwali, Abuja Municipal Area Council and Abaji, concluded it in Kuje. While urging residents of the area councils to play their role in providing relevant information that would help security agencies, he said, We are going to tackle insecurity head-on. These bandits and criminals, their time is up. I know some of the criminal informants are here listening to me; if you are an informant, you will die the same way those people you are informing will die. You have the opportunity of repenting today or else you are gone. Nobody will pity you. You have seen what the security agencies have been doing in the past few days. That is to show to you that it is not busy as usual. Be fully aware that we are ready for you. I told the chairman to make sure that the vigilance groups are empowered and we must do it well. They must be profiled and the security agencies must know them. And to the residents, give us information. You must work with the security agencies and provide them with information. Do not be afraid. I have seen this problem before, and I will tackle it. Let me assure you that no amount of blackmail will stop us from carrying out our assignment, he added. READ ALSO: FCT Varsity A Glorified Secondary School Wike Laments InstitutionsPoor Infrastructure According to him, under his watch henceforth, no bail would be granted to kidnappers. Gone are the days when kidnappers will be granted bail. I will not allow it again. We will ensure that the kidnapper is punished. How will a kidnapper be granted bail? 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 said The Minister also expressed shock at the state of roads in Kuje Area Council, vowing that he will revisit the Councils file and construct motorable roads for the the people. He said; This is my first time of coming to Kuje, and I couldnt believe that the major roads are not constructed. They say Gods time is the best, Gods time has come for you. I will go back and revisit the file. Be assured that you will see changes in this area council. Today, we will go back and take those projects and complete them for you. It is not that we are doing you any good, you are entitled to it. We are not doing anything extraordinary. It is our job and we will be faithful to it. Having hurled insults on Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, Samuel Nwanosike, the chairperson of Ikwerre Local Government Area has tendered an apology. According to him, his leader, former Governor Nyesom Wike, called him to order after the incident. Nwanosike had earlier described Fubara as foolish and naive. He had said: So today, Fubara is a foolish Governor, hes not mumu Governor but foolish governor. Governor Fubara is very naive. He does not know what governance is all about. The Chairman also accused Fubara of orchestrating kidnappings in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), so as to remove Wike as Minister of the FCT. READ ALSO: Fubara Sponsoring Kidnappings In Abuja To Discredit Wike Rivers Local Govt Chairman Alleges However, as seen in a video, while addressing a political gathering in the State, Nwanosike directed his apology to the people of Nigeria and made no mention of Governor Fubara whom he hurled the insults at. I want to tell the world that my leader, (referring to Nyesom Wike) after my outburst at my last rally at Omerulu Community, called me to order by saying it is wrong for you to speak to a Governor in that manner whether hes 18 years old. I want to tender an unreserved apology to the people of Nigeria for speaking in that manner and to say clearly that I regret that action and it (was) led by anger, Mr Nwanosike said. Nwanosike, an ally of Mr Wike, has been a critic of Fubara after the Governor fell out with his predecessor. Might the world be a happier, more harmonious place if orchestras, instead of performing The Messiah every year, did Brahms A German Requiem instead? Religion in our age has grown more divisive, and though Brahms uses biblical texts for his requiem, the emphasis is on humanity and the joy, comfort and reward in it. Theres nothing to keep you from basking in this requiems beauty no matter who you are, much as the nonbeliever can stand in Notre Dame or Chartres and feel transformed by the light and aura. Art is like that. Its purpose hews only to the reasons of the individual experiencing it (or, if you prefer, no reason at all). Aura is key to the Brahms, and if youve come to know the piece in recordings, you really do owe it to yourself to hear it live. It doesnt come around often, and judging by Friday afternoons opening, the remaining performances by the Philadelphia Orchestra, Philadelphia Symphonic Choir and soloists will be quite special. So strong was Fridays Brahms that it created the sensation of fashioning its own world, a place far away and better. Yes, the performance, led by Yannick Nezet-Seguin, was slightly marred by a false start in one movement and some rote playing near the beginning. But when it found its point of view a little more than halfway in, the performance grew in sophistication and fire. It could well be one of the big statements of Nezet-Seguins tenure so far. Spirituality was woven through all three pieces on the program. A violin concerto by Mason Bates, receiving its world premiere, follows a wanderer through different worlds, reflected in a succession of musical styles through which Bates moves beautifully. The Nomad Concerto broods, floats and glimmers in its opening movement, ultimately alighting on something poignant for both orchestra and violin, here played by the warmly expressive Gil Shaham. Shades of the Walton Violin Concerto surface briefly in the first two movements, and Thai gongs and a Jewish melody are deployed in the third. Tense, driving jazz is less convincing inspiration for the fourth movement, but Bates in this new piece once again proves a composer unusually commanding of atmosphere and emotion. Nezet-Seguin prefaced the Brahms with another, brief requiem: Oraison for chorus and orchestra by Canadian-Cuban composer Luis Ernesto Pena Laguna, written as a memorial to victims of the pandemic. The piece, commissioned by Nezet-Seguins Orchestre Metropolitain, arrives in swells. Gentle but powerful, it gives the impression of a roll of dark clouds continuously gathering and parting to reveal a radiant light. Afterward, stagehands arrived to remove the conductors music stand, and Nezet-Seguin conducted the Brahms from memory. I like the fact that the text wasnt supertitled, which made it even easier to focus on Brahms astonishing score. The turning point in the performance came in the fifth movement, with the entrance of soloist Jeanine De Bique. Perched near the choir, the soprano was smooth and secure while still conveying a wonderful sense of vulnerability. Advertisement (For those curious, the buttons worn by choir members said We Are AGMA, an expression of solidarity as they continue to negotiate a contract with the Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc. through their union, the American Guild of Musical Artists.) Whether it was the sopranos performance or some other force, from that point on, the emotion of the performance intensified. In the next movement, baritone Christopher Maltman and Nezet-Seguins tension ratcheted up a few degrees. The last movement arrived like a salve made all the more rich by Holly Blakes big contrabassoon foundation, Nezet-Seguins sweet and expressive phrasing, and the inner glow of winds and harps gently cradling the work to a close. Additional performances: Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. in Verizon Hall, Broad and Spruce Streets. Tickets are $51-$181. A few $25 rush tickets may be available. philorch.org, 215-893-1999. Tayyib Smith, creator of "Legacy Reclaimed: A 7th Ward Tribute," on Naudain Street in Philadelphia. The interactive experience includes a walking tour, a series of talks, and exhibitions that celebrate the history of the Seventh Ward. Read more Tayyib Smith spent three years reading historical markers as he walked from his home in Fitler Square to his girlfriends spot in Queen Village. His journey took him through the old Seventh Ward a swath of Center City bounded by Spruce and South Streets and extending from Seventh Street to the Schuylkill. He passed markers for the Institute for Colored Youth at Ninth and Bainbridge and the home of abolitionist and Underground Railroad conductor William Still on South Delhi Street. Considered one of the oldest Black neighborhoods in Philadelphia, the Seventh Ward is at the heart of W.E.B. Du Bois landmark 1899 study, The Philadelphia Negro. The markers just werent enough, said Smith, a serial entrepreneur, a partner in The Growth Collective real estate investment firm, founder of Little Giant Creative, and a self-taught history buff. The 20 to 25 words on those blue signs, to me, just werent enough. Advertisement Smith designed an interactive experience that would teach the Seventh Wards rich history to Philadelphians, especially those new to the neighborhood. He partnered with the Philadelphia City Archives and the Mayors Fund in 2019, and was awarded a $240,000 grant from the Pew Center for the Arts & Heritage Foundation the next year. In November, Smith launched Legacy Reclaimed: A 7th Ward Tribute, a walking tour, series of talks, and exhibitions that celebrate the history of the Seventh Ward. The 90-minute walking tour, curated by the University of Pennsylvanias associate professor of social work and Du Bois scholar, Amy Hillier, starts and ends at Mother Bethel, the worlds first African Methodist Episcopal Church at Sixth and Lombard. The 12 stops include poet Frances Ellen Watkins Harpers home at 10th and Bainbridge and the site of civil rights leader Octavius Cattos murder at Eighth and South. Guided tours are free and are every Saturday morning through Feb. 24. The Colored Girls Museums Harriets Girls, an exhibit in Mother Bethels lecture hall, is a shout-out to Harriet Tubman, and the women of the ward. (Tubman lived there when she escaped bondage.) Larger-than-life early- to mid-20th-century photos of the neighborhoods residents assembled by Beth Naomi Lewis and Amelia Carter are mounted in windows of homes and businesses along the route. The photos remind passersby that the now-gentrified neighborhood was a proud home to Black-owned hospitals, restaurants, theaters, and churches, serving as the backbone of Philadelphias Black community during the height of segregation. The photos, collectively called Reflecting Revenants,, are on display at Rex at the Royal, formally the Royal Theater, Philadelphias first and largest Black-run theater through 1970. Interest in tours, exhibits, and television shows featuring the lives of Black people during the time we were enslaved and decades immediately after are growing. In Philadelphia, walking tours that retrace Cattos and Tubmans steps have attracted wide audiences. The Museum of the American Revolution recently closed its popular Black Founders salute to sailmaker and revolutionary James Forten. In November, Michiko Quinones and Morgan Lloyd launched 1838 Black Metropolis, an interactive website and walking tour focusing on the lives of Black Americans who lived in what is now Society Hill. HBOs The Gilded Age features native Philadelphian and Black aristocrat Peggy Scott (Denee Benton), who graduated from the Institute for Colored Youth. In the series, her family worships at a church resembling Mother Bethel. If Black children in this, this poorest big city in America, knew the history of the places our ancestors walked, maybe they would hold their heads up higher, Smith said. Because they would know our peoples journey. Du Bois landmark study of The Philadelphia Negro A Harvard University graduate and professor of ancient languages at Wilberforce University, Du Bois was commissioned by the University of Pennsylvania in 1896 to study Philadelphias Negro problem. Home to 40,000 Black people, Philadelphia boasted the largest Black population in the Northeast, 10,000 of whom lived in the Seventh Ward. Du Bois lived on St. Marys Street now Rodman Street and spent two years visiting about 5,000 Black homes and businesses. The Seventh Ward, he found, wasnt desolate and riddled with poverty, but a thriving neighborhood made up of poor, middle-, and upper-class Black people. The Seventh Ward was a hub of the Black community well into the 1960s. However, by the mid-1970s, middle-class Black people left, the result of integration and the influx of crime, drugs, and the citys disinvestment in the neighborhood. If you are Black and your family came to Philadelphia during the Great Migration, there is a good chance you have roots in South Philly, said Smith at his home one day this winter. He remembered visiting relatives who lived near South Street between 10th and 17th Streets in the 1980s, the businesses and homes shells of what they used to be. Steam from an electric tea kettle floated over a bookshelf with black-and-white photographs of Smiths family, including his great-grandfather, Marcellus Fisher, who moved to South Philadelphia from South Carolina during the first wave of the Great Migration in the early 1900s, and his Aunt Minnie who he said lived and died in South Philadelphia. By the early 2000s, most of the Seventh Ward was largely gentrified. Today, only 7% of residents in the Seventh Ward are African American. Smith, who lives in a rowhouse tucked off South Street, with his then-girlfriend, who is now his wife and who is white could be considered a gentrifier. He bristled at the suggestion. I bought this house between Fitler Street and Queen Village with the intention of preserving the history of people who look like me, Smith, who is 52, said. This project comes out of my own frustration of seeing my people displaced. I get frustrated with my white neighbors and colleagues who have an illiterate perspective on the history of the Black experience in Philadelphia. Black history is American history Legacy Reclaimed is doing its part to change the perspective. Each week the tours are at capacity with more than 40 people in attendance. Elementary, high school, and college classes sign up. While many Black people like Sophie Ezomoghene enjoy the walk, calling it a one-of-a-kind learning experience that speaks to the nerd in her, most of the participants are white who live in the Seventh Ward and are curious about its history. Many, like Judith Benedict, come having done their own research, armed with questions. It was good to learn that some of the buildings like the Institute for Colored Youth and the Lombard Street Presbyterian Church are standing and have new lives, Benedict said. For me, the history is always easier to imagine in person than reading a historic marker. On a recent Saturday morning, walkers stared at the mural on the corner of Sixth/ and South Streets, a nod to Du Bois and Engine Company 11, the first firehouse where Black firefighters were stationed. The next stop is an apartment building at Seventh and Lombard, the former home of the Phipps Institute, a TB hospital built in the early 1900s that served as a training ground for Black doctors and nurses. After walking past the Forten School, the first public elementary school Black children were allowed to go to, we turned down Delancey Street. Reflecting Revenants photos are in three houses on the block. Jessie Williams, the owner of one of those houses, chatted with our tour guide. Whats thrilling to me is that everybody wants to know the history, said Williams, who is white. I feel so gratified that so many people are outside of my door every Saturday morning on this long, cold, tour. Smith is pleased with the response to Legacy Reclaimed. happy that Philadelphians are walking away understanding Black peoples contributions to American history, because, Smith said, American history without the context of the Black experience is disingenuous. Legacy Reclaimed: 7th Ward Tribute will run through Sat. Feb. 24. Tours are free. For more information, log on to the website 7thWardTribute.com Police investigate the scene at North Mascher and West Cambria Streets, where a Philadelphia police officer was shot just before 9 p.m. on Friday. Read more Police on Saturday night identified the man shot and killed by a police officer during a confrontation in a neighborhood store as Alexander Spencer, 28, of Philadelphia, who they said had fired shots and wounded an officer. Meanwhile, the search continued for Spencers alleged accomplice, who, police said, fled the store with Spencers gun, which had dropped to the floor. Police did not provide an address or other details about Spencer. Recently inaugurated Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said Saturday that there would be a full investigation into the case, which police said occurred about 8:45 p.m. Friday inside a neighborhood store near the intersection of North Mascher and West Cambria Streets. Parker added that she supported the police 1,001%. Shots fired! Shots fired! the officer who fired at Spencer told police dispatchers, then reported that his partner was down. The wounded officer was taken to Temple University Hospital, where he was reported in stable condition with two gunshots to the right thigh, Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel said. Spencer was pronounced dead at Temple Hospital, Bethel said. The officer who shot him has been placed on administrative leave, police said. The wounded officer has been on the force nine years; his partner, five years. Advertisement Thank God the officer is going to survive this terrible incident, Parker said Friday night outside the hospital. On Saturday, the mayor, without going into detail, said she had a chance to visit the officer and his family in the hospital. Were going to stop lawlessness and bring order back to our city, Parker said during a Unity in the Community rally at FDR Park in South Philadelphia. We need to make sure we make it very clear that we lift up in prayer, Parker said, for any man or woman who wears the uniform of the Philadelphia Police Department and puts their lives on the line on a daily basis to protect and serve our city. We need to let them know that we support them, and that we have their back. Parker said the shooting strengthened my resolve to make the city safer. She said a comprehensive approach is needed that includes prevention, intervention and enforcement, and that police have every legal and constitutional tool available. Roosevelt Poplar, the new president of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, said in the hours after Friday nights shooting that he was thankful that were not planning a funeral for the officer. Last year, Philadelphia police fired their guns at people six times, killing two and wounding three, according to Police Department data. One officer survived a shot that traveled through his stomach and exited his back. The number of such cases in 2023 was down substantially from 2022, when police were involved in 15 shootings. Officers were injured in six of those cases. Overall, Philadelphia had 410 homicides in 2023, down about 20% compared with 2022, according to police statistics. The drop mirrored a decline in violence nationally and rivaled the largest single-year declines in Philadelphia over the last 60 years. However, the number of slayings last year remained near the highest level in recent city history. Before the pandemic when the homicide rate hit record highs the city had recorded more than 400 homicides in a year just once in two decades. Staff writer Anthony R. Wood contributed to this article. Controversies are rapidly unfurling in the mysterious depths of our oceans and the secretive confines of boardrooms. A furtive pursuit of precious metals in uncharted waters is now raising concerns among scientists and environmentalists. Recently, Norway made history as the first country to approve the controversial practice of deep-sea mining, further intensifying the debate. More than 20 countries have called for a moratorium on international deep-sea mining. Additionally, over 800 marine scientists and experts have signed a petition highlighting the potential risks to environments, societies and economies. Critics argue that mining in international waters poses threats to pristine marine environments, privatizes shared resources, and exploits economically vulnerable countries in the Global South. This covert privatization is only benefiting a small group of investors, said Andrew Whitmore, a financial advisor to the Ocean Foundation. Deep-sea mining primarily targets polymetallic nodules: potato-sized rocks found over 4,000 meters deep. These nodules are called batteries in a rock due to their high content of copper, cobalt, manganese and nickel key components in smartphone and computer batteries. According to the International Energy Agency, demand for these raw materials generated by the global shift to green energy (electric car batteries, wind turbines, photovoltaic solar panels, etc.) will double by 2040, potentially leading to severe shortages of these green metals. The International Seabed Authority (ISA), based in Kingston, Jamaica, holds the keys to the worlds marine treasures. Established almost 30 years ago, this autonomous institution is the U.N.s authority on international seabed issues. Its purpose is to manage the resources in international waters in a sustainable and equitable manner. ISA has issued over 30 exploration contracts since its inception. These contracts allow private and public companies to conduct environmental research and test machinery for mineral extraction. However, the minerals extracted under these contracts cannot be commercialized. The next step is to obtain a commercial contract, which grants exploitation rights for seabed resources in international waters. Despite lobbying by countries like Norway and Mexico, ISA has yet to grant any commercial licenses. A final vote on the matter may happen later this year. The Metals Company (TMC), a Canadian-based company, was one of the first to apply for a commercial contract, as did the Chinese government, which currently holds five exploration contracts. Reserved areas for equitable access So far, ISA has granted exploration contracts to eight companies and developing countries to operate in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) located in the Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and Mexico. The CCZ is one of the most resource-rich seabed areas and borders the Exclusive Economic Zones of the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru and Tonga. The CCZ is a deep trench about the size of the European Union, containing around 21 billion tons of polymetallic nodules. In the CCZ area between Nauru and Tonga, TMC estimates there is enough nickel, copper, cobalt and manganese to power 280 million vehicles, equivalent to all the passenger vehicles in the U.S. The Metals Company expects profits of over $30 billion during the 30-year extraction project. To access these lucrative underwater resources, private companies must abide by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This convention established a system of reserved areas to ensure equitable access by developing countries to seabed mineral resources. The developing nations that own these minerals often face climate change impacts like sea level rise, coastal erosion and drought. They also have limited opportunities for economic diversification and rely heavily on external expertise, technology and financial support. Its a system thats prone to abuse, said Pradeep Singh, an expert on ocean governance and climate policy, and a fellow at the Research Institute for Sustainability in Potsdam, Germany. To meet reserved-area requirements, TMC has partnered with three small Micronesian nations in the central Pacific Ocean: Kiribati (population 131,000), Tonga (population 107,000) and Nauru (population 13,000). They aim to explore and potentially exploit the seabed for metals. But the benefits for small countries of partnering in these mining ventures remain unclear. The details of these agreements have not been made public, and experts at the ISA meeting in July 2023 say revenue sharing between rich nations and small islands has not been a main topic of discussion. A long line of people reap the rewards of a resource that, inherently, should be acknowledged as a global public good. Instead, they created a system that effectively privatizes this resource. Andrew Whitmore, The Ocean Foundation TMC plans to support local economies in sponsoring states like Nauru through royalties and investments, but the specific details are unclear due to private contracts. We expect to be a major contributor to Naurus economy once production begins, said TMC spokesperson Rory Usher. Privatization of the seabed Currently, over 60% of the contracts in the CCZ between private entities and developing countries have been allocated to two Western private companies. Governments can grant mining access to specific areas, expecting that their all of their citizens will benefit from the resulting revenue. But experts say this system is an artifice that effectively privatizes parts of the seabed. A long line of people reap the rewards of a resource that, inherently, should be acknowledged as a global public good. Instead, they created a system that effectively privatizes this resource, said Andrew Whitmore of the Ocean Foundation. ISA has not yet determined the appropriate amount of revenue to be allocated as compensation to land-mining nations affected by deep-sea mining activities. Additionally, ISA has not specified the number of authorized operations. We reached out to ISA for clarification, but did not receive a response before publication. To ensure the ISAs financial viability, approving numerous mining activities may be necessary. However, a large number of mining concessions could overwhelm the oceans capacity, which is undesirable, said Pradeep Singh. If deep-sea mining doesnt make sense from a revenue-sharing perspective, then it doesnt make sense to allow it at all. Singh, with seven years of deep-sea mining policy research experience, participated in the most recent ISA meeting. People need to understand that ISAs mandate is to make seabed mining happen, said one delegate at that meeting. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Superior Court Judge John Kennedy listens to arguments on Friday during a hearing for a civil sexual abuse lawsuit against Camden School Advisory Board president Wasim Muhammad. Read more A judge on Friday refused to dismiss a civil lawsuit against Camden School Advisory Board President Wasim Muhammad alleging he sexually abused a former student when he was her teacher 30 years ago. After hearing legal arguments for about an hour, Superior Court Judge John Kennedy rejected motions from defense lawyers for Muhammad and the school district and found there was enough evidence against both to proceed. He did grant their request to delay the trial and reschedule it for March 11. Defense lawyer Troy Archie argued that the case has disputed facts without physical evidence. A former teacher who said she saw the former student leaving Muhammads home during the school day previously had a sexual relationship with Muhammad, he said. Theres really no evidence other than he say, she say, Archie said. Shes just saying it happened. My client disputes it. Advertisement The judge and Jeffrey Fritz, who represents the former student and brought the lawsuit, said the case should be decided by a jury. In the meantime, the judge accepted a recommendation by Brian P. Budic, one of three lawyers representing the school district, to hold a settlement conference Feb. 5. Budic declined to comment. An arbitrator previously recommended a $1 million settlement in the case that would have held Muhammad liable for 60% of the judgment and the district 40%. Both sides rejected it. Can I plead the Fifth on that one? Muhammad, 56, is accused by a former student identified as Jane Doe in a lawsuit filed in 2021 of sexually abusing her when he was her social studies teacher, starting in 1994 and continuing for years. The alleged abuse began when she was 14 at Cooper B. Hatch Middle School in the citys Parkside neighborhood, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges that Muhammad then known as Donnie Walker groomed her for the abuse that began when she was a seventh grader. It alleges that district officials knew or should have known about the abuse and did nothing to stop it. READ MORE: A former student has alleged sexual abuse for years by current Camden Advisory School Board president The state-run district sought to dismiss the case in part arguing that changes in New Jerseys Child Sexual Abuse Act were enacted in 2019 before the alleged abuse occurred. It also contended that claims of negligent infliction of emotional distress were inappropriate. We look forward to a jury now deciding this case, Fritz said in a statement. Fritz said his client, now 44 and living in the South, looks forward to proceeding to trial. Married with two teenage sons and an adult daughter, she is a kindergarten teacher. According to her deposition, she suffers from nightmares and post-traumatic distress. I have night terrors I have nightmares, she said in a deposition in May. I wake up screaming. She alleges that Muhammad took her to the Feather Nest Inn in Cherry Hill and other motels, and later she would meet him at his home near the school. When she moved out of the area with her family during her freshman year at Camden High School, the girl said Muhammad traveled there on two occasions, signing her out of school as an uncle and taking her to a motel to have sex with her. After she turned 18, she said Muhammad convinced her to return to New Jersey to live with him. Muhammad said she became his wife under his Islamic faith, but said there was not an actual ceremony. She denies the two were ever married. In his deposition in August, Muhammad said he began a sexual relationship with her in 1997 when she was 18. He said the marriage ended after about a year, that basically, it didnt work out. You know, at the time I other wives at the time was really, you know, not really, you know, for that particular marriage because it wasnt something that was discussed with them prior to, he testified. Muhammad said he has a legal wife and four wives under his religious beliefs. He said he lived with one of his Islamic wives and their children for the past eight years. He was asked to explain the distinction between the marriages. I am a Muslim, and I am involved with multiple wives, but Im legally, according to a legal marriage of the United States, married to one person. Muhammad declined to answer a question from Fritz during the deposition about whether he had ever engaged in sexual activity with [Jane Doe] and another of your wives simultaneously? I refuse to answer. Can I plead the Fifth on that one, sir? Muhammad asked. Fritz told Muhammad that was his decision. The plaintiff alleged that Muhammad coerced her to engage in sexual activity with him and one of his Islamic wives and took her to a pornography theater where he forced her to have sex with a stranger while Muhammad watched and masturbated. Muhammad acknowledged visiting porn theaters as a young man, but never with the plaintiff. He said he would meet up with friends and they would spend time just being men and hanging out. Sparking an outcry The case has sparked an outcry in Camden and demands for Muhammad, now a community activist and minister at Muhammads Temple No. 20 in Camden, to resign from the school board. Muhammad took a leave of absence last week after Gov. Phil Murphy said Muhammad should step down immediately. READ MORE: https://www.inquirer.com/news/muhammad-university-camden-nj-academics-islam-20220517.html Muhammad was appointed to the school board by then-Mayor Dana Redd in 2013 after the state seized control over the struggling school system. He was twice elected after board elections resumed and has been president since 2020. The trial is expected to last two weeks. My client maintains his innocence, Archie said. District Attorney Larry Krasner sued the state Attorney General's in 2021 over an opioid lawsuit settlement, saying the agreement would not bring enough money to the city. Read more A Pennsylvania appellate court ruled in favor of the state on Friday in a long-running legal dispute over whether state or local prosecutors have the right to enter into settlements in ongoing lawsuits against opioid painkiller distributors. In 2021, then-Attorney General Josh Shapiro, along with other state attorneys general, brokered a $26 billion settlement in dozens of lawsuits against several major distributors and manufacturers of opioid painkillers. These companies are largely blamed for fueling a deadly drug epidemic that led to skyrocketing rates of addiction and overdose deaths claims they have denied. Philadelphia has been particularly hard-hit by the opioid crisis; in 2022, 1,413 people fatally overdosed here, the highest death toll the city has recorded. Under Shapiros settlement, Pennsylvania stood to gain $1 billion over 18 years, but then-Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and District Attorney Larry Krasner criticized the agreement, saying that Philadelphia would not receive enough money. Advertisement Both the city and Krasner had filed lawsuits against opioid manufacturers. Kenney eventually signed on to Shapiros settlement, but Krasner continued to pursue his claim. Along with Pittsburgh District Attorney Stephen Zappala, the district attorney sued Shapiro over the settlement in 2021, saying that the Attorney Generals office didnt have the right to settle civil claims on his behalf. (Shapiro has since been elected governor of Pennsylvania.) The court ruling In the ruling, Pennsylvanias Commonwealth Court Judge Michael H. Wojcik wrote that the states top prosecutor does have the power to enter into civil settlements on behalf of Pennsylvania residents, superseding claims from local district attorneys. While the Attorney General has little power to weigh in on criminal cases, Wojcik said in the 23-page opinion, it has broader powers in civil lawsuits like the opioid settlements. Any uncertainty or inconsistency about the Commonwealths position in separate litigations must result in deference to the Attorney General, Wojcik wrote. In addition, he said, the settlements negotiated by the attorneys general which both Philadelphia and Pittsburgh city officials eventually signed onto have already won all the legal remedies available to state residents in such cases, including civil penalties and payments to victims of opioid use. So even if the court had ruled that Krasner and Zappala could continue their lawsuits, there is nothing left for them to obtain, Wojcik wrote. City officials did not comment on the ruling on Friday. Through a spokesperson, Krasner declined comment, saying the office was considering its legal options. The current state Attorney General Michelle Henry, said she was pleased with the decision. We have always believed that all counties in Pennsylvania working together is the best way to hold the pharmaceutical companies accountable while helping communities repair and rebuild from the devastation caused by lethally-addictive opiates, Henry said in a statement. Last year, Philadelphia officials announced their initial plans to spend the first installments of the funding they will receive under Shapiros settlement, including mobile methadone vans that can get people quickly into addiction treatment, and funding to help repair homes and parks in Kensington, the neighborhood most affected by the opioid crisis. A needle is removed as Maple donates blood at Veterinary Emergency Group on Jan. 15. Read more Maple, a rescued pit-bull mix, was lying on an exam table, held down securely with lots of petting by two women as Amanda Parylak, a certified veterinary technician, began the delicate process of collecting 400 milliliters of the dogs blood at Veterinary Emergency Groups hospital in Center City. The donated blood was then taken by Jessie Brown, the hospital chains national blood bank director, to be used in a future canine surgery or other emergency treatments. January is National Blood Donor Month for humans and for pets. And just as for people, there is a shortage of available animal blood for medical procedures. That need grew more acute during the pandemic when pet adoptions and ownership surged and veterinary hospitals grew to meet the demand, said Brown, a licensed veterinary technician. In the Philadelphia region, only a handful of places operate animal blood banks, but they play an important, sometimes lifesaving, role in the world of animal medical care. The Ryan Veterinary Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania commonly known as Penn Vet has one of the oldest animal blood banks in the nation, founded in 1987. Advertisement Philadelphia Animal Specialty and Emergency, a privately owned animal hospital in Point Breeze that opened in 2021, has a blood bank that also serves ACCT Philly, the citys primary shelter. In South Jersey, the Mount Laurel Animal Hospital maintains a canine blood bank. When a dog donates blood, they are rescuing the lives of three fellow canines! the hospital says on its website. Animal blood banks mainly for dogs and cats are a tiny, and still largely unregulated, part of the veterinary health-care industry. California is the only state that regulates animal blood banks, according to national veterinary experts. At Penn Vet, the Penn Animal Blood Bank follows standards set by the Association of Blood and Biotherapies that were established to protect human donors and recipients, said Mary Beth Callan, professor of medicine at Penn Vet. Penn Vet also follows guidelines set by the American College of Veterinary Internal medicine for infectious-disease screening of canine and feline blood donors, Callan said. How your pet can donate blood For dog or cat owners thinking about having their pet donate blood, Callan said, a local animal hospital may be a good place to start. All specialty hospitals are in need of blood products, so pet owners could consider a location that would be most convenient for them, Callan said. The rapidly growing Veterinary Emergency Group, where pit-bull mix Maple donated recently in Center City, is a national chain founded in 2014 by two alumni from the University of Pennsylvania: David Bessler, the CEO, is a graduate of the Penn School of Veterinary Medicine; David Glattstein, the president, is graduate of the Wharton School. The company now has hospitals in more than 20 states including Pennsylvania and New Jersey and recently announced plans to open a 67th location. The chain opened its first Pennsylvania hospital in 2022 at 1213 Walnut St. in Philadelphia. A second hospital is set to debut next month in Northern Liberties. A location in Pittsburgh is scheduled to open in March. The hospital chain started its first blood bank in April in Virginia, and since then has collected blood from a few dozen dogs at a handful of participating locations as the company tries to get the word out about canine blood donations. In the future, the group says, it is considering opening a feline blood donation program, too. I think education is the first step, said Parylak, the certified veterinary technician. A lot of people dont realize that animals could ever need a blood transfusion the way people do. To encourage pet owners to consider donating, some hospitals offer incentives. Mount Laurel Animal Hospital gives out $25 Amazon gift cards for first-time donors. All veterinary hospitals provide some type of free medical examination of the prospective donor pet because a dog and cat must meet certain criteria. For example, dogs need to be at least 50 pounds some hospitals set the minimum at 55 pounds and in excellent health. There are more specific requirements depending on the hospital. Once deemed eligible, dogs can donate blood every six to eight weeks. Cats, unlike dogs, usually need to be sedated to donate and eligibility is more restrictive because of the complicated nature of feline blood. Not all hospitals collect blood from cats. The last thing someone should worry about The Veterinary Emergency Group hospital at 1213 Walnut St. features a spacious central hub surrounded by rooms for examinations and surgeries. Owners can stay with their pets through an entire visit rather than sit in a waiting room, and comfort them during the donation. Maples owner, Jill Anderson, was going to be there anyway because she is an emergency room doctor at the hospital. About a year ago, someone found Maple as an apparent stray and dropped her off at VEG Philly. After a waiting period that included unsuccessful attempts to determine whether Maple was someones pet, Anderson adopted her. And now, shes also become a blood donor. On a recent Monday, Anderson arrived at work with Maple for a scheduled blood donation. Maple, who is believed to be about 2 years old, was given an examination and a small amount of blood to be tested was drawn from Maples right hind leg. Once she was given the green light to donate, Maple was taken into an exam room and placed on a table to have the blood taken from her neck. The actual blood collection by Parylak took seven minutes, though the full process added up to about an hour. If donated blood isnt available, veterinary hospitals can turn to commercial blood vendors, said Brown. However, because of the national blood shortage, there are long wait times with commercial vendors, Brown said. It takes anywhere from 8 to 20 weeks to get one type of blood product from these vendors and you have to replenish your stock about every month, Brown said. Thats why the chain is pursuing its own blood-donor program. The last thing someone should worry about when their pet is having an emergency, Parylak said, is if the hospital theyre at has the lifesaving blood they need. Volunteers Amy Herlich and Tom Marvit speak to a man sleeping on 23rd Street near Market Street. Volunteers spread out across the city to help the Office of Homeless Services conduct its winter point-in-time count of people living on the streets, Wednesday, January 24, 2024. Read more Late at night on a quiet stretch of 23rd Street, Alfred Fleck approached a group of city volunteers carrying clipboards, surveys, and an enormous bag full of socks and gloves. The volunteers were just a few of hundreds who spread out over Philadelphia on Wednesday night to conduct the annual point-in-time count, an accounting of everyone sleeping on the street on a January night within city borders. Fleck, 49, wanted to make sure he was counted, too. He told the volunteers that he had been homeless in Philadelphia and Norristown for about three years. Hed lost his job during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said, and then was forced to move from his apartment, which had black mold growing inside. For a time, he drifted back into a drug habit that hed struggled with years ago. And then a series of illnesses, culminating in a liver cancer diagnosis, made it hard to find new work. Lately, he had been sleeping on the streets in the city to stay closer to the hospital where he receives cancer treatment. Advertisement Ive had homelessness in my past, but it was a big event for me to go back to the streets, he said. Fleck was one of 14 people the volunteers would meet in about a 20-block radius in Center City over the course of the night, sheltering under overpasses, in church doorways, and over grates where steam hung in the night air. Each person the volunteers found was offered clean socks and gloves and contact information for shelter, plus a $5 gift card to Dunkin in return for answering survey questions. The annual count, required by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, helps set federal policy on combating homelessness allowing officials to understand the demographics of a national crisis and allocate funding accordingly. Its also a way for local officials to take stock of the situation on their own streets. Typically, said Beth Gonzales, the deputy director of the citys Office of Homeless Services, volunteers count 700 to 900 people sleeping on the streets each year. The city will not release the total count from this year for another few months, but for the last five years, the number of unsheltered people has decreased citywide, from more than 1,000 in 2018 to about 800 last year. Its still too early for local officials to paint a definitive picture of homelessness in Philadelphia, or to gauge what funding they might see from HUD, so soon after the count has concluded, Gonzales said. Anecdotally, she said, counters had noticed an uptick of people with opioid use disorder outside of Kensington, the epicenter of the citys opioid crisis. That may be because newly sworn-in Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has signaled that she plans to crack down on that neighborhoods infamous open-air drug markets, although Gonzales emphasized that the new administration also wants to get more people with opioid addiction into treatment. A chance to make a difference For many volunteers, conducting the annual count holds personal resonance. Shamia Ruff, who worked with Gonzales to patrol parts of Center City on Wednesday night, was once unsheltered herself. Driving near the Benjamin Franklin Parkway late Wednesday night, Ruff pointed down the block to a muddy patch of grass near the Rodin Museum. Its crazy how I used to be out there, she said. In 2020, Ruff had lived for months in a large encampment on the parkway, part of a protest over a lack of affordable housing in the city. Since then, she has moved into permanent housing herself, and taken an internship at the citys Office of Homeless Services. Now, she is helping the office catalog the extent of the problems she once protested from the encampment. Its a chance to make a difference, she said. From late Wednesday night into the predawn hours on Thursday, Ruff, Gonzales, and other volunteers drove down major thoroughfares and narrow side streets, peering under awnings and into alleys to spot people without shelter for the night. On Broad Street, a man who gave his name as Smokey stood on the median, holding a sign asking for donations. Hes been homeless for a year, and was trying to earn enough cash to rent a room for the night, though hes been working to secure permanent housing with a local organization for HIV-positive people. I try to keep praying, keep faith, and stay strong, he said. Some people are worse off than me. At a bus stop near LOVE Park, a young woman named L. said shed been homeless since shed been evicted from her home about a month ago. Finding new housing, even with help from city resources, has been confusing and frustrating, she said. I have to have patience, she said. For now, she huddled in the bus stop, wrapped in a blanket next to a pile of her belongings. Im just trying to get out of the cold and wetness, she said. Though city outreach workers regularly patrol hotspots looking for unsheltered people, Ruff said, its often difficult for unhoused people to consistently make contact with them. We need all these contacts to get a place or to get services, she said. But theyre a hit or miss. Other people sleeping on the streets want to avoid shelters entirely. I dont hear good things about shelters between people stealing, and the fights, said a man who gave his name as Robert, 33, who said he has been living in Center City since his mother kicked him out of her house over his drug addiction. Some shelters, he said, dont allow residents to come and go after certain hours, and he worried about withdrawing from drugs inside. No matter how many times I tell you how bad [withdrawal] is, youll never truly know, he said. How the count affects policy in Philadelphia Gonzales said that federal and state funding to combat homelessness typically is geared toward increasing long-term housing opportunities for unhoused people, while dollars from the citys general fund support emergency housing. Recently, the city inspector general launched an investigation into overspending at OHS the office spent $15 million over its budget in four years; Gonzales said that spending was largely drawn from city funds, not state or federal money. (Matthew Heckles, the regional administrator of HUDs Mid-Atlantic region, which includes Philadelphia, called the city a great partner and declined to comment on the investigation.) Heckles, who also participated in the count on Wednesday, said the event is a crucial opportunity to assess whats working in the Biden administrations homeless policy and what isnt. As rent and housing costs overall have increased in recent years, the administration has invested significant funding in housing initiatives, including one to create 40,000 housing units for people experiencing homelessness. But, Heckles said, the administration isnt making sufficient headway. The problem is sort of getting larger as we go, he said. Heckles stressed that, though people experiencing homelessness are often stereotyped as struggling with mental health or substance use issues, that doesnt paint a full picture of the nations housing crisis. The administration is seeing more families experiencing homelessness, for example. Were seeing kids who are doing their homework in the school parking lots in the back of their cars, and sleeping there because thats what they have available to them, he said. Thats why were doing this point in time to really understand [the problem] even better than before. A group of community well-wishers joined the Rev. Michelle Anne Simmons (center, in yellow T-shirt), executive director of Why Not Prosper, as she cut the ribbon on the reentry group's first mobile social service office called the R.E.V., or Rolling Engagement Van. Read more The Rev. Michelle Anne Simmons, founder and CEO of the womens reentry program Why Not Prosper, cut the ribbon Saturday on the social service office of the future: a converted recreational vehicle that is now a mobile resource center for people who have been released from prison. Simmons officially launched the R.E.V., or Rolling Engagement Van, before an enthusiastic crowd of supporters and staffers, calling it a vessel of hope bringing resources directly to those in need. The R.E.V. will bring services geared to the needs of returning citizens including legal support, trauma care, food and basic-need items, bus passes, and health services. They are many of the same services Why Not Prosper provides from its brick-and-mortar office at 717 E. Chelten Ave. in Germantown. Weve got to go to the people, State Sen. Art Haywood, a Democrat representing parts of Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties, said during the afternoon ribbon-cutting ceremony. We cant always expect people to come to us. We need to do something different. All of us in state and local government have to go to the people. Advertisement The R.E.V. will be comanaged by Why Not Prosper and the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundations Safety + Justice Challenge (SJC), a group of volunteers who advise the city on its criminal justice reform policies in an effort to reduce the jail population. For now the R.E.V., which has already been out on a few trial runs, will head into the community two or three times a week using Why Not Prospers Sisters with a Goal members to staff it. Simmons is also looking to increase the services available by adding community partners. We will go into the communities and provide access that is not typically given and remove barriers, said CAC chair Charlotte Brickhouse. The SJC provided the grant for the vehicle which Simmons estimated at close to $100,000. The R.E.V. will provide services for all genders. Community-based mobile health and social services models like the Rolling Engagement Van are an emerging best practice both locally and across the country that the City is very proud of, Kurt August, executive director of the Office of Criminal Justice, said in a statement. Since launching Why Not Prosper 23 years ago, Simmons has helped more than 1,700 women transition from prison back into their communities. She has also seen the need for her services escalate. The female incarceration rate has grown by 475% since 1980, twice as high as mens, making women the fastest growing segment of the incarcerated population, according to the Sentencing Project. We cant incarcerate our way out of the problem, said Keisha N. Hudson, chief defender at the Defender Association of Philadelphia. We represented over 30,000 people last year. They are human beings with complex complicated lives. Hudson also announced that Simmons would be the Defender Association of Philadelphias community awardee at its 90th-anniversary gala in April. It is our first-ever community partner award. Simmons designed Why Not Prosper to be the program she wished she had when she exited prison for felony convictions for possession, prostitution, and receiving stolen property, all stemming from substance abuse. However, attempting to rebuild her life while staying sober and connecting with her two children was almost impossible, she said. READ MORE: Its a new day for the formerly incarcerated: Why Not Prosper opens a center in Harrisburg Reentry is brutal, she once explained. Philadelphia has a reentry focus but if we dont hold their hands, the ladies will give up on themselves. Update: This story has been corrected to reflect that the Community Advisory Committee and not Council is the correct name of the organization. In a bitterly divided nation, here is one thing Americans can agree on: Kenneth Smith, a 58-year-old Alabama man, is dead. The end for Smith came about three decades after his conviction for the brutal murder-for-hire of a preachers wife and about four minutes after Alabama prison officials began pumping deadly nitrogen hypoxia into a mask over Smiths face, causing the condemned man to gasp for air and shake his gurney before he was finally declared dead. But the finality of Smiths sentence was about the only common ground after the first nitrogen gas execution in the history of the world. To Smiths spiritual adviser, his wife, and some journalist observers, gassing a human being to death and using him as a guinea pig for an utterly experimental and untested method was both unusual and cruel, brutally so. This was the fifth execution that Ive witnessed in Alabama, and I have never seen such a violent reaction to an execution, Lee Hedgepeth, one of the media witnesses, reported after watching Smith shake and writhe on his death gurney. What we saw was minutes of someone struggling for their life, agreed the Rev. Jeff Hood, Smiths adviser, describing how the executed man was ripping his head forward over and over and over again. Hoods conclusion: Tonight, Alabama caused humanity to take a step backward. Advertisement And yet, officials in one of Americas reddest states portrayed this one small step to kill a man as potentially one giant leap for the science of better dying through chemicals coming soon to a death chamber in your neck of the woods. And to my colleagues across the country, many of which were watching last night Alabama has done it, the states GOP attorney general, Steve Marshall, proclaimed at a news conference. And now so can you. And we stand ready to assist you in implementing this method in your states. Indeed, Oklahoma and Mississippi have already signed up for Americas first new method of state-sponsored killing since lethal injection, four decades ago. There is so much irony and injustice surrounding Americas latest embrace of the death penalty. Start with the simple fact that Smith should never have been executed in the first place. Theres no argument his 1988 murder of Elizabeth Sennett at the behest of her minister husband who died by suicide as the plot unraveled was a despicable act. If you morally oppose capital punishment, as I do, then its fair to think Smith should have spent life behind bars. But so did 11 of Smiths 12 jurors in an ultraconservative state, only to be overruled by a hanging judge. Since then, the way Smith was sentenced to die has been found unconstitutional. Of course, the U.S. Constitution also bars cruel and unusual punishment which inarguably is what happened to Smith the first time Alabama tried to kill him in 2022, by lethal injection. That November, state prison officials spent four agonizing hours poking the convicted killer with needles in his arms and legs and eventually near his heart, trying and failing to find a vein for the lethal chemicals. The botched execution left Smith both ill and traumatized. Is the first-ever use of nitrogen gas really more humane? The Montgomery Advertiser noted that the American Veterinary Medical Association disallows the use of nitrogen hypoxia as a form of euthanasia for mammals, other than pigs, because it causes an anoxic environment that is distressing for some species. Offer not valid in Alabama, Mississippi, or Oklahoma, apparently, Its tempting, and understandably so, to view the killing of Smith only through the prism of how one feels about the death penalty. Ive opposed capital punishment since I was a little boy who learned in Sunday school that killing another human being was a sin, and who struggled to understand the moral contradiction of the electric chair. That faith has only strengthened as an adult, after coming to understand that scores of people in this country have been wrongly convicted and sometimes sentenced to die at the hands of corrupt cops and prosecutors. In this case, Smiths guilt was not in doubt. Much less certain is what was accomplished by putting him to death. Even Sennetts relatives, who forgave Smith for his crime, had their doubts. Nothing that happened here today is going to bring Mom back, the victims son, Mike Sennett, said. Its a bittersweet day, were not going to be jumping around, hooping and hollering, hooraying and all that, thats not us. Were glad this day is over. That didnt stop cruelty-is-the-point politicians like Alabamas attorney general, Marshall, from strutting across the stage like peacocks. I think a nations stance on capital punishment is a pretty good barometer of its broader moral climate. More than two-thirds of the worlds countries do not have capital punishment, but the United States was No. 5 in the world in 2022, trailing only a rogues gallery of China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. Its a shameful list to be on. READ MORE: The cruelty is the point as AG Barr, Trump return to death penalty barbarism | Will Bunch This weekend, the world marked Holocaust Remembrance Day, renewing our shaky vows to never again witness an atrocity like the mass murder of six million Jews during World War II. Those war crimes were aided by a German chemical conglomerate, I.G. Farben, which supplied the Nazi regime with the poison gas used in Adolf Hitlers death chamber, Zyklon B. It seemed a strange moment for Alabama to boast about its new way of chemical death, even if it was just one person. Because does it ever stop at just one person? Because Smiths nitrogen execution did not happen in a vacuum, but at a moment when growing numbers of American citizens seem angry to the point of irrationality, with many pledging fealty to a would-be dictator whose only substantive campaign promise is to be their retribution. At the very moment that Alabamas prisoner was writhing on his death gurney, the governor in the simpatico state of Texas and his $10 billion army of tin soldiers were busy sharpening and laying down more razor wire across the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass, so that desperate mother-and-child refugees lucky enough not to drown in the frigid January currents will feel the cruel and unusual slashing of hard metal before they can seek asylum on U.S. soil. The knifepoint of American cruelty could only grow sharper in the second half of the 2020s. A Donald Trump 47 presidency hell-bent on retribution is already promising mass deportations of millions of undocumented migrants, a policy that would come with large detention camps, dead-of-night immigration raids, and other human rights abuses. Team Trump is openly enthusing about deploying troops against protesters or in Democratic-run big cities and prosecuting the would-be presidents political enemies. In this climate, a new advance in death chamber technology is a feature, not a bug. Its hard to believe that in the 1960s and 70s those same years I was learning about the Lords Sixth Commandment in Sunday school America looked to be on the brink of abolishing the death penalty. By the end of the 1970s, a nation awash in crime paranoia and Charles Bronson vigilante movies rediscovered revenge and hasnt looked back. Americas start-up culture in finding new science for state-sanctioned death was not real justice in the case of Kenneth Smith, but an indictment of a seriously ailing society. May God have mercy on our souls. READ MORE: SIGN UP: The Will Bunch Newsletter This week, World Interfaith Harmony Week, a United Nations observance, provides a focal point from which all people of goodwill can recognise the common values that they hold far outweigh the differences they have, and thus provide a strong dosage of peace and harmony to their communities. Ireland has seen its fair share of religious disharmony. Though those challenges have not quite disappeared, inter-community relations have certainly improved. There are however new challenges and opportunities on the horizon. Just over one hundred years ago the Irish Council of Churches was established to allow member churches to formally engage and act on a wide variety of issues. As an organisation, it is reflective of how the country has changed since the drab days of economic hardship in the 1980s and early nineties. Wealth has now come to Ireland and with it new people, new ideas and, of course, new churches, new religions and new versions of what we once took asgospel. We were founded initially by a group of Protestant churches, says Dr Damian Jackson, Secretary General of the ICC. Damian Jackson, General Secretary Irish Council of Churches The Catholic Church joined in 1973 and that was really about finding a path to peace and reconciliation during The Troubles. Since 1997, seven more churches have joined and they all have their origins abroad. So the diversity of our organisation has changed dramatically in the last 25 years. The landscape of Christianity has broadened massively in that time and we have had to expand the conversation beyond our own history to cater to that. Among those newer Christian churches is the Indian Orthodox Church. Officially established in Ireland in 2004, when the first Qurbana (Mass) was celebrated in Dublin, members of this church have been living in Ireland since the early 2000s. Many work in healthcare while latterly, IT workers have swelled the numbers. The church now has 10 parishes across the island with over 3,000 members. In India, we are a minority within a minority, says Fr Anish John. There are only about 2.4 million of us, largely based around Kerala in the south of the country. Most of us are born into it and we are largely a migrant church. There are not so many native Irish members. Anish, who moved to Ireland in 2017 to do his PhD at St. Patricks College in Maynooth, serves his community in the Dublin parish. He believes that religion is embedded in Ireland and sees religious values reflected in everyday life. You have all of the values we talk of - love, care and charity, says Anish. These are all basic tenets of Christianity and all religions. And they are even embraced by the secular world. At the core of the Religious Society of Friends beliefs is the concept that God (some friends refer to it as Light or Spirit) resides in everyone and for that reason everyone is, as Quaker Denise Gabudza describes it, inherently equal. UCC lecturer Denise Gabuzda outside the Cork Quaker Meeting House. It might not seem so profound now but this idea of the divine in everyone, and not just themselves, goes right back to the start of Quakerism in the 17th century. We don't have a creed, but we do have various literature we use, to try to help our contemplation and reflection, says Denise. These are called advices and queries. One of them says: Take time to learn about other people's experience. Quakers have been in Ireland a little longer than their fellow Christians from the Indian Orthodox Church. The first Quaker meeting took place in Lurgan in 1654. Today, the church has around 1,600 members but there are many more who attend their weekly Meetings on a casual basis; something the Religious Society of Friends has always encouraged. Sunday meetings are rooted in silence and everyone is welcome, says Denise. We dont have a minister or a priest leading a program and giving a sermon. Originally from Ohio, Denise was born a Catholic but became interested in the Quakers while studying Astrophysics at university in Pennsylvania. It wasnt until she came to Ireland to take up a lecturing post at University College Cork twenty-two years ago that she joined formally. I really liked that the form of worship was freer and allowed individuals to be there, maybe each seeking different thoughts or feeling different things, but still united in what was happening, she says. It's a very curious experience because each person is there individually, yet they're united in stillness together. Meetings usually last for one hour and though they are largely silent, people who feel the need to, can stand up and say something. Quite often what somebody says touches your thoughts. It's almost a bit mystical. One name we have for this is ministry. So there's a sense in which everybody present is a minister. This idea of egalitarianism also exists in the Bahai religion. Nano Culliton was studying Art in Waterford when she first came across members of the religion. She was just nineteen at the time and admits to initially tiptoeing towards the faith. Artist Nano Culliton is a member of the Bahai religion. One of the core things in the faith is independent investigation of truth, says the artist. You have to seek it out, which is possibly why people don't hear about Bahai because we don't proselytise. If you come across us, nobody is going to say, we do this now and you'll be saved, or this is the way or this is the one. There's no language like that in the faith. So you have to work at it yourself. The Bahai faith is quite new. Founded in the 19th century by a religious teacher from Iran named Bahau'llah, it teaches the oneness of God, the unity of humanity, and the essential harmony of religion. Bahais believe in each persons capacity to find the truth for themselves, and there is no clergy. Every nineteen days they will meet in each others houses for a three-part feast that involves organised devotion and prayer, community business and the feasting itself. Faith interharmony is the very essence of their religion. We believe that all of the major religions have come from God, says Nano. They've just come to us at different stages in our development. So we can take on more as humanity matures if you like. We don't need a parable to explain something because we can understand it now. You don't necessarily need someone who is ordained by God to explain the holy book because you read yourself. We sit in a circle and say what we think and between us, we come to an understanding. Nano says her faith has given her a better understanding of other faiths. If you take that fundamental belief that all religions come from the same source, then there's a commonality between religions, she says. Religious wars will never resolve anything because its based on the belief that Im right and youre wrong and we cant survive in a world like that. There has to be unity. For Damian Jackson, Irelands religious future is about dialogue and embracing the new. Weve got to be prepared to change and adapt and look at it as an enriching process where everybody has gifts that they can bring, he says. If we have this narrow view of how we do church, were not going to be able to experience that and benefit from it. The Andean flamingo has an elegant stride, with a grace that hypnotizes you. Its plumage is impressive: a mix of hot pink, white and black. Reaching more than three feet in height, these creatures nest in colonies during the summer, in the shallow wetlands of Puna the Atacama Plateau and the Andes of Chile, Bolivia and Argentina. This area is also known as the lithium triangle. In Argentina, the rarest of all flamingo species is found mostly in the northern provinces Salta, Catamarca and Jujuy during the warmer months. These birds can also be found in the center of the country, mainly in Cordoba and Santa Fe. According to the National Mining Secretariat, there are 38 lithium projects in the country, of which 17 are in the large salt flats of the province of Salta. For some years now, biologists and conservation specialists have been warning about the negative impacts of the exploitation of lithium brine deposits in the places where these animals reproduce and feed. This species of bird from the flamingo family (in Argentina, there are also specimens of the Southern flamingo and Jamess flamingo) has been classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Drying pits in a lithium mining project in Catamarca (Argentina), in 2021. Anita Pouchard Serra (Bloomberg) For years, Enrique Derlindati a professor of Biological Sciences at the National University of Salta has been researching these birds, their population trends and the threats they face in their environment. He underscores the need for measures to preserve their survival and reproductive capacity. In the summer, these species move to the mountain range especially wetlands and salt flats which are 13,000 feet above sea level. There, they make their nesting colonies, which are increasingly difficult to find and which overlap with the so-called lithium triangle. The Andean flamingo is a species thats restricted to the Andes and has the smallest population size. In censuses, its estimated that there are around 80,000 specimens in all of South America. Theyve stopped using historical nesting sites due to the presence of lithium exploration, Derlindati laments. He has been studying flamingos since the 1990s. These numbers arise from the sixth census of three species of flamingos in the Southern Cone, carried out by Argentinas National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), together with other socio-environmental research and conservation institutions. Its a follow-up and monitoring process thats carried out on the population every five years. Over the last 15 years, we began to observe fewer juveniles in natural environments. Thats a big warning sign. Mining companies are being installed in all the salt flats of the Puna; theyre not leaving a single one untouched. This restricts nesting possibilities, because Andean flamingos look for isolated sites, the specialist adds. Derlindati believes that mining activity could be carried out with less environmental impact in Argentina, while taking into account the local fauna. I had the opportunity to be in Chile. There, for example, the miners dont carry out their tasks during the species nesting periods, between November and February. But if the mining companies dont want to stop and the governments dont want to stop, its difficult to enforce this. There are also other ways to extract lithium. Here, [in Argentina], its done with drying basins, because its the most economical method. This requires a transformation of the salt flat system. The direct impact of the [extractivist] activity is very great, he affirms. The leg of an Andean flamingo next to the foot of a researcher. Enrique Derlindati Matias Michelutti is a tour guide in the Ansenuza National Park, in the province of Cordoba. This park is home to the largest salt lake in South America and 66% of all species of migratory and shorebirds recorded in Argentina, including the Andean flamingos, who choose the area in the wintertime. Michelutti knows the place like the back of his hand: his father was a park ranger and his family navigated its waters for more than 40 years. The big problem is water. The conservation of the sites and the provision of food are subject to environmental conditions and the water levels. In these years of drought from 2019 to December of last year the lagoon shrank to historical levels that were only seen in the 1970s. The number of Southern flamingos is stable and isnt at risk, but the Andean flamingos while nesting and feeding rely on the same sites where lithium extraction is currently carried out, or will be carried out in the near future, Michelutti explains. This is a big problem. Its not the extraction of lithium per se, but the use of water for that process, the tour guide warns. Like Derlindati, hes part of the High Andean Flamingo Conservation Group (GCFA), which includes scientists and conservationists from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru. The Ansenuza National Park was classified as a protected area in 2022. Michelutti highlights this legal framework for conservation, after long years of research and dissemination work to publicize the enormous wetland of about 3,000 square miles, located in the central-north region of Argentina. It was a long road and a milestone to become a national park. Worldwide, the trend is for these environments to dry out. With tourism, we want the general public to learn about the importance of these wetlands, he says. Protective measures and stricter regulations to curb environmentally harmful activities are part of the national conversation. In Argentina, Law 24.585 dealing with environmental protections required of mining activities provides a regulatory framework for protection. However, the approval or denial of permits to carry out mining projects depends on each province. Regional authorities have control over their resources, as indicated in Article 124 of the Constitution. Derlindati warns that the environmental impacts are exacerbated by the lack of data provided by mining companies and the lax controls implemented by the provincial governments. In many cases, mining companies dont provide data, because the state doesnt require it. The economic situation causes them to destroy natural assets, following a false remedy for the lithium fever. For example, in Salta, the provincial legislature seeks to reduce bureaucracy to facilitate mining exploitation, meaning that theyre lax with permits and restrictions. The cost always ends up being environmental and taking a toll on peoples health, he analyzes. The environmental impact study is complete: it includes air, soil, land and social aspects. What environmentalists say are opinions [theyre not offering] firm data from an official body, responds Simon Perez Alsina, president of the Chamber of Mining in Salta, the province with the largest number of lithium projects in the country. A colony of flamingos in an Andean salt flat. Ossian Lindholm The mining executive says that the Puna of Argentina is a territory that has millions of hectares, with large areas to carry out productive ventures while still conserving flora and fauna. Any human activity produces an impact, even building a house. Technically, theres no proven negative impact of any lithium project. Theres no pollution nor lack of water nor decline in species. Lithium is the mineral of the energy transition. Without lithium, we wont decarbonize the world. However, a 2021 study published by the Humedales Foundation, with support from the NGO Wetlands International Environmental impact of lithium exploitation on wetlands and water resources in the Andean Plateau warns of documented and identified impacts, such as salinization of soils and wetlands, contamination of soils with hazardous waste, modification of the natural surface flow of water, alteration of the water balance and impact on native flora and fauna. The immense salt flats of northern Argentina arent just the white gold of lithium. Theyre located in a fragile environment that according to the aforementioned study and the voices of other specialists still doesnt have an effective environmental monitoring network to quantify the impact. The challenge is to evaluate the feasibility of developing environmentally-sustainable projects. Without taking protective measures, the large desert landscapes and their bodies of water will be irreversibly transformed. The problem is further aggravated with the recent election of Javier Milei, who denies climate change, as president of Argentina. Derlindati sums the issue up with one sentence: The Puna is a complex and fragile system. When we start breaking links and putting human elements into the environment, everything starts to go wrong. And its difficult to predict the results that this will have in the future. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Strangers still visit the grotto where Ann Lovett gave birth to her baby 40 years ago, a pilgrimage to a place that exposed cruel secrets and religious hypocrisy, and ultimately prompted positive change in Ireland. Forty years ago on Wednesday, the 15-year-old schoolgirl died of shock after exposure and severe blood loss when she delivered her baby alone on cold, wet stone under a statue of the Virgin Mary. Anns son, Patrick, died just a few short hours before his mother on January 31, 1984. She was found bloody and cold, lying in her soaked school uniform beneath the statue of a woman who would also have been persecuted for being unmarried and pregnant, and who had nowhere to go to birth her baby. The irony that Christianitys hallowed matriarch was also an unmarried pregnant woman a group so maligned by then-powerful voices in the Catholic church that Ann was left alone to give birth on that dark January afternoon is stark. Anns death became a powerful symbol of a system and a culture that no longer served its people. She died at a time of burgeoning social change in Ireland, when a more secular youth, eyes and minds opened by education and immigration, railed against a hyper-conservative, theocratic society, and pushed hard to create a new Ireland. For many, Ann's tragic death became a clarion call for that change. In 1984, Catholic doctrine still influenced public policy. Contraception was illegal without a prescription (until 1985), marital rape was not a crime (until 1990), homosexuality was illegal (until 1993), and Magdalene Laundries were still in operation Ann Lovett was 15 when she died. A few months before Ann died in 1983 the Eighth Amendment, which effectively banned abortion in the Irish Constitution, was passed in a fractious referendum. Anns death prompted an outpouring of anger and grief. Hundreds of letters were written to RTE where people shared their own similar secrets and shames. Her death made an indelible impact on the town of Granard in Longford. It had a big impact. It was a big trauma for the town, a Granard local who knew the Lovetts but who asked not to be named said. A lot of journalists came and they wouldnt be welcome. It was a big intrusion. But overall it was a good thing that it was out in the open. But many in Granard wish it remained a secret, kept locked away safely behind local doors and tightly pulled curtains. Shadows of that tribal, secretive old Ireland still dance around the edges of Anns story, and around Granard. Many locals want it forgotten, her memory and the learnings we should all take from her death not worth the pain of confronting societys thinly veiled prejudices and the mundane, blind cruelties that ultimately led to her death. The grave of Ann Lovett at Granardkill Graveyard, Granard, Co Longford. Picture: Lorraine Teevan Ann died in Granard, but the town was not unique in its attitudes towards a young unmarried mother at the time. Pubs are still asked to switch off the TV when Anns name is broadcast and many locals still refuse to watch films or documentaries about her death. The town would rather forget about it now. You often hear people complain in pubs theyre showing it again when something comes on the TV about Ann. Christy Moore wrote a song about Ann, people wouldnt listen to that here, the local said. But many people from outside Granard are still drawn to Ann and her story decades later. Youd often see people up at her grave or the grotto. Theyre from out of town. You often hear people asking if thats where the young girl and her baby died, the local said. Call to leave family in peace Former town councillor Brenda Tallon said she wished everyone would leave the Lovetts alone. They need some peace and quiet. It keeps rearing its head. Theyre not getting any peace over Anns death. Ann Rose Lovett was born into this world on April 6, 1968, in Cobh General Hospital, Co Cork. She lived in the Victorian Grahams Terrace overlooking the sea, the seventh of nine children. Ann's father, Diarmuid Lovett, at her inquest. He died three years after his daughter. Picture: Independent News And Media/Getty Images Her father, Diarmuid Lovett, moved the family back to his home village, Kilnaleck, Co Cavan, in 1972. The family then moved to nearby Granard in Co Longford, in 1981. Her father bought a pub, the Copper Pot, but it was often closed. A budding artist and journalist, Ann worked in her school, Cnoc Mhuires magazine, Feach. She was described by people who knew her as independent, outgoing, and bubbly. And she was creative. At school, she loved art, English, and biology. On January 31, 1984, she took a pair of scissors from her home before ostensibly leaving for school. But she never went to school that day. Instead, she went alone to the grotto where she gave birth to a baby boy on the cold stone ground in the rain. She used the scissors to cut the umbilical cord. Three boys were walking home from school at about 4pm when one of them saw Anns red schoolbag near the entrance to the grotto and heard moaning. They found Ann covered in blood and lying on the cold, wet ground, her dead baby lying nearby. They ran for help, first finding local man Tony Kelly. He came to Ann, saw her critically ill and her baby already dead, and went to the parish priest for help. The priest told him the girl needed a doctor, not a priest. But Canon Gilfillan did not call a doctor, and instead went to collect what he needed to perform Last Rites, according to media reports. The boys knocked on a neighbours door Eugene Gallagher who was the first person to call a doctor for Ann at 4.14pm and brought her blankets. Dr Tom Donoghue immediately called an ambulance, but it was 42km away in Mullingar hospital. Dr Donoghue drove Ann, her dead baby, and her father to their home to wait for the ambulance, which arrived at 5.10pm. People still visit the grotto where Ann died. Picture: Brenda Fitzsimons Anns lips and fingertips were white when she arrived at Mullingar hospital at 5.55pm. She was cold to the touch and was still dressed in her soaking-wet school uniform. Although efforts were made to save her she died a short time later. Anns death was caused by irreversible shock due to exposure and blood loss in childbirth, with exposure being the main factor, pathologist Ken Cunnane reported. The baby had died from asphyxia, probably in delivery, and had been stillborn. Ann and her baby were buried together in Granard graveyard. Less than three months later, on April 22, 1984, Anns younger sister Patricia, aged 14, died by suicide. Diarmuid Lovett died three years later, aged 54. Ann's mother Patricia Lovett remained living on Main Street, Granard, until her death in June 2015, aged 81. Ann's family never spoke publicly about her death. Ann attended the Catholic Cnoc Mhuire Secondary School. The school always maintained that it did not know Ann was pregnant and said staff would have helped her if they knew. A past pupil of the school, a few years younger than Ann, said the school was extremely strict. It was horrific going to school there. The nuns were horrific. And they were so strict on uniform, I dont know how she [Ann] got away with being pregnant in there. Lord have mercy on her, she must have gone through hell. Patricia Lovett, mother of Ann Lovett at the inquest into her death. Picture: Independent News And Media/Getty Images Orla OConnor, director of the National Womens Council, said that although there has been huge change for women since Anns death, that change had to be fought for and the journey to equality is not yet over. Things have changed enormously for women in Ireland," Ms OConnor said. But change has come as a result of very hard-fought campaigns and real tragedies for women not just 40 years ago, but right up to recent times. Change in abortion laws after the death of Savita Halappanavar. Vicky Phelan and everything she did campaigning for women's health. None of the change has come automatically, or come because governments have believed that equality is a good thing. The National Womens Council is now campaigning for a Yes vote on both referendum questions on March 8, to enshrine equality for women and families into the Constitution. We are calling for the sexist, stereotypical reference to womens place in the home to be removed from the Constitution and replaced with a recognition of the shared responsibility of care, Ms OConnor said. Article 41.2 never led to any supports for women to work solely within the home, but underpinned discriminatory practices So the fight continues for women's equality. Deep sea divers will for the first time take our nationwide beach cleans underwater. A team of specially-trained divers will this spring begin diving as deep as 30m around our entire coast to collect hazardous waste. While land-based beach cleans of plastic bottles and crisp packets are what we are used to, dumped fishing gear is the biggest plastic polluter in our seas and oceans. The team of scuba divers will work with the Irish chapter of marine conservation and activism organisation Sea Shepherd, as part of their international Ghostnet campaign. It is the first time these dives are taking place in Ireland. "A ghost net is a discarded fishing net, it can be damaged and discarded, it could be lost at sea, sunk and not retrieved," explained Emma Tuite, director of Sea Shepherd Ireland. Divers Caroline Bolger and Ciaran King taking part in the Sea Shephard Ghostnet campaign training at the dive centre at Corbally, Portroe, Co Tipperary. "They are like curtains of death, they float in the water like the way a ghost would float and wildlife gets caught in it. They're very harmful to mammals, and also birds as their necks get caught and they drown. They're a massive problem all over the world," she added. A recent report from Greenpeace found that "ghost gear" is the biggest plastic polluter of the oceans. More than 640,000 tonnes of nets and other commercial fishing gear are dumped or lost in the sea every year the same weight as 55,000 double-decker buses. Academic research has also found that in some places this "ghost gear" accounts for 52% of plastic waste in our seas, as evidenced in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Caroline Bolger taking part in the Sea Shephard Ghostnet campaign training at the dive centre at Corbally, Portroe, Co Tipperary. Ireland's problems match up with international findings. "The biggest problem is not on the surface, it's below the surface, and it's the nets 70% of marine life entanglement is due to fishing nets being discarded," said Ms Tuite. "In Ireland, there has been a 200% increase in the number of seals dying as a result of marine waste from 2021 to 2022. We don't have final figures for 2023," she added. Marine waste includes nets, traps, lobster pots, ropes, and lines. "Everyone is worried about straws, but it's the nets. I say to volunteers at the end of a beach clean 'take two breaths, that second breath is courtesy of the ocean', if the ocean dies we die," said Ms Tuite. According to the United Nations, 25% of all carbon emissions is absorbed by our oceans, and in turn, they generate 50% of our oxygen supply. "This will be the biggest ever initiative to future-proof Irish waters, alongside the work of protecting marine areas," said Sea Shepherd Ireland director. Divers Caroline Bolger and Ciaron King taking part in the Sea Shephard Ghostnet campaign training at the dive centre at Corbally, Portroe, Co Tipperary. Ciaron King will be one of the nine divers heading below the surface of our waters to carry out this work. "In Irish waters at 30 metres, it's dark and there are currents. So if there is a net and it's caught, if you just go in and start cutting stuff it will get loose and start moving around you. You could get caught up in it," explains Mr King, diving instructor and founder of Nauti Divers in Dun Laoghaire. Mr King was involved in training a team of divers in Ireland in this Scuba Diving International ratified course. "For ghost net recovery you will work in a team of three. There will be one observer to watch as the net moves and two operators and between them they share the role of cutting the net and using lift bags," explained Mr King. "They will have specific missions, certain sites around Ireland where fishermen will have reported losing nets or pots," he added. T Manuel Salazar and Emma Tuite of Sea Shephard overseeing the Ghostnet campaign at the dive centre at Corbally, Portroe, Co Tipperary. o become a volunteer, divers will need to be over 21 years of age and trained to the minimum level of rescue diving. They will also need to have logged 100 dives and be certified to 30 metres. Before any dive occurs, a plan will be made after checking the weather and researching the area. All ghost net recovery dives will need to be sanctioned in advance. Mr King said with clubs all over Ireland such as Oceandivers and Triton Diving in Dublin, Ocean Addicts Southwest in Cork, or Portroe Dive Centre in Tipperary, there are lots of people scuba diving here, so if anyone does not yet meet the requirements they can be trained up by Sea Shepherd Ireland. He said diving in Ireland is safe as long as you follow the rules and go with others. "In Dublin Bay, there is a mist, and mostly it's visibility of a metre, however, divers carry torches. If you get to the bottom of the seabed there's an abundance of life. "Then on the northwest coast, you've visibility of 30 metres. It's one of my favourite places to dive and I've done the Maldives and The Galapagos. Donegal has fantastic topography. Diving in Ireland is some of the best in the world, with underwater caves and cliffs off Galway too," said Mr King. Diver Ciaron King taking part in the Sea Shephard Ghostnet campaign at the dive centre at Corbally, Portroe, Co Tipperary. Picture Dan Linehan This new campaign will be "Ireland's biggest ever beach clean underwater", said Ms Tuite, and just like all other beach cleans, everyone can get involved. "It's not just divers, we need volunteers onshore, on top of the boat to take waste from divers, and we need a place to store the nets," Ms Tuite said. It also does not stop at just storing the nets, the soon-to-be retrieved plastic already has its future mapped out. "We will be in touch with companies that can take the bails of nets and upcycle and recycle them into another product longer life products such as furniture, bikes, hammocks, and bags. There are companies that specifically take this marine waste," said Ms Tuite. And this is as much about the climate and the circular economy as it is about the community. "It's not just us who want to save the oceans, it's our fishermen it's their livelihood, the artisan fishermen of Ireland. It's about trying to protect their livelihoods and the food they bring into our communities," said Ms Tuite. People must work together to ensure hatred and anti-migrant feeling do not deepen across Europe and the world, President Michael D Higgins has said. The President was speaking as he delivered a speech at the National Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration in Dublin, warning of the rise of anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, xenophobia, racism, homophobia and intolerance. As anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, xenophobia, racism, homophobia and intolerance are once again on the rise in parts of Europe and many parts of the world, we must as we remember the Holocaust collectively, ensure the lesson it offered to the world with such cruelty and hate, of regarding others as lesser, inferior in rights or participation, are heard and understood, President Higgins said. The Holocaust was enabled by a regime of systematic murder that began by the manipulation of language and the spreading of fear. We, in our times, must be alert to the identification and confrontation of hate speech in any of its many guises. We must work together to ensure that hatred and anti-migrant feeling, for example, are not allowed to deepen their shadow across Europe and the world. In the delivery of a moral context in our lives, we are all migrants in time. President Higgins said that as people recall the Holocaust, there is relevance to the present, saying that the world is seeing rising political authoritarianism, polarization and violence. He adds that this atmosphere threatens democracy and helps promote division, exclusion and racism. The President said that it is vital for younger generations to learn of the Holocaust, while adding that it is of utmost importance for it to be remembered in the fullest context with nothing hidden. Such a move requires us to confront the horror of this period, but we must never forget the deeper challenge of asking how did it come to be? How can a process of dehumanisation be so effective and with such little resistance? What indifference, beyond any manipulation of ignorance and hatred, allowed it to become the terminus of horror that we commemorate today? the President said. President Higgins said that Holocaust Memorial Day, 79 years on from the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, is a time to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, together with the millions more murdered under the attrition of Nazi persecution. The President also spoke about the ongoing war in Gaza and the preceding attack against Israel by Hamas on October 7. While we come together today to remember the victims of the Holocaust, it is important that we recognise the very significant trauma of recent events, following the appalling atrocities which took place on 7th October perpetuated by Hamas, he said. The violence of that action, the killing, abuse and abduction of hostages from their families, of other young people attending a music festival, was a horrific and morally reprehensible act. If we believe that life itself is paramount, that all lives matter, then we must acknowledge too that, since 7th October, far too many lives, and particularly those of women and children, have already been lost. 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 Road, 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 Street, Cork. Also on November 3, the same defendant was drunk and a danger to himself or others at Paul Street, Cork. On November 9, 2023, at St Patricks Street, he was seen falling around the street and shouting loudly, causing annoyance to young professionals at the adjacent bus stop. He had an open container in his hand, which he was spilling and he attempted to enter a store. "The accused then threw the open container of liquid into the shop, causing part of the floor to be soiled in the store, Sgt Murphy said. 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. Cork City traders who pioneered an eat on the street venture, hailed as an inspiring post-pandemic recovery initiative, have unveiled plans for a new street market for this holiday weekend. The Princes St traders developed the idea in response to the wave of negativity after a raft of high-profile restaurant closures since the start of the year, including the shock closure of the streets Nash 19. They plan to bring their business outdoors again this Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4pm to encourage people into the city and interact with the street in a new way. And, with the Rugby Six Nations tournament kicking off on Friday, and Munster playing the Super Rugby Champions Crusaders in Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Saturday, the city is expecting thousands of visitors. Mathia Righetti, Daniele Plati, and Davide Pinna will be serving up Ristorante Rossinis fine Italian food and drinks on Princes St, Cork, on Saturday and Sunday. Picture: Larry Cummins The pubs and restaurants will serve food outdoors as usual under the streets colourful parasols. The event will also feature outdoor cooking and cookery demonstrations, and some traders will offer their goods, everything from t-shirts to trophies, paintbrushes to perfume, for sale from market stalls. Paul Montgomery, who runs Clancys pub, said the trading environment is very challenging and various business groups have been lobbying local and national government for solutions. In the meantime, he said it is vital that business owners find solutions where they can and respond in a proactive and positive way. Corine Ngandeu of Cork Niche Fragrances is one of the Princes St business owners who will be trading their wares from stalls on Princes St on Saturday and Sunday. Pictures: Larry Cummins Theres no doubt that things are very difficult for everyone at the moment and there has been a lot of negativity, especially around the city centre, he said. Certainly, the closure of Nash 19 here had a big impact that resonated nationwide. Cliodhna and Paul Montgomery of Clancy's, with Salvatore Toscano of Rossini's and Gerard McCarthy of Gerard McCarthy Trophies outside J Joyce and Co in advance of the holiday weekend street market on Princes St in Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins We now need to find more reasons for people to come into the city centre, to offer them something new, to assure them that it is safe and value for money, and we think this street market venture will do that, Mr Montgomery said. Salvatore Toscano, of Ristorante Rossini, said that, when Nash 19 closed, the street didnt just lose a great neighbour, it also lost a great voice for the street, and that Cork had lost a champion of the city and of Irish producers. And when someone like Claire Nash has to close, someone who is driven and passionate, who did what the system wants, thats very tough to take, he said. It is challenging out there, theres no doubt about it, and the restaurants and pubs really do need to be separated from hotels on the vat rate. Some businesses are struggling but its not all doom and gloom. One thing we learned from the pandemic is that if we work as a team, we survive. We are being proactive, we are coming together, we want to fight this together. So this weekend, its about creating a neighbourhood feel, creating a community in the city centre. He said visitors to the street market will be able to watch some of his seven Italian chefs cooking outdoors, including the visually spectacular bucatini cacio e pepe a traditional handmade pasta prepared by cooking the pasta on a giant sambuca-soaked flaming wheel of parmesan. Mr Montgomery said: Theres a symbolic element to this street market idea too its not just the food and drink businesses, its everyone working together to offer something new, to encourage people to visit the city centre, to interactive with the street in a new way. The Restaurants Association of Ireland estimates that 280 Irish restaurants and cafes were forced to close between last July and December, with 50 closures announced in November alone. Among the casualties in Cork City since January 1 were Pigalle, Tung Sing, which had been trading on St Patrick's Street for some 60 years, MacCurtain St restaurant and bar White Rabbit, and Electric on South Mall. However, it was the shock closure of Nash 19 on Princes St that rocked the city and the hospitality industry more widely, given Ms Nashs national profile. It also focused political attention on the issues facing business owners, including the restored 13.5% vat rate, the increase in the minimum wage, changes of pensions, and especially warehoused debt. Both the Tanaiste and Finance Minister have since indicated that Government is examining the terms of the debt warehousing arrangements. As is often the case with this business, it started as a rumour. A few people in the village of Kilmanagh heard some local farmers had been getting a knock on the door. Inquiries were made to check whether it was true. Most of the farmers who inhabited the rumour were reticent, but one or two had no problem sharing their experience. Yes, there had been an approach to sell or lease land. Yes, its another wind farm theyre talking about it. And yes, they were asked to say nothing for the time being. That was how a proposal to build a wind farm near the Kilkenny village came about. The village, with a population of about 500, nestles in the cup of a valley about 15km from Kilkenny City, close to the Tipperary border. It is a suitable example of the term picturesque and, despite its size, has a tradition of supplying hurlers to winning Kilkenny teams. On approach to the village, a rank of turbines can be seen chopping the air on a nearby hill. This is the Ballybay wind farm, one of two already operating in the area. For good or ill, wind speeds through the valley are optimum and therefore the location represents a happy hunting ground for developers. Alan Trayer, Ingelise Stuijts, Norah Deacon and Henry Trayer of Communities 4 Just Transition with Kilmanagh village in the background. Picture: Patrick Browne Over four years after the initial rumour took flight, the proposed new farm is still not even at the planning stage. Digital images produced by a local community group show the eight turbines completely dwarfing the village. What has resulted is the kind of conflict that is now common across rural Ireland. A developer is attempting to respond to a growing market for wind energy. The local community is resisting what it sees as an unfair imposition on its way of life. As with any conflict, this one requires a mediator, an arbiter, a safe pair of hands. This is where the State should come in, particularly at a time when a major increase in wind energy is required. Unfortunately, the State is leaving a lot to be desired in terms of its responsibility. The starting point for us is that this community has welcomed wind farms, says local woman Sharon Trayer. The two that are already operating are 4km and 7km from the village and there was no objection from people here because of where they were placed. They produce 34% of the renewable energy required in Kilkenny for electricity. This is a community that is pro-renewable energy. The problem is that the proposed one is completely unsuitable. These conflicts are ongoing at a time when the focus should be on meeting climate change targets. The proposed wind farm at Kilmanagh highlights a national issue that has gone way beyond a problem. The Climate Action Plan makes provision for 80% of electricity to be generated from renewables by 2030, the main source of which is wind. A report by industry body Wind Energy Ireland last week said 35% of electricity supplied during 2023 came from wind. Reaching the 2030 target will be very difficult. Members of the Communities 4 Just Transition group, from left, Michael Egan, Sharon Trayer, Shane Lynch and Pat Brennan. Picture: Patrick Browne There are major problems with the development of off-shore wind energy, principally to do with planning, but onshore wind energy is long past the day when a proper system should be in place. Trayer and a number of other locals have come together with a purpose bigger than just resisting that which they say is to be placed on their doorstep. The knowledge they have acquired as part of their campaign has led them to believe the whole system of transitioning to non-fossil fuels is not fit for purpose. Their group, Communities 4 Just Transition is campaigning for a complete re-examination of how wind farms are developed. A letter sent by the group to the developer of the proposed wind farm encapsulated their view of the system. The proposed development has recreated a power imbalance where decisions for the future of an entire community are potentially being made by a small number of people who stand to gain significant wealth you, and to a lesser extent, the landowners. This power imbalance is now leading to a division within our community, causing damage to the social cohesion we have worked so hard to build. Sharon Taynor says if the country wants to meet its renewable energy targets, the relationship between developer and community needs to start in a different way. The way it is now done means that there is suspicion from the start and then opposition to what sometimes are potentially good developments. If a community is engaged early, good developments will make it across the line but the way it is being done is irresponsible. Developers, for their part, often also have suspicions. They fear most projects will face resistance even if there appears to be a relatively small impact. In such a milieu, and considering what is at stake, the State and its agencies have largely run for cover. The experience in Kilmanagh over the last few years is a perfect example of the problems. The proposed farm at Briskalagh, a townland adjoining the village, is still at the exploratory stage. It is being developed by a company owned by Enerco Energy, a vehicle for West Cork businessman Michael Murnane and his family. The company has developed a number of wind farms around the country and has a reputation for operating according to industry norms. Four years on from exploring possibilities, the project has still not got to planning stage, a delay that speaks volumes. The location for any development is determined by the county development plan. Generally, there are three categories of suitability for the development of wind farms in an area. These are Acceptable in Principle (AIP), Open for Consideration (OFC) and Not Normally Permissible (NNP). Developers can then scout for potential sites. Kilmanagh, Co Kilkenny: Digital images of the proposed wind farm produced by a local community group show the eight turbines completely dwarfing the village. Sharon Trayer points out categorisation changed around the location for the proposed wind farm in their area but few in the community were aware of it. Were ordinary people going about our business and when changes are made unless somebody is keeping a close eye on things we are not going to know about it, she says. Developers, it could be argued, have an advantage in this respect. However, the easily changeable categories can also present headaches for developers. The categories are decided by councillors, a spokesperson for Wind Energy Ireland says. They identify locations where wind farms shouldnt be built. The problem we have is that when a developer identifies a location within the existing system and the development plan comes up from review the councillors can, and do, change a designation to say a wind farm is now not suitable for that location. An obvious solution would be for local authorities to be more specific in the locations that would be suitable for development, which would in turn be known to everybody and should simplify the planning process. Consultation is another bugbear for some communities. In Kilmanagh, an information meeting was arranged for late August last year in what locals say was a response to a letter signed by 800 local people. The details on the proposal at the presentation in a community hall were scant. We have written to the developer a number of times since, but we still dont know much more, Sharon Trayer says. Michael Murnane told the Irish Examiner he would only comment in general terms about how his companies approach any project. People are perfectly entitled to make observations and their concerns known, he says. We have been building wind farms for a long number of years and we go according to Government policy in how to communicate. I cant say other than that all of the necessary meetings are held. Where the system is really creaking is in the operation of the guidelines under which wind farms must operate. The general guidelines cater for setback distance how far a farm must be from domestic dwellings, noise and shadow flicker, the effect that turbine blades can have on light. The current guidelines date from 2006. At that time, the span of turbine blades was 50m and the corresponding setback distance was 500m. Today the span is up to 185m. Noise from the turbines has also increased. Yet despite huge technological advances, this highly sensitive issue in rural Ireland has not been properly addressed. Officially, the 2006 guidelines are still in place. In 2013, the government of the day recognised that technology and the further proliferation of wind farms required new guidelines. These never saw the light of day. New proposals were drafted by the following year. These were rejected. More new proposals were drafted. Once again, they were allowed to gather dust before advancing to the approval stage. Various excuses were given for not updating the guidelines but the reality was that the government was unwilling to make what would have inevitably been a tough decision. On the one hand, developers were lobbying with some justification that restrictive guidelines would ensure there would be little potential in the State for further development. Opposing that view were existing homeowners and other local interests which made convincing cases that without restrictive guidelines there would be serious consequences for quality of life, and even health, in rural Ireland. Faced with such choices, successive governments have repeatedly kicked for touch. In 2019, new draft guidelines were published. They include a setback distance of four times the blade span, which would be up to 750m. These have not been brought forward to full implementation stage. So officially, wind farms can be built using the 2006 guidelines. Correspondence seen by the Irish Examiner shows both Kilkenny County Council and the developer have stated that the 2006 guidelines will apply to the proposed wind farm in Kilmanagh. This is despite the size of the turbines being three times the size for which the 2006 guidelines were devised. A spokesperson for Wind Energy Ireland says nearly all projects today are being built according to the draft 2019 guidelines rather than the official 2006 version. In reality, the whole area is replete with confusion. Developers can decide which guidelines they intent to apply and communities are left in the dark as to their rights under government policy. While successive governments sat on their hands, the matter has reached through the legal system all the way to the Supreme Court. A judgement in 2019 declared An Bord Pleanala cannot just apply the 2006 guidelines but must also take into account any other relevant evidence of impact on dwellings or communities. That was four years ago. Still, there has been no update from the government. The consequences of not providing clear up-to-date guidelines today is widespread suspicion and resistance, says Joe Noonan, a solicitor specialising in planning law. If the Government was rigorous and updated the guidelines, some developers might be a bit annoyed but the communities at large would breathe a sigh of relief because they would believe that the regulators were actually regulating and not rolling over and facilitating developments. Its the classic failure to face up to a thorny problem and be clear and straight. That failure means you end up pleasing nobody. Michael Murnane feels that developers are as left in the dark as much as anybody about what will or will not be deemed acceptable by planning authorities. Its very hard for the industry to see a way forward without proper guidelines, he says. The renewable directive and what is required is a long way off because of a lack of policy and guidelines. For those intent on protecting what they see as an unfair imposition on their communities, a whole new approach is needed. We accept that we as a country need more renewable energy projects, Sharon Trayer of Communities 4 Just Transition says. There are locations even in the general area where we live but we just dont agree that its the right location where this one is planned. "Its about a community having a say and a voice and ending the drip feed of information. When you are limited to poor information it generates fear. A spokesperson for the Department of Housing said the Climate Action Plan has set a timeline of October-December 2024 for publication of the undated guidelines. Pending the completion of the review process, the current 2006 Wind Energy Development guidelines remain in force, he said. A review of the National Planning Framework, which will include an outline of plans for wind energy, is scheduled to be published in April. If, unlike at various junctures over the last 11 years, the deadlines are met, wind energy development may move into a new phase. An appeals court in Bangladesh has granted bail to Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who had earlier been sentenced to six months in prison for violating the countrys labour laws. The court in Dhaka also agreed to hear an appeal against his sentence. Yunus, who pioneered the use of microcredit to help impoverished people, especially women, filed the appeal seeking bail on Sunday morning before it was granted. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in 2006. The 83-year-old economist and three other officials from telecommunications company Grameen Telecom were sentenced to six months in prison on January 1, but they were immediately granted 30 days of bail to appeal against the verdict and sentence. Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus leaves court in Dhaka after being granted bail (Mahmud Hossain Opu/AP) Sundays court decision said the bail will remain effective until a final decision is made on the appeal over the sentencing. Defence lawyer Abdullah Al Mamun said the first hearing on the appeal will be held on March 3. Yunus founded Grameen Telecom as a non-profit organisation. His supporters have said the case is politically motivated, a charge the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was elected for a fourth consecutive term earlier this month, has denied. In the original verdict, the judge said Yunuss company violated Bangladeshi labour laws. At least 67 Grameen Telecom workers were supposed to be made permanent employees but were not, and a welfare fund to support the staff in cases of emergency or special needs was never formed. The judge also said that according to company policy 5% of Grameens dividends were supposed to have been distributed to staff but were not. The judge found Yunus, the chairman of the company, and the three other company directors guilty, and fined them each 30,000 takas (213) while also sentencing each to prison. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mohammed Yunus pioneered the use of microcredit to help impoverished people (Gurinder Osan/AP) Yunus said after the original verdict that he was innocent. We are being punished for a crime we did not commit. It was my fate, the nations fate. We have accepted this verdict, but will appeal this verdict and continue fighting against this sentence, he told reporters after the verdict was announced on January 1. Grameen Telecom owns 34.2% of the countrys largest mobile phone company, Grameenphone, a subsidiary of Norways telecoms giant Telenor. Yunus is known to have close connections with political elites in the West, especially in the United States, Europe and elsewhere. He faces a number of other charges involving alleged corruption and embezzlement. His supporters say he has been targeted because of his frosty relations with Mr Hasina. Three American troops were killed and 25 were injured on Sunday in a drone strike in northeast Jordan near the Syrian border, the US military said. President Joe Biden blamed Iran-backed militias for the first US fatalities after months of strikes by the groups against American forces across the Middle East amid the Israel-Hamas war. With an increasing the risk of military escalation in the region, US officials were working to conclusively identify the precise group responsible for the attack, but they have assessed that one of several Iranian-backed groups was behind it. Mr Biden said the United States will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner (of) our choosing. Last night, three U.S. service members were killed, and many wounded, during an unmanned aerial drone attack on our forces stationed in northeast Jordan near the Syria border. Jill and I join the families and friends of our fallen in grieving the loss of these warriors in this President Biden (@POTUS) January 28, 2024 According to a US official, the number of troops wounded in the attack by a one-way attack drone may grow. The official said a large drone struck the base, which two other American officials identified as an installation in Jordan known as Tower 22. It is along the Syrian border and is used largely by troops involved in the advise-and-assist mission for Jordanian forces. The small installation, which Jordan does not publicly disclose, includes US engineering, aviation, logistics and security troops. The US military base at al-Tanf in Syria is just 12 miles north of Tower 22. The Jordanian installation provides a critical logistical hub for US forces in Syria, including those at al-Tanf, which is near the intersection of the Iraq, Syria and Jordan borders. Jordanian state television quoted Muhannad Mubaidin, a government spokesman, as saying the attack happened across the border in Syria. US troops have long used Jordan, a kingdom bordering Iraq, Israel, the Palestinian territory of the West Bank, Saudi Arabia and Syria, as a basing point. US Central Command put the toll at three killed and 25 injured. Some 3,000 American troops typically are stationed in Jordan. Since the war in Gaza began on October 7, Iranian-backed militias have struck American military installations in Iraq more than 60 times and in Syria more than 90 times, with a mix of drones, rockets, mortars and ballistic missiles. The attack on Sunday was the first targeting American troops in Jordan during the Israel-Hamas war and the first to result in the loss of American lives. Scores of US personnel have been wounded, including some with traumatic brain injuries, during the attacks. The militias have said that their strikes are in retaliation for Washingtons support for Israel in the war in Gaza and have also said they aim to push US forces out of the region. The US in recent months has hit targets in Iraq, Syria and Yemen to respond to attacks on American forces in the region and to deter Iranian-backed Houthi rebels from continuing to threaten commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Mr Biden was briefed on Sunday by defence secretary Lloyd Austin, national security adviser Jake Sullivan and principal deputy national security adviser Jon Finer, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. He was expected to meet his national security team again later on Sunday. The president called it a despicable and wholly unjust attack and said the service members were risking their own safety for the safety of their fellow Americans, and our allies and partners with whom we stand in the fight against terrorism. It is a fight we will not cease. Syria is still in the midst of a civil war and long has been a launch pad for Iranian-backed forces there, including the Lebanese militia Hezbollah. Iraq has multiple Iranian-backed Shiite militias operating there as well. Jordan, a staunch western ally and a crucial power in Jerusalem for its oversight of holy sites there, is suspected of launching airstrikes in Syria to disrupt drug smugglers, including one that killed nine people earlier this month. An umbrella group for Iran-backed factions known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq earlier claimed it launched explosive drone attacks targeting three areas in Syria, as well as one inside occupied Palestine. The group has claimed responsibility for dozens of attacks against bases housing US troops in Iraq and Syria since the Israel-Hamas war began. Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele likes to joke about himself. When he graduated, he defined himself in his school yearbook as a class terrorist. It was his way of joking about what it meant to be of Palestinian origin in a country like El Salvador, which is dominated by a white class with European roots. His way of dealing with adversity has not changed much since then. Two years ago, as criticism over his authoritarian government intensified, he changed his Twitter bio to the coolest dictator in the world. Across the world, Bukele has won over support, especially from young people who watched his cinematographic, well-produced videos showing hundreds of gang members shackled in prison. His decision to call himself the cool dictator of this small nation of 6.3 million people might be funny, if it werent for the fact the international community has been increasingly alarmed by the weakening of democracy in El Salvador. Bukele who rose to power four years ago is overwhelmingly popular both inside and outside of El Salvador. According to the polls, he will be re-elected the president by a wide margin on Sunday, February 4. Indeed, his win in the first round is forecast to be so convincing that a runoff vote will not be needed. If the polls are correct, Bukele with his gelled back hair, carefully trimmed beard, jeans, backwards cap and voice trained to captivate crowds will continue to be a key figure in the daily lives of Salvadorans until at least 2028. Afterward, only time will tell. Bukele is running for re-election despite the fact that up to six articles of the Salvadoran Constitution expressly prohibit consecutive terms. However, the Constitutional Chamber a body controlled by Bukele has made a more than questionable interpretation of the law in which Bukele can stand for re-election if he leaves office six months earlier. That is what Bukele has done. NGOs and nations have criticized his methods, but the Salvadoran president has dismissed these allegations, arguing that his critics are trying to undo the good work he has achieved. Bukele has had undeniable success in terms of bringing back security, but at what cost? In 2019, shortly after becoming president, Bukele reached a pact with the two main gangs of El Salvador: the Mara Salvatrucha 13 (MS-13) and Barrio 18 (18th Street gang), which started in Los Angeles and spread to the Central American country when the U.S. deported gang members en masse at the end of the 1970s. But in March 2022, he broke the agreement and established an emergency regime. In the days prior to the state of exception, 80 murders had been recorded, with terror spreading across the country. But that changed overnight. Salvadoran authorities took an iron-fist approach, and have since detained more than 70,000 people. Peace now reigns in neighborhoods that gangs had ruled for decades. In El Salvador, a country used to violence, extortion payments amounted to 3% of GDP and the annual cost of violence was a stratospheric 16% of GDP. In 2023, according to questioned figures, El Salvador registered 2.4 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, one of the lowest rates in Latin America. Before Bukele came to power, El Salvador had the highest homicide rate in the world: 103 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants. Visit any neighborhood in San Salvador that has been freed from gangs, and residents will rush to praise Bukele. The president also has an exaggerated view of his achievements. Bukele is bold, complicated, authoritarian, he thinks fast and has the ability to make decisions regardless of the means. He has no scruples, says someone who worked very closely with him by phone. Bukeles goal to enforce the law at all costs has undermined human rights, according to Human Rights Watch, which has accused the government of committing widespread abuses during the emergency regime. Other NGOs have documented torture, arbitrary detentions in one case, against a boy with Down syndrome and suspicious deaths in prisons. Lawyers and relatives of prisoners complain that they have no contact with the inmates, and that the detainees are given virtual trials without witnesses. But Bukele argues his system is infallible: he claims that the margin of error in arrests is 1%. Aerial view of a mural in the Zacamil apartment complex depicting President Nayib Bukele in the Salvadoran town of Mejicanos, Friday, January 26, 2024. CAMILO FREEDMAN (AFP) Gustavo Flores-Macias, a professor specialized in governments and public policies at Cornell University in the United States, believes that the elections in El Salvador will serve as a referendum on Bukeles measures. Once the opposition is destroyed, Bukeles party Nuevas Ideas (New Ideas) will once again have a majority in the National Assembly, meaning that the president will continue to hold all the power. The country, right now, is his. The results in terms of public security have exceeded the wildest predictions, but the cost in terms of human rights and individual rights has been considerable, explains Flores-Macias, who points out that due process is ignored, and that authorities can imprison anyone they consider suspicious with near complete freedom. But according to the academic, Salvadorans seems to think that the results in terms of security are well worth the cost to human rights and the weakening of counterweights to the presidency, such as the National Assembly and the judiciary. If Bukele wins by a large margin, as anticipated, it will be a clear message from Salvadorans that desperation in the face of insecurity was such that the rule of law may take a backseat. Valeria Vasquez, a senior analyst at the consulting firm Control Risks in Central America, argues that El Salvador has seen a significant decline in democracy. Bukele changed the attorney general, several judges and basically there is no longer any separation of powers. And that is going to deteriorate further, explains Vasquez. The analyst recognizes that Bukeles security results can be seen in the streets, which explains his enormous popularity. Vasquez describes the president as personalistic, with authoritarian tendencies, which she believes will only worsen. We will continue to see a lot of him over the next few years. This is just the beginning, she says. The Bukele method is causing a sensation in countries in Latin America. The president of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa, announced the creation of two Bukele-style prisons aimed at tacking the security crisis in the country, which is also dominated by gangs. Mayors, legislators and governors from Peru, Chile and Argentina, as well as unexpected places, have campaigned by promising to following Bukeles footsteps. No one can stop Bukele, who likes to leave his mark on everything around him. A few weeks ago, he took a photo with Messi and the entire Inter Miami squad. At the U.N. headquarters in September, everyone was waiting for his speech. People have been amazed at how this 42-year-old man, who started out as a manager of a Yamaha dealership, the son of a polygamous father, with six wives and 10 children, has made quick work of the gangs at least for now. But achieving this feat meant leaving fundamental rights by the wayside. At the election next Sunday, all signs indicate that Salvadorans will give him another landslide victory. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition stc Bahrain, the world-class digital enabler, has announced that it has won big at the prestigious Global Economics Awards, where it was honored with the "Best Network Security Solutions Provider" and "Best ICT Solution." The Global Economics Awards, renowned for recognizing and celebrating excellence in different industry sectors, including the business and technology sectors, recognized stc Bahrain as a leader in providing cutting-edge solutions as the Best Network Security Solution Provider for its Web Protect initiative and the Best Information communication technology (ICT) for the project implemented for Marassi Al Bahrain. The dual recognition not only acknowledges stc Bahrain's current achievements but also serves as a testament to its ongoing commitment to excellence and innovation in Bahrains ICT sector, said a statement from the top Bahraini telco company. The Best Network Security Solution Provider award presented for stcs Web Protect initiative introduced in collaboration with Cisco, showcased stc Bahrains Cyber Security innovations that support SMEs in understanding their security risks, and protects them from hacker attacks. With no additional hardware or software installations requiring at customer end, stcs Web Protect ensures customers and their businesses are safe from cyber threats such as malware, phishing and botnets and ransomware attacks, it stated. While the Best ICT solution showcased stc Bahrains innovative digital infrastructure capabilities tailored to power Bahrains upcoming luxury destination, Marassi Al Bahrain with state-of-the-art ICT tools incorporated to revolutionize communication, connectivity, and engagement within the mall. The integration of cutting-edge technologies demonstrates stcs advanced technology ecosystem, aligning with industry trends and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in retail environments. On the big win, CEO Engineer Nezar Banabeela said: "We are immensely proud to be recognized as the "Best Network Security Solutions Provider" and "Best ICT Solution at the Global Economics Awards." "This recognition reinforces our commitment to pushing boundaries and setting new benchmarks, enabling us to continue delivering innovative products and services that empower businesses in todays fast-evolving technology environment. Moreover, these awards further solidify the countrys regional ICT positioning and help spotlight its rapidly growing ICT sector advancement," he added. El Gus is one of those people who share everything on social media. He posted about what he ate and who he was with. He sent loving messages to his girlfriend and posts support for his friends. He complained when there was a concert he wanted to go to, but couldnt afford it. He professed his faith in Santa Muerte (the personification of death). He shared memes and motivational quotes and wrote about his professional achievements. He dreamed of having a lot of money. I am the indebted sheep of the family, he wrote on his Facebook profile. I know what it is to have and not have money, thats why they dont impress me with anything, he posted. Heading to work as a patero to earn some money, he posted at the end of August. He did not try to hide the fact that he was a patero, as migrant smugglers are known on the border between Mexico and Texas. Social media was a form of escapism. El Gus liked to pose wearing a border patrol cap. He posted stories in the checkpoints in Nuevo Laredo (Tamaulipas). He used an image of a border patrol vehicle as his Facebook cover photo. He recorded videos showing migrants walking in line, with life jackets on, in the middle of the night. I dont give a damn about them, he said proudly and confidently, as reggaeton music played in the background, in a reel that can still be seen on his profile. A screenshot of a video shared by 'El Gus' on Facebook, in which a group of migrants is seen walking in line at night. Social media was also a work tool. Departure in camarote today at 3 and 5, he posted on August 23, to announce that there were places available on the trips he was going to make from the border to other cities in the United States. A camarote is what pateros call the cabins where bus drivers sleep, but sometimes they also put migrants in box trailers. It didnt take long for him to find a client. At noon, he received a message from someone who knew of people who were interested. How many? asked El Gus. Three, they answered. The patero told the client that was fine, but gave them his phone number to close the deal via WhatsApp. Minutes later, the client received the call. Im speaking to you on behalf of Don Gus, a man told him. Later it turned out that it was actually Gus calling, but perhaps he wanted to protect himself or appear important. They struck a deal on the phone. The interested party was going to pay him $450 when they arrived in Laredo (Texas) and $7,800 more when they reached their final destination. Gus didnt know he was talking to an undercover agent. Under the agreement, three undocumented migrants would be picked up in the parking lot of a seafood restaurant, on one of the main avenues in Laredo. A Ford Raptor pickup truck was going to pass by to collect them. At the last minute, the undercover agent canceled the deal. But Gus was already in their sights. They knew that his real name was Luis Daniel Segura. The Ford Raptor left the seafood restaurant and drove to an open field, which was less than two miles away. The agents identified the driver as Bernardo Garza, who made the stop to speak with two other men who belonged to the human trafficking network. From there, he went to a parking lot with several cargo trucks, parked next to a red tractor-trailer, opened the back door of the truck and let three migrants out, including a 15-year-old girl. The three were from Mexico and El Salvador and had agreed to pay thousands of dollars for the service. The police intercepted Garza before he had time to take out the weapon he had in the Ford Raptor, and arrested him. Less than a month later, they tracked down Francisco Suarez, alias Pancho, who worked as a hawk someone who makes sure that no one is following the traffickers and told the drivers where the migrants were being held. On September 16, Luis Daniel Segura, El Gus, was killed in an operation near the southern border of Texas. When they searched his phone, the police connected the dots: they found his Facebook profile, conversations with Pancho, and messages he sent to the undercover agent. A post shared by 'El Gus' on his Facebook page. Segura confessed that he had been recruited by the Northeast Cartel, a splinter of Los Zetas. At the end of October, the three were indicted by a grand jury on two counts of migrant smuggling, and may be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. One of the migrants was willing to testify against him. There were also dozens and dozens of social media posts that could be used as evidence. Cornered, the three decided to plead guilty to one of the charges last week. None of them are over 30 years old. Garza is 26; Segura, 25, and Pancho, 19. The Prosecutors Office for the Southern District of Texas celebrated the confession, but also criticized social media for facilitating trafficking. The cartels are increasing the use of social media as part of their illegal business model, said U.S. attorney Alamdar Hamdani. Applications, such as Facebook, allow these organizations to advertise human smuggling services to large audiences along the U.S. border, he added. Facebook did not respond to the attorneys comments. In an effort to disrupt and prevent harm, we remove content that facilitates or coordinates the exploitation of humans, including human trafficking, the company states in its policy guidelines, last updated on January 12, which explicitly prohibit content that encourages or offers the exact services Northeast Cartel was posting about. Breaking up migrant smuggling organizations was one of the top issued discussed at the ministerial meeting between Mexican and U.S. authorities in Washington last week. Ken Salazar, the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, reported on Monday that at least 10 such criminal groups had been dismantled. According to Salazaar, these networks operated in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, as well as the Mexican states of Chiapas, Chihuahua, Hidalgo and Veracruz. Salazar said that increased controls on northbound bus and train routes have led to a drop in migrant arrivals since December, and condemned criminal organizations for profiting from desperate migrants. Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena said that the head of Security, Rosa Icela Rodriguez, and senior officials from the Attorney Generals Office will meet again with their American counterparts to strengthen the mechanisms against trafficking networks. An image of Santa Muerte shared by 'El Gus' on his Facebook profile. Illegal immigration has become one of the most controversial issues in the U.S. elections. Far-right politicians have been quick to turn the migrant crisis into a political weapon against the Joe Biden administration and the Mexican government of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. The only thing that were not doing is were not shooting people who come across the border, because of course, the Biden administration would charge us with murder, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said in a radio interview on January 5. That statements sparked a wave of criticism against Abbott, who is known for his hard-line anti-immigration discourse. The Biden administration has taken Abbotts government to court over its measures to curb immigration, which include setting up buoys to stop migrants crossing the Rio Grande, putting razor wire at the border and deploying armed guards. The irony is these iron-fist policies, combined with the lack of legal immigration routes, help fuel criminal organizations, which are able to prey on desperate people who are willing to take unsafe routes and to pay more and more money for their services. Around the same time that Abbott erected the floating wall of buoys, El Gus shared photos of himself playing tag with border agents on social media. He even posted photos of the buoys. Between October 2022 and September 2023, when his criminal cell was dismantled, there were more than 2.5 million migrant arrests at the border. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Roy Eidelson ( Commondreams.org ) Recently, there have been troubling revelations about Florida Governor Ron DeSantis a leading 2024 GOP presidential aspirant concerning his conduct as a Navy JAG officer at Guantanamo Bay. His responsibilities at the detention facility apparently included responding to claims of mistreatment from the war-on-terror prisoners there. Relatively few of these detainees had any connection with al Qaeda, and many had simply been handed over to US forces in exchange for bounty payments. But DeSantis seemingly viewed them all as wily and unrepentant terrorists. Of particular note, DeSantis was at Guantanamo in 2006 during the brutal forced-feeding of prisoners engaged in a mass hunger strike. Years later, DeSantis acknowledged that, as a legal advisor, he had suggested this intervention as a countermeasure to what he described as the detainees waging jihad by refusing to eat. When interviewed last month, DeSantis emphasized that he didnt have authority to authorize anything and that Guantanamo was a professionally-run prison. His first claim sidestepping personal responsibility may contain elements of truth; his second is outrageously absurd. As a general matter, the forced-feeding of mentally competent individuals violates international standards of medical ethics and constitutes inhuman and degrading treatment. This was especially so in the case of the Department of Defense, which opted to employ extreme, punitive measures even described as torture by United Nations investigators when force-feeding the prisoners at Guantanamo. These measures included a restraint chair that immobilized the detainees entire body for hours at a time, and the use of tubing that was inserted through the nose into the stomach and then removed and reinserted multiple times each day, often causing sharp pain and bleeding. A defense attorney for Guantanamo prisoners subjected to forced-feeding has written, Only a sadist could impose and witness such treatment without grave concern and soul-sickness. Its hard to argue with that blunt assessment. But there are also two larger truths we shouldnt overlook. First, even though DeSantis has disingenuously characterized the detainees as master manipulators who all claimed to be Koran salesmen, the hunger strikers were actually protesting an unconscionable system of indefinite detention and ruthless interrogation that relied on daily abuse solitary confinement, physical beatings, sexual humiliation, and more. This routinized cruelty didnt solely involve guards and interrogators. It also depended upon guidance from health professionals,who seemingly abandoned their fundamental Do No Harm principles to accommodate a White House insistent that the prisoners had no entitlement to humane treatment. Vice News Video from 2017: Guantanamo Ex-Detainees Talk Through Their Past Torture (HBO) These abusive conditions and techniques have left many Guantanamo prisoners past and present with deep psychic wounds. Survivors of torture often experience overwhelming feelings of shame, helplessness, and disconnection as a result of having been subjected to mistreatment at the hands of another human being. Frequently, the victims of such traumas are also haunted by depression, anxiety, and PTSD; by nightmares and flashbacks; and by a lasting sense that safety and solace will never be achieved. Viewed from this perspective, the hunger strikes that DeSantis witnessed and apparently dismissed as terrorist tactics are better understood as the prisoners desperate and despairing attempts to regain some semblance of control over their lives and circumstances, even at the risk of starvation. The second larger truth is this: accountability for Guantanamos horrors has never been a priority for our countrys elected leaders. No US president has ever taken meaningful steps on this front. George W. Bush, of course, never sought to discipline those responsible for the torturous policies his own administration authorized. Barrack Obama took action to end torture but when it came to accountability, he decided we need to look forward as opposed to looking backwards. Donald Trump clearly had no interest in such matters, promising instead to bring back waterboarding and a hell of a lot worse. And although Joe Biden has expressed a desire to close Guantanamo, hes now building a second, multi-million-dollar courtroom there for military commission prosecutions in which detainees have limited due process rights. So then how does Ron DeSantiss alleged up-close-and-personal connections to prisoner abuse years ago really matter? It would be naive to think that his political prospects will suffer. Indeed, he may even gain in popularity among voters who embrace his authoritarian mindset, share his disdain for protecting the rights of the vulnerable, and believe his misleading characterizations of the prison and the prisoners at Guantanamo. But the attention DeSantiss story has brought to Guantanamo can still do some good. Ideally, it can spark broader public interest in an examination of the facilitys shameful 21-year history: how its detention and interrogation operations have dishonored the values this country has long professed to hold dear; how the prisoners there became defenseless victims of state vengeance run amok; how the perpetrators of torture and abuse and their masters have eluded any form of accountability; and how essential it is to close Guantanamo and throw away the key. By Michelle Farrell, University of Liverpool | (The Conversation) In a landmark decision and with the whole world watching the International Court of Justice in The Hague has ordered Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent the commission of acts of genocide in Gaza and to allow desperately needed humanitarian aid to enter the territory. But the courts provisional measures in the case brought by South Africa at the end of December stop short of ordering a ceasefire. In a blow to Israel, which had asked the court to throw the case out, the ICJ accepted South Africas arguments that it had jurisdiction over the case. It required Israel to prevent its armed forces committing any acts covered by the 1948 Genocide Convention with immediate effect. That the court has found that Israels actions in Gaza are plausibly genocidal is damning. The decision has implications for Israel in its continued bombardment and siege of Gaza. But it also has implications for Israels allies in their political and material support of Israels actions and for other states in their international relations with Israel. The headline of this case must be that the ICJ has accepted that there is a plausible case that Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza. But for Palestinians living there it is the order that 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 in the Gaza Strip which will have the most immediate affect. In adopting this provisional measure, the court dismissed as insufficient Israels purported efforts to address and alleviate the conditions faced in Gaza. But the absence of an order to Israel to suspend its military operations in Gaza the first of the list of provisional measures requested by South Africa has been greeted with disappointment. South Africa had argued that a humanitarian ceasefire was the only way to alleviate the humanitarian crisis. Legal battle South African lawyers filed an application before the court instituting proceedings against Israel on December 29. It charged that Israel, by committing acts of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, failing to prevent genocide, and failing to prevent or punish incitement to genocide, is in violation of its obligations under the genocide convention. Aljazeera English Video: ICJ ruling a major legal and moral blow to Israel: Bishara South Africa requested a number of interim measures, aimed at protecting Gazas population from irreparable harm. Public hearings were held on January 11 and 12 2024, during which lawyers for South Africa and Israel set out their arguments. By delivering its list of provisional measures before the end of January, the court has acted quickly, given the urgency of the situation in Gaza. In order to initiate this process, the court first had to establish there was sufficient evidence that it had jurisdiction to hear the case. It upheld the existence of a dispute between South Africa and Israel under article 9 of the genocide convention and ruled that the acts and omissions alleged by South Africa appeared capable of falling within the provisions of the convention. The ICJ also confirmed that South Africas standing to submit the dispute to the court flowed from states obligations to prevent and punish genocide. Risk of genocide Genocide, the so-called crime of crimes, constitutes certain acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group, as such. South Africa argued that Israel is breaching the UN convention on genocide by 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. The court determined that the the 2 million Palestinians in Gaza constitute a substantial part of the Palestinians a protected group under the definition of genocide. Before it could determine any provisional measures to be taken by Israel, the ICJ had to show, as argued by South Africa, that the Palestinians in Gaza have a right to be protected from acts of genocide. This meant that the court had to reach some determination as to whether acts and omissions by Israel were plausibly genocidal. This is one of the most damning parts of the decision for the Israeli government. The court provided a grim account of the facts on the ground for the Palestinians in Gaza. It summarised that by day 109 of the conflict, 25,700 Palestinians had been killed, more than 63,000 injured, and approximately 1.7 million internally displaced. With reference to evidence provided by UN bodies and the World Health Organization, the court summarised the catastrophic levels of hunger, an unfolding public health disaster and what it referred to as an essentially uninhabitable Gaza. The court put these facts into political context by referring to statements of Israeli political leaders, including a statement made by defence minister, Yoav Gallant, in October, that Israel would impose a complete siege on the territory because it was fighting human animals. In capturing this snapshot of the facts and the circumstances, the court was able to determine that there is a plausible case that Israel is committing acts of genocide. Unsurprisingly, then, in light of the urgency and the real and imminent risk to the Palestinians, the court was able to initiate provisional measures. Beyond the headline provisional measures, the court has also ordered Israel to take all measures to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide. Israel must prevent the destruction of evidence related to allegations of acts of genocide and it must, on the procedural side, submit a report to the court within a month on the measures that have been taken to comply. But its important to note that the ICJ has no enforcement powers. Two years ago it ordered Russia to cease its invasion of Ukraine. That war continues unabated. Michelle Farrell, Professor of International Law, University of Liverpool This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Han So Hee raised the bar for the kind of fan service she gives to her supporters. In one of her Instagram Stories, the "My Name" star apologized for letting some of her fans down when they waited for her at the airport. Han So Hee Apologizes to Fans + What Happened? In a short yet sweet Instagram post, Han So Hee said how sorry she was for not being able to accommodate her fans at the airport. "I have only two hands, so I'm very sorry that I couldn't sign or make a heart for you guys." However, she made sure to extend her gratitude to them for coming to see her despite the cold weather. In addition to this, Han So Hee Instagram featured a photo of her return to Korea after wrapping up her activities abroad. Han So Hee Meets Natalie Portman at Paris Fashion Week One of the activities that she did overseas was attending Paris Fashion Week. Being one of Dior's global ambassadors, Han So Hee was spotted at the brand's Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2024 Collection in Paris. Interestingly, besides meeting some of the biggest names in the fashion industry, the actress revealed that her "dream came true" after meeting Hollywood star Natalie Portman. READ MORE: Han So Hee Reveals Why She Doesn't Consider Herself Beautiful In an Instagram post, the South Korean actress posted a photo of herself with the "Black Swan" actress. Meanwhile, fans flocked to the comments section as they gushed over Natalie Portman's fan girl moment. Most fans referred to the duo as queens, while others mentioned that they are the "two most talented and beautiful women" in the industry. Apart from this, the "Nevertheless" star posted photos from the Dior Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2024 Collection where she wore a see-through dress from the brand. What's Next for Han So Hee? The 29-year-old actress recently impressed viewers with her K-drama comeback, "Gyeongseong Creature." Joined by Park Seo Joon, Han So Hee not only showcased her chemistry with her co-star but also how versatile she is with action and drama. Following the success of season 1, they are gearing up to release "Gyeongseong Creature" season 2, which will air sometime in 2024. In her back-to-back projects in 2023, the actress is set to star in another K-drama. In talks to headline an action fantasy series, Han So Hee is selected to star in "Dotgabi." Helmed by "Queenmaker" director Oh Jin Suk and penned by screenwriter Han Ji Hoon, who is the genius behind the hit series "Temptation" and "River Where the Moon Rises," the series depicts the sotry of a woman with two identities. In the story, she appears unattractive during the day but becomes a whole new person at night. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Reporter Receives Backlash After Calling Han So Hee's Paris Fashion Show Outfit 'Embarrassing' For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars. KDramaStars owns this article Written by Geca Wills Yeo Jung Woo (Park Hyung Sik) and Nam Ha Neul (Park Shin Hye) faced big crisis in their respective careers that changes the trajectory of their lives in "Doctor Slump" Episode 1. 'Doctor Slump' Episode 1: Nam Ha Neul Meets Her School Rival Yeo Jung Woo JTBC's newest drama "Doctor Slump" premiered and delivered an interesting narrative to the viewers. At the beginning of the series, Nam Ha Neul, who was from Busan and had a good school ranking, transferred to Seoul in 2009. There, she met Yeo Jung Woo, a bright student who perfected the mock exams. Since then, they became school rivals. Both of them applied to medical school at Hankuk University, but only Yeo Jung Woo went to pursue it at the university. Yeo Jung Woo & Nam Ha Neul Experience Opposite Events in Their Careers In 2023, Bin Dae Young (Yoon Park) attended the Korean University Medical School Alumni Association and revealed his lack of qualifications for Yeo Jung Woo. He was jealous of Yeo's achievements and criticized him when he arrived late at the event. Yeo Jung Woo was a plastic surgeon and a popular influencer with over 1 million subscribers. He even earned everyone's respect by donating all his YouTube profits and consistently volunteering at shelters. ALSO READ:Park Hyung Sik Comments on Wearing School Uniform: 'I feel like I'm committing a...' Meanwhile, Nam Ha Neul spent her days getting scolded by her professor and performing surgeries all night long. Due to overwork, she collapsed in the middle of the street and almost got into an accident. She ended up in a gallbladder removal surgery. Yeo Jung Woo Faces Crisis in His Career After Failing Surgery Yeo Jung Woo, who was enthusiastically welcomed by nurses as he went to work at the hospital, performed the surgery skillfully as usual. However, while he was performing surgery on a patient, the patient's bleeding did not stop. He later on stopped the surgery and continued cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Unfortunately, the patient died. Even though he claimed to the police that there were no problems with the surgery, news reported that a patient died from excessive bleeding during the surgery he performed. Making it worse, it was revealed that CCTV was not in operation only during the surgery, and he was put on trial on charges of professional negligence manslaughter. The deceased patient was later on identified as Macau's casino heiress. Yeo Jung Woo faced the crisis and paid 10 billion won for the damages. Nam Ha Neul Diagnosed With Depression Nam Ha Neul, on the other hand, resumed her daily life after her surgery. She visited a psychiatrist due to a trauma she experienced at the crosswalk. She was then diagnosed with depression. The doctor recommended medication, but she refused to believe that she was depressed. While on her way home, unexpectedly, she encountered Yeo Jung Woo on the rooftop of her home. The moment they saw each other again, they recalled their school days and were shocked to see each other again after 14 years. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: IN THE LOOP: 'Doctor Slump,' 'Flex X Cop,' More K-dramas To Premiere This Week What can you say about "Doctor Slump" episode 1? 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. Jessica sits in the doorway of a closed store on the busy Sixth Avenue, near Guatemala Citys Central Park. She is seeking shade on this hot January day. At her side rest her children, Carolina, 17, Daniel, seven, and Laura, five, while they watch people coming and going at midday. Jessica is 36 years old and is already the grandmother of Valery, a six-month-old girl that Carolina is carrying half asleep in a quilt, more to protect her from the sun than to keep her warm. Jessicas husband, Jorge, walks from one traffic light to the next, torn between the desire to ask for a little financial help from people crossing the street and the need to protect himself from the sun. Since the end of December, Jessicas family has spent their days on Sixth Avenue with signs that read, Spare me a coin that comes from your heart. God bless you, and the Venezuelan flag drawn on it. They take turns walking down the street showing the sign, not adding many more words. There are people who give them something, but most just look at them and avoid them. We left Machiques, in Venezuela, in 2017. I worked in a shoe store and my husband was a bricklayer, but with both salaries we couldnt even cover 50% of the monthly expenses, Jessica says with a sad grimace. Then we went to Cucuta, in Colombia, and then to Bogota. We were there for six years, but it is no longer possible to get a decent salary. Since October 28, we have been traveling to the United States and we stopped here in Guatemala because we no longer have money to move forward. Thats why we are asking people to help us, she adds. The corners of Sixth Avenue have become tiny temporary homes for Venezuelans. A few yards from Jessica, Leidy, 39, is sitting on a piece of cardboard with her son and her husband, Enrique. Six months ago, they left Peru, where they lived for a year. Inhale and exhale is written on her shirt, but Leidy knows she can never relax. I want to return to Barquisimeto, in Venezuela. The American dream no longer exists for me, she says. Leaving Honduras, the Guatemalan police stole the $1,100 we had to continue the trip. Now we have been on the streets for two months, she recalls. A short distance away is Fabiola. She was also a shoemaker in Venezuela. Was. The migrants all talk about what they used to be and their occupations in the past. The life on which they built their future no longer exists. I want to stay here in Guatemala if possible, because they have told me that in Mexico people can kidnap us, and we have already suffered enough, she confides. A Venezuelan family in the dining room of the Casa del Migrante. Simona Carnino Venezuelan migrants beg for help on Sixth Avenue in Guatemala City, January 9, 2024. Simona Carnino Flor de los Angeles Lopez, a nurse at the Casa del Migrante in Guatemala City, attends to Venezuelan migrants, January 10, 2024. Simona Carnino Some migrants passing through Guatemala ask for refuge for one night in the shelter run by the Scalabrinian missionaries. In the photo, some guests wash the dishes after dinner. Simona Carnino Venezuelan migrants in the hall during an informative talk at the Casa del Migrante. Simona Carnino Venezuelan migrants go up to the second floor of the Casa del Migrante, where the dormitories are located. Simona Carnino Hundreds of Venezuelans arrive in small groups in Guatemala City at night. Some ask for shelter for a night at the Casa del Migrante, where they can rest and eat something hot. Simona Carnino Thousands of migrants get stuck in Guatemala on their way to the United States because they run out of money. Many of them ask for help on the street to be able to continue or return to their country. Simona Carnino Stuck without money Fabiola, Jessica, and Leidy share the same fate. Venezuelan women stranded with their entire family, in Guatemala without enough money to continue the trip to the United States or to turn around and return south to Venezuela or other Latin American countries. They sell pacifiers, food, drinks, but most beg for quetzals (the Guatemalan currency) on the corners. We get around 100 quetzales (about $12) per day and it is not enough for food, lodging, and the trip. And a room in a hotel costs 100 quetzales, explains Jessica. We are short of about $1,500 to get to the United States and so far we have spent $2,700. So we almost always sleep in Central Park, but we are afraid of being attacked. We walked for three days and three nights in the mud, climbing slippery slopes. We counted 14 bodies along the route, almost all children who drowned in the rivers. Jessica, Venezuelan migrant More than 7.7 million Venezuelans have fled their country in recent years due to economic and political instability. The majority have taken refuge in Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, or Chile. However, the pandemic and economic crisis that have hit these countries have driven a new Venezuelan exodus to the United States. They all face the cruel Darien jungle, between Colombia and Panama, which almost half a million migrants crossed between January and November of last year, 65% of whom were Venezuelans. Jessica thinks that the hardest part is over anyway, having survived the Darien Gap. We walked three days and three nights in the mud, climbing slippery slopes. We counted 14 bodies along the route, almost all of them children who had drowned in the rivers, the woman recalls. Leaving there, we went to Honduras, where we spent a month begging on the street. I hope to raise enough money to get out of here and then on to Chicago, she sighs. With her enthusiasm, Jessica seems to forget that Guatemala, as well as Mexico, acts as a wall for migrants traveling to the United States without a visa. From January 1 to October 31, 2023, Guatemala rejected 20,932 people, 71% of whom were Venezuelans, 7% Haitians and 7% Ecuadorians. Every day, the Guatemalan national police detain and expel dozens of (mostly Venezuelan) migrants after their brief stay at the Care Center for Foreign Migrants (CAMIEX). Ending the journey While Jessica and her family look for a corner of Central Park in which to spend the night, at the other end of Guatemala Citys historic center, July knocks on the door of Guatemala Citys Casa del Migrante, a local migrant shelter. She is wearing a backpack and carrying a bag in each hand. Behind her are 12 people with plastic bags and all their belongings. The average age of the group is no more than 25, and the youngest of them is a baby of just four months. They have raised enough money to continue their journey to Mexico and plan to leave Guatemala behind with the first light of dawn. I am the groups guide. We left Venezuela months ago and have lived and worked on the streets. The only thing that gives me hope is that as soon as we are in Mexico, we can apply for a visa for the United States, and hopefully in a few weeks, this trip will be over, the woman confides. Since January 2023, migrants in Mexico are required to download the free CBP One application on their mobile phone to schedule an appointment at one of the ports of entry on the southern border of the United States and request relief. If, on the one hand, the application aims to speed up the planning of appointments, those who do not have access to mobile devices or the internet are excluded from requesting international protection. The logic of using the application to apply for protection has provoked numerous reactions in the world of activism, to the point that Amnesty International declared that the mandatory use of the CBP One mobile application as the sole means of entering the United States to seek international protection is a clear violation of international law. Like July, hundreds of Venezuelans arrive in Guatemala City in small groups and often by night. Some ask for shelter for a night at the Casa del Migrante, run by the Scalabrini missionaries. They are looking for a bed where they can lie down and forget the day. They often arrive dehydrated and with foot wounds and infections, which need nursing care. When dawn comes, they fade away like a dream and continue their journey, taking the children who can walk by their side, and the younger ones, wrapped in a jacket tied to their backs. Last year 32,000 people passed through here and more than 90% were Venezuelans, explains Gabriela Giron, an educator at the Casa del Migrante. 10% of the migratory flow are children who arrive with high hopes, but also great sadness. Despite their age, they are aware of the reality and are very afraid that drug traffickers could kidnap or kill them in Mexico, she adds. A few minutes before going to his room, Julys nephew Miguel asks for a photo with his brothers. Two days later, the boy sends a message: We are in Tapachula in Mexico. We dont have any more money. Only God knows when we will reach the United States. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Sunday, January 28, 2024 - Kikuyu Constituency Member of Parliament Kimani Ichungwah has urged President William Ruto not to let cartels sabotage his programs. Speaking on Saturday, Ichung'wah said the President should take a strong position not to allow sabotage. "You Excellency, I want to plead with you, don't allow your government to be sabotaged or to be undermined by cartels and masters of state capture. Kaa ngumu Rais," he said in Meru. The National Assembly Majority leader insisted that the decisions the judiciary has made recently are akin to judicial overreach. "What we are seeing today has nothing to do with the independence of the Judiciary. What we are seeing today is they have overreached their mandate," he claimed. His remarks come a day after the Court of Appeal in a ruling said the mandatory Housing Levy was illegal. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Sunday, January 28, 2024 - Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni has accused Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki of organizing party meetings on behalf of the Kanini Kega-led faction. In a letter addressed to the Interior CS, Kioni alleged that Kindiki's office interfered with multiparty democracy by undermining the opposition parties within the Azimio coalition. He referenced an alleged meeting convened yesterday by the outfit titled 'Jubilee ni Sisi', whose invitation cards were reportedly collected from the Nanyuki Deputy County Commissioner's (DCC) office. "Your office is now constantly engaged in organising Jubilee Party meetings on behalf of the rebels. "This is intended to undermine and sabotage the opposition parties within the Azimio La Umoja Coalition and specifically the Jubilee Party," he claimed. "A case in point is a meeting convened in Nanyuki, slated for January 27, 2024, whose invitation cards and letters are being collected from the Nanyuki Deputy County Commissioner's (DCC) office on (January 26, 2024) under the guise of a new outfit called 'Jubilee Ni Sisi', which is a criminal enterprise." Kioni claimed that such actions highlight how the Jubilee party has been under attack since April 26 last year when officers from Kileleshwa Police Station violently raided their offices forcing former President Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene for normalcy to be restored. "The continued involvement of your office to contravene court orders and undermine multiparty, democracy, and specifically to destabilise the Jubilee Party, can occasion a crisis of monumental nature that will be costly," he pointed out. Kioni further urged Kindiki to ensure police officers adhere to the law and accord equal treatment to all political parties. Kioni has been at loggerheads with East Africa Legislative Assembly MP Kanini Kega and his nominated counterpart Sabina Chege over the control of the former ruling party. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Sunday, January 28, 2024 - One of the governors from the Mt Kenya region has bragged about how she has widened the tax base like President William Ruto. Speaking in Meru when she accompanied Ruto during his 3-day tour of Mt Kenya east region, Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza declared she had led among her 46 colleagues in collecting the highest taxes. Mr President, Meru was ranked the number one county in collecting revenues. "We are leading the whole country. I said if they call you Zakayu, they should call me Madam Zakayo, she explained. Kawira further shared her commitment to fostering development in the region. When you do the right things, theres a group of sad people. But that will not deter us, we are committed to improving the livelihoods of people through farming and the creation of job opportunities, she said. Kenyans have cheekily named President Ruto Zakayo following his move to increase taxes and introduce others since he assumed office in 2022. This has led to the high cost of living with basic commodities like electricity and fuel costing up to 50% more in some instances. Ruto has, in his defense, explained he needs to collect the taxes to not only be able to repay the countrys debt but also initiate development projects like affordable housing. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, January 27, 2024 The world's first make-up-free beauty queen is to be stripped of her Miss London crown after dropping out of the Miss England title battle to be a bridesmaid at her best friend's wedding. Natasha Beresford, 26, beat 18 other women, who all competed 'bare-faced', in the first make-up-free pageant of Miss London's 95-year history in 2023. She had been due to compete in the Miss England final in Wolverhampton in May and had a 'great chance' of being crowned the winner, organisers say. But she gave up the chance to get her hands on the title because the final clashes with her best friend's big day. Instead of competing for the title, she will now walk down the aisle as a bridesmaid. Natasha, a dental nurse who is originally from Sheffield and now lives in London, said: 'Unfortunately I will no longer be representing London and taking part in the Miss England national final in May. 'My best friend is getting married in the north of England on the same weekend, and I have already promised to be her bridesmaid. 'I would like to thank everyone for their support during my time in the contest, and I wish all the Miss England finalists the best of luck.' Natasha wowed the Miss England judges with her natural beauty last year while wearing a white lace dress by Shikoba Bride - which produces ethically and sustainably produced wedding dresses in the UK. National director of Miss England Angie Beasley said: 'We are so disappointed that Natasha can't take part in the Miss England final. She had a great chance. 'It's so unfortunate that Miss England has fallen on the same date as her best friend's wedding. 'But the show must go on. I wish Natasha all the very best going forward.' She added: 'Natasha is a true beauty with a purpose putting others first before her own. She doesn't want to let her best friend down which is totally understandable.' Sunday, January 28, 2024 - Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has once again waded into the increased cases of femicide. Speaking in Mombasa during a rally, Raila said he was saddened by what has been happening to women in the country. "We condemn what has been happening in the country and we want action taken," Raila said. "We want women to feel safe in their houses. We must condemn GBV in our country. " "Bwana kama ameoa msichana, hiyo sio mali yake. Bibi ana haki ya kuishi kama bwana. Bibi yako ni partner yako, si mali yako,"he said. This loosely translates to; If a man has married a woman, the woman is not the man's property. Your wife has the right to live just like you (man). She is your partner, not your property) "Mtu yoyote atakaye piga bibi, achukuliwe hatua kali ya kisheria, afungwe jela miaka mingi zaidi,"the ODM party leader said. (Whoever beats up a woman, should face the law and get jailed for years) Raila said the ugly scourge of the murder of women is now a national emergency. He added that femicide cases are a threat to homeland security, and must an end. We want to ensure that our society guarantees our women freedom and security that they rightly deserve, Raila said. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Sunday, January 28, 2024 President William Ruto may have been right about endemic corruption in Chief Justice Martha Koomes Judiciary after all. This is after a Judicial officer was caught red-handed demanding a bribe before he was arrested. Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) detectives apprehended a Court Assistant at the Traffic Registry who was accused of soliciting bribes at the Makadara Law Courts in Nairobi. EACC, in a statement via its social media pages, stated that the judicial official identified as AMH was arrested on Friday after receiving a downpayment of Ksh50,000. AMH was said to have been waiting for a Ksh350,000 balance when the detectives zeroed in on him. Detectives further claimed that the suspect had demanded Ksh400,000 from a complainant to fast-track services he ought to have offered free of charge. "EACC has arrested AMH who demanded Ksh400,000 from the complainant with the intent that, in consequence, he would expedite the printing and issuance of court proceedings in respect to the complainant's court file," EACC stated on Saturday. The sleuths detained the suspect at the EACC Police Station for processing and grilling as investigations commenced into the case. EACC did not divulge how it tracked the suspect, or whether he was under its radar since the government lamented rampant corruption inside the Judiciary. President William Ruto and his allies accused the Judiciary of hosting corrupt judges and officials who were accustomed to receiving bribes to offer service delivery. However, in her defence, Chief Justice Martha Koome, who also serves as the head of the Judiciary condemned the attacks and urged the Head of State and other critics to forward evidence against the said, corrupt officials. Nonetheless, the Executive, Parliament, and Judiciary met at State House, Nairobi on Monday and resolved the wrangling. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, January 28, 2024 Embattled President William Ruto could suffer yet another career-threatening blow. This is after Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah vowed to teach him a lesson he will never forget for threatening the Judiciary. Speaking on Friday, Omtatah revealed his plans to file a case against Ruto over his constant attacks against the Judiciary. The senator explained that the President had overstepped his bounds by meddling with the affairs of the Judiciary. Other than seeking legal redress in court, the activist vowed to push for Ruto's impeachment should he fail to retract his remarks which reportedly tainted the image of the Judiciary. " I'm trying to get the police to record my statement. The case has been transferred from Nairobi to Kisii and I will be heading there on January 31, 2024, to deal with it," he detailed. "To me, it's a serious allegation because the independence of the Judiciary is not for his benefit but for that of the people. It's the people who benefit when the judge is not biased." "So, this is something close to my heart and I would be asking that the President withdraws his statement or I'll build a file for him to leave office and deal with him," the senator stated. Omtatah lauded the judges for the judgments delivered on Friday including the nullification of the Housing Levy and the barring of the National Police Service (NPS) from deploying police officers to Haiti. He noted that the independence of the Judiciary is integral to the development of a country. "The Judiciary gave priority to the people of this country. "If we allow this law that has been declared unconstitutional to continue, it will create chaos and the public interest will not be served in that route," he added. Omtatah was among the respondents who filed the case against the Housing Levy, arguing that it lacked merit and was unconstitutional. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Donald Trump isnt known for fostering deep connections with the Black community. From his earliest days as a New York real estate developer, Trump has faced accusations of racist business practices. He spent years spreading the lie that Barack Obama, Americas first Black president, was ineligible to hold office. When he was president, Trump derided shithole countries in Africa and said four congresswomen of color should go back to the broken and crime-infested countries they came from, ignoring the fact that all of the women are American citizens and three were born in the U.S. But as he seeks the presidency for a third time, Trump is aiming to win over an unlikely constituency: Black voters. Have you seen our poll numbers with African Americans and with Hispanic Americans? But Im not that surprised because I see it, I feel it, Trump declared during a rally in Atkinson, New Hampshire, days before the states primary. We did great in 2016, we did much better in 2020 but there is much more enthusiasm now. Theres little evidence that Trump is making significant inroads with Black voters, who polls show remain overwhelmingly supportive of President Joe Biden. But even minor changes in voting patterns in critical states could shift the race in unexpected ways. For Biden, the biggest risk isnt a dramatic move among Black voters toward Trump. Its that such voters frustrated by a range of issues, including the lack of progress emerging from the 2020 racial justice movement simply dont show up at all. In some of the most narrowly divided states that could decide next years election, including Georgia, Pennsylvania and Michigan, even minor shifts in turnout could sway the results. Nationally, only 50% of Black adults said they approve of Biden in a December AP-NORC poll, down from 86% in July 2021. That shift represents a larger drop than among adults overall and white adults in particular. At the same time, however, only 25% of Black adults said they have a favorable view of Trump. Trumps campaign advisers insist theyre aiming to jump on such shifts to spur a political realignment that would upend the Democratic Partys decades-long advantage with Black voters. We are creating a massive problem for the Democratic Partys base that ... could be altering for a generation, said Chris LaCivita, a senior adviser on the Trump campaign. Thats just an opportunity that we would be remiss if we didnt exploit. Cornell Belcher, a Democratic pollster, noted that Obama faced similar challenges with young voters and voters of color during his 2012 reelection campaign, when many in the Democrats base were frustrated by his perceived slow pace of progress on key goals. Im not surprised that Joe Biden right now starts off underperforming among young voters and voters of color. Id be surprised if he didnt. But thats what campaigns are for, Belcher said. Im not panicked that he is down 15 points from where he should be with these voters. Because Ive seen this play before. Ive seen it with Barack Obama. Trump is hardly moderating his rhetoric on race as he quickly becomes the GOPs dominant presidential front-runner. Just this month, he mocked Republican rival Nikki Haleys birth name, repeatedly referred to the American-born daughter of immigrants from India as Nimbra. The episode had strong overtones of his earlier efforts to rely on racist tropes to question Obamas citizenship and eligibility to serve as president. Trump often highlights endorsements from Black celebrities, including the rappers Kanye West and Lil Wayne, as evidence of his appeal to the Black community. He recently touted the endorsement of a Black Rhode Island racial justice advocate as an endorsement from Black Lives Matter, a move the Black Lives Matter Grassroots organization denounced. But as he prepares for a rematch against Biden, Trump is stepping up his efforts to present a more diverse group of supporters than during his years in the White House, when he presided over a nearly all white Cabinet. When he won the New Hampshire primary this week, Sen. Tim Scott, the chambers only Black Republican, stood prominently behind him. Scott, who once challenged Trump for the GOP nomination, has emerged as one of his most prominent surrogates and speaks often about his record on race. As Trump closes in on the Republican nomination, his vice presidential pick could be a key opportunity to try to expand his appeal beyond the partys overwhelmingly white base. Scott is among those who are frequently mentioned as a potential running mate for Trump. Biden and his fellow Democrats arent ceding Black voters to Trump. The president kicked off his reelection bid earlier this month at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, where in 2015 nine Black parishioners were shot to death by the white stranger they had invited to join their Bible study. During his visit, Biden denounced the poison of white supremacy in America and noted some of the accomplishments of his administration, including the appointment of Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first Black woman to serve as a U.S. Supreme Court justice. Biden has also spoken of improving economic conditions for people of color and upended his partys election calendar to put South Carolina at the start instead of predominantly white Iowa and New Hampshire to recognize the diversity of the Democratic Party. Jaime Harrison, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, accused Republicans of promoting fairy tales about their plan to win over Black voters. Back here on Earth, the reality is this: Their leader, Donald Trump, pals around with white supremacists, is fighting to overturn Obamacare and throw millions of Black families off their insurance, and celebrated when his right-wing Supreme Court justices voted to block President Biden from delivering massive student debt relief to Black families, Harrison said. Both parties are fine-tuning efforts to win over Black voters. Since 2013, the Republican National Committee has established outreach centers focused on minority areas; there are currently 38 such outposts in 19 states catering to various communities. The GOP plans to add two more outreach centers in 2024. And in contrast to past Democratic efforts, the Biden campaign has opted for an early engagement strategy with core constituencies like Black voters. The campaign rolled out large investments in African American media and other outreach in key swing states. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, said DNC chair Harrison, wont rest until we earn every vote because the stakes are that high. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Sunday, January 28, 2024 The power struggle in former President Uhuru Kenyattas Jubilee has taken another turn. This is after nominated MP Sabina Chege was served with a cease-and-desist letter for stealing Uhurus job. Jubilee Party served Chege with a cease-and-desist letter, further, warning to drag her to court if she failed to adhere to its demands. In a letter addressed to Chege, through lawyer Jackson Awele, Jubilee accused the MP of masquerading as its party leader and spokesperson, against orders that were issued in court. The party insisted that Uhuru was still the de facto leader with Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni as its official spokesperson. Chege was, therefore, warned that the party would take her to court if she continued with her actions. "We are accordingly instructed to demand as we hereby do that you cease and desist forthwith from holding yourself out as the party leader of the Jubilee Party and from issuing any communication in the name of or on behalf of the Jubilee Party. "We take the liberty to remind you that if you should continue passing off or holding yourself out otherwise than as stipulated in the aforementioned gazette notice no 3195 of 2022, we will commence contempt of court proceedings against you and any person who publicly associates with the violations complained of without further reference to you," read the letter in part. On the other hand, Chege was also accused of propagating the policies of another party which was noted to be contrary to the Jubilee constitution. Uhuru's party was referring to Cheges alliance with President William Rutos UDA Party. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Sunday, January 28, 2024 - Government spokesman, Isaac Maigua Mwaura, has said the government will appeal the High Courts verdict that declared the planned deployment of Kenyan police officers to Haiti as illegal. In a statement on Friday, after the court termed the move as illegal and unconstitutional, Mwaura said the government will appeal the decision. While the government respects the rule of law, we have however decided to challenge the High Courts verdict forthwith, Mwaura said. 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 honouring its international obligations as a member of the community and comity of nations, Mwaura added. While delivering his verdict, Justice Chacha Mwita said the National Security Council has no mandate to deploy police officers to another country. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Sunday, January 28, 2024 - Baraton University has been trending after word got out that one of the students identified as Brenda Chepkirui was allegedly brutally murdered and her head chopped off. It is now emerging that Brenda died a few weeks ago. The deceased, a second-year nursing student, reported to the campus on January 8. She went to her house and started cleaning. Her lifeless body was discovered in her house three days later. However, her head was not chopped off as alleged on social media. The body was intact and there was no sign of harm or struggle. An autopsy report revealed that she died a natural death. She has since been buried. Heres the truth about Brendas death. The Kenyan DAILY POST. 6 Shares Share Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes! Join William Lynes, a urologist, as he shares his remarkable journey of a recent missionary trip to Cuba. Discover the challenges and triumphs faced by both the Cuban people and the mission team. Explore the profound faith and resilience of the Cuban population, and learn how they continue to thrive despite adversity. William offers a unique perspective on the intersection of health care, faith, and compassion in a country deeply impacted by political and economic factors. William Lynes is a urologist and author of A Surgeons Knot. He discusses the KevinMD article, A Cuba missionary journey: Witnessing faith amidst hardship. Our presenting sponsor is Nuance, a Microsoft company. Do you spend more time on administrative tasks like clinical documentation than you do with patients? Youre not alone. Clinicians report spending up to two hours on administrative tasks for each hour of care provided. Nuance, a Microsoft company, is committed to helping clinicians restore the balance with Dragon Ambient eXperience or DAX for short. 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The man who tragically died in a workplace incident at Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin, has been named locally as John (Jack) Hurley. Mr Hurley, aged in in his 70s, of Windy Gap, Glenagross, Meelick, Co. Clare has been described as a "true gentleman" and "a great character". Gardai are investigating the fatal workplace incident at Garda Headquarters which occurred on Friday, January 26. The Health and Safety Authority have been notified. Many condolences have been written under Mr Hurley's death notice on RIP.ie which was published on Saturday. Mr Hurley is sadly missed by his heartbroken partner Richella and his brother Anthony. His daughters Catherine and Ita and their mother Peggy, grandchildren, sister-in-law Liz, brothers-in-law Terry and George, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and his many friends. He was predeceased by his sisters Maureen, Tess, Ann, and his brother Michael. One of countless tributes on rip.ie reads: "We wish to express our sincere condolences to Richella and the Hurley family at this very sad time. I have known John for many many years. "He was a gentleman and obliging and efficient when it came to doing business. We had many fun times over the years. John will be sadly missed. May he rest In peace." Another person who wrote a condolence said: "So sorry to hear about the sudden passing of John who was a legend and very kind man. Always had a smile and enjoyed the banter among colleagues and friends. Fond memories and a pleasure to work with over 25 years. He will be sadly missed by all." One mourner simply wrote: "What a great character and true gentleman." May he rest in peace. Mr Hurley's funeral arrangements will be announced later. KYODO NEWS - Jan 28, 2024 - 20:32 | All, Japan A small jet overshot the runway at Oita airport in southwestern Japan on Sunday, triggering its closure for around an hour and the cancellation of at least four flights. The HondaJet light business aircraft deviated from the runway and came to a stop on nearby grass, according to the Oita airport bureau of the transportation ministry. None of the three men aboard the aircraft were injured and there was no fire. The runway was closed after the aircraft, which was on a training flight, landed at about 2:10 p.m. The aircraft unit of Honda Motor Co. said the jet took off from Oita airport at around 12:20 p.m. on Sunday and returned to the airport on time. The latest accident comes amid growing concerns over aviation safety in the country after a Japan Airlines plane collided with a Japan Coast Guard aircraft on a runway at Tokyo's Haneda airport on Jan. 2, setting the two on fire. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has classified the case at Oita airport as a serious incident, with the Japan Transport Safety Board planning to dispatch two aircraft accident investigators to the site. Related coverage: Korean Air, Cathay planes come into contact at Hokkaido airport Japan runway incursion measures not shared suitably with coast guard Runway entry alert operating normally during Tokyo airport collision Three U.S troops killed in drone attack in Jordan, more than 30 injured KYODO NEWS - Jan 28, 2024 - 12:34 | World, All North Korea fired several cruise missiles off its eastern coast on Sunday, the South Korean military said, days after conducting what it said was its first test-firing of a new type of strategic cruise missile. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the launches of the cruise missiles into waters off the North Korean port city of Shinpo were detected around 8:00 a.m. The report came after Pyongyang said Thursday it had test-fired a new type of strategic cruise missile, the Pulhwasal-3-31, which is believed to be capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The South Korean military also detected the launch into the Yellow Sea of several cruise missiles by the North on Wednesday amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Related coverage: North Korea fires cruise missiles into Yellow Sea: South Korea North Korea claims it conducted underwater nuclear test in Sea of Japan China-North Korea trade in 2023 recovers to 82% of pre-pandemic levels Berkshire Hills Bancorp (NYSE:BHLB Get Free Report) posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The savings and loans company reported $0.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.49 by ($0.02), Briefing.com reports. Berkshire Hills Bancorp had a net margin of 11.24% and a return on equity of 9.57%. The business had revenue of $142.15 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $109.05 million. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.64 earnings per share. Berkshire Hills Bancorp Stock Performance Shares of NYSE BHLB traded up $0.08 during trading on Friday, hitting $24.59. The company had a trading volume of 414,925 shares, compared to its average volume of 185,720. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a current ratio of 0.90. Berkshire Hills Bancorp has a 12 month low of $18.07 and a 12 month high of $31.52. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $23.51 and a 200 day simple moving average of $21.88. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.37 and a beta of 0.89. Get Berkshire Hills Bancorp alerts: Berkshire Hills Bancorp Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 30th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 16th were issued a $0.18 dividend. This represents a $0.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.93%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 15th. Berkshire Hills Bancorps dividend payout ratio is 45.00%. Analysts Set New Price Targets BHLB has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a sector perform rating and issued a $26.00 price target on shares of Berkshire Hills Bancorp in a research note on Friday. Piper Sandler upgraded Berkshire Hills Bancorp from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and set a $24.00 target price on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Berkshire Hills Bancorp from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and four have issued a hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $25.67. Get Our Latest Research Report on BHLB Insider Buying and Selling In related news, Director Mary Anne Callahan acquired 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 7th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $20.60 per share, with a total value of $41,200.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 10,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $206,000. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 1.83% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Institutional Trading of Berkshire Hills Bancorp Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. FMR LLC lifted its stake in Berkshire Hills Bancorp by 3.8% during the second quarter. FMR LLC now owns 13,959 shares of the savings and loans companys stock worth $346,000 after purchasing an additional 515 shares in the last quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC lifted its position in Berkshire Hills Bancorp by 10.6% in the first quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 5,460 shares of the savings and loans companys stock valued at $137,000 after purchasing an additional 525 shares during the period. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky lifted its position in shares of Berkshire Hills Bancorp by 5.7% during the 2nd quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 14,831 shares of the savings and loans companys stock valued at $308,000 after acquiring an additional 804 shares during the period. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL lifted its position in shares of Berkshire Hills Bancorp by 3.0% during the 1st quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL now owns 34,300 shares of the savings and loans companys stock valued at $860,000 after acquiring an additional 1,000 shares during the period. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted its stake in Berkshire Hills Bancorp by 4.4% in the 3rd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 24,893 shares of the savings and loans companys stock valued at $499,000 after buying an additional 1,041 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.24% of the companys stock. Berkshire Hills Bancorp Company Profile (Get Free Report) Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Berkshire Bank that provides various banking products and services. It offers various deposit accounts, including demand deposit, interest-bearing checking, regular savings, money market savings, time certificates of deposit, and retirement deposit accounts; and loans, such as commercial real estate, commercial and industrial, consumer, and residential mortgage loans. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Berkshire Hills Bancorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Berkshire Hills Bancorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Authentikos Wealth Advisory LLC bought a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (BATS:EFG Free Report) in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 1,348 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $116,000. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. HM Payson & Co. acquired a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF in the third quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Ifrah Financial Services Inc. lifted its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 3.0% in the third quarter. Ifrah Financial Services Inc. now owns 22,802 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,968,000 after buying an additional 668 shares during the period. Lincoln National Corp lifted its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 7.3% in the third quarter. Lincoln National Corp now owns 30,110 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,598,000 after buying an additional 2,060 shares during the period. Sterling Financial Planning Inc. lifted its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 3.2% in the third quarter. Sterling Financial Planning Inc. now owns 37,383 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,226,000 after buying an additional 1,152 shares during the period. Finally, Breakwater Capital Group lifted its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 40.9% in the third quarter. Breakwater Capital Group now owns 29,447 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,500,000 after buying an additional 8,548 shares during the period. Get iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF alerts: iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Stock Performance BATS:EFG traded up $0.66 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $97.19. The stock had a trading volume of 1,150,818 shares. iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF has a one year low of $67.58 and a one year high of $85.81. The company has a market cap of $13.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.69 and a beta of 0.89. The businesss 50 day moving average is $94.47 and its 200-day moving average is $91.48. iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Profile iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Growth Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Growth Index (the Index). The Index is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index and constituents of the Index include securities from Europe, Australasia (Australia and Asia), and the Far East. Read More Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH lifted its position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV Free Report) by 28.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 288,569 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 64,735 shares during the quarter. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF accounts for approximately 0.9% of Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OHs investment portfolio, making the stock its 28th largest holding. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OHs holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF were worth $123,920,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. TrueWealth Advisors LLC grew its position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 0.6% in the 2nd quarter. TrueWealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,776 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,683,000 after buying an additional 22 shares during the last quarter. White Lighthouse Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 1.4% during the second quarter. White Lighthouse Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,795 shares of the companys stock worth $800,000 after acquiring an additional 24 shares during the period. Focused Wealth Management Inc raised its holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 1.1% during the second quarter. Focused Wealth Management Inc now owns 2,186 shares of the companys stock worth $974,000 after purchasing an additional 24 shares in the last quarter. Black Diamond Financial LLC lifted its position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 0.4% in the third quarter. Black Diamond Financial LLC now owns 5,585 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,398,000 after purchasing an additional 24 shares during the period. Finally, RDA Financial Network boosted its holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 3.3% in the 3rd quarter. RDA Financial Network now owns 783 shares of the companys stock valued at $336,000 after purchasing an additional 25 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares Core S&P 500 ETF alerts: iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Stock Performance iShares Core S&P 500 ETF stock traded down $0.51 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $489.82. The companys stock had a trading volume of 4,097,857 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,177,784. The firm has a market capitalization of $378.95 billion, a PE ratio of 18.43 and a beta of 1.00. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF has a fifty-two week low of $382.37 and a fifty-two week high of $491.45. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $471.47 and its 200 day simple moving average is $452.33. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Company Profile iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors 500 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the large-capitalization sector of the United States equity market. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Strategic Financial Services Inc lifted its holdings in iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF (NYSEARCA:SMLF Free Report) by 0.3% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 3,877,546 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 11,890 shares during the quarter. iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF accounts for 15.6% of Strategic Financial Services Incs portfolio, making the stock its biggest holding. Strategic Financial Services Inc owned 26.93% of iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF worth $200,585,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Coulter & Justus Financial Services LLC boosted its stake in shares of iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF by 5.6% in the third quarter. Coulter & Justus Financial Services LLC now owns 12,818 shares of the companys stock valued at $663,000 after buying an additional 677 shares in the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF by 2.5% in the 3rd quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 11,851 shares of the companys stock worth $613,000 after acquiring an additional 291 shares during the period. Cozad Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF by 6.2% in the 3rd quarter. Cozad Asset Management Inc. now owns 34,433 shares of the companys stock worth $1,781,000 after acquiring an additional 2,010 shares during the period. Ergawealth Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in shares of iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF by 5.6% in the 3rd quarter. Ergawealth Advisors Inc. now owns 9,228 shares of the companys stock worth $477,000 after acquiring an additional 488 shares during the period. Finally, J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in shares of iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF by 9.3% in the 3rd quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. now owns 10,084 shares of the companys stock worth $522,000 after acquiring an additional 854 shares during the period. Get iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF alerts: iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF Stock Down 0.1 % Shares of SMLF traded down $0.07 on Friday, reaching $58.48. The stock had a trading volume of 101,150 shares, compared to its average volume of 47,214. The firm has a market capitalization of $842.11 million, a PE ratio of 9.77 and a beta of 1.10. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $56.48 and a 200 day moving average of $54.05. iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF has a twelve month low of $47.77 and a twelve month high of $59.61. About iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF The iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF (SMLF) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the STOXX U.S. SmallCap Equity Factor index. The fund tracks an index of small-cap US equities. Stocks are selected and weighted to increase exposure to four factors (quality, value, momentum, and low volatility). Read More Receive News & Ratings for iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares U.S. Small Cap Equity Factor ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Phoenix Wealth Advisors raised its stake in shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT Free Report) by 1.9% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 15,250 shares of the retailers stock after buying an additional 285 shares during the quarter. Walmart comprises about 1.4% of Phoenix Wealth Advisors portfolio, making the stock its 18th biggest position. Phoenix Wealth Advisors holdings in Walmart were worth $2,439,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. LCM Capital Management Inc grew its holdings in Walmart by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter. LCM Capital Management Inc now owns 9,456 shares of the retailers stock valued at $1,486,000 after buying an additional 124 shares in the last quarter. Inspirion Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Walmart by 7.8% during the 2nd quarter. Inspirion Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,071 shares of the retailers stock valued at $326,000 after buying an additional 150 shares in the last quarter. LMG Wealth Partners LLC grew its holdings in Walmart by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter. LMG Wealth Partners LLC now owns 66,651 shares of the retailers stock valued at $10,476,000 after buying an additional 858 shares in the last quarter. WJ Interests LLC purchased a new position in Walmart during the 2nd quarter valued at about $247,000. Finally, Legacy Capital Group California Inc. grew its holdings in Walmart by 15.0% during the 2nd quarter. Legacy Capital Group California Inc. now owns 7,065 shares of the retailers stock valued at $1,111,000 after buying an additional 924 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 33.18% of the companys stock. Get Walmart alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other news, major shareholder Alice L. Walton sold 433,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, November 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $155.89, for a total value of $67,500,370.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 235,007,961 shares of the companys stock, valued at $36,635,391,040.29. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, CEO C Douglas Mcmillon sold 9,708 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $154.91, for a total value of $1,503,866.28. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,442,099 shares of the companys stock, valued at $223,395,556.09. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Alice L. Walton sold 433,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, November 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $155.89, for a total value of $67,500,370.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 235,007,961 shares in the company, valued at $36,635,391,040.29. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 6,438,607 shares of company stock valued at $1,008,960,557 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 46.51% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. Tigress Financial boosted their price objective on Walmart from $182.00 to $196.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 25th. BMO Capital Markets cut their price objective on Walmart from $180.00 to $175.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 17th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on Walmart from $169.00 to $171.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Monday, November 13th. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on Walmart from $168.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Friday, November 17th. Finally, Evercore ISI cut their price objective on Walmart from $187.00 to $177.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 17th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-eight have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $179.44. View Our Latest Research Report on Walmart Walmart Stock Up 0.9 % WMT stock traded up $1.43 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $164.27. The stock had a trading volume of 5,248,770 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,531,315. The firm has a market cap of $442.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.45 and a beta of 0.48. The business has a 50-day moving average of $157.28 and a two-hundred day moving average of $159.47. Walmart Inc. has a 52-week low of $136.09 and a 52-week high of $169.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.23. Walmart (NYSE:WMT Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 16th. The retailer reported $1.53 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $1.53. The company had revenue of $160.80 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $159.65 billion. Walmart had a return on equity of 21.20% and a net margin of 2.55%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 5.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.50 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Walmart Inc. will post 6.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Walmart Profile (Free Report) Walmart Inc engages in the operation of retail, wholesale, and other units worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club. It operates supercenters, supermarkets, hypermarkets, warehouse clubs, cash and carry stores, and discount stores under Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market brands; membership-only warehouse clubs; ecommerce websites, such as walmart.com, walmart.com.mx, walmart.ca, flipkart.com, and samsclub.com; and mobile commerce applications. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WMT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Walmart Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Walmart and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Phoenix Wealth Advisors increased its stake in shares of Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI Free Report) by 2.7% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 10,307 shares of the communications equipment providers stock after acquiring an additional 275 shares during the period. Motorola Solutions accounts for about 1.6% of Phoenix Wealth Advisors holdings, making the stock its 15th largest position. Phoenix Wealth Advisors holdings in Motorola Solutions were worth $2,806,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. American Century Companies Inc. grew its holdings in Motorola Solutions by 11.6% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 3,918 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $949,000 after buying an additional 406 shares during the last quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. grew its holdings in Motorola Solutions by 3.1% in the 1st quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 11,087 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $2,685,000 after buying an additional 329 shares during the last quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. grew its holdings in Motorola Solutions by 8.8% in the 1st quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 2,870 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $695,000 after buying an additional 231 shares during the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Motorola Solutions in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $225,000. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. grew its holdings in Motorola Solutions by 7.3% in the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 55,177 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $13,362,000 after buying an additional 3,741 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.37% of the companys stock. Get Motorola Solutions alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In MSI has been the subject of a number of research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on Motorola Solutions in a research report on Friday, January 19th. They issued a buy rating and a $350.00 price objective for the company. Bank of America initiated coverage on Motorola Solutions in a research report on Monday, October 9th. They issued a buy rating and a $330.00 price objective for the company. StockNews.com downgraded Motorola Solutions from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, November 11th. Finally, Barclays raised their price objective on Motorola Solutions from $333.00 to $352.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 2nd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $328.29. Insider Buying and Selling at Motorola Solutions In other Motorola Solutions news, CEO Gregory Q. Brown sold 65,000 shares of Motorola Solutions stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $305.27, for a total value of $19,842,550.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 62,105 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,958,793.35. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other Motorola Solutions news, CEO Gregory Q. Brown sold 65,000 shares of Motorola Solutions stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $305.27, for a total value of $19,842,550.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 62,105 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,958,793.35. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, SVP Cynthia Yazdi sold 5,850 shares of Motorola Solutions stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $306.00, for a total value of $1,790,100.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 3,780 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,156,680. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 76,506 shares of company stock worth $23,359,370. 1.50% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Motorola Solutions Price Performance Shares of Motorola Solutions stock traded down $2.49 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $326.10. 487,026 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 544,756. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 12.51, a current ratio of 0.95 and a quick ratio of 0.77. The firm has a market cap of $54.13 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.97, a PEG ratio of 2.73 and a beta of 0.90. Motorola Solutions, Inc. has a 52 week low of $251.25 and a 52 week high of $330.93. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $318.14 and a 200-day simple moving average of $297.35. Motorola Solutions (NYSE:MSI Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The communications equipment provider reported $2.97 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.79 by $0.18. The business had revenue of $2.56 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.53 billion. Motorola Solutions had a return on equity of 668.00% and a net margin of 17.30%. Motorola Solutionss revenue was up 7.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.79 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Motorola Solutions, Inc. will post 10.69 earnings per share for the current year. Motorola Solutions Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 12th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 15th were given a $0.98 dividend. This is an increase from Motorola Solutionss previous quarterly dividend of $0.88. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, December 14th. This represents a $3.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.20%. Motorola Solutionss payout ratio is presently 39.64%. Motorola Solutions Company Profile (Free Report) Motorola Solutions, Inc provides public safety and enterprise security solutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Products and Systems Integration, and Software and Services. The Products and Systems Integration segment offers a portfolio of infrastructure, devices, accessories, and video security devices and infrastructure, as well as the implementation and integration of systems, devices, software, and applications for government, public safety, and commercial customers who operate private communications networks and video security solutions, as well as manage a mobile workforce. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MSI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Motorola Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Motorola Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Phoenix Wealth Advisors raised its position in shares of iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:ISCG Free Report) by 28.1% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 9,794 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 2,146 shares during the quarter. Phoenix Wealth Advisors owned 0.10% of iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF worth $380,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Bank of America Corp DE grew its stake in shares of iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF by 28.8% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 407,101 shares of the companys stock valued at $17,989,000 after acquiring an additional 91,034 shares during the period. Wells Fargo & Company MN grew its stake in shares of iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF by 17.0% during the 2nd quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 375,820 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,274,000 after acquiring an additional 54,610 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley grew its stake in shares of iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF by 20.9% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 345,639 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,457,000 after acquiring an additional 59,710 shares during the period. Gallagher Fiduciary Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF by 1.1% during the 2nd quarter. Gallagher Fiduciary Advisors LLC now owns 337,883 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,992,000 after acquiring an additional 3,606 shares during the period. Finally, LPL Financial LLC grew its stake in shares of iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF by 22.6% during the 2nd quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 197,674 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,186,000 after acquiring an additional 36,468 shares during the period. Get iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF alerts: iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF Price Performance Shares of NYSEARCA:ISCG traded up $0.01 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $43.00. 29,487 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 57,188. The companys 50 day moving average price is $42.07 and its 200-day moving average price is $40.55. The firm has a market cap of $404.20 million, a PE ratio of 19.22 and a beta of 1.09. iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF has a 52 week low of $35.33 and a 52 week high of $44.80. iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF Company Profile The iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF (ISCG) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in small-cap stocks. The fund tracks a market-cap-weighted index of US small-cap growth stocks. The index selects stocks from 90-99.5% of market cap that fall into Morningstars growth style categorization. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ISCG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:ISCG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Private Wealth Partners LLC lifted its position in The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW Free Report) by 9.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 29,957 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 2,700 shares during the period. Private Wealth Partners LLCs holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $1,645,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich boosted its holdings in Charles Schwab by 93,993.8% in the second quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 965,692,348 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $54,735,442,000 after acquiring an additional 964,666,040 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Charles Schwab in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,325,555,000. Morgan Stanley boosted its stake in Charles Schwab by 62.5% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 22,255,649 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,853,005,000 after purchasing an additional 8,563,389 shares in the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in Charles Schwab by 91,051.8% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 5,365,193 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $446,706,000 after purchasing an additional 5,359,307 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Artisan Partners Limited Partnership increased its stake in Charles Schwab by 133.0% during the 2nd quarter. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership now owns 9,103,386 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $515,980,000 after purchasing an additional 5,195,531 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 81.61% of the companys stock. Get Charles Schwab alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth SCHW has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Charles Schwab in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a sell rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on Charles Schwab from $71.00 to $64.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 11th. JMP Securities reaffirmed a market outperform rating and set a $77.00 target price on shares of Charles Schwab in a report on Thursday, January 18th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut shares of Charles Schwab from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $75.00 to $70.00 in a research note on Thursday, January 18th. Finally, Citigroup lowered shares of Charles Schwab from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their price objective for the stock from $75.00 to $70.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $69.69. Charles Schwab Price Performance Shares of Charles Schwab stock traded up $0.33 on Friday, reaching $64.04. The companys stock had a trading volume of 5,108,549 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,412,590. The company has a quick ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87. The company has a market capitalization of $113.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.21, a PEG ratio of 3.27 and a beta of 1.01. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $64.48 and a 200-day moving average price of $60.10. The Charles Schwab Co. has a 52-week low of $45.00 and a 52-week high of $81.96. Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.68 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.64 by $0.04. Charles Schwab had a net margin of 26.90% and a return on equity of 22.07%. The firm had revenue of $4.46 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.49 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.07 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 18.9% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts expect that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.42 EPS for the current year. Charles Schwab Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 23rd. Investors of record on Friday, February 9th will be paid a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.56%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 8th. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio is currently 39.37%. Insider Buying and Selling at Charles Schwab In other Charles Schwab news, CFO Peter B. Crawford sold 3,114 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $56.19, for a total value of $174,975.66. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 41,611 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,338,122.09. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, General Counsel Peter J. Morgan III sold 7,162 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.72, for a total value of $434,876.64. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CFO Peter B. Crawford sold 3,114 shares of Charles Schwab stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $56.19, for a total transaction of $174,975.66. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 41,611 shares in the company, valued at $2,338,122.09. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 46,874 shares of company stock worth $2,906,135. Corporate insiders own 6.60% of the companys stock. About Charles Schwab (Free Report) The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Charles Schwab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles Schwab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Reik & CO. LLC decreased its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report) by 22.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 5,243 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 1,487 shares during the period. Reik & CO. LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $508,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in ABT. Wealthspire Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 10.3% during the 3rd quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLC now owns 40,698 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $3,942,000 after purchasing an additional 3,800 shares in the last quarter. Sigma Planning Corp grew its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 168.2% during the third quarter. Sigma Planning Corp now owns 57,537 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $5,573,000 after buying an additional 36,086 shares in the last quarter. Washington Trust Bank grew its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 80.8% during the third quarter. Washington Trust Bank now owns 25,619 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $2,481,000 after buying an additional 11,448 shares in the last quarter. GHE LLC grew its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 1.3% during the third quarter. GHE LLC now owns 12,365 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $1,198,000 after buying an additional 158 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cottage Street Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 4.0% during the 3rd quarter. Cottage Street Advisors LLC now owns 3,223 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $312,000 after acquiring an additional 123 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 73.70% of the companys stock. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several brokerages have recently weighed in on ABT. TheStreet raised shares of Abbott Laboratories from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research note on Thursday, December 21st. UBS Group decreased their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $130.00 to $118.00 in a report on Thursday, October 19th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $128.00 price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a report on Thursday. Citigroup raised their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $123.00 to $126.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price target 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 ten have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Abbott Laboratories currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $120.00. Abbott Laboratories Stock Performance Shares of ABT stock traded down $0.44 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $112.01. 5,176,697 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,588,744. Abbott Laboratories has a 52 week low of $89.67 and a 52 week high of $115.83. The firm has a market capitalization of $194.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.36, a PEG ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.73. The firms 50 day moving average price is $108.60 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $103.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a current ratio of 1.74. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.19. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 20.84% and a net margin of 14.27%. The business had revenue of $10.24 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.19 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.03 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 1.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.63 earnings per share for the current year. Abbott Laboratories Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 12th will be issued a $0.55 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 11th. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.96%. This is an increase from Abbott Laboratoriess previous quarterly dividend of $0.51. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is currently 67.48%. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 15,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $108.00, for a total value 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 $7,022,916. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 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. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ABT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Abbott Laboratories Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abbott Laboratories and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. KYODO NEWS - Jan 28, 2024 - 09:20 | All, World, Japan Global tourism will likely achieve a full recovery from the COVID-19 shock in 2024, with the Asia-Pacific region having lagged behind other destinations in the number of tourist arrivals, according to an estimate by a U.N. agency. Last year saw an estimated 1.29 billion international tourists globally, about 88 percent of the number in 2019, led by a strong recovery in the Middle East that reported a 22 percent gain in arrivals compared with four years earlier. Compared with 2019 levels, tourist arrivals last year recovered to 94 percent in Europe, 96 percent in Africa and 90 percent in the Americas, according to the U.N. World Tourism Organization. The corresponding figure for the Asia-Pacific region was 65 percent, with the Maldives and Fiji among the favorite destinations. The recovery was slow in Northeast Asia, which includes Japan and China, with demand returning to around 55 percent of 2019 levels. Japan welcomed 25.07 million tourist arrivals last year, about 80 percent of the level in 2019, government data showed, as a weak yen made the country an attractive destination for foreign tourists. "There is still significant room for recovery across Asia," the UNWTO said, while noting that in addition to an improvement in the Asian market, pent-up demand and increased air connectivity will help the world achieve a full tourism recovery by the end of the year. It also said the recovery of Chinese outbound and inbound tourism is expected to accelerate this year, with Beijing granting visa-free travel to citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia for a year from December 2023. Despite the positive outlook, the agency noted geopolitical risks pose "significant" challenges to the sustained recovery of tourism. The conflict between Israel and the Hamas militant group, which began in October, has heightened such risks, raising concern that it will spread to the broader Middle East. Globally in 2023, tourism revenues reached $1.4 trillion, about 93 percent of the level in 2019. Related coverage: Foreign entries to Japan rise 6-fold in 2023 after COVID measures end Gov't estimates central Japan quake damage will reach 2.6 tril. yen Commercial flights to resume at quake-hit Japan airport on Jan. 27 Sullivan, Wang discuss NK issue; Pyongyang, Beijing hold high-level diplomatic talks By Lee Hyo-jin China is either unwilling or unable to play a constructive role in addressing North Korea's nuclear threats despite repeated calls from the international community. This observation comes in the wake of the latest appeal made during a recent meeting between the top security official of the United States and China's top diplomat. Beijing sees little reason to respond to Washington's request, especially considering the ongoing bilateral tensions surrounding the Taiwan issue, experts said. Moreover, it appears that China lacks practical measures to exert influence on North Korea. U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Bangkok, Thailand, from Friday to Saturday. The two officials discussed a wide range of bilateral and global issues, including North Korea, the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and the South China Sea. "The two sides did discuss DPRK," a senior U.S. official said during a teleconference held after the meeting. DPRK stands for Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea's official name. "We are deeply concerned about the growing relationship between Russia and the DPRK and what that might mean for Mr. Kims (Kim Jong-un) intentions. We raised those concerns directly with China, given their influence on Pyongyang," the official said. North Korea has escalated military provocations recently, with Russia as its main backer. This has prompted growing concerns within South Korea and the U.S., leading some American pundits to contemplate the possibility of another war breaking out on the Korean Peninsula. But China, which maintains friendly ties with North Korea, has remained silent about Pyongyang's growing military threats. "Sullivan's mention of North Korean issues to Wang shows that the Joe Biden administration needs China's help to prevent North Korea from crossing the red line, at least until the presidential election in November. But Beijing is unwilling to cooperate given the U.S.' unchanged stance regarding the Taiwan Strait, issue," said Lee Sang-man, a China expert at the Institute of Far Eastern Studies at Kyungnam University. Following the meeting with Sullivan, China's top diplomat described Taiwan independence as "the biggest challenge" to Sino-U.S. ties and warned Washington not to interfere in issues concerning the island. "Taiwan issues aside, there are few reasons for Beijing to discuss sensitive matters with Pyongyang, as doing so would potentially strain currently warm bilateral relations," Lee said. The two neighbors have recently been engaging in high-level diplomatic talks, which some observers view as a build-up for Chinese President Xi Jinping's potential visit to Pyongyang, or the North Korean leader's trip to Beijing later this year, which marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. According to the North's state mouthpiece Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Saturday, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong visited Pyongyang and met with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui the previous day. Cho Han-bum, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, a think tank, analyzed that China does not possess practical measures to exert influence on North Korea. "One might assume that China and North Korea's relations follow a superior-subordinate structure, with Pyongyang dependent on Beijing. However, that is not the case. North Korea positions itself as a independent nation in bilateral diplomatic talks," he said. Cho also commented that Kim Jong-un, similar to his predecessors, does not heed advice from outsiders, be it from China or Russia, when making strategic decisions regarding nuclear arsenals. "Although China is unhappy with the heightened security risks arising from North Korea's nuclear threats, it is reluctant to play an active role, as doing so may jeopardize relations with Pyongyang, one of Beijing's few remaining friends in the Asian region," the researcher explained, pointing out China's strained relations with other Asian nations such as the Philippines, India and Japan. Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Snow this morning will give way to lingering snow showers this afternoon. Temps nearly steady in the low to mid 30s. Winds NW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 70%. 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. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. KYODO NEWS - Jan 28, 2024 - 18:05 | All, Japan Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi on Sunday expressed eagerness to hold a task force meeting with Okinawa on the transfer of a key U.S. military base within the prefecture, amid local objections to the plan. But during his talks with Hayashi in Naha, Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki urged Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's government to consider public opinion and abandon the relocation plan for U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, now located in the densely-populated city of Ginowan. Hayashi, who also serves as the minister in charge of mitigating the burden of U.S. forces in Okinawa, told Tamaki that he is planning to arrange a gathering of the task force consisting of the central government, prefectural authorities and city officials from Ginowan. Earlier this month, the Kishida administration began construction work in the coastal Henoko area in Nago for the transfer of the U.S. base after approving a modified landfill plan by proxy, taking the unprecedented step of overriding Okinawa's backlash. Hayashi, who was in Okinawa for the first time since he became chief cabinet secretary in December, said the central government will "make every effort" to achieve the relocation of the Futenma base to the less densely populated area of Henoko "as soon as possible." The central government and Okinawa have long been at odds over relocating the Futenma base within the prefecture after the transfer plan was agreed upon between Japan and the United States in 1996. The Japanese government selected Henoko as the new site in 1999. Related coverage: 86.6% in Japan back tougher political funds control laws amid scandal U.S. base transfer work in Okinawa begins after state OKs by proxy Japan gov't overrides Okinawa objection to U.S. base transfer work New Delhi [India], January 28 (ANI): Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed grief over the Kalkaji Mandir incident that claimed life of a woman and injured 17 devotees. In a mishap that happened during Mata Jagran ceremony at Kalkaji Mandir in Delhi, on Saturday midnight a stage made of iron and wood collapsed leading to casulaties. Also Read | 'Garbage Goes Into Dustbin', Says Lalu Prasad Yadav's Daughter Rohini Acharya After Nitish Kumar Resigned As CM of Bihar. Condoling the incident, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a post on X, wrote, "The accident that happened last night during the Jagran of Kalkaji temple is very sad. A woman has died in the accident, may her soul rest in peace. I wish for the speedy recovery of the 17 injured people. I appeal to all the people of Delhi to take special care of the security standards in any kind of big event and make arrangements in such a way that no untoward incident happens," he wrote. According to the police, no permission was granted to hold the event, however, sufficient staff was deployed to maintain law and order. There was a gathering of around 1500-1600 people, the police said. Also Read | Bomb Blast Threat: Ram Janaki Temple in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur Receives Bomb Threat; Case Registered. According to the police, one elevated platform was erected near the main stage for seating the families of organisers and VIPs. The platform was made with a wood and iron frame.At about 12.30 am, the elevated platform curved down as it could not bear the weight of people sitting and standing on this stage. Some people who were sitting below the platform got injuries, the police said. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Dibrugarh (Assam) [India], January 28 (ANI): The International Centre for Cultural Studies will host the 8th Triennial International Conference and Gathering of Elders at Shiksha Valley School in Assam's Dibrugarh from January 28 to February 1, 2024. The International Centre for Cultural Studies (ICCS), a non-political, non-religious, non-profit socio-cultural forum for elders (spiritual masters, regardless of age) of ancient traditions and cultures of the world, was founded by Dr. Yashwant Pathak and his team with its headquarters in the USA. Also Read | Nitish Kumar Seeks Time to Meet Governor Amid Political Crisis in Bihar: Live Breaking News Headlines & Updates, January 28, 2024. North East India, being a hotspot of cultural diversity, indigeneity, and a strong representation of the underlying unity amid diversity, was chosen as the location for this conference. The conference, hosted in Dibrugarh, aims to foster an exchange of ancient indigenous knowledge with the objective of building shared sustainable prosperity for the world. Also Read | Indian Newspaper Day 2024: Date, History, Significance of the Day That Celebrates Journalism and Newspapers in India. As the Shiksha Valley School in Dibrugarh transforms into a melting pot of beautiful cultures from across the world, about 300 participants from over 33 nations have convened for the conference to share their spiritual wisdom, represent their traditions, and experience others'. On the first three days, the conference will feature paper presentations, panel discussions, workshops, and cultural nights centred around the topics of ecological wisdom, collaborative governance, and the revival of traditions. There will be a rally in Dibrugarh Town from Phool Bagan to Thana Charali on the first day, on January 28. This will be followed by an inaugural event with Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma as the Chief Guest and RSS Sarsanghachaalak, Mohan Bhagwat. The conference will conclude with a field tour of the Research Institute of the World's Ancient Traditions, Cultures and Heritage (RIWATCH), where the participants will meet with the local spiritual leaders. The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu, will inaugurate the museum and the International House of Thoughts. Dattatreya Hosable, Sarkaryavah RSS, will be present on January 31 along with the CM and Dy. CM of Arunachal Pradesh in Dibrugarh. Dr. Ratan Sharda of ICCS said, "We extend a warm invitation to the press to join us at Shiksha Valley School in Dibrugarh to witness and cover this momentous occasion." (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Dibrugarh (Assam) [India], January 28 (ANI): Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat today attended a cultural procession organised for the 8th International Conference and Gathering of Elders in Assam's Dibrugarh. The three-day event was organised by the International Centre for Cultural Studies. Also Read | Telangana: Myanmar Refugee Stabbed to Death by Rowdy Sheeter in Hyderabad, Accused Absconding. https://x.com/himantabiswa/status/1751513895695794533?s=20 State Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in a post on X said, "I had the honour to join Pujya Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat ji and spiritual leaders from 40 countries at the 8th Triennial Conference & Gathering of Elders in Dibrugarh". Also Read | Gurugram Shocker: One Dead, Another Injured After Clash Over Parking in Baliyawas; Two Arrested. "It is our collective resolve to revitalise indigenous faiths across the globe and check attempts to erode our cultural heritage," the post added. The International Centre for Cultural Studies (ICCS), a non-political, non-religious, non-profit socio-cultural forum for elders (spiritual masters, regardless of age) of ancient traditions and cultures of the world, was founded by Dr Yashwant Pathak and his team with its headquarters in the USA. North East India, being a hotspot of cultural diversity, indigeneity, and a strong representation of the underlying unity amid diversity, was chosen as the location for this conference. The conference, hosted in Dibrugarh, aims to foster an exchange of ancient indigenous knowledge with the objective of building shared sustainable prosperity for the world. Dattatreya Hosable, Sarkaryavah RSS, will be present on January 31 along with the CM and Dy CM of Arunachal Pradesh in Dibrugarh. The conference will conclude with a field tour of the Research Institute of the World's Ancient Traditions, Cultures and Heritage (RIWATCH), where the participants will meet with the local spiritual leaders. The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu, will inaugurate the museum and the International House of Thoughts. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Vadodara, Jan 28 (PTI) An old brass cannon which used to be part of the annual procession of Lord Ranchhodji in Vadodara was successfully test-fired after 28 years as part of a court order based on the temple priest's plea seeking permission for its use citing a tradition. It is up to the civil court now whether the firing of the cannon, whose legacy was traced to the Gaekwad dynasty of Baroda, can be allowed during the annual Diwali procession, a tradition discontinued after 1996 due to mishap. Also Read | Turkey Church Attack: One Killed in Armed Attack on Italian Church. The cannon has not been used since then after some persons were injured when it was fired. Subsequently, the priest of Lord Ranchhodji Maharaj temple moved the court to lift the ban, said senior advocate Kaushik Bhatt, appointed as court commissioner in the case. Traditionally, the cannon was used to salute Lord Ranchhodji, the presiding deity of the temple, during the annual procession in Diwali. Also Read | Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha to Be Deputy CMs in Nitish Kumar-NDA Govt in Bihar; Know All About Them. During the hearing, the court of senior civil judge AR Patel had directed authorities to test fire the cannon in the presence of forensic officials, police, and a senior lawyer to prove whether it was safe for use, said Bhatt. The cannon was placed in the middle of the field at Navlakhi ground in Vadodara on Saturday, filled with ammunition, and the wick was lit by temple priest Janardan Dave using an incense stick. The explosion was safe without any mishaps. After the test, the cannon was inspected by the FSL officer. Bhhatt said a test report will be submitted to the court based on which an order will be passed on whether the cannon can be used again. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) By Honoka Ito and Rosi Byard-Jones, KYODO NEWS - Jan 28, 2024 - 14:43 | Arts, All, World, Japan In Britain, Japanese novels in English translation are experiencing a boom in popularity among a new generation, with word-of-mouth on social media driving book sales. Trends on social media platforms such as TikTok -- where members of the "BookTok" community recommend and theorize about their favorite books, genres and authors -- have inspired young Britons to seek out more works translated from other languages. Yet among these, novels reflecting elements of Japanese society and culture in particular have become hits with this younger demographic. For British-based publishers like Pushkin Press, this online word-of-mouth is extremely important for book sales, according to publisher and managing director Adam Freudenheim. "The books becoming popular on TikTok are people being genuinely excited about them, not publishers," Freudenheim said in a recent interview. "If we try to push a book, that's not what works. It is readers responding to them. It is genuine." In short videos, many with classical, uplifting, or at times melancholic music playing in the background, TikTokers introduce books by authors such as Banana Yoshimoto, Mieko Kawakami and others. They rate the works, giving five stars for books they particularly enjoyed, and present their thoughts while becoming emotional at times when speaking about the books' themes on motherhood, loss, bullying and bonds of friendship. "In this story (Mieko) Kawakami explores the powerlessness and callousness of youth with such intensity," said one TikToker who gave the novel "Heaven" four stars. "Heaven," published in English in 2021 and shortlisted a year later for the International Booker Prize, is about two 14-year-olds -- a boy and girl -- who form a friendship based on the shared experience and trauma of being relentlessly bullied at school. The story pulls at the heartstrings for many, as readers are left grappling with what it means to have a close friendship formed because of the torment and despair experienced by two adolescents rather than a companionship born out of joy. "I totally understand the hype about 'Heaven' and this author...it was moving and poignant but it was also very difficult to read because of the intense and vivid bullying descriptions," the TikToker said. Other users post the covers of works by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Emi Yagi and other authors as Japanese literature recommendations. A large number of such videos, including those viewed more than 100,000 times, are posted on TikTok with the hashtag "#Japanesebooks" or other subcategories. On YouTube, there are many long videos that explain the contents of novels in detail. Last year, British newspaper The Guardian reported that while translated novels sold a total of some 2 million copies in Britain the same year, Japanese works accounted for one-quarter, or the largest portion, of those sold. Freudenheim, who joined Pushkin in 2012 and has published translations from 27 languages, predicts the readership of English-translated Japanese novels will only continue to grow. While Japanese fiction has "always enjoyed a certain amount of popularity," the success of Sayaka Murata's "Convenience Store Woman" (published in English in 2018) marked the start of the current popularity boom, he says. Among the Japanese works published in English by Pushkin, short novellas by Murata's contemporaries like (Mieko) Kawakami's "Ms Ice Sandwich" (2020) tend to sell well; another constant seller is Ryu Murakami's 1980 novel "Coin Locker Babies," published in 2013. Freudenheim believes the appeal of these shorter novellas is not just that they are less time-consuming to read but lies in the eye-catching "foreignness or strangeness" of titles translated from Japanese. And for Pushkin's best-selling Japanese writer, Seishi Yokomizo (1902-1981), his "Japanese twist" on traditional British crime fiction by the likes of Agatha Christie is a key selling point, which Freudenheim says makes it "both familiar and different at the same time" for Britons. Originally published in 1947, Pushkin released the first installment of Yokomizo's mystery series featuring Detective Kosuke Kindaichi, "The Honjin Murders," in 2019, and has since sold around 200,000 copies of his books. This is in no small part due to the visual appeal of these books on social media, with Pushkin Press even creating a Japanese version of its logo as part of the series' marketing, Freudenheim says. "We're living in an Instagram world," he said. "With (Yokomizo), our packaging makes the books look intentionally Japanese, and I think there's also a kind of retro appeal to it." "We've had an incredible response. People love the striking look of those books; they rave about how they look. So the social media side of it is very important," Freudenheim added. With Pushkin recently acquiring the rights for translations of other Japanese crime writers (and contemporaries of Yokomizo), Freudenheim is confident that the market for Japanese crime fiction will be there for the foreseeable future. "I think the interest here is the aspect of seeing your world through another perspective -- it's totally familiar when you read it, but completely different at the same time. There's a mix of modernity with tradition," Freudenheim said. Related coverage: FEATURE: Quake leaves deep scars on famed Noto sake brewers FEATURE: Village revisiting craze of phantom creature for local promotion Osaka nursery going extra mile to stop Vietnamese kids falling behind New Delhi, January 28: A day after the Republic Day celebrations, a massive security breach occurred at the Delhi airport as an intruder entered the airfield. The security breach at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi on January 27 raised concerns and prompted the authorities to promptly increase security measures to address the situation. "An Air India pilot reported spotting an intruder around 11.30 pm as the flight landed safely and taxied to the parking bay," according to airport officials. "An Air India pilot reported to air traffic controllers (ATC) that a man had crossed in front of the aircraft during taxing. ATC promptly alerted the Airport Operation Control Centre (AOCC), leading to swift action by CISF, who apprehended the intruder and handed over to local police," a senior airport official told ANI. Delhi: CISF Sub-Inspector Saves Passengers Life at IGI Airport by Giving CPR (Watch Video). Delhi's Airport, particularly on high alert due to Republic Day and VVIP movement, was shaken by the incident of intruder. This prompted heightened vigilance from security and safety agencies. An internal committee has been formed, and investigations are underway to address the situation. "Authorities have treated the incident with utmost seriousness, categorising it as a massive security breach and taking extensive measures to address the matter," the sources said. Runway Revamp At Delhi Airport: All Four Runways of IGI Airport to Be Operational From First Week of January. CISF, airport police, and DIAL are yet to provide an immediate response regarding the unauthorised entry of intruders onto the active airfield. Jyotiraditya Scindia's Minister of Civil Aviation has imposed heavy penalties on Mumbai airport (90 lakh) and IndiGo (1.2 cr) this month due to a violation of safety rules, the incident was reported where passengers were left seated and eating openly in the airport apron area. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Dibrugarh (Assam), Jan 28 (PTI) Soon after the the Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) dumped the Mahagathbandhan government in Bihar and the opposition INDIA bloc, and staked claim to form a new government with the BJP, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the "dissolution" of the bloc was imminent as it had "no ideological basis". "The dissolution of the INDI Alliance is now certain. This alliance had no ideological basis," he wrote on X. Also Read | Samrat Choudhary Swearing-In Ceremony: BJP Leader Takes Oath As Cabinet Minister in New Nitish Kumar-Led Bihar Government (Watch Video). Sarma maintained that the opposition alliance had "only one objective" of defeating Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Despite this negative politics, Honourable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji has become a world leader today," he added. Also Read | Turkey Church Attack: One Killed in Armed Attack on Italian Church. Later talking to reporters on sidelines of a programme, the CM said, "When the INDI Alliance was formed, we told everyone that this will be a short-lived one because of ideological contradictions. Their only target was Prime Minister Narendra Modi. You cannot form an alliance to only oppose an individual," he added. Sarma claimed that the "disintegration" of the opposition bloc will ensure re-election of Modi as the PM with a huge majority in the next Lok Sabha election. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Siliguri (WB), Jan 28 (PTI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday accused the BJP government at the Centre of spreading hatred and violence across the country and working for big corporations by overlooking the interests of the poor and the youth. Gandhi, who was addressing the "Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra" in Siliguri in North Bengal, said, "The Union government has made a mockery of the youths who wanted to join the armed forces by introducing the Agniveer scheme, a short-term recruitment scheme for the armed forces." Also Read | Turkey Church Attack: One Killed in Armed Attack on Italian Church. "Hatred and violence are being spread across the country. It will serve no purpose. Instead of spreading hatred, we have to work towards spreading love and justice for our youths. The Union government is working only for big corporations and not for the poor and the youth," he said. Expressing gratitude for the reception he has received in West Bengal, Gandhi said, "Bengal holds a special place. It had led the ideological fight during the Independence struggle. It is the duty of the Bengal and the Bengalis to show the way to fight against hatred and bind the nation together in present circumstances." Also Read | Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha to Be Deputy CMs in Nitish Kumar-NDA Govt in Bihar; Know All About Them. "If you don't rise to the occasion, people will never forgive you," he said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], January 28 (ANI): "Uttishtha 2024," the 7th edition of the biggest agri start-up expo, has concluded with great fanfare after two days of talent, innovation, and creativity organised by the Foundation for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development [FIED] and E-Cell at IIM Kashipur. The event showcased a number of forward-thinking startups run by bright young people from all around the nation. Also Read | Samrat Choudhary Swearing-In Ceremony: BJP Leader Takes Oath As Cabinet Minister in New Nitish Kumar-Led Bihar Government (Watch Video). As per IIM Kashipur, "A total of Rs 14.6 crores has been disbursed to startups under startup support schemes, out of which Rs 1.35 crores have been sanctioned to 13 agri-focused startups in 23-24 by the RKVY RAFTAAR RABI scheme by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rs 2.89 crores have been sanctioned to 13 startups under Startup India Seed Fund Scheme. "With the aid of IIM Kashipur's FIED, a number of brilliant startups, such as Bijak, Loopworm, Greenpod Labs, InfyU Labs, Agronxt, Industill, and Ikayu Foodlabs, have raised Rs 320 crore and more in funding from outside venture capital firms and angel investors. Under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare's RKVY RAFTAAR RABI scheme, IIM Kashipur FIED has provided funding and business training to 200+ startups since its founding in 2018, including 68 with an agri-focused focus." Also Read | Amit Shah To Launch Computerization Project of Agricultural Rural Development Banks of All States and Union Territories on January 30. IIM Kashipur further said that 100 promising agri-startups and community-focused businesses from the Uttarakhand hills participated in the agriculture fair, showcasing their goods and services that support the agricultural industry and its supporting ecosystems. "Impactful initiatives were presented by IIM Kashipur, such as the Scaleup Pitchathon, a national live startup pitching competition in which the top three creative ventures were chosen from a pool of more than 100 government-recognized startups and competed for a prize of Rs. 1.5 lakh to become the best startup," it said. Prof Kulbhushan Balooni, Director, IIM Kashipur, said, "IIM Kashipur is committed to supporting the startup ecosystem on multiple fronts by involving more and more academic members to train incubatees and providing them with every aid and support imaginable. The Government of India's continued support is essential for sustaining incubators' activities across higher education institutions. Because of IIM Kashipur's commitment to regional development, we are attempting to assist Uttarakhand-based agri-tech enterprises, thus making IIM Kashipur distinctive among the league of leading B-schools. FIED has incubated 189 startups since its inception in 2018, which in turn has created more than 3000 jobs. IIM Kashipur has already had an impact on more than 7 lakh farmers." Prof Safal Batra, managing director of FIED and chairperson of E-Cell at IIM Kashipur, said, "Throughout India, we are recognised as leaders in entrepreneurship. NITI Ayog, Govt of India, has granted the Atal Community Innovation Centre to IIM Kashipur. We are working with farmer-producer organisations in Uttarakhand at the grassroots level, similar to us, where we plan to train 15 FPO. In the future, this centre will become as prominent as the achievements it has garnered." Udaan 7.0, the National Business Plan Competition, is another noteworthy initiative that provides a forum for prospective students to showcase their creative ideas to professors and industry professionals. The top 7 teams, out of over 300, took home a total of Rs. 50,000 in cash prizes. IIM Kashipur's FIED-funded startups were Krushika Naturals Pvt Ltd. 25 Lakhs, Himshilpi Hunar LLP 5 Lakhs, Zarin Gourmet Pvt Ltd 25 Lakhs, MyPahadiDukan 25 Lakhs, BABA Agrotech 20 Lakhs, SS Agriculture Innovations Pvt Ltd 5 lakhs, and Svastha Samriddhi Pvt Ltd 25 Lakhs. This funding aims to catalyse the growth of these ventures and contribute to the entrepreneurial ecosystem. In Uttishtha '24, IIM Kashipur FIED felicitated 13 agri-focused startups, providing them with a sanction of Rs 1.30 crores, supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Family Welfare. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Nagpur, Jan 28 (PTI) India is becoming self-reliant in defence production, and for the first time, leading the top 25 countries in defence exports, Union minister Ajay Bhatt said on Sunday. The Minister of State for Defence was speaking at the Advantage Vidarbha programme in Nagpur. Also Read | Samrat Choudhary Swearing-In Ceremony: BJP Leader Takes Oath As Cabinet Minister in New Nitish Kumar-Led Bihar Government (Watch Video). He said the government has issued four lists of 4,666 defence components whose import is banned, resulting in huge savings. "India, for the first time, is leading a group of top 25 countries in defence export as it is becoming self-reliant in defence production. Also Read | Turkey Church Attack: One Killed in Armed Attack on Italian Church. "The defence exports rose from Rs 4,682 crore in 2017-18 to Rs 15,916 crore in 2022-23. (Defence) export till December 2023 is about Rs 9,428 crore," the Union minister added. Bhatt said almost all defence PSUs are in profit after the ordnance factories were decentralised. He said the defence ministry is promoting innovation and technology. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kupwara (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], January 28 (ANI): Border Security Forces conducted a free medical camp under the Civic action programme in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district, a statement said. The camp was held at Dabpal Government High School on January 27. Also Read | Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Says Committee To Be Formed Under Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar To Review Country's Anti-Defection Law. They said that around 450 people from different villages like Dabpal, Ringbala, Khanbasti, Katwar, and Dudhi availed of the treatment and medicines. Before starting the camp, Jagir Chand, Commandant 127 Bn BSF, addressed the gathering. During his speech, he talked about the benefits of medical camps, the need to stay away from drugs, and the selection of students for the Bharat Darsan Tour, it said. Also Read | Thane Shocker: Three-and-Half-Year-Old Missing Boy Found Dead in Residential Building's Water Tank in Bhiwandi, Probe Underway. Officers and troops of 127 battalion of BSF were present on the occasion. (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 (Bihar) [India], January 28 (ANI): After a dramatic volte-face, ditching the Mahagathbandhan and the opposition bloc INDIA and forming a new government with the BJP, JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar along with eight ministers-- three each from the BJP and the JD-U, one from HAM and one independent took oath on Sunday. Among the Ministers sworn in were Samrat Chowdhary, Vijay Kumar Sinha and Prem Kumar (BJP), Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Vijay Kumar Chowdhary and Shrawan Kumar (JD-U), Santosh Suman (HAM-S and son of Jitan Ram Manjhi) and Sumit Kumar Singh (Independent). Also Read | Telangana: Myanmar Refugee Stabbed to Death by Rowdy Sheeter in Hyderabad, Accused Absconding. Kumar was sworn in by Bihar Governor Rajendra Arlekar at Raj Bhavan in the presence of senior leaders including BJP national president JP Nadda, hours after he resigned from the post. Meanwhile, Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha were among those who took the oath of office. The two are named as Deputy Chief Ministers. Also Read | Gurugram Shocker: One Dead, Another Injured After Clash Over Parking in Baliyawas; Two Arrested. While joining the NDA fold again today RJD MLA Bhai Virendra said that the INDIA alliance will defeat the NDA. "He used to say that he would die but not join BJP...You should ask Samrat Choudhary if he would burn his 'pagari' or fulfil his promise...INDIA alliance will defeat the NDA," Virendra said. Congress MP Digvijaya Singh said that he never expected that Nitish Kumar would take such steps. "We never expected that he (Nitish Kumar) would take such steps because he always used to say that he would die but never unite with them... If he wanted to become the convenor (of INDIA alliance), we would have made him. We even offered him but he only denied the post, then what was the reason for taking such a step," Singh said. NCP chief Sharad Pawar said that the public will definitely teach Nitish Kumar a lesson for his role in future. "Whatever happened in Patna, such a situation was never seen before in such a short period of time...I remember it was Nitish Kumar who had called all the non-BJP parties to Patna...His role was also similar but what happened in the last 10-15 days that he left this ideology and today he joined BJP and formed the government...In the last 10 days, it did not seem that he would take such a step. On the contrary, he was playing a role against BJP. Don't know what happened suddenly, but the public will definitely teach him a lesson for his role in future," Pawar said. Congress leader Udit Raj said that there will be no comparison to being opportunistic. On Nitish Kumar taking oath as Bihar CM after joining NDA, Congress leader Udit Raj says, "There will be no comparison to being opportunistic. Once he said that I would die but never go with the BJP. 'Palturam' title is minimal for him (Nitish Kumar). Something higher than this should be given to him. He has again reached the same place (NDA) where he was insulted," Raj said. Meanwhile, NCP working president Supriya Sule said that it is a democracy and everyone has the right to feel, but the rest of the INDIA family stays intact. "It is clearly disappointing for us because he is a tall leader of India. But it is a democracy and everyone has the right to feel, but the rest of the INDIA family stays intact. We will not just work as an organisation but as India's family...Why should there be a problem if one ally has a difference of opinion?" Sule said. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said that negotiations will be taking place on a state-by-state basis. "Bihar mein Baahar aa gaya. Now there will be development in Bihar, both the central government and the state government will work together for the development of the state. I congratulate Nitish Kumar. NDA will win all 40 Lok Sabha seats," he added. Moreover, the NDA alliance welcomed Nitish Kumar and asserted that NDA will sweep the Lok Sabha elections in Bihar. JD(U) leader KC Tyagi expressed his happiness about the new experiment of the Bihar government. "I express my happiness on the new experiment of the Bihar government. An atmosphere of uncertainty that was prevailing has come to an end. We have earlier also worked with the BJP...We have had a good experience working with them," Tyagi said. After taking oath as a minister in the new Nitish Kumar-led government, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) president Dr Santosh Kumar Suman thanked PM Modi, CM Nitish Kumar, Jitan Ram Manjhi and all those who considered me capable of serving my state and the people of Bihar. "Now I have got a chance to serve the public again. I thank PM Modi, CM Nitish Kumar, Jitan Ram Manjhi and all those who considered me capable of serving my state and the people of Bihar... (RJD-JDU) alliance was not pure, there was pressure on Nitish Kumar and he was not able to work there... He took a good decision and joined NDA...Now there will be good governance and development in Bihar," he added. Union Minister and President of RLJP, Pashupati Kumar Paras said that the development of Bihar had stopped during their government. "Khela toh ho gaya, ab kya khela hoga...The development of Bihar had stopped during their government...Now Bihar will develop," he added. Newly elected Deputy CM of Bihar, Vijay Kumar Sinha thanked the party leadership, especially PM Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister and National President, for showing confidence in me. "I thank our party leadership, especially PM Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister and National President, for showing confidence in me...The NDA government will establish good governance and there will be development." ' On Tejashwi Yadav, he says, "He got a good opportunity to play but he could not play and failed in that game," he added. Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan said that NDA will win all 40 seats of Bihar. "It is a matter of happiness that Bihar has now got the NDA government...Looking at the current situation, I can say that NDA will win all 40 seats of Bihar," he added. RLJD Chief Upendra Kushwaha said that, "This is a natural alliance and people gave the mandate to this alliance only...Now Bihar will develop and NDA will win all 40 Lok Sabha seats." BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy said that a good atmosphere is being seen in Bihar. "There was a need for a big change in Bihar. A good atmosphere is being seen in Bihar. This is good for Bihar. We will sweep the Lok Sabha elections in Bihar," he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for taking the oath of office again- this time for the record 9th times. In a post on X, the PM said that the NDA government formed in Bihar under Nitish Kumar will leave no stone 'unturned' for the development of the state. "The NDA government formed in Bihar will leave no stone unturned for the development of the state and to fulfil the aspirations of its people. I congratulate Nitish Kumar, Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Sinha on taking oath as CM, Deputy Chief Ministers of Bihar," he posted. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his good wishes and thanked him wholeheartedly for his cooperation. "I express my gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his good wishes and thank him wholeheartedly for his cooperation. A new government has been formed in Bihar with the NDA alliance...With the NDA coalition government at the Center and the state, development work will gain momentum," Nitish Kumar said. JD(U) president Nitish Kumar was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Bihar for a record ninth term. Governor Rajendra Arlekar administered the oath of office at the Raj Bhavan in the state capital. After days of speculation, JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar resigned as the Chief Minister of Bihar on Sunday, his second volte face in less than 18 months. Snapping ties with the RJD and Congress, Nitish will now be forming a government with BJP's support, the oath-taking of which is going to take place shortly. Nitish Kumar cited the state of affairs being "not right" under the Mahagathbandhan as his reason for quitting. He said that he has been receiving suggestions from everywhere, including his party workers, and he listened to all of them to come to this decision. Despite turbulence in state politics, Nitish, whether with the Mahagathbandhan or the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), has managed to retain the CM's chair and ensured that his party has not split over his repeated flip-flops. 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. 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. In 2000, Nitish became CM for the first time after campaigning against RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav's 'Jungle Raaj'. Till now, he has been Bihar's CM on eight occasions. In 2013, Nitish broke ranks with the NDA after a 17-year alliance following the announcement of Narendra Modi as the BJP's prime ministerial candidate. He expressed his displeasure to the BJP over Modi's selection as the PM face, and after the BJP decided to not change its decision, Kumar left the alliance. In 2017, Nitish forged a grand alliance with the RJD and Congress and returned as chief minister in 2015. He walked out of the grand alliance in 2017, accusing the RJD of corruption and choking governance in the state. In 2022, Nitish Kumar snapped ties with the BJP once again, alleging the BJP was conspiring against him and trying to influence JD-U MLAs to rebel against him. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], January 28 (ANI): As the Congress party faces a crisis in its alliance with the INDIA bloc, Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Saturday took a jibe at its leadership, saying, see what happens next. Thakur also said that the INDI alliance was meant to be scattered as the Congress failed to do justice to its allies. Also Read | Indian Newspaper Day 2024: Date, History, Significance of the Day That Celebrates Journalism and Newspapers in India. "Those who could not do justice with their alliance parties, whose 'Mohabbat Ki Dukaan' showed more hatred, had to be scattered, who could not give respect and dignity, who could not decide how they would give justice. See what happens next." Union Minister Anurag Thakur. The statement of the union minister came in the backdrop of the reports, claiming that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar may switch sides by pulling his party JD(U) out of the 'mahagathbandhan' and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann's announcement that the ruling TMC and the AAP in these two states wouldn't ally with the Congress in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Also Read | Martyrs Day Dates in India: Mahatma Gandhi Punyatithi as National Observance and List of Other Rocognised Shaheed Diwas Dates in the Country. 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. If Nitish crosses over, this would be the fourth time he would be switching sides. In 2000, Nitish became CM for the first time after campaigning against RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav's 'Jungle Raaj'. Till now, he has been Bihar's CM on eight occasions. In 2013, Nitish broke ranks with the NDA after a 17-year alliance following the announcement of Narendra Modi as the BJP's prime ministerial candidate. He expressed his displeasure to the BJP over Modi's selection as the PM, and after the BJP decided not to change its decision, Kumar left the alliance. In 2017, Nitish forged a grand alliance with the RJD and Congress and returned as chief minister in 2015. He walked out of the grand alliance in 2017, accusing the RJD of corruption and choking governance in the state. In 2022, Nitish Kumar snapped ties with the BJP once again, alleging the BJP was conspiring against him and trying to influence JD-U MLAs to rebel against him. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Dibrugarh (Assam), Jan 28 (PTI) A research institute of yoga and naturopathy along with a 100-bed hospital will come up in Assam's Dibrugarh, the foundation stone for which was laid on Sunday. Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma laid the foundation of the Central Research Institute of Yoga & Naturopathy (CRIYN) and the hospital at Dihing Khamtighat in Dibrugarh, an official statement said. Also Read | Dead Man Comes Alive: Trader Calls His Relatives After Police Find His Charred Body in Andhra Pradesh. The institute will be developed over nearly 15 acres at an investment of around Rs 100 crore, with an aim at bringing a scientifically valid and useful synergy between traditional knowledge of yoga and naturopathy and modern tools of technology, it said. Sonowal, the AYUSH minister, said, "This institute is yet another testament of the government's commitment to empower Assam and the whole of North East. Also Read | 'We Will Stay Together', Says Bihar CM Nitish Kumar After Taking Oath for Ninth Time (Watch Video). "The resurgence of Ayush at the forefront of global wellness movement not only provides an economic rationale for India, but, more importantly, it is the virtuous and apt direction towards building a Swastha Bharat," he added. Sarma, in his speech, said the Union government has been lending support to the state, and the setting up of a number of central institutions is a testimony of that. The hospital will provide inpatient, outpatient and day-care services, the statement added. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Jan 28 (PTI) Tyre maker CEAT Ltd is looking to cash in on the growth of passenger vehicles sales in India, which will boost demand in the replacement market going forward, according to the company Managing Director & CEO Arnab Banerjee. The company is also gearing up to enter the passenger vehicles (PV) and truck and bus radial (TBR) tyre market in the US in the first quarter of the next fiscal, with an eye on making its international business one of the growth engines. Also Read | Indian Newspaper Day 2024: Date, History, Significance of the Day That Celebrates Journalism and Newspapers in India. "Four million cars means immediate translation into replacement demand in the next two to three years. So it is a very good trajectory. The Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) trajectory is boding very well for the replacement market," Banerjee told PTI. He was responding to a query on the impact of the growth of PV sales in India on tyre makers. Also Read | Martyrs Day Dates in India: Mahatma Gandhi Punyatithi as National Observance and List of Other Rocognised Shaheed Diwas Dates in the Country. In 2023, PV sales in India touched a record high at 41.08 lakh units, growing by 8.3 per cent over the previous year driven by SUVs, which accounted for almost half of the total dispatches from manufacturers to dealers. Banerjee further said, "What is even more heartening is that we are gaining share in the replacement market, inch by inch, not in a dramatic manner. Even if it is a decimal gain in a quarter it is a good share gain. We want to achieve market leadership in PCUV (passenger cars and utility vehicles), in a growing segment." The two other trends of electrification and premiumisation also augur well for tyre makers, he added. "Half of the cars (PVs sold) are SUVs. The tyres are larger in size with higher margins. They are margin accretive. We are quite bullish on passenger vehicle tyres. We are investing heavily in R&D and in marketing as well. Yes the (PV) market growth is good news for the tyre industry in general and for CEAT in particular," Banerjee said. The PVs tyre segment can be a growth engine for the company in the next two to three years as compared to truck-bus radials and two-wheelers in the domestic market, he said, adding the segment will also be a growth engine in the international market as well. "We are very small in the international market. Although our scale is quite big, in the context of the market size we are small. So the scope for growth is high," he said. On international expansion plans, Banerjee said, "We are launching in the US in Q1 (of next fiscal). So it will be a big play in the overall topline growth of CEAT in times to come. The US launch will be PCUV and TBR. We are already present in the agri radial there. So, there will be three categories which will be there in the US soon." When asked for the outlook for the remaining part of the ongoing fiscal, he said, "We expect the replacement market to be better in February and definitely in March. January is a low month because of winter." In terms of category, he said, "We intend to continue pushing for market share in our passenger categories. OEM definitely will be better in Q4 hopefully, because we will keep getting approvals." As for the international markets, he said there are some headwinds in Europe because of the recession. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) KYODO NEWS - Jan 28, 2024 - 11:57 | All, World, Japan Japan and the United States have recently agreed to begin joint research on artificial intelligence in the hope of using the technology for drones that would work in tandem with the Asian nation's next fighter jet. Japan plans to co-develop a next-generation fighter aircraft with Britain and Italy by 2035. While the United States, Japan's key security ally, is not part of the fighter jet project, it has sought to bolster defense cooperation with Tokyo, including in autonomous systems capabilities. The objective of the joint AI study is to "revolutionize airborne combat by merging state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and machine learning with advanced unmanned air vehicles," the U.S. Air Force said in a press release issued last month upon the signing of the agreement. "The AI developed in this joint research is expected to be applied to UAVs operated alongside Japan's next fighter aircraft," it said, emphasizing that the collaboration will be beneficial for maintaining "technological advantages" of the Japan-U.S. alliance. The drones can be used to collect data by flying near fighter jets. The three-way fighter jet development deal was reached in December 2022, with the United States announcing its support of Japan's defense cooperation with the two NATO members as the Asian nation faces a severe security environment, particularly in the face of an increasingly assertive China. Tokyo had initially sought to collaborate with U.S. defense firms in developing new fighters but decided to look for other partners due to strict U.S. rules on information confidentiality. Japan wants to develop a successor to its F-2 planes, while Britain and Italy aim to replace their Eurofighter jets. The fighter jet program marks Japan's first joint defense equipment development deal with a country other than the United States. Related coverage: Amazon to invest 2 tril. yen in Japan's cloud business amid AI boom Global chip market forecast to grow to record $588 bil. in 2024 Nikon develops AI system that can detect cows are about to give birth Dera Bugti [Balochistan], January 28 (ANI): Exposing the atrocities of the Pakistan Army, the Baloch Republican Party has claimed that the labour quarters of Sui town in Dera Bugti district have been sealed by the enforcement agencies. Taking the matter to the social media platform 'X' on Sunday, the spokesperson of the party, Sher Mohammad Bugti, claimed that so far, 150 people have been taken into custody by the law enforcement agencies of Pakistan at the Sui Gas field. Bugti also claimed that the families and children of the labourers have also not been spared. Also Read | Turkey Church Attack: One Killed in Armed Attack on Italian Church. In the post, Bugti further said, "It's yet another tactic from the deep state to pave the way for its next candidates for its so-called 'elections'." "There is no election in Balochistan but rather selection, and only selection by the mighty ISI & army of Pakistan. There is no need for the state to conduct so much drama in order to pick a puppet, which it can do without any problem," his post added. Also Read | Maldives Parliament Brawl: Parliamentary Proceedings Halted As Opposition MPs Engage in Fight (Watch Video). https://twitter.com/sherm_brp/status/1751355358696628718?s=46&t=nbusnwoIYo9hUrDuoWfhwQ Abductions and extrajudicial killings by the hands of the Pakistan Army and Inter-Services Intelligence have been a long-standing issue for the people of Balochistan. The Baloch community, time and time again, has raised its voice against these atrocities. Currently, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) route has been blocked by the family members of three Baloch students who were allegedly abducted from Hoshap and Tajaban provinces. The abductees have been identified as Aslam, Hammal and Bahadur Chakar, and the abduction of these three Baloch individuals has now turned into a major protest in the area. "On the one hand, the people of Balochistan are protesting against the Baloch genocide and human rights violations, while the state has ruthlessly continued its inhumane policy of Baloch genocide," Mahrang posted on X. Mahrang is the leader of a huge demonstration that appealed to human rights organisations to play a bigger and more significant role in the recovery of Baloch youth. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Karachi [Pakistan], January 28 (ANI): The Karachi police on Sunday arrested around 20 workers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), merely days before the general election in the country scheduled to be held on February 8. The incident unfolded when all the major political parties in Pakistan were organising rallies throughout the country, Dawn reported. In a post on the social media platform 'X', PTI shared several videos showing party workers being dragged by police personnel during the political rally. Also Read | Turkey Church Attack: One Killed in Armed Attack on Italian Church. "Police are arresting peaceful people at Karachi during PTI's rally. These are visuals of free and fair elections," the party said in a post. In another video shared by the PTI, police personnel were seen carrying sticks while dispersing the party members forcefully. The same streak of visuals posted on X includes the political party workers being assaulted and forced to flee the place with the use of tear gas. Also Read | Maldives Parliament Brawl: Parliamentary Proceedings Halted As Opposition MPs Engage in Fight (Watch Video). The report also mentioned, that PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan said that police had arrested PTI Sindh General Secretary Ali Pal. "We strongly condemn this action by Karachi Police. It is the constitutional right of every citizen to hold a peaceful rally during the election campaign," he said. Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Asad Raza that the action against PTI workers was taken because the party did not have a no-objection certificate. Meanwhile, the PTI leader and former federal minister Hammad Azhar said that his father, the former Governor of Punjab province in Pakistan had also been arrested. Taking the matter to social media platform X, Azhar said, "My 82-year-old father has been arrested. He wanted to lead a rally as per his democratic and constitutional right. Pakistan has today been reduced to a total fascist state with zero human rights or rule of law. One Nawaz Sharif and his daughter calling the shots and ruining the country." (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Narmada (Gujarat) [India], January 28 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will be on a visit to Gujarat from January 28-30. Notably, Jaishankar is a Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat. Also Read | Israel-Hamas Conflict: US Sees Signs of Progress on Deal To Release Hostages, Bring Temporary Pause to War in Gaza. According to district officials, he will be arriving at the Vadodara airport on January 28 at around 8:10 pm (tentative). On January 29, he will participate in the inauguration of the Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) Skill Centre at Circuit House in Ektanagar. Also Read | Iran-Pakistan Conflict: President Ebrahim Raisi Stresses Coordination With Pakistani Government To Safeguard Common Border. Following this, he will also participate in the inauguration of the lab and smart class at Children's Home, Girl's Campus in Rajpipla. The EAM will also flag off new ambulances at Primary Health Centre (PHC) Lachharas later in the day. He will depart from Vadodara on January 30 at around 7 am, the officials added. Earlier on Saturday, Jaishankar spoke at the 7th India-US Forum in Delhi. He stated that the deliberations of the India-US Forum showcase the trust and openness that characterise the ties between the two nations. Prior to this, the EAM met with his French counterpart, Stephane Sejourne and discussed 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. The dialogue between the two leaders took place as French President Emmanuel Macron was on a state visit to India on the occasion of Republic Day. He had also unfurled the tricolour at his residence on January 26 as the country was immersed in Republic Day celebrations. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Tel Aviv [Israel], January 28 (ANI/TPS): Israel's Ministry of Education announced on Sunday that in light of Hamas's October 7 massacre, the Holocaust section of this year's matriculation exams will not be mandatory for graduating students this year. "Many inquiries were received from professionals and parents that dealing with the Holocaust causes enormous emotional and mental difficulty among the students, so it was decided temporarily not to oblige the students to take the Holocaust chapter as part of the matriculation exam," the ministry said in a statement, adding that this guideline is valid only for the current academic year, "in light of the proximity to the events of October 7." Also Read | Jordan: Three US Service Members Killed, Many Injured in Drone Attack by Iran-Backed Militia Groups. The statement stressed, "It is important to emphasise that the chapter on the Holocaust remains in the exam, but it is not mandatory and is subject to the discretion of the teacher according to the emotional state of the students." Holocaust studies traditionally included a high school trip to Poland to visit the Nazi concentration camps. Those visits were suspended during coronavirus travel restrictions. Also Read | Turkey Church Attack: One Killed in Armed Attack on Italian Church. A disagreement with Poland over security protocols nearly led to a cancellation of visits in 2023, but the November trip was subsequently cancelled for security reasons following Hamas's October 7 attacks. (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) New York [US], January 28 (ANI): UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced the termination of nine out of the 12 United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) staff members implicated in the October 7 Hamas attack in Israel, CNN reported One staff member was reported dead, and the identities of two others are still under clarification. Guterres emphasised the severity of the allegations and assured swift action, with an ongoing investigation and an independent review in progress. Also Read | Turkey Church Attack: One Killed in Armed Attack on Italian Church. Guterres underscored the accountability of any UN employee involved in acts of terror, including potential criminal prosecution. Despite the serious allegations, he urged countries to continue financial assistance to UNRWA, emphasising the vital support it provides to 2 million Gazans for their daily survival. Guterres warned that the current funding level would not meet all requirements to support the population in February, according to CNN. In response to the allegations against UNRWA, nine countries have temporarily paused funding for the main UN agency in Gaza. Guterres expressed understanding of their concerns but appealed to these governments to ensure the continuity of UNRWA's operations, safeguarding the humanitarian efforts benefiting thousands of men and women working in perilous conditions. Also Read | Maldives Parliament Brawl: Parliamentary Proceedings Halted As Opposition MPs Engage in Fight (Watch Video). The turmoil within the main UN agency in Gaza ensued after Israel accused some UNRWA staff members of involvement in the October 7 terror attacks by Hamas. In the aftermath of the allegations, several UNRWA employees were terminated, although specific details have not been disclosed. The US and several other countries have also suspended funding to the organisation, which employs around 13,000 people in Gaza. Guterres reiterated that any UN employee engaged in acts of terror would face accountability, and an independent review is set to provide further insights. Despite the funding pauses, he stressed the importance of distinguishing the alleged actions of specific staff members from the humanitarian work carried out by UNRWA in challenging conditions, as reported by CNN. Established by the United Nations after the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, UNRWA provides humanitarian assistance to displaced Palestinians. The organisation defines Palestinian refugees as individuals who lost both home and means of livelihood during the 1948 War, totaling 5.9 million people. Israel's rejection of the possibility of allowing displaced Palestinians to return has been a longstanding issue. The UN General Assembly has consistently renewed UNRWA's mandate, and the agency has aided four generations of Palestinian refugees, covering education, healthcare, camp infrastructure, social services, and emergency assistance during conflicts. At least 152 UNRWA staffers have been killed in Gaza since the Israel-Hamas war began. Israel and UNRWA have not disclosed the nature of the alleged involvement of UNRWA employees in the October 7 events, and the specific number of employees implicated remains unspecified. Israel shared information about 12 staffers allegedly involved in the attacks with both UNRWA and the US. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini acted swiftly upon receiving information about the alleged involvement of several employees. He terminated their contracts to protect the agency's ability to deliver humanitarian assistance in Gaza and initiated an investigation to establish the truth. Lazzarini emphasised that any UNRWA employee involved in acts of terror would be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution. In addition to the October 7 allegations, the Israel Defence Forces accused UNRWA facilities of being used for "terrorist purposes." The IDF claimed evidence incriminating UNRWA employees and pointing to the misuse of UNRWA facilities. UNRWA stated that the Office of Internal Oversight Services would investigate these claims as part of the comprehensive investigation requested by the Commissioner General. Hamas criticised the decision to terminate the employees' contracts, accusing Israel of undermining UNRWA and other humanitarian relief organizations in Gaza. Israel's relations with the UN have deteriorated, with senior UN officials criticising Israel's actions in Gaza. In December, UN Secretary-General Guterres invoked diplomatic measures to bring the conflict before the UN Security Council, urging a humanitarian ceasefire. Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, criticised the move, arguing that a ceasefire would cement Hamas' control of Gaza. The UNRWA allegations coincided with the UN's top court ordering Israel to act immediately to prevent genocide in Gaza, although it stopped short of calling for a ceasefire, CNN reported. UNRWA has been a target of Israeli criticism, accused of anti-Israel incitement, which the organisation denies. In 2017, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought to dismantle UNRWA, suggesting its merger with the main UN refugee agency. UNRWA has consistently denied allegations of diverting aid to Hamas or teaching hatred in its schools. UNRWA Chief Lazzarini described the funding suspensions as "shocking" and urged reconsideration, emphasising the potential humanitarian consequences during a time of war, displacement, and political crises. The suspension of funding by key backers raises concerns about UNRWA's ability to continue aiding people in Gaza amid fears of starvation. The US, as the organisation's largest donor, had previously cut support under Donald Trump's presidency but reinstated it under Joe Biden, CNN reported. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Islamabad, Jan 28 (PTI) Pakistan's leading political parties paced up their election campaigns on Sunday with Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf launching its manifesto while other mainstream parties held big rallies. Barrister Gohar Khan at a press conference in Islamabad unveiled the PTI's election manifesto, promising constitutional reforms. Also Read | Turkey Church Attack: One Killed in Armed Attack on Italian Church. Titled Shandaar Pakistan, Shandaar Mustaqbil aur Kharab Maazi sey chutkara', Gohar Khan promised to bring constitutional and economic reforms. One of the reforms would be that the prime minister will directly be selected by the people, Barrister Gohar said. Also Read | Maldives Parliament Brawl: Parliamentary Proceedings Halted As Opposition MPs Engage in Fight (Watch Video). We will decrease the National Assembly's tenure to four years, bring the Senate tenure to five years and will directly elect 50 per cent of Senators, he added. He said that another section of the manifesto focused on modelling the country after Riyasat-i-Madina' (State of Madina), adding that some criminal and civil laws in the country were either too lengthy or too complicated. We cannot have two laws, one for the rich and one for the poor, he added. As a barrister, I would say that rule of law is fundamental for every country, he said. The document also envisages changes in the economy to improve tax collection and address the energy shortages issues. On the foreign policy he said that Pakistan needed to have a relationship based on equality with all countries. Our first principle is that no one can interfere with Pakistan's internal affairs, Gohar said. We have adopted a policy regarding it and will move accordingly. He also announced to formation of a truth and reconciliation commission to address the injustices faced by the common man, while saying that PTI leaders who compiled the manifesto were unable to attend the press conference over fears of being arrested. Other leading parties including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) held political gatherings to woo the voters. Former premier Nawaz Sharif speaking at a rally in Sialkot said that the country he had left behind in 2017 no longer existed. He promised to create jobs for the youth and better education for all. His younger brother and another former premier addressing the same rally pledged to establish an IT city in Sialkot if the PML-N was voted to power. Nawaz Sharif's daughter Maryam Nawaz assured that every commitment made by her father would be honored. Rival PPO leader and ex-president Asif Zardari addressing a rally in the Hub area of Balochistan said only genuine political forces knew how to address the issues the country was facing. Only genuine political forces have solutions to the problems of the country. Not the political forces created by them or even the force they are trying to create now, he said. He asserted that the people of Hub also deserved colleges, hospitals, and universities. Separately, Zardari's son and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari in his address at a rally in Rawalpindi's Liaquat Bagh area, where his mother was attacked and killed after addressing a rally in 2007, said his party was committed to combating all terrorists. There will be no good or bad Taliban. We will fight all terrorists. We can only forgive those who abide by the Constitution, he said, adding that any group resorting to taking up weapons against the state would receive a befitting response. Elections are scheduled to be held on February 8 and rival parties have been trying to convince the voters to vote for their candidates. Though, PTI, PML-N and PPP are the three leading parties, several other parties are also in the contest, making it a tough competition for the candidates. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Washington, Jan 28 (PTI) Revolutionary changes are taking place in the India-US relationship, the outgoing Indian Ambassador here, Taranjit Singh Sandhu has said, stressing that the bilateral ties have only covered the tip of the iceberg and are going to go far and wide. Addressing a gathering of Indian Americans at the Republic Day celebration here, Sandhu said it is important that their second generation remains connected to India. Also Read | Iran-Pakistan Conflict: President Ebrahim Raisi Stresses Coordination With Pakistani Government To Safeguard Common Border. I only wanted to tell you that today revolutionary changes are taking place in India, also in US-India relations," he said, "And therefore it is important that your children and your families are aware of India, stay connected with India, Sandhu, who retires later this month from the foreign service after more than 35 years, said Also Read | Western Nations Suspend UNRWA Funding: Halting Support for UN Agency Poses Humanitarian Risks to Palestinians Amid Ongoing Israel-Hamas War, Says Official. As international capital and multinational companies move into India, all the young Indian Americans will be uniquely placed to get most of those job opportunities, Sandhu said. So therefore, not only for emotional, cultural, and so many other reasons but also for economic and commercial reasons, pay attention, stay connected with India, Sandhu said. The event in McLean, Virginia was organised by the National Council of Asian Indian Associations. The outgoing ambassador was also felicitated by the community leaders for his role in strengthening the India-US relationship. Sandhu speaking at another farewell reception organised by the Indian American Business Impact Group said that the India-US relationship has so far only touched the tip of an iceberg. The fact is, we have only covered the tip of the iceberg. In all these sectors, this relationship is going to go far and wide," he said. "We are already hearing about AI, the different dimensions of AI (Artificial intelligence). India is going to play a very, very important and critical role. Look at any of the International Monetary Fund or World Bank projections, the recovery of the world economy, India will be playing a very critical role, he said. Sandhu reiterated that for the career prospects, jobs and growth of their kids, Indian Americans should remain connected to India. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Taipei [Taiwan], January 28 (ANI): Kuomintang legislator Lai Shibao announced today that he has withdrawn from running for the Kuomintang Legislative Yuan in the new session. The general call of the party group. Lai Shibao said that internal unity is far better than anything else, and he hopes to put an end to the election of the Kuomintang general secretary and to focus on the outside world and not find enemies internally. The election for the general convenor and secretary-general of the Kuomintang League in the new session will be held. Registration ends on the 25th. Legislators Fu Kunqi and Lai Shibao have registered to run for the general convenor, while legislators Hong Mengkai and Lin Siming have registered to run for the secretary-general. All parties will vote on the 30th Coordination can be done beforehand. Also Read | Israel-Hamas Conflict: US Sees Signs of Progress on Deal To Release Hostages, Bring Temporary Pause to War in Gaza. Lai Shibao issued a statement on Facebook today, announcing his withdrawal from the party caucus general election. He hopes to put an end to the Kuomintang general election, speak out in unison to the outside world, and not find enemies internally. Lai Shibao said that for more than 20 years, he has served as a party whip in the Legislative Yuan, negotiating bills and budgets with the outside world, leading party members to conduct offensive and defensive discussions with the outside world, coordinating party members to enter various committees of their choice, and assisting in handling urgent issues, etc., all with the spirit of service. Mentality, get along harmoniously and harmoniously with every party member, and have established deep revolutionary emotions. Also Read | Iran-Pakistan Conflict: President Ebrahim Raisi Stresses Coordination With Pakistani Government To Safeguard Common Border. Lai Shibao said that there are only two outcomes in the election: losing or winning. If you want to win, you will face an extremely cruel war. You must make every effort to win the final victory. As the voting day approaches, he directly or indirectly learned that some party members are facing a war between heaven and man. They expressed their unbearable pain in making the decision to vote, and expressed the hope that through coordination, everyone would not have to vote in pain. Lai Shibao pointed out that pondering over such a result goes against his original intentions and principles. After all, the Kuomintang does not have more than half of the legislative seats this time, and it is an extremely fragile majority. If he wants to exert supervision and checks and balances on the future Lai government, internal unity is far better than anything else. The torn party group has caused confrontation and disputes. Our own people will consume their combat power first and will not be able to stop Yaba's ruling party. (ANI/CNA) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Gwalior, January 28: A couple and their 17-year-old son were found hanging at their home in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior district on Sunday, police said. A suicide note purportedly written by the boy was also found in which he mentioned that he was taking the extreme step as he was disturbed due to a person, an official said. The three persons - Jitendra Jha (50), his wife Triveni Jha (40) and their son Achal Jha (17) - lived in Hurawali Colony under Sirol police station area, Gwalior's Senior Superintendent of Police Rajesh Singh Chandel said. Surat 'Mass Suicide': Family of Seven Die by Suicide in Surat, Investigation Underway, Say Police (Watch Video). When their neighbours didn't see the family since Saturday evening, they informed the police, he said. The bodies of the three persons were found hanging when the police broke into the house, the official said. He said cut marks were also found on the wrist of Jitendra. All the articles in the house were found intact, the official said. A suicide note written by Achal was also found which mentioned the name of a person whom he held responsible for the extreme act, he said. Gujarat Shocker: 40-Year-Old Man Beaten to Death After Dispute Over His Daughters Award at Garba Event in Porbandar. The official said it is suspected that first Achal committed suicide by hanging himself and later his parents, upset over it, took the extreme step. Forensic evidence was being collected and the case was being investigated, he said. Vinod Jha, a relative of the deceased, told reporters that Jitendra was a builder while his wife was a teacher in a school. Their son was a student of class 12, he said. He expressed shock over the incident and said the family's financial condition was good. Chandigarh, January 28: Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said his party will contest all the 90 assembly seats in Haryana on its own, but the Lok Sabha polls will be fought as part of the INDIA bloc. The Lok Sabha polls are due in April-May while the assembly elections will be held later this year a few months after the general elections. Arvind Kejriwal Summoned by ED: Enforcement Directorate Issues Fourth Summons to Delhi CM in Excise Policy Case for January 18 "Today people only have trust in one party, which is the Aam Aadmi Party. On one side, they see Punjab, and on the other, our government in Delhi. Today Haryana is seeking a big change. In Delhi and Punjab, people made this big change earlier and now people there are happy," he said at his party's 'Badlaav Jansabha' in Jind. Delhi Kalkaji Mandir Jagran Stage Collapse: CM Arvind Kejriwal Condoles Death of Woman in Kalkaji Incident The AAP will contest all the 90 assembly seats in Haryana on its own, but the Lok Sabha polls will be fought as part of the INDIA bloc, Kejriwal said. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was also present at the event. Design Space AlUla, a dynamic space promoting collaboration across the design spectrum, opens next month during the arts festival in AlUla. Located in the AlJadidah Arts District, it is a focal point for showcasing the ancient Saudi city's wide ranging design initiatives contributing to the vision for AlUla, said a statement from Design Space AlUla. It provides exhibition, workshop and archive space, and is designed to foster collaboration among design professionals, students, and design enthusiasts, whilst strengthening AlUlas legacy across the cultural sphere as a catalyst for creative inspiration and design. Design Space AlUla is a contemporary building made of corten steel, glass and polished concrete. The architecture, designed by Gio Forma Studio, is a homage to the breezeblock used widely across buildings in the surrounding AlJadidah Arts District, it stated. Shaped around a plaza, the luminous courtyard design is complemented by the exposed geometrical brickwork, taking the form of an intricate lattice facade, bringing further light and natural ventilation throughout the building, said the statement. Design Space AlUla provides exhibition, workshop and archive space, and is designed to foster collaboration among design professionals, students, and design enthusiasts, whilst strengthening the ancient citys legacy across the cultural sphere as a catalyst for creative inspiration and design, it added. According to experts, the new space will open with its inaugural exhibition Mawrid: Celebrating Inspired Design. It will introduce the design thinking process behind 10 recent AlUla-inspired designs across design, architecture and urban planning. It will be the first in an ongoing expo programme, launching on February 15 and running until June 1. Through its series of exhibitions, workshops and archive, under the direction of Sara Ghani, the Curator of the gallerys inaugural exhibition, Design Space AlUla aims to engage with emerging and established design professionals, regionally and internationally, to explore design principles and creative design processes through the lens of the citys natural and cultural landscape. "The space will be inclusive of all design disciplines from architecture and urban planning, to product and graphic design. It will support and engage with the design community, whilst highlighting the wider role of design in the regions character, quality of life and wider economy," stated Ghani. Projects explored in the exhibition include Gio Forma Studio/Black Engineerings Maraya, a 9,740 sq m mirror-clad venue that blends with its awe-inspiring surroundings, echoing the natural textures and colours of AlUla; the plans for the renovation of Madrasat Addeera, AlUlas first arts and design centre, by UK-based Hopkins Architects; Roth Architectures Azulik Eco Resort which draws inspiration from the stories of wind and erosion, ensuring the project seamlessly integrates with its natural surroundings; SAL Architects renovation of the historic Ammar Bin Yasser Mosque, which collaborated closely with the community to ensure a respectful and harmonious transformation; and AlUlas Cultural Oasis District Masterplan, guided by Prior + Partners in collaboration with Allies and Morrison, each driven by the mission to cherish and protect the cultural and natural landscape that has made AlUla a place where communities, travellers, traders and pilgrims have, for millennia, wanted to live, pass through, rest, and exchange cultural traditions. Other exhibitors include finalists from the second edition of AlUla Design Awards namely Imane Mellah, Teeb, Sara Kanoo and Shaddah Studio, and representation from the first edition of the AlUla Design Residency, a five-month programme in AlUla that brings together designers and experts on-site to work across multiple disciplines such as infrastructure development and architectural design. The five design practices engaged in the residency are: Bahraini Danish from Bahrain and Denmark, Hall Haus from France, Studio Leo Orta from France, Studio Raw Material from India, and Leen Ajlan from Saudi Arabia. "Design Space AlUla commits to celebrating AlUlas natural history, its cultural heritage, and vernacular materials - inspiring sustainable futures that are rooted in place," noted Ghani. "Our ambition is to fuel the design economy, provide resources to designers to explore and experiment, and be a place for visitors to research, explore and connect with the processes behind AlUlas design journey," he added.-TradeArabia News Service KYODO NEWS - Jan 28, 2024 - 21:01 | World, All A senior official of Myanmar's military government attended a meeting of foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Laos as a nonpolitical representative, diplomatic sources said Sunday. The attendance of the senior Foreign Ministry official at the meeting in Luang Prabang that began Sunday comes ahead of the third anniversary of the military coup that toppled Myanmar's democratically elected government of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Feb. 1, 2021. Myanmar had boycotted ministerial meetings since ASEAN members decided in October 2021 to allow only a nonpolitical representative from the country to attend. This year's ASEAN chair Laos has been willing to engage with Myanmar's military regime. The junta initially sought to have a higher-ranking official such as its foreign minister join the meeting but the plan was rejected by ASEAN members. The military regime has violently suppressed pro-democracy protesters but fighting between the regime and ethnic groups has been intensifying since October. ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Related coverage: Japan, ASEAN vow to widen cooperation as they mark 50 years of ties Myanmar shadow government urges Japan to step up pressure on junta At least 29 killed by Myanmar junta airstrike on refugee camp: report Sri Lankan navy on Sunday, January 28 said that suspected pirates have hijacked a fishing trawler off Somalia coast. According to several reports, Somali pirates seized the multi-day fishing trawler with six fishermen onboard in the Arabian Sea. The kidnapping allegedly took place at a distance of around 1,160 nautical miles from the coast of Sri Lanka. Following the incident, Sri Lanka sought assistance from the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), the largest global maritime security partnership, in securing the release of the Sri Lankan fishing trawler along with its crew members. Indian Navy Warship Reaches Hijacked Vessel MV Lila Norfolk off Somalia Coast, Issues Warning to Pirates. Sri Lankan Fishing Trawler Hijacked: BREAKING: Suspected pirates have hijacked a fishing trawler off Somalia, Sri Lanka navy says pic.twitter.com/UxyCmaeJQV Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) January 28, 2024 (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.) New Delhi, January 28: Generative AI (GenAI) will free up to 10 per cent of clinicians' time, translating into an estimated $100 billion in annual healthcare savings in Asia/Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) by 2025, to realise more workflow automation and efficiency. By the end of 2027, driven by the demand to scale hyper-personalised patient experiences, improve collaboration, and foster equity, 60 per cent of Asia/Pacific healthcare organisations will double GenAI investments, according to an IDC report. GenAI is emerging as a transformative force in healthcare and is set to impact workforce efficiency and hyper-personalisation in the care processes. With the advent of GenAI and the need for consumerization of care, the next five years are set to be the defining period for the healthcare sector, and we are currently at the starting point of this exciting journey, said Manoj Vallikkat, senior research manager, healthcare insights, IDC Asia/Pacific. Generative AI Has Potential To Impact 44% of All Working Hours Across Industries, Create USD 6 to 8 Trillion in Global Economic Value: Report. Driven by the need for improved diagnostic accuracy, speed, and workflow efficiency, care providers in Asia/Pacific will see a 60 per cent increase in AI solution adoption by 2026. By 2027, 50 per cent of the healthcare industry in Asia/Pacific will leverage GenAI to address data and workflow fragmentation across care settings to improve diagnosis and patient safety to scale care anywhere, the report mentioned. Gen AI for Business: 71% of Enterprises Experimenting With Real Use Cases for Generative AI To Accelerate Business Growth, Says Report. By 2026, a doubling of hospital-at-home patients will propel a 55 per cent growth in investments in tech-enabled integrated care initiatives to address patient safety, workforce, and care access concerns in Asia/Pacific. In the healthcare sector, the unique risks associated with AI are significant, which necessitates a greater focus on explainability and data security, added Vallikkat. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 28, 2024 10:36 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Seoul, January 28: Days after Pyongyang test-fired new strategic cruise missiles from the west coast, North Korea has fired several cruise missiles from its east coast on Sunday, the South Korean military said. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said the North's launch took place around 8 a.m. in waters off Shinpo Port, but did not elaborate, citing an ongoing analysis, Yonhap news agency reported. "While strengthening our monitoring and vigilance, our military has been closely coordinating with the US to monitor additional signs of North Korea's provocations," the JCS said in a text message to reporters. South Korea Says North Korea Fired Several Cruise Missiles, Adding to Provocative Weapons Tests. Experts said the Pulhwasal-3-31 appears to be a nuclear-capable cruise missile, considering that the number in its name is identical to that of the Hwasan-31, a tactical nuclear warhead that North Korea first unveiled in March 2023. The North first test-fired the Hawsal-1 cruise missile in September 2021 and launched several Hwasal-1 and -2 cruise missiles presumed to be capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons last year. The launch of a cruise missile is not a direct violation of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions banning the North's use of ballistic missile technology. But it could pose a serious threat to South Korea's security as nuclear warheads can be mounted on such missiles. North Korea Fires Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missiles Into East Sea. North Korea has dialed up tensions on the Korean Peninsula with weapons tests and harsh rhetoric in an election year for South Korea and the United States. North launched a solid-fuel hypersonic missile into the East Sea on Jan. 14 in its first missile firing this year. Pyongyang also claimed it had tested an underwater nuclear attack drone in protest of the latest joint military drills among South Korea, the U.S. and Japan earlier this month. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 28, 2024 03:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Dominica may not be the first country on your list of tourist destinations in the Caribbean, but this small island nation has plenty to offer. Many consider the entire country a hidden gem for travelers as it is known for "off-the-beaten-path" experiences. According to Weather.com, Dominica is often considered "The Nature Island of the Caribbean," and it fits as most of its tourist destinations are nature-related, with its history as an outdoor and adventure destination being a best-kept secret among adventure travelers for decades. 5 Places To Visit in the Hidden Gem Known as Dominica Dominica has had the unlucky reputation of always being confused with the Dominican Republic, another country in the Caribbean that is much more well-known, and whether this has affected the country's tourism is still up for debate. However, there are still plenty of places to visit here and enjoy. Whale Watching in the Caribbean Sea The entirety of Dominica is surrounded by the Caribbean Sea, and the country has since become a hotspot for nature lovers, particularly whale watchers. This rise in whale watching has become a boost in the country's tourism industry, so much so that it was even featured in CBS News's "60 Minutes" program, according to Travel Market Report. This then led more people to visit the island to see the whales, many of which are rare and endangered. Morne Trois Pitons National Park This place is considered the crown jewel of Dominica, known for its beautiful views, lush forests, and scenic mountainside. This 17,000-acre park is also protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to many other attractions, including a few listed here. However, one of the main highlights may be the Titou Gorge, which was previously featured in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie franchise. Other areas to visit here include the Valley of Desolation, a volcanic landscape with boiling mud ponds, steaming hot springs, and hissing mini-geysers. READ MORE: Dominica Food: 5 Dishes To Try in the Caribbean Island The Boiling Lake Another notable attraction within the Morne Trois Pitons National Park is the Boiling Lake, which is an uncanny-looking pool full of bubbly greenish water tucked in a tiny village in the middle of the island, according to Travel.com. It is believed to be a flooded fumarole that releases hot gases from molten lava through vents and is also considered the second-largest boiling lake in the world. However, tourists are not advised to go near this scalding lake as it is too hot to swim in. Champagne Reed A nice way to experience Dominica's wildlife is through snorkeling, and one of the top destinations for that in the country is Champagne Reef, which is gaining a reputation for its beautiful coral and rich biodiversity. Fort Shirley For history buffs, one of the go-to destinations would be Fort Shirley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that overlooks Prince Rupert Bay and Dominica's northwest coast. The view from the fort is stunning, as it boasts colonial-era architecture and canons. It also has a museum that tells the tale of the uprising of enslaved African soldiers. READ MORE: Barbados: 5 Incredible Places in Rihanna's Home Country This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: 9 BEST Things to do in Dominica (& Places to VISIT) | Dominica Travel Guide - Before You Go Donald Trump's losing streak in court cases continues, this time in the E. Jean Carroll rape case after a New York jury awarded her $83.3 million in damages in her lawsuit against the former president. The New York jury was able to reach a quick verdict after just around three hours. This is now the second time Trump has lost to Carroll, with a different New York jury previously finding him liable for not just sexually assaulting the former Elle Magazine columnist but also for defaming her. Previously, Trump was ordered to pay Carroll $5 million in her sexual assault and defamation verdict last year from another jury. This means that Carroll has now raised $88.3 million in court case verdicts against the embattled former president. However, Trump and his attorney, Alina Habba, vowed to appeal. After the verdict, the ex-POTUS was protesting vigorously, according to the Associated Press. Meanwhile, Carroll was all smiles and was hugging her attorneys as the 9-person jury delivered its verdict. However, she declined to comment as she left the New York courthouse. The breakdown of the damages awarded to Carroll includes $7.3 million in compensatory damages outside of the reputation repair program, $11 million in compensatory damages for a reputation repair program only, and finally, $65 million in punitive damages. Donald Trump Storms Out and Rants After Losing Case Against E. Jean Carroll As for Donald Trump, he had been in a very foul mood during the trial, reportedly storming out while Carroll's attorneys were delivering their closing arguments. However, he came back to hear his lawyers deliver their closing arguments. READ MORE: Donald Trump Prepared To Cry Foul and Repeat His Debunked Voter Fraud Claims Should He Lose Soon after, he posted his reaction on Truth Social. This happened just a few minutes after the verdict was read, vowing to appeal, according to NBC News. "Absolutely ridiculous!" he posted. "I fully disagree with both verdicts." He blamed the Democrats for Carroll suing him for things he said on TV, adding, "Our Legal System is out of control, and being used as a Political Weapon." He then added, "They have taken away all First Amendment rights," before going all caps as he ended his post, saying, "THIS IS NOT AMERICA!" In a separate post, he added, "There is no longer Justice in America. Our Judicial System is Broken and Unfair!" He was sued again by Carroll for disparaging comments he made during a CNN Town Hall shortly after losing the previous case last year. Judge Tells Jurors Not To Tell Anybody They Were Part of the Donald Trump Rape Case Given that it has already been established that Donald Trump supporters may act violently on behalf of their favorite politician, Judge Lewis Kaplan reportedly told the jurors not to talk about their roles in the trial, according to CNN. The judge stated that they could not reveal the identity of the other jurors before telling them, "My advice to you is that you never disclose that you were on this jury, and I won't say anything more about it." READ MORE: Donald Trump is Confused Why Co-Defendants Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis, Kenneth Chesebro Pleaded Guilty This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: BREAKING: Trump storms out of court, judge threatens Trump attorney with jail - Brian Tyler Cohen The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Friday that New York ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo subjected a minimum of 13 women to a "sexually hostile work environment" during his time in office, according to CNBC. The DOJ's findings were part of an agreement with the current executive office of the state. The allegations include non-consensual sexual contact, unwelcome comments, ogling, gender-based nicknames, comments on physical appearances, and preferential treatment based on looks. The DOJ investigation, initiated in August 2021 amid escalating sexual harassment accusations, revealed that Cuomo's office was aware of his conduct but failed to effectively address it. Instead, efforts were made to shield the former governor from further accusations, and senior staff allegedly retaliated against four of the women who had been harassed. The New York ex-Governor's attorney, Rita Glavin, responded to the DOJ's announcement by stating that the former governor "did not sexually harass anyone." Glavin criticized the DOJ's investigation, asserting it was based on a report from the New York State Attorney General that she described as "deeply flawed, inaccurate, biased, and misleading." READ NEXT: Ex-WWE Employee Accuses Vince McMahon of Sexual Abuse Reactions from Attorneys and DOJ Agreement Attorneys representing some of the women who accused Andrew Cuomo expressed satisfaction with the DOJ's steps to prevent future abuses, CNN noted. Mariann Wang, an attorney for two accusers, and Debra Katz, an attorney for Charlotte Bennett, voiced hope that the settlement would lead to lasting change. "We are pleased the US Attorney's office and the Executive Chamber have taken serious steps to ensure nothing like the abuse Cuomo engaged in will happen again," said Wang. The agreement memorializes reforms initiated by Cuomo's successor, Governor Kathy Hochul. These include a new process for complaints against senior officials and an anti-retaliation monitoring policy to protect complainants. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke emphasized that the settlement addresses past failures and aims to prevent the recurrence of systemic sexual harassment. "With this settlement agreement, the Executive Chamber under Governor Hochul is undertaking additional actions that will address system failures of the past while helping prevent the recurrence of systemic sexual harassment and retaliation in the future," Clarke said. Governor Hochul, who took office after Cuomo's resignation in August 2021, highlighted the steps taken to eliminate a culture of harassment in the Executive Chamber. Hochul emphasized the importance of promoting a safe workplace for all employees and expressed her pleasure at the DOJ acknowledging these efforts. Andrew Cuomo's Legal Battles New York ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo, facing numerous lawsuits since leaving office, has continued his legal battles. His legal fees are being partly covered by New York taxpayers, POLITICO reports. Cuomo's attempt to force depositions from women involved in the state Attorney General's report has drawn criticism, with accusers' attorneys accusing him of trying to "retraumatize" them. Lindsey Boylan, the first woman to publicly accuse Cuomo, responded to the new report by asserting that these events did happen. Andrew Cuomo, who resigned after a decade in office, has not ruled out another run for elected office and has considered a potential run for New York City mayor, but only if the incumbent Democrat Eric Adams is not in the race. The DOJ's agreement with the state marks a significant development in addressing the allegations against Cuomo and implementing reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future. READ MORE: Florida Public Universities Remove Sociology in Core Curriculum This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: Department of Justice says Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed staffers - From FOX 5 New York Kenya's High Court issued a ruling on Friday, prohibiting the deployment of Kenya police officers to Haiti to assist in curbing gang violence, AP reports. High Court Judge Chacha Mwita stated that Kenya's National Security Council lacks the authority to deploy regular police outside the country. In November, Kenya's parliament approved the deployment of 1,000 officers to lead a multinational 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. Judge Mwita, responding to an application from Thirdway Alliance Party leader Ekuru Aukot, emphasized that while Kenya's offer was commendable, it needed to align with the constitution. Aukot argued that the government's plan to send officers to Haiti was illegal. The government plans to appeal the decision, as confirmed by Kenyan government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura. READ NEXT: Haiti Orphanage Founder Faces Criminal Charge of Sexual Abuse Haiti's Ongoing Crisis and Mixed Reactions The ruling coincides with the Haitian government's urgent plea for a multinational force to aid its police in tackling rampant violence. Haiti, facing prolonged turmoil, experiences armed gangs seizing control and inflicting brutal violence, further exacerbating economic and public health challenges. Gang-related violence escalated following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise almost three years ago. In response to Haiti's plea, the United Nations Security Council had approved the Kenya-led mission in October. However, the planned deployment faced criticism in Kenya, with opposition politician Ekuru Aukot filing a petition against it. Haiti recorded 3,000 homicides and over 1,500 kidnappHaitiings for ransom between January and September 2023, leading to widespread protests and calls for Prime Minister Ariel Henry's resignation, according to Al Jazeera. Despite the Security Council's approval, concerns over human rights violations and the effectiveness of external interventions persisted. Meanwhile, Haiti's foreign minister urgently appeals for the accelerated deployment of a multinational force, describing gang violence in the country as barbaric, akin to horrors experienced in war zones. Addressing the UN Security Council, he expresses hope for swift international support for Haitian security forces. Mixed Reactions in Haiti and Concerns Over Human Rights Haiti community members expressed mixed reactions to the possible deployment. While some saw the mission as an opportunity to address the humanitarian crisis, others viewed it as unnecessary external intervention, BBC noted. Aukot, the Kenyan opposition leader who filed the case, hailed the court ruling as a win for Kenya, asserting that the country should prioritize its security challenges. President William Ruto defended the deployment, describing it as a "mission for humanity" in a nation grappling with colonialism's impact. However, concerns were raised over the suitability of Kenya police officers for the mission, with worries about potential human rights violations. Human Rights Watch has documented instances of Kenyan police violence, dating back to 2013. The Kenya government, denying allegations of human rights violations, expressed disappointment at the ruling. One of the Kenya police officers, trained for two months, expresses demoralization after the court ruling preventing deployment to Haiti. Despite disappointment, he intends to utilize the training in service within Kenya. The ruling is the second setback for the government on the same day, following a separate rejection of an attempt to overturn a housing levy block. This development comes amid criticism from Ruto against judges he accuses of corruption for impeding government policies. 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: Court blocks Kenya police Haiti deployment - From KTN News Kenya The death penalty debate in the US heated up once again after Alabama executed a prisoner using the Nitrogen Gas Execution method, with the state's attorney general vowing to use that method again in future executions. On Thursday, Alabama became the first state to use nitrogen hypoxia, also known as nitrogen gas execution, to execute a convicted criminal, with convicted murderer Kenneth Eugene Smith making history as the first person to die from that method. In a nitrogen gas execution, the nitrogen gas causes asphyxiation by forcing an individual to inhale pure nitrogen or lethally high concentrations of it via a gas mask, according to CBS News. Smith reportedly convulsed as he was suffering asphyxiation during his execution. "What occurred last night was textbook," Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall told reporters after the execution. "As of last night, nitrogen hypoxia as a means of execution is no longer an untested method. It is a proven one." Smith was given the then-experimental execution method after surviving a botched lethal injection execution back in 2022. He reportedly requested the method of death even though his attorneys argued that he was being used as a "test subject." During his execution, protesters gathered to decry the use of the death penalty and rallied against the use of experimental execution methods, such as nitrogen gas execution. Human rights advocates also railed against Alabama's decision to execute criminals. READ MORE: Donald Trump Gets Laughed at in Court During Latest Rape Trial in New York Who Was Alabama Man Who Was Executed Via Nitrogen Gas? Kenneth Eugene Smith is a convicted killer who has been on death row since 1990 and was originally supposed to be executed in 2022. In his last words, he reportedly said, "Tonight Alabama caused humanity to take a step backward. I'm leaving with love, peace, and light. Thank you for supporting me. Love all of you." He was convicted of the 1988 murder of Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett, who was married to a local minister who was having an affair and was in debt, according to PEOPLE magazine. He was supposed to be executed via electrocution before it was changed to lethal injection, which he survived. His victim's husband, Charles Sennett, reportedly hired Smith to kill Elizabeth and to make it look like a burglary gone wrong. Smith and another accomplice, who was previously executed in 2010, killed her after stabbing her multiple times. Sennett himself committed suicide soon after. Death Penalty Debate Rages After Successful Alabama Nitrogen Gas Execution Meanwhile, Smith's supporters expressed alarm at how the execution happened, as the Associated Press reported that he convulsed in seizure-like spasms for at least two minutes. He was shaking so much that his gurney was also visibly shaking. Death penalty opponents said that Smith's execution did not match the state's promise of a quick and painless death, including his spiritual adviser, Reverend Jeff Hood, who attended the execution. "We didn't see somebody go unconscious in 30 seconds. What we saw was minutes of someone struggling for their life," the preacher told the AP. READ MORE: Donald Trump is Confused Why Co-Defendants Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis, Kenneth Chesebro Pleaded Guilty This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH:Witness describes final moments of Alabama prisoner Kenneth Smith killed with nitrogen gas - AL.com The family of Gloria Serge, an 85-year-old Florida grandmother tragically killed by an alligator near her home, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the retirement community, alleging a failure to protect residents from the 10-foot predator, per the NY Post. The Florida alligator attack occurred on February 20, as Serge tried to shield her small dog from the alligator's attack behind her Spanish Lakes Fairways home. Surveillance Footage Reveals Terrifying Attack Surveillance footage captured the Florida alligator attack, with the reptile advancing towards Serge's dog, eventually emerging from the water and attacking her. The Florida grandmother was pulled to the ground, with the alligator biting her feet before dragging her into the pond, according to Fox News. Bill Serge, the victim's son, announced the lawsuit against Wynne Building Corp., the developer and manager of the retirement community, during a news conference with attorneys. "I received a phone call that every son dreads," Bill Serge expressed. "No child should have to bury their mom under such horrible circumstances. This was a tragedy that was 100% preventable." The lawsuit, filed by Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith, PLLC, asserts that Wynne Building Corporation was negligent. It claims the company was aware of the alligator's presence in the pond but failed to take appropriate action, such as removing the animal or posting warning signs. Residents had reportedly nicknamed the alligator "Henry." READ NEXT: Florida Woman Dead Following Alligator Attack Florida Retirement Community Allegedly Forces Victim to Walk Near Pond The legal complaint outlines that the Florida grandmother began walking her dog in her backyard after being restricted from using the development-owned dog run, located over a mile away. The pond where the tragic Florida alligator attack occurred was in her backyard, as stated in the lawsuit. The complaint alleges that the Florida retirement community compelled Serge to walk her dog near the retention pond, known to harbor dangerous alligators, CNN reports. The lawsuit contends that the defendant allowed residents and staff to feed wildlife, including the infamous "Henry," fostering an environment where alligators became accustomed to human contact. The Statewide Nuisance Alligator Problem hotline, available for removing alligators over four feet long, could have been used to address the situation, according to the law firm. Joshua D. Ferraro, an attorney with Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith, PLLC, emphasized the duty of property owners to identify and address dangerous conditions. "Unfortunately, the managers at Spanish Lakes Fairways failed to live up to their obligations, and as a direct result, Gloria died a horrible and terrifying death," he said. While Florida is home to over 1.25 million alligators, attacks are infrequent. From 1948 to 2021, there were 442 unprovoked bite attacks, resulting in 26 deaths, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Joel Wynne, president of Florida retirement community, Wynne Building Corporation, responded to the lawsuit, expressing understanding of the Florida grandmother's tragedy. He highlighted the community's 37-year history, with approximately 3,000 residents, and mentioned that this was the first incident of an alligator attacking a resident. READ MORE: California Man Found Guilty of Killing a Boy Amid Road Rage This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: Florida family's lawsuit claims fatal alligator attack was preventable - From NBC News KYODO NEWS - Jan 28, 2024 - 13:47 | All, Japan A man thought to be the suspect on a wanted list for one of a series of terrorist bombings in the 1970s lived in Kanagawa Prefecture as a building firm employee for decades under a false name, investigative sources said Sunday. The man, who has been hospitalized with terminal cancer and earlier this week confessed to being Satoshi Kirishima, a member of an extreme left-wing group, lived under the name Hiroshi Uchida, the sources said. The man does not possess a health insurance card or driver's license and has been receiving cancer treatment at a hospital in Kamakura at his own expense. Police are investigating how he settled in Kanagawa Prefecture and whether anyone helped him survive on the run, the sources said. The police posted photographs of the man at various public locations such as stations in their efforts over the years to trace his whereabouts. According to the sources, the man initially claimed to be Hiroshi Uchida at the hospital when he was admitted earlier this month. But he identified himself as Satoshi Kirishima on Thursday. Due to his deteriorating health condition, the police are expected to question him on a voluntary basis and send the case to prosecutors without arresting him. 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 that he planted and detonated a homemade bomb in a building in Tokyo's Ginza district on April 19, 1975. The terrorist group Kirishima belonged to carried out a number of attacks on Japanese companies and entities, including the bombing of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.'s headquarters in central Tokyo in 1974 that killed eight people and injured 165. The group also targeted Japanese 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 over their involvement in the attacks. As some suspects, including 75-year-old Ayako Daidoji, are still on the run overseas, the statute of limitations in Kirishima's case has been suspended. Related coverage: 1970s bombing fugitive may have worked in Kanagawa Pref.: sources Police question man believed to be 1970s bombing fugitive The outlook for Pennsylvanias war against the opioid epidemic is looking bleak. Newspaper headlines and television news programs are consistently broadcasting the latest drug bust or opioid-related death. According to data from the state Attorney Generals office, approximately every two hours, one Pennsylvanian dies from a drug overdose. That statistic is frightening. Opioid addiction can happen to anyone it doesnt discriminate against age, gender, race or socioeconomic background. It impacts rural, suburban, and urban areas alike. It is destroying families and communities. In our efforts to combat the opioid epidemic and reduce the number of overdoses, we need a multi-prong strategy that utilizes all of the tools available. As new overdose treatment methods are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, they need to be implemented immediately by our emergency responders, health care providers and law enforcement. The Irish justice minister has voiced support for Ireland joining South Africas genocide challenge against Israel in the UNs top court. Helen McEntee said she was personally in favour of joining the case but acknowledged the Government first needed to take time to study all aspects of the case following the interim ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The ICJ ordered Israel to prevent genocidal acts in Gaza but stopped short of ordering a ceasefire. It could be years before the case reaches final judgment. Following the interim ruling, Irelands deputy premier Micheal Martin said the Government would strongly consider an intervention in South Africas case as it proceeds, but not before it carried out a detailed analysis. Ms McEntee expressed her view on joining the case on Sunday. Personally I would like us to, she told RTE Radio Ones This Week programme. I am very much aware that we need to do so on a correct legal basis. I mean, what you are doing essentially is accusing another country of genocide. You need to know the facts, you need to understand what it is that youre fighting this case on. And, so, I welcome that ruling that happened this week. Personally, I would have liked to have seen it gone further in terms of the ceasefire. It didnt and I fully respect the ruling that was made. But we have to study this now. We cant just jump in without understanding the facts. But government has given a clear commitment that we will do that. Ms McEntee highlighted that Ireland is already involved in a legal case focused on illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank. In fact, our attorney general will present at that case next week, she added. I would repeat what the Taoiseach (Leo Varadkar) said this week a court ruling does not stop a war. A war, you know, is concluded where there is a military victory or where you have diplomacy. She said the Irish Government would use every opportunity it could to press for a ceasefire, to ensure humanitarian aid reaches millions of people in a catastrophic situation in Gaza and all hostages are released unconditionally. On Saturday, Mr Martin made clear Ireland has no plans to suspend funding for the UNs relief agency in Gaza amid Israeli claims some employees participated in the Hamas attacks of October 7. The Tanaiste said he backed the decision by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to take action against those staff suspected of involvement in what he described as the heinous attacks by Hamas. However, he said Ireland did not intend to follow the likes of the US and UK in suspending funding to the agency. UNRWA is playing a central role in providing aid for Gazans amid the ongoing Israeli offensive in the enclave. The agencys chief Philippe Lazzarini said it had terminated contracts with several employees and ordered an investigation after Israel provided information alleging they played a role in the Hamas assault. The US state department has said the allegations relate to 12 employees. As well as the UK and US, countries like Australia, Italy and Canada have also temporarily paused funding for UNRWA. On Sunday, Mr Martin said the countries which had suspended funding for the agency had acted far too prematurely. He also warned of catastrophic consequences if UNRWAs work in Gaza was unable to continue. In another development related to the conflict, Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty has defended his partys decision to proceed with its St Patricks Day engagements in Washington. The party had been under pressure from some pro-Palestinian activists in Ireland to boycott the annual events in protest at the USs ongoing backing for Israel amid the conflict in Gaza. On Sunday, Mr Doherty insisted Sinn Fein would use the visit to voice its concerns to the US administration. We will never shirk from that responsibility, he told RTE. When we have been in the United States, whether it was during the war in Iraq, whether it was in relation to other foreign policy differences that we would have and many of them that we have with America we always will raise the issues of those who we feel are being persecuted across the world and well do that again this year, and I would call on the Irish government to do the same. A small group of protesters hold Russian and Burkina Faso flags as they protest against the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), whose representatives are expected today in Ouagadougou on October 4, 2022. ISSOUF SANOGO / AFP The military regimes in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger announced on Sunday, January 28, their immediate withdrawal from the West African bloc ECOWAS, saying it has become a threat to member states. The leaders of the three Sahel nations issued a statement saying it was a "sovereign decision" to leave the Economic Community of West African States "without delay." The leaders' joint statement added that 15-member ECOWAS, "under the influence of foreign powers, betraying its founding principles, has become a threat to member states and peoples," They accused the grouping of failing to help them tackle the jihadists who swept into Mali from 2012 and then on to Burkina and Niger. Read more Subscribers only Sahel coup regimes' propaganda undermined by an increase in jihadist attacks Struggling with jihadist violence and poverty, these regimes have had tense ties with ECOWAS since coups took place in Niger last July, Burkina Faso in 2022 and Mali in 2020. All three founding members of the bloc in 1975 were suspended from ECOWAS, with Niger and Mali facing heavy sanctions as the bloc tried to push for the early return of civilian governments with elections. The sanctions were an "irrational and unacceptable posture" at a time when the three "have decided to take their destiny in hand" a reference to the coups that removed civilian administrations. The three nations have hardened their positions in recent months and joined forces in an "Alliance of Sahel States." Yet leaving ECOWAS could make trade more difficult for the three land-locked nations, making goods more expensive, and could also see visa requirements re-imposed for travel. ECOWAS said in a statement on Sunday that it "remains committed to finding a negotiated solution to the political impasse" with all three countries. It said it had yet to receive any direct formal notification of the withdrawal of the three states. Under pressure from the three military regimes, France has removed ambassadors and troops and watched Russia fill the void militarily and politically. The French army's withdrawal from the Sahel the region along the Sahara desert across Africa has heightened concerns over the conflicts spreading southward to the Gulf of Guinea states Ghana, Togo, Benin and Ivory Coast. Read our series 'France-Africa, the breakdown' Subscribers only How West African public opinion turned against France 'Bad faith' The prime minister appointed by Niger's regime on Thursday blasted ECOWAS for "bad faith" after the bloc largely shunned a planned meeting in Niamey. Niger had hoped for an opportunity to talk through differences with fellow states of ECOWAS which has cold-shouldered Niamey, imposing heavy economic and financial sanctions following the military coup that overthrew elected president Mohamed Bazoum. Niger's military leaders, wrestling with high food prices and a scarcity of medicines, have said they want up to three years for a transition back to civilian rule. Read more Subscribers only Niger's coup only briefly halted giant oil pipeline project In Mali, the ruling officers under Colonel Assimi Goita had pledged to hold elections in February this year, but that has now been pushed back to an unknown date. Burkina Faso, which has not been put under sanctions although Captain Ibrahim Traore seized power in September 2022, has set elections for this summer, but says the fight against the insurgents remains the top priority. The Matarazzo Building (center), where the Sao Paulo city hall is located. Picture taken on February 25, 2018. WIKIMEDIA COMMONS LETTER FROM SAO PAULO It's one of the most important elections to be held in 2024, yet it still flies under the radar: On October 6, over 150 million Brazilians will vote to elect officials for the 5,500 municipalities in the vast country, and a mid-term test for the left-wing president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The major battle will take place in Sao Paulo. The megalopolis is Brazil's economic capital and the largest city in the southern hemisphere, with 11.4 million residents (double when counting the outskirts), 34,000 cabs, 400 helicopters and 700 pizzas eaten every minute. From the imposing Matarazzo building, its mayor controls a budget of 20 billion and an army of 125,000 civil servants. In "Sampa," the left is hoping to unseat the current right-wing mayor, Ricardo Nunes, from the Brazilian Democratic Movement (MDB). Since the return of democracy, the Workers' Party (PT) has governed the city several times, and Lula won the 2022 presidential election with 53.5% of the vote against Jair Bolsonaro (compared with 50.9% nationally). The conditions, therefore, seem favorable. The left in Sao Paulo has its hopes pinned on Guilherme Boulos. At 41, the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL) MP and former leader of the Homeless Workers Movement (MTST) is anything but a novice. In the 2020 municipal elections, he surprised everyone by securing 40% of the votes in the second round against incumbent mayor Bruno Covas. With his beard, wit and oratory talents, many see him as a worthy successor to Lula. By contrast, Nunes, 56, is simultaneously a controversial and little-known figure in his own city. An entrepreneur devoid of any charisma, involved in multiple cases of misappropriation of public funds, he succeeded to Mayor Covas, who died of cancer in 2021, after serving as deputy mayor. His administration has since seen a surge in insecurity and homelessness. Only 17% of Sao Paulo's residents have a positive opinion of his actions. An irresistible alliance With nine months to go, Boulos is understandably in the lead, with around 30% of voting intentions according to polling institutes, compared to 25% for Nunes. The other candidates, such as centrist MP Tabata Amaral, radical Bolsonarist and former environment minister Ricardo Salles and libertarian Kim Kataguiri, failed to cross the 10% threshold. Lula, 78, has spared no effort to support his "protege" and potential "successor." He instructed Sao Paulo's PT party to support the young socialist in the first round and, for the first time in 40 years, will not field any candidates in the municipal election. The president plans to appear in a series of rallies alongside Boulos. You have 57.49% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only. ALMOST 18-months old, brave Sophie Mulligan has finally moved home to Limerick for the first time following a stay of over 500-days at Crumlin Hospital. Apart from a previous two day visit home Sophie, and her parents, Melissa and Alan, have been living in the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) as she had spent every day since her birth as an inpatient at Crumlin Hospital. Last week she finally made it home with her parents to Athea. RMH provides accommodation and a caring, supportive environment for families whose children are seriously ill at Childrens Health Ireland at Crumlin. RMH enables families, including siblings, to stay together and be involved in their childrens day-to-day life while they are long-term in hospital. Sophies mother Melissa Mulligan said they did not expect to stay as long as 513 days when they first walked through the doors of RMH. Weve been very lucky to have them [RMH]... The support they have given us has been absolutely amazing, Ms Mulligan told RTE 2FMs Breakfast show. If youre having a down day there is always someone there to talk to you. Every evening we used to stop at the desk and have a chat. Whoever was on, were definitely late going home when we were passing through. Theyll get home on time now in the evenings anyway, Ms Mulligan laughed. Being able to take her focus off of day-to-day chores like cooking a meal and being able to have her full attention on Sophie was everything while staying at RMH. Your meals are prepared for you every day. Myself and Alan, I think, have came home with a weight problem after them. We might be able to lose a few pounds now that were home in Limerick, Ms Mulligan said, laughing. Prior to their move back to Athea, RMH with the help of Sophie launched their appeal for National Hugging Day, which fell on Sunday, January 21. As part of their ongoing hugging campaign, the charity is appealing to the public to send Barrog (the Irish for hug), a cuddly rabbit to someone special in their life. Barrog can be purchased on the charitys web page and helps to support families whose children are seriously ill in hospital. At the launch of the campaign, Ms Mulligan said: Its hard to describe how a house can mean so much to you but when you are faced with over 500 days in a hospital that is 250km from home you soon come to realise the importance of the basics; a roof over your head, a comfy bed, where your next meal will come from, a place to do your laundry, park your car, the list goes on and on. That is why we are delighted to support the wonderful work of RMH. It's such a natural fit for our values as parents. A MOTORIST who told gardai he had consumed eight to 10 pints after overturning his jeep pleaded not guilty to drink driving. Brian Farrell, aged 43, of Church View, Ballyagran was before Newcastle West Court in relation to the offence on September 24, 2023. Garda Robert ONeill said they received a report at 4.30pm of a single vehicle road traffic collision at Garbally, Kilmeedy. He said they arrived at 5pm, the fire brigade were present and there was a black jeep on its roof. Garda ONeill said he asked Mr Farrell if he had been driving the vehicle and he said, yes. Garda ONeill said he asked Mr Farrell what happened? The garda said Mr Farrell told him, I was going towards Kilmeedy and next thing it was on the roof. Were you drinking alcohol before it? asked Garda ONeill. Mr Farrell replied, Yes. Eight to 10 pints, said the garda. Mr ONeill said he detected a smell of alcohol from Mr Farrell, he was unsteady on his feet and his eyes were bloodshot. The accused was arrested and conveyed to Henry Street garda station where he gave a reading of 99mgs of alcohol per 100mls of breath at 6.48pm. Charles OConnor, solicitor for Mr Farrell, asked the garda if he asked the defendant to sign his notes? No, said Garda ONeill. Mr OConnor put it to the garda that his client had had a traumatic experience? Yes, said Garda ONeill. A farmer who came upon the accident took the stand. He said he saw the jeep overturned and asked was the driver OK? He said, yes. I helped him out. I went to the other side of the road to stop cars because it was right on the bend, said the farmer. Inspector Barry Manton, prosecuting, asked the witness what time he discovered the jeep and how long after he rang gardai. Around 4pm and about 10 minutes, he replied. Mr OConnor asked Judge Carol Anne Coolican to dismiss the case as there was no evidence of the time of driving. The solicitor said there was no evidence that the breath sample was taken in the garda station within the allowed three hour period. If it is 10 minutes out it is unsafe to rely on the time of driving, said Mr OConnor. Insp Manton said the witness discovered the jeep around 4pm, gardai received the call at 4.30pm and arrived at 5pm. He said the sample was taken at 6.48pm which puts the State well inside the three hour window in which a sample should be taken. Judge Coolican said she was satisfied the accused has a case to answer. Mr OConnor called Mr Farrell who said he couldnt say what time he was driving at. Judge Coolican said she was satisfied with the time and found Mr Farrell guilty of drink driving. In mitigation, Mr OConnor said his client drives professionally and the consequences speak for themselves. He asked for the maximum postponement of the disqualification. Judge Coolican fined Mr Farrell 500 and put him off the road for three years. The ban is due to start in July. Recognisance was fixed in the event of an appeal. LIMERICK'S Literary Festival will celebrate its 40th anniversary this February. The annual festival in memory of Kate O'Brien continues to honour the life and works of the Limerick author. This year, it will take place from February 24 to 26. The Limerick Literary Festival is this year celebrating its 40th anniversary alongside the 50th anniversary of the death of OBrien. It originally started as The Kate OBrien Weekend in 1984 to mark the tenth anniversary of her death. It continues to celebrate the legacy of Kate OBrien each year and her impact as a writer. At the first Kate OBrien Weekend in 1984 to mark the tenth anniversary of Kates death, the poet Eavan Boland spoke of Kates legacy and of the enduring quality of her work saying that by accepting that if a work of art is good it is good not because it is feminine, but because it is human. Building on this significant history, the Limerick Literary Festival seeks to promote Limerick nationally as a place of literary excellence and to provide a platform where readers can meet their favourite authors and other readers. The 2024 Festival will be opened with an intimate evening of words and music by spoken word artist and musician Denise Chaila and the full weekend programme feature authors Vona Groarke, Mary Morrissy, Antoine Laurain, Francis Spufford, Dorothy Cross, Dr Jana Fischerova, Elaine Feeney and Jane Clarke. Also featured will be perennial favourite Desert Island Books and a session with Poetry Pharmacist William Sieghart and the presentation of the 2024 Kate OBrien Award for a debut novel from a female Irish author, the winner of the award will be chosen from the following shortlist: Slant by Katherine ODonnell, The Red Bird Sings by Aoife Fitzpatrick, and The Last Days of Joy by Anne Tiernan . The Festival will close with internationally renowned author Claire Keegan. The festival is generously supported by the Arts Council, Limerick City and County Council and French Embassy in Ireland. KYODO NEWS - Jan 28, 2024 - 11:00 | World, All U.S. President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping are expected to hold talks over the phone this spring as part of efforts to responsibly manage tensions between their countries, a senior administration official said Saturday. "This leader-level channel is absolutely critical to maintaining direction in the relationship and following up on some of the issues" from when they met last time in person in November, the U.S. official said after a meeting between Biden's top security aide Jake Sullivan and China's top diplomat Wang Yi in Thailand. Sullivan and Wang had more than 12 hours of discussions over two days from Friday in Bangkok, with topics ranging from bilateral issues, such as military-to-military communication and the safety of artificial intelligence, to Taiwan and the Iran-backed Houthis' attacks against shipping in the Red Sea, according to the official. Sullivan's meeting with Wang was the first held in an in-person format between senior officials of the two countries since Taiwan's presidential election in mid-January, which Lai Ching-te of the ruling, independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party won. Wang underscored that the election outcome did not change the fact that Taiwan is part of China, the country's Foreign Ministry said. "The biggest risk to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is 'Taiwan independence' and the biggest challenge to China-U.S. relations is also 'Taiwan independence'," Wang was quoted by the ministry as telling Sullivan. The White House, meanwhile, said Sullivan emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the strait to Wang, the most senior foreign policy official in China's Communist Party, which regards the self-ruled island as a renegade province to be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary. The U.S. official, who spoke to the press on condition of anonymity, said Sullivan reiterated that Washington remains committed to its one-China policy and does not support the independence of Taiwan. In the meeting, intended to follow up on the summit between the U.S. and Chinese presidents in November near San Francisco, the two high-ranking officials discussed next steps for some of their agreements at the time, according to the White House. They included the launch of a counternarcotics working group on Tuesday, the administration official said, with China having agreed to step up efforts to choke off exports of ingredients for fentanyl, a drug responsible for a deadly overdose epidemic in the United States. In dealing with risks posed by advanced forms of AI, the United States and China expect to hold talks "sometime in the spring," the official said, adding that they hope to resume higher levels of military-to-military channels also around the same time. The official also said that while Sullivan and Wang, who also serves as China's foreign minister, did not discuss specific dates, Washington expects Secretary of State Antony Blinken to travel to the Asian country at some point this year. To bring an immediate end to the repeated attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels on commercial ships transiting the Red Sea, the official said that Sullivan raised "the importance of Beijing using its substantial leverage with Iran." Related coverage: China's top diplomat warns U.S. against Taiwan independence Biden to host Japan PM Kishida in Washington on April 10 U.S. to keep supporting Ukraine if Trump returns to power: Mike Pompeo The Adani group is talking to at least five global private equity (PE) firms and a clutch of Indian banks to raise $2.5-3 billion over the next four months, two people aware of the development said, as the conglomerate aims to fast-track some of its key mega projects in the airport and renewable energy space. Centerbridge Partners LP, Pacific Capital Group and the UAEs International Holding Co. (IHC) are among the PE firms that have expressed interest in investing in Adani New Industries Ltd, Adani Airport Holdings Ltd and Adani Green Energy Ltd, said one of the two people cited above, both of whom spoke on condition of anonymity. Over the past six weeks, Adani group officials have held talks with multiple PE firms in the US, Canada, West Asia and Europe to raise capital via the sale of equity shares in subsidiaries. Investors are upbeat after the Supreme Courts recent judgement in the Hindenburg (Research report) case," the person added. Emails sent to the Adani group, Centerbridge, Pacific Capital and IHC remained unanswered. State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda and Axis Bank are some of the prominent lenders in discussions with the group, the people said. Emails sent to the banks seeking comment remained unanswered. The Adani group, according to the two people, is looking to raise at least 40% of the capital through a combination of sale of equity stakes in group firms and promoter fund infusion, while the remaining 60% could be through debt. The funds are primarily to fund its mega green hydrogen project, its solar panel manufacturing business and the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd (NMIA) project. All three projects have been fast-tracked. Capex plans are on track," said the first person. According to the two people, the Adani group plans to invest most of the new funds in its renewable energy businesses, mainly green hydrogen (of Adani New Industries) and solar panel manufacturing (of Adani Solar, an arm of Adani Green Energy). From the upcoming funds being raised, over $2 billion will be used for building up the green hydrogen capacity and solar panel manufacturing capabilities," said the first person. Green hydrogen is an area in which most of the global funds are increasingly willing to invest with focus on ESG (environmental, social and governance) compliance. Banks are comfortable with such projects due to their long-term sustainability and the governments emphasis on decarbonisation," said the second person. The renewed interest in the Adani groups projects follows the Supreme Courts 3 January verdict on the Hindenburg Research matter, stating there is no ground to transfer the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation or a special investigation team (SIT), and that the contents of the Hindenburg report need not be taken as a true state of affairs". The conglomerates market capitalization, which was eroded by $150 billion at one point last year following the Hindenburg report, crossed the 15 trillion mark soon after the Supreme Court judgement. The Adani group has already invested close to $1 billion in the Navi Mumbai airport to operationalize the first of the four planned passenger terminals by December 2024. The airport work will progress faster now with the direct connectivity established with Mumbai city and JNPT (Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust) after the recent completion of the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL)," the first person added. MTHL was opened on 13 January to connect Mumbai with Navi Mumbai through the countrys longest bridge built over a large creek of the Arabian Sea after five decades of rigorous planning. The Navi Mumbai town planning authorityCity Industrial Development Corporationis building a 7km coastal highway from Amra Marg junction in Belapur to JNPT in order to provide smooth connectivity to NMIA and spur the states economic growth. For the Adani group, MTHL may provide further impetus to the business of NMIA, which requires a total investment of at least $2.5 billion, of which at least 12,770 crore ($1.74 billion) is expected to be raised as term loans from a consortium of lenders. The Navi Mumbai airport project, which will have a capacity to handle 90 million passengers and 2.5 million tonnes of cargo annually, is planned to be completed by 2032. On 13 January, civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said 55% of the NMIA project has been completed, while the government aims to double domestic passenger traffic in the country from the present 150 million to 300 million by 2030. Meanwhile, the Adani group is targeting a green hydrogen capacity of 3 million tonnes in the next 10 years with an investment of $50 billion. It has already spent about $2.5 billion in developing a backward integrated value chain for its green hydrogen project in Mundra, Gujarat, and hopes to implement the first phase with 1 millions tonnes per annum capacity by fiscal 2027. In June 2023, Frances TotalEnergies SE and the Adani group said they plan to invest $5 billion to produce green hydrogen and related products in India, as the worlds third-largest polluting nation seeks to decarbonize. And, on 13 January, Solar Energy Corp. of India Ltd asked the Adani group to set up electrolyzer manufacturing capacity under the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for green hydrogen, which has encouraged the conglomerate to speed up its green hydrogen project and raise the required funds. Adani Green Energy aspires to become the worlds largest renewable energy company by 2030. Till last year, Gautam Adani has maintained that 75% of the groups planned capital expenditure will be in green businesses, and that the group will invest $20 billion over the next eight years in renewables their related components and infrastructure. As part of its renewables push, Adani Solar has set up Indias largest vertically integrated solar photovoltaic cell and modules manufacturer with 4GW manufacturing capacity, which offers services across the spectrum of photovoltaics manufacturing, the Adani group said in a presentation. The group, under Adani New Industries, is planning to build 10GW solar panel manufacturing in India. The group last July said it has secured an order book of over 3,000MW in exports. The booked orders are projected to be serviced by September this year. The Adani group has been setting up vast rows of solar panels and digging foundations for large wind turbines in the sandy Rann of Kutch stretch of Gujarat over the past few months. Once completed, the Khavda renewable energy park will cover 726 sq. km with a capacity to generate 30GW of solar and wind energy. Rejecting the impact of the ongoing Red Sea attacks on India's oil imports, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) chairman Pushp Kumar Joshi, said that Houthi militants' attacks on ship vessels have not affected the crude oil flows to India. India is the world's third-largest oil importer and remains heavily dependent on Russian supplies through the Red Sea. In 2023, Russian supplies through the Read Sea made up for over 35 per cent of India's total crude imports in 2023, amounting to 1.7 million barrels per day. "So far as supply is concerned, I am quite confident that supply requirements are being met. We also have to see how this situation unfolds in the next few weeks, basis that we will have to take a call but as far as the procurement side is concerned, I am already in a comfortable situation till March 31 and two weeks of April," Joshi said in a post-third quarter earnings call with investors. The looming threat of rising freight costs At this stage, Russian ships and cargoes are not the prime targets of Houthi attacks. However, rerouting of ships around the southern tip of Africa instead of taking the shorter route through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea has led to ships taking longer voyages. Consequentially, there is a shortage of ships and a rise in freight charges. Russian oil makes up for 30 per cent of all crude oil imported by HPCL in 2023. Even though supplies are not being impacted, there are high chances that continuous rerouting of ships could inflate insurance costs and crimp refining margins. Pushp Kumar Joshi also made it clear that there is no impact of the Read sea crisis on term crude and spot supplies. "Term crude has not been impacted (due to the Red Sea crisis)," he said, adding the spot imports are on a DES basis where the shipping is arranged by the supplier. The spot supplies too are not impacted." Till FY 24, and the first couple of weeks of April, HPCL has already tied up crude requirements, said Joshi. He also added that crude oil supplies have not seen any disruption as of now, but this has definitely impacted the freight rates and freight rates have travelled northward." Shippers are avoiding the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait after a US-led coalition struck Iran-backed Houthi militants in northern Yemen. However, this has also impacted diesel exports to Europe. Due to the crisis, shipments from India to the US require an additional 10-14 days of journey. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Shareholders of Byjus (Think & Learn Pvt. Ltd) and Aakash Education Services Ltd have raised objections to business tycoon Ranjan Pais proposal to convert debt to equity in Aakash, the groups crown jewel, multiple people with knowledge of the developments said. Their primary concern: it would dilute the value of their stakes. American private equity major Blackstone, a shareholder of Aakash, and global investment group Prosus NV, a shareholder of the parent entity Think & Learn, have written to the board to communicate their dissent. Prosus has also sent a legal notice to Pai, who is the chairman of Manipal Education and Medical Group. Last week, the board of Aakash, led by chartered accountant Shailesh Haribhakti, had approved the conversion of Pais $250-300 million debt in Aakash to equity in a board meeting. However, while the conversion is approved, it is not complete as certain processes remain to be followed. The working committee of investors (of Byjus) has registered its disapproval," one of the people cited above said on condition of anonymity. This is because their shareholding in the parent takes into account the valuation of subsidiary Aakash. The shareholders main objection is that the conversion was approved at a lowered valuation of 4,500-4,800 crore (around $600 million). This is far lower than the price Byjus paid in 2021 when it acquired Aakash for around $950 million. Many others, including those participating in Think & Learns upcoming rights issue, have also expressed concern at the lowered valuation of Aakash, the people cited above said. The ongoing conversion proposal takes Pais stake in Aakash Education Services to 38.6-39.6%, while that of parent entity Think & Learn falls to 27% from 43%. Blackstone and Aakash Education Services founder Aakash Chaudhry will see their cumulative stake reduced to 18% from 30%. Byjus founder Byju Raveendran will see his personal stake in Aakash fall to around 16% from 27%. The issue at hand dates back to May 2023, when Raveendran raised debt capital against a part of his shares in Aakash at onerous terms from global lending firm Davidson Kempner. Fearing a loss of control over the test prep subsidiary, Raveendran brought in Pai to acquire the debt held by Davidson Kempner. At that point, Kempner had reconstituted the Aakash board. The objections of some dissenting shareholders are of no consequence," one of the people cited above said, as the conversion was approved with no dissension by the board where Think & Learn had four votes, and Pai had two votes (which were previously held by Davidson Kempner). Prosus, Blackstone, Chaudhry, Think & Learn and Pai did not respond to requests for comment. The shareholders of Aakash already approved the conversion of debt to equity when it was held by Davidson Kempner," the second person cited above said, arguing that Pai only stepped into the shoes of Davidson Kempner. This was disputed by one person sympathetic to the dissenting shareholders, who said that fresh shareholder approval was needed. However, Byjus and Aakash executives are working on measures to placate the shareholders and find a working solution with all on board. There were meetings with more than two dozen key shareholders last week, where the conversion was discussed," the person said. It is possible a solution may be found at a higher valuation." The outcome of this slugfest will have a bearing on the rights issue that Think & Learn is planning in the coming month. The shareholders of the company, though ready to back Think & Learn at a lower valuation, want to be sure about who Aakash, which is likely to go public over the next few years at a higher valuation, rests with. Byjus, which has been battling multiple adversities in the past 12-18 months, finally announced its FY22 results after a delay of more than 22 months. The Bengaluru-based edtech companys losses ballooned to 8,245 crore from 4,564 crore in the year prior. Its consolidated income, on the other hand, rose to 5,298.43 crore in FY22, up from 2,428.39 crore in the year prior. The company is likely to announce its FY23 results soon, Nitin Golani, its chief financial officer, had told Mint in a previous interview. India's burgeoning appetite for luxury, particularly Western-inspired trends, has caught the eye of Swiss chocolatier Laderach, which controls about 5% of the entire Swiss chocolate market. Landing in Delhi just eight months ago, the brand faces stiff competition and complex import duties, but still sees immense potential in the market and expects to open at least half a dozen stores in the next two years. "India is a promising market and the reason we have come to India is because so many Indian consumers have discovered us in different parts of the world. There is immense opportunity in such markets. " Johannes Laderach, CEO of the family run luxury chocolate business, on a recent visit to India, told Mint. "Though there is a free-trade agreement being negotiated between India and Switzerland which could be very helpful. This is because India is at the highest end of customs duties across the 20 markets we operate in. The duties are very complicated too based on varieties of chocolate being imported," he said. After 16 years of talks, India and Switzerland have inked a deal for a free trade agreement this year at Davos. While the outline has been agreed upon, the details of the agreement are being finalized. If the agreement comes through, it will be a breakthrough for the industry and a lot of progress has already been made on this front. It is likely to also reduce costs of imported luxury goods such as these, the CEO said. India charges a basic duty of 30%, an IGST of 18% and an additional social welfare surcharge of 10% for items like imported chocolates. Laderach chocolates costs around 1,200 for 62g or about 2,000 per 100g in India. The company started in 1962 in Switzerland but only became popular in the early 2000s when it expanded its business globally. It specialized in having created a manufacturing procedure for chocolate truffles and acquired a patent for the technology in the 1970s. These had always traditionally been made by hand. In 2021, Laderach signed asset purchase agreements to buy 34 Godiva chocolate stores in the United States, following an announcement made by the latter that it would no longer want to operate its close to 130 stores in the country. "This helped us to get a really good position there in the US," he said. In terms of its size, it has a total of 180 stores, of which close to 50 are in Switzerland, and therefore, has its largest presence in its home country, followed by the US. Chocolate per capita consumption is highest in the central Europe and can go up to as much as 10 kilograms per year. In markets which are emerging like India and China, consumption is still lower, at about 300 grams. In Europe, the consumption is the highest in Germany and Switzerland. The US is a little behind at about 5 kilograms a year. But India functions quite differently. "Urban India consumption, if I was to look at the data for the last 8-months since we have been here, is heavily skewed towards western trends, " he said. India is a very promising market with a lot of potential driven by the wedding market here. Indians have been traditionally buying from us in other parts of the world too and even though Delhi is still a new market for us, we are likely to open 5-7 stores in the next two years," he said. The company will also look to expand in other markets in Europe, China and other parts of the world. "I have been similarly impressed with the India and China markets and so there is a lot of growth potential," he added. In August last year, tobacco-to-spices major Dharampal Satyapal Group Ltd (DS Group), had opened its first store as a franchise for the luxury Swiss chocolate brand Laderach in Delhi's luxury mall, Emporio. The company also has an ecommerce presence in Mumbai. According to industry data, the Indian confectionery market is valued at approximately 23,000 crore, out of which, chocolates as a category dominate with almost 60% share at 13,800 crore. However, the luxury segment is a very select niche segment of this chocolate category. Laderach competes with brands like Godiva, Ghirardelli and La Maison du Chocolat. As per a 2020 report by the Swiss chocolate industry association, Laderach had a market share of around 5% in the Swiss chocolate market. While the company is privately held, media reports said its turnover was around CHF 100 million in 2019, or about $104 million. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The Ministry of Education Sunday clarified that no reserved posts can be de-reserved after draft guidelines by the University Grants Commission (UGC) proposed that any vacancy reserved for SC, ST and OBC candidates can be declared unreserved if enough candidates from these categories are not available. "Reservation in Central Educational Institutions (CEI) is provided for all posts in direct recruitment in Teachers cadre as per the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers Cadre) Act, 2019. After enactment of this Act, no reserved post is to be de-reserved. Ministry of Education has given directives to all the CEIs to fill up the vacancies strictly as per the 2019 ACT," the Ministry of Education tweeted on X, formerly known as Twitter. Earlier on December 27, the UGC issued draft guidelines for de-reserving vacancies meant for scheduled caste (SC), scheduled tribe (ST) and Other Backward Class (OBC) candidates in higher education institutes (HEIs) and open them up for the general category if enough reserved candidates are not available. Also Read | Why Nitish Kumar left INDIA bloc to rejoin BJP-led NDA The Guidelines for Implementation of Reservation Policy of the Government of India in Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) was released in the public domain for feedback in December, last year. The last date for providing public opinion ends today. The draft guidelines state, "There is a general ban on de-reservation of reserved vacancies in case of direct recruitment." However, in rare and exceptional cases when a vacancy in a Group A' service cannot be allowed to remain vacant in the public interest, the University concerned may prepare a proposal for de-reservation of the vacancy giving the following information: The proposal will be required to list efforts made to fill up the post; reasons why it cannot be allowed to remain vacant and justification for de-reservation," the draft guidelines read. Also Read | Binny Bansal resigns Flipkart board months after selling entire stake "The proposal for de-reservation in case of Group C or D should go to the Executive Council of the University and in case of Group A or B should be submitted to the Ministry of Education, giving full details, for necessary approval. After receiving the approval, the post may be filled and reservation may be carried forward," the draft guidelines added. The draft guidelines also talk about shortfall and backlog in reserved vacancy posts and state that universities should try to fill the vacancies by calling for recruitment for the second time as soon as possible. Also Read | Bihar politics LIVE: Nitish Kumar to take oath as Bihar CM for the 9th time In case of promotion, if sufficient numbers of SC and ST candidates fit for promotion against reserved vacancies are not available, such vacancies may be de-reserved and filled by the candidates of other communities," the guidelines read. Power to Accord Approval to De-reservation The power to accord approval to the de-reservation of the reserved vacancies in such cases will be delegated to UGC and Ministry of Education, if certain conditions are met, the draft guidelines read. "The proposal can be considered if no candidate belonging to the category for which the vacancy is reserved is available within the zone of consideration or extended zone of consideration or eligible for promotion in the feeder cadre specified in the Recruitment Rules. "The approval for de-reservation has been seen and concurred in by the liaison officer for SC, ST of the university. The proposal for de-reservation is agreed upon by the appropriate authority in UGC and the Ministry of Education. "In case of disagreement between the appointing authority and the liaison officer for SC, ST of the university, the advice of the Department of Personnel and Training is obtained and implemented," the guidelines added. If approved, the guidelines will be extended to all the central universities, deemed-to-be-universities, and other autonomous bodies/institutions under the central government or those receiving grants-in-aid from the UGC, central government, or consolidated fund of India. The guidelines have been receiving backlash from several quarters. The JNU Students' Union (JNUSU) has announced a protest against it and will be burning an effigy of UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The Mahila Samman Savings Certificate is an initiative designed to promote saving and investment among women and girls. Launched as part of Budget 2023, this scheme offers a one-time opportunity and is accessible for two years, spanning from April 2023 to March 2025. Any Indian woman, irrespective of age, has the opportunity to open an account and invest under the scheme. Additionally, a legal or natural guardian, including male guardians, can open an account for a minor girl child. This presents an excellent opportunity to initiate the financial journey for your daughter or any other young girl under your guardianship. Only one account can be opened per woman, inclusive of all accounts initiated on her behalf by guardians. The cumulative deposit across all accounts for a single woman is capped at 2 lakhs. Upon reaching the age of 18, the account automatically transitions to the ownership and management of the minor girl. Steps to initiate a Mahila Samman Savings Certificate There are two primary methods for initiating a Mahila Samman Savings Certificate: through a bank or at your nearby post office. While both approaches are generally uncomplicated, the precise steps may exhibit slight variations depending on the institution you opt for. Initiating a Mahila Samman Savings Certificate at a bank Head to your bank branch : You have the option to open the certificate at any branch of a participating bank. Notable banks offering the scheme include the State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, and Central Bank of India. A comprehensive list of participating banks is available on the Ministry of Finance website. : You have the option to open the certificate at any branch of a participating bank. Notable banks offering the scheme include the State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, and Central Bank of India. A comprehensive list of participating banks is available on the Ministry of Finance website. Complete an application form : The bank will furnish you with an application form for the Mahila Samman Savings Certificate. You will be required to provide your personal information, including your name, address, and PAN number, along with the amount you intend to invest. : The bank will furnish you with an application form for the Mahila Samman Savings Certificate. You will be required to provide your personal information, including your name, address, and PAN number, along with the amount you intend to invest. Submit the form and necessary documents : In addition to the application form, you must submit KYC documents, including your Aadhaar card and PAN card. Proof of address may also be required. : In addition to the application form, you must submit KYC documents, including your Aadhaar card and PAN card. Proof of address may also be required. Complete your deposit : After your application receives approval, it's time to make your deposit. This can be accomplished through cash, cheque, or online transfer. : After your application receives approval, it's time to make your deposit. This can be accomplished through cash, cheque, or online transfer. Obtain your certificate: Following the processing of your deposit, you will be issued a Mahila Samman Savings Certificate. This certificate serves as evidence of your investment, and it is crucial to keep it securely stored. Initiating a Mahila Samman Savings Certificate at a post office Visit your nearby post office : You have the option to open the certificate at any post office across India. : You have the option to open the certificate at any post office across India. Complete an application form : The post office will furnish you with an application form for the Mahila Samman Savings Certificate. Enter your details, including your name, address, PAN number, and the desired investment amount. : The post office will furnish you with an application form for the Mahila Samman Savings Certificate. Enter your details, including your name, address, PAN number, and the desired investment amount. Submit the form and necessary documents : Alongside the application form, provide KYC documents, such as your Aadhaar card and PAN card. Additionally, proof of address may be required. : Alongside the application form, provide KYC documents, such as your Aadhaar card and PAN card. Additionally, proof of address may be required. Make your deposit : After approval of your application, proceed to make your deposit. This can be done in cash at the post office counter. : After approval of your application, proceed to make your deposit. This can be done in cash at the post office counter. Obtain your certificate: Following the processing of your deposit, you will be issued a Mahila Samman Savings Certificate. Safeguard this certificate as it serves as proof of your investment. Which banks offer the Mahila Samman Savings Certificate? On June 27, 2023, the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, granted authorisation to all public sector banks and eligible private sector banks to administer the Mahila Samman Savings Certificate scheme, as announced through an e-gazette notification. Some of them are: Bank of Baroda Canara Bank Bank of India Punjab National Bank Union Bank of India Central Bank of India Documentation needed for Mahila Samman Savings Certificate account When initiating a Mahila Samman Savings Certificate account, you are required to furnish certain documents to validate your identity and address apart from submitting the filled-in application form. These documents are commonly referred to as Know Your Customer (KYC) documents and include KYC documents, including Aadhaar card, Voter ID, driver's licence, and PAN card KYC form for new account holders Pay-in-slip accompanied by the deposit amount or a cheque The Mahila Samman Savings Certificate serves as a valuable instrument in fostering financial inclusion and empowering women. Through its promotion of savings and investment among women and girls, the scheme plays a crucial role in shaping a financially secure future for all. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Indias consumer protection body is moving the dispute redressal mechanism online at the national and state levels by March end, two officials aware of the matter said. The move to a digital platform is expected to benefit consumers, activists, non-governmental organizations, members of consumer courts, bar councils and advocates, and pave the way for more efficient and faster resolution of consumer cases. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), which was formed in July 2020 and reports to the consumer affairs ministry, is readying to roll out e-court services in all 35 state consumer dispute redressal commissions (SCDRCs) and 10 benches of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), the people cited above said on condition of anonymity. Queries sent to the consumer affairs ministry were unanswered till press time. Currently, the e-court service for redressing consumers grievances is operational in only one bench of NCDRC in New Delhi. The formation of e-courts is aimed at expediting the redressal process and reducing the backlog of cases, which is currently at around 400,000 cases. The initiative towards starting e-court services follows the successful resolution of 182,248 cases in 2022 and 182,750 cases in 2023, according to CCPA. Figures of previous years were not available. The e-court services at the state and national levels will allow consumers to file and follow complaints without any loss of working day and spending on transport, the first person cited above said. District-level forums, however, will have to wait for the digital move. We are trying to start e-court services at district-level consumer forums by the end of this year," the second official cited above said. NCDRC deals with cases exceeding 2 crore (in compensation), while SCDRCs handles cases between 50 lakh and 2 crore. District consumer dispute redressal commissions (DCDRC) have jurisdiction over cases that entail up to 50 lakh in compensation. Manish K. Shubhay, partner, The Precept Law Offices, and a Supreme Court lawyer, welcomed the plan. The e-courts system ensures 24x7 access to vital legal information, including case status, cause lists and court orders, promoting efficiency and convenience. The transition to an e-courts system would make the justice delivery system in consumer jurisdiction more accessible, cost-effective and transparent." Its a pathbreaking move by the government, ensuring further decentralization of the complaint filing system for consumers. Convenience and simplicity ensure that every aggrieved consumer can reach the justice system sitting at home," said Ashim Sanyal, chief executive officer of Consumer VOICE. However, we need to be cautious and prepared for more numbers overwhelming the system," Sanyal added. CCPA also plans to deploy technical service providers at court premises to ensure that those who may not be technologically adept can still avail themselves of the e-court services, promoting inclusivity in the consumer dispute resolution framework. Teaching tutorials are also getting prepared for those who dont want to file their complaints through advocates. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Sunday justified the move of Mandya district authorities to take down a Hanuman flag from a 108-feet pole in Keragodu village, saying the national flag should have been hoisted instead, news agency PTI reported. "It is not right. I have asked (the authorities concerned) to hoist the national flag," the news agency quoted the chief minister as saying. The move has triggered a massive controversy. A large contingent of police personnel has been deployed in the village as a precautionary measure after locals (people from the 12 surrounding villages) gathered to protest against the removal of the saffron flag (Hanuma Dwaja). Opposition is blaming the ruling Congress for the unrest. "When the Gram Panchayat board decided to hoist the Hanuman flag in the village of Keragodu in Mandya district, the state government showed the audacity to bring down the flag through the police force. The Congress government is the reason behind the deteriorating law and order situation of the state," said Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra. What happened in Keragodu village of Keragodu? During the day, the district authorities removed the 'Hanuma dwaja', a saffron flag bearing lord Hanuman's portrait, from a 108-ft-tall flag post in Keragodu village of Mandya. Earlier today, the locals supported by the activists of BJP, JD(S) and Bajrang Dal launched a massive protest against the authorities for trying to remove the flag. Several villagers, including a significant number of women, vehemently protested against the removal. The district police had to resort to a lathicharge to disperse the crowd. The removal of the saffron flag created a massive controversy leading to a protest by a large gathering of locals from the surrounding villages, along with members of Opposition parties. Also Read | Nitish Kumar takes oath as Bihar CM for record 9th time after returning to NDA PTI reported that residents of Keragodu and 12 neighbouring villages, along with certain organisations, had funded the installation of the flag post. The police action was taken after complaints from unknown persons. The taluk panchayat executive officer directed the gram panchayat officials to remove the flag, the agency reported. Mandya District in-charge Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy clarified that the flagpole's location falls under the panchayat's jurisdiction, and permission was obtained to hoist the national flag, which was done on Republic Day, "but it was replaced by another flag that evening". Also Read | India will become auto technology provider to the developing world: Bhargava However, he expressed readiness to support the installation of the Hanuman flag at a private place or near a temple. "There may be politics behind it (the installation of the Hanuman flag replacing the National Flag). I don't know who is behind it ...This country works under democracy and the Constitution. "Tomorrow they may say they want to hoist the flag (saffron flag) in front of the DC's office. Can it be allowed? If it is permitted at one place, it will extend to other places. This is the only reservation," he said. "We are not here to hurt our youth. I have spoken to officials, police and youths. We are ready to install the Hanuman flag at a private place or near a temple. We will support them. We too are Rama Bhaktas," he added. Leader of Opposition and BJP leader R Ashoka in Bengaluru condemned the government's "anti-Hindu stance" and police intervention, stating that the Hanuma Dwaja was raised with the gram panchayat's approval, but the Congress government "all of a sudden" removed it. Labelling the government's action an "anti-Rama stand" and an "insult to lord Hanuman", he asked. "What was the need for police action? Why didn't the administration speak to the villagers? There was a gram panchayat resolution to allow the flag." Meanwhile, the BJP state chief has directed party leaders and workers to hold a protest at all the district headquarters of the state tomorrow (January 29), condemning the "anti-Hindu policy" of the state's Congress government and for "insulting" the National Flag. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! A staff member introduces to children and their parents a vehicle collected by Beijing Auto Museum at the museum in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 28, 2024. Many children visit Beijing Auto Museum with their parents during this winter vacation to attend popular-science lectures and learn about automobile knowledge. (Xinhua/Ren Chao) Children and their parents attend a lecture on automobiles at Beijing Auto Museum in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 28, 2024. Many children visit Beijing Auto Museum with their parents during this winter vacation to attend popular-science lectures and learn about automobile knowledge. (Xinhua/Ren Chao) Children learn about automobile knowledge at Beijing Auto Museum in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 28, 2024. Many children visit Beijing Auto Museum with their parents during this winter vacation to attend popular-science lectures and learn about automobile knowledge. (Xinhua/Ren Chao) A staff member lectures on automobile to children and their parents at Beijing Auto Museum in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 28, 2024. Many children visit Beijing Auto Museum with their parents during this winter vacation to attend popular-science lectures and learn about automobile knowledge. (Xinhua/Ren Chao) A staff member introduces to children and their parents a vehicle collected by Beijing Auto Museum at the museum in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 28, 2024. Many children visit Beijing Auto Museum with their parents during this winter vacation to attend popular-science lectures and learn about automobile knowledge. (Xinhua/Ren Chao) A day after the Republic Day celebrations, a major security breach occurred at the New Delhi airport as an intruder illegally entered the airport and was roaming around the airfield. The incident comes as the security agencies of India remain on high alert around occasions like Republic Day. An Air India pilot saw the man while parking his aircraft and he immediately informed the air traffic controller (ATC). The Central Industrial Security Forces (CISF) reacted promptly to the report, the man was soon apprehended and handed over to the local police. "An Air India pilot reported spotting an intruder around 11.30 pm as the flight landed safely and taxied to the parking bay," according to airport officials. "The pilot reported to air traffic controllers (ATC) that a man had crossed in front of the aircraft during taxing. ATC promptly alerted the Airport Operation Control Centre (AOCC), leading to swift action by CISF, who apprehended the intruder and handed it over to local police," a senior airport official told ANI. Delhi Police said that there was no security lapse on their part and the accused is a drug addict from the Nuh district of Haryana. A Delhi court sent the man to judicial custody while the police is probing his objectives. "The accused was produced in the court and was sent to judicial custody. Primary investigation revealed that the accused is a drug addict and hails from Haryana's Nuh district," Delhi Police said. "Airport security under CISF and DIAL. No Delhi police security lapse...," police officials added. As per news agency ANI, the airport authorities are treating the matter with utmost seriousness. "Authorities have treated the incident with utmost seriousness, categorizing it as a massive security breach and taking extensive measures to address the matter," the sources said. Heavy fines for violations of safety rules The Ministry of Civil Aviation and regulator DGCA have adopted a strict approach against safety violations at airports or onboard flights. Recently, the Mumbai Airport was fined 90 lakh, while IndiGo airline was fined 1.2 crore after a video went viral on social media in which passengers were seen eating openly in the airport apron area. Moreover, the authorities are also taking strict against hoax bomb threat calls made to the airport and recently, the accused persons in such matters were charged with strict provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed the 109th edition of the monthly radio show Mann Ki Baat, the first this year (2024). He hailed women's power in various fields including sports, self-help groups, defense forces, etc. This time the parade of 26th January was very amazing, but the most talked about thing was seeing Women Power in the parade, when on the duty path, women contingents of Central Security Forces and Delhi Police started marching, everyone was filled with pride," he said. The Prime Minister also talked about Lord Ram and how the Ram Mandir inauguration in Ayodhya touched millions of hearts in India. He said, Everyone's feelings are the same, everyone's devotion is the same, Ram is in everyone's words, Ram is in everyone's heart. During this time, many people of the country sang Ram Bhajan and dedicated themselves at the feet of Shri Ram." The rule of Lord Ram was also a source of inspiration for the makers of our Constitution and that is why on January 22 in Ayodhya, I had talked about 'Dev to Desh', Ram to Nation," PM Modi added. Additionally, PM Modi also lauded women forces for their contribution to the Republic Day parade this year. This time 13 women athletes have been honored with the Arjuna Award. These women athletes participated in many big tournaments and hoisted the flag of India." ...This year marks 75 years of the Indian Constitution, as well as the Supreme Court... The Constitution of India is made after such intense brainstorming, that it is called a 'Living Document'. In the third chapter of the original copy of the constitution, the fundamental rights of the citizens of Bharat have been described," he added. In his broadcast, Modi said many people honored with Padma awards recently were those who worked at the grassroots and away from the limelight to make big changes. "I am very happy that the system of Padma awards has transformed completely in the last decade. Now it has become people's Padma," he said. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! After surprising everyone with his political somersault, JDU chief Nitish Kumar was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Bihar for the ninth time at Raj Bhavan on Sunday. This time, he joined hands with the BJP-led NDA after snapping ties with Mahagathbandhan, consisting of RJD and Congress. During the ceremony, Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha took the oath as Deputy Chief Ministers. In addition to this eight leaders took oath as ministers on Sunday. Also Read: After Nitish Kumar's Bihar switch, Lalu's daughter takes jibe at JDU leader, says Garbage goes back in dustbin Nitish Kumar takes oath as Bihar CM: Top 10 updates -Alongside Nitish Kumar, eight leaders were sworn in as ministers on Sunday. BJP's Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, and six other ministers including JDU's Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, JDU's Bijendra Prasad Yadav, BJP's Dr Prem Kumar, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) president Dr Santosh Kumar Suman, JDU's Shravan Kumar, Independent MLA from Chakai Sumit Kumar Singh took oath as ministers in the new Nitish Kumar-led government. Also REad: Bihar politics: May continue to disagree with Nitish Kumar, says Chirag Paswan ahead of oath-taking ceremony -The oath-taking ceremony was also attended by BJP chief JP Nadda, during the ceremony, the people were heard chanting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's name and slogans -In response to RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav's statement JDU will be finished in 2024", Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said, "We work for the development and progress of Bihar. We will keep doing the same, nothing else. Tejashwi was not doing anything. Now I am back where I was before (in NDA) and now there is no question of going anywhere." Russian President Vladimir Putin castigated Europe for Russophobia" and aimed the Baltic States for their human rights record during the inauguration of a World War II memorial on Saturday. As reported by Reuters, over the past nearly two years since deploying Russian troops into Ukraine, Putin has consistently drawn parallels with the struggle against the Nazis as a means to unify his nation. Also Read: Putin Has Staked Russias Resources on Victory in Ukraine. Can the West Match Him? The regime in Kyiv exalts Hitler's accomplices, the SS men ... In a number of European countries, Russophobia is promoted as state policy," Putin said in the Leningrad region during the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of the Nazi siege. The Germans' aims then were to steal the Soviet Union's resources and eliminate its people," he said. Also Read: Ukraines $30 billion problem: How to keep fighting without foreign aid Ukraine, formerly part of the Soviet Union and a country that endured significant devastation from Hitler's forces, dismisses comparisons as unfounded pretexts for a war of conquest. During his address, Putin criticized the Baltic States for their human rights practices. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, once under Moscow's rule during the Cold War but now part of the European Union and NATO, have been vocal critics of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In the Baltic states, tens of thousands of people are declared subhuman, deprived of their most basic rights, and subjected to persecution," Putin said, referring to migration crackdowns. Moscow has repeatedly accused the Baltic nations of xenophobia and treating Russian minorities as second-class". (With inputs from Reuters) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Six European nationsBritain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Finland on Saturday suspended funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). This decision follows accusations that some UNRWA staff were implicated in the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. As reported by Reuters, the move follows similar actions taken by the United States, Australia, and Canada, impacting funding for the aid agency crucial for supporting individuals in Gaza, as these allegations were raised by Israel. "Palestinians in Gaza did not need this additional collective punishment," Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA commissioner-general, said on X. This stains all of us." Also Read: Britain, Italy, Finland pause UN refugee agency funding amid Gaza war post Hamas attack allegations The agency said on Friday it had opened an investigation into several employees and severed ties with those people. Encouraging more donor suspensions, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said UNRWA should be replaced once fighting in the enclave dies down and accused it of ties to Islamist militants in Gaza. "In Gaza's rebuilding, @UNRWA must be replaced with agencies dedicated to genuine peace and development," he added on X. Deputy U.N. spokesperson Farhan Haq, asked about Katz's remarks, said, We are not responding to rhetoric. UNRWA overall had had a strong record, which we have repeatedly underscored." Lazzarini expressed concern that the choice made by the nine nations jeopardized the humanitarian efforts of the organization throughout the region, with a particular impact on its work in Gaza. Also Read: Israel vows to stop UN agency activities in Gaza; blames it for Hamas attack It is shocking to see a suspension of funds to the Agency in reaction to allegations against a small group of staff, especially given the immediate action that UNRWA took by terminating their contracts and asking for a transparent independent investigation," he said in a statement. Reuters reported that the Palestinian foreign ministry criticised what it characterized as an Israeli campaign against UNRWA, while Hamas condemned the termination of employee contracts, based on information derived from the Zionist enemy". Agency's role in Gaza aid UNRWA was established to assist refugees displaced during the 1948 war at the founding of Israel. The agency provides education, health, and aid services to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. It plays a crucial role in supporting approximately two-thirds of Gaza's 2.3 million population and has been instrumental in providing aid during the conflict initiated by Israel to eliminate Hamas following the October 7 attacks. In his announcement of the investigation on Friday, Lazzarini stated that he had opted to end the contracts of certain personnel as a measure to safeguard the agency's capacity to provide humanitarian aid. Also Read: Displaced people were injured, Palestinian Red Crescent accuses Israel of hospital attack in southern Gaza Furthermore, Lazzarini did not disclose the number of employees allegedly involved in the attacks, nor the nature of their alleged involvement. He said, however, that any UNRWA employee who was involved in acts of terror" would be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution. Throughout weeks of Israeli airstrikes on the Palestinian enclave, UNRWA has consistently emphasized that its ability to deliver humanitarian assistance to the people in Gaza is on the brink of collapse. Hussein al-Sheikh, head of the Palestinians' umbrella political body the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), said cutting support to the agency brought major political and relief risks. The presentation of the annual Union budget is a highly anticipated accounting event that unveils proposed financial objectives and policy updates. Originating in 1860-61 during the British rule, the tradition persisted after India gained Independence in 1947. While the current government utilizes this annual event for policy announcements, it also communicates updates throughout the year as needed. Did ancient India have such annual budget exercise? Although documented Indian history lacks specific details about the administration of dynasties in different regions, the Arthashastra provides a comprehensive account of the financial budget process. It's important to note that there is no certainty that the Maurya kingdom actually implemented the processes outlined by Kautilya in his master treatise, which intricately outlines a framework for a kingdom's financial management and planning. Annually, budgets and accounts were to be prepared based on a 354-day year. Entries were correlated with the king's regnal year, known as 'rajavarsham,' aligned with the work year concluding on the full moon day of the Ashadha month (June/July), coinciding with the present-day Guru Poornima. Specific date entries were recorded according to the year, month, fortnight, and day. The 'Samaharta,' akin to today's Finance Minister, held the responsibility for drafting the budget and managing accounts. This role involved determining the revenue to be collected across various income sources, organizing income under aayamukhas, and striving to enhance revenue while reducing expenditure. Additionally, addressing any imbalance in expenditure exceeding income was a key directive. Expanding on this, the revenue items were termed 'aayasharira' or the body of income, categorized into seven heads: city, country, mines, irrigation works, forests, cattle herds, and trade routes. City revenues included customs duties, fines, income from the weights and measures department, passport issuance, income from liquor, yarn, ghee, goldsmiths, services of prostitutes, gambling, contributions from artists, and income from temples, among others. Revenue from the country's interiors originated from agriculture, while mines contributed income through salt, minerals, and precious stones. The irrigation-works category gathered revenue from sales of flowers, fruits, vegetables, etc. Additionally, income from animal husbandry, equivalent to present-day practices, was collected through forests and cattle herds. Given the crucial role of trade in the Mauryan empire, trade routes constituted a distinct and significant category. Revenue from these sources was further classified into seven 'aayamukhas' or channels, encompassing price, share, tax, duty, levy, surcharge, or penalty. On the expenditure side, termed 'vyayasharira,' there were fifteen categories. These included expenditures for the worship of gods and charity, with the most significant allocations for the armed forces, the armoury, and the palace. Other notable expenses covered stores, factories, labourers, and the maintenance of animal wealth. The majority of expenditures were on state accounts, with only a few contributing to the king's privy purse (salaries for all royals, excluding the king, were fixed at specific levels). Expenditure categories lack specifics on state enterprise spending, like mining, likely because revenue represents net income after deducting expenses. This principle applies uniformly across all revenue items. Concepts such as revenue estimate, accrued revenue, outstanding revenue, income, expenditure, and balance were employed in accounting to portray an accurate snapshot of the kingdom's budgetary status at the year's end, extending into the next one. The Arthashastra precisely outlines these concepts, making it intriguing to compare them with contemporary accounting standards. At the start of the year, a budget estimate for revenue was established, considering various economic activities and administrative units like villages, districts, and regions. The Samaharta or his office set these estimates, and it was imperative for the officers responsible for delivering this revenue to adhere strictly to them for the state stores. Incomes were categorized as current, outstanding, and sourced from other avenues. Daily revenue fell under the 'current' category, while revenue from the previous year or transferred from another sphere of activity was considered 'outstanding.' Fines, compensation, property takeovers, treasure, and price increases constituted 'income from other sources.' Expenditure was categorized into day-to-day, at fixed intervals, and unforeseen expenses, with the latter two classified separately. After calculating revenue and deducting expenditure, the remaining balance was received and carried forward. Notably, the majority of state revenue was in kind, managed by the complex state stores overseen by the 'Sannidhatri.' Another crucial office in the budgetary context was the 'Akshapataladhyaksha' or the head of the records-cum-audit office, akin to the modern Comptroller and Auditor General. This office operated independently from the Samaharta, and its records were designed to scrutinize the accounts maintained by the Samaharta's office. Reviewing the various sections in the annual financial statement of the Union budget reveals that receipts into the Consolidated Fund of India come from tax sources, encompassing income tax, corporation tax, and indirect taxes, as well as non-tax sources like fiscal services, interest, dividends, and profits. Expenditure is allocated to general services, social services, and economic services. General services cover the essential expenses to keep the state operational, such as the legislature, executive, judiciary, tax administration, and defence. Economic services include disbursements related to areas like animal husbandry, irrigation, mines and minerals, industries, rural development, and transport and communication. A brief examination reveals parallels between tax resources on the revenue side and comparable disbursement categories on the expenditure side. An intriguing contrast between Kautilyan and modern budgeting lies in the absence of specific differentiation on capital and revenue accounts in the former. Although Kautilya acknowledges the differences in impact and implications, the Mauryan budget lacks explicit categorization. Unlike modern budgeting, which emphasizes significant developmental push and economic planning, the Mauryan budget did not prioritize these aspects. The intricate accounting and auditing machinery was established to ensure the State consistently benefited from economic activity. Throughout history, rulers have consistently made "development" a central theme in their budget planning exercises, as the welfare of citizens remains a key indicator of social health. Dr. Srinath Sridharan is a policy researcher & corporate advisor It is that time of the year again, one of my favourite times, the film awards season. Very close on the heels of my excitement around the festive season of Diwali and Christmas comes a time of celebration when all the incredible films of the past year get acknowledged and bestowed with the most coveted awards of cinema, the Oscars, awarded by the US-based Academy for Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. After the pre-cursors to the Oscarsnamely, the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild and Independent Spirit awards and othersare over, the Oscar race seems to get clearer, although nothing can be said for certain till awards night on 10 March. One could be in for a few surprises, as always. The Oscar nominations are out and some of the snubs are startling. Filmmakers Greta Gerwig and Celine Song being left out in the Best Director category is upsetting, but Justine Triets nomination for her film Anatomy of a Fall saved it from direction becoming an all-male contest. The biggest astonishment is Margot Robbie not being recognized for her role as Barbie in Greta Gerwigs film by that name. Last summer was dominated by Barbenheimer, short-hand for Barbie and Oppenheimer. Both films were released on the same day last July and made news across the world with their clash. Barbie went on to mint almost $1.5 billion worldwide, its huge success serving as box-office validation for Greta Gerwig. The Christopher Nolan directed Oppenheimer, on the other hand, got collections of nearly $950 million and tremendous critical acclaim. The Barbenheimer saga continued into the awards season at the end of 2023, with both films garnering multiple nominations. Oppenheimer has won the most so far. The Oscar nominations first surprise has been Barbie falling to third place on this count with eight nominations, while the quirky fantasy comedy Poor Things received 11 and Christopher Nolans biopic topped with 13. This years nominations have kept up the Oscar emphasis on diversity. We have a first-time native American actor, some openly LGBTQI+ actors and many actors of colour represented. Both Jodie Foster and Coleman Domingo, openly gay actors, have been nominated for their films Nyad and Rustin, respectively. I am also delighted to see America Ferrera nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category, her first Oscar nomination, for her role in Barbie. She delighted all of us for years in her super-hit sitcom Ugly Betty, and it is exhilarating to see her receive a nomination. Ryan Gosling gets his third nomination for the same film, in which he was brilliant as Ken. And then there is also the 80-year-old thespian Robert De Niro, who scored his ninth nomination for Killers of the Flower Moon. The outstanding actor has won twice, for The Godfather II and Raging Bull. We also have reason to rejoice and applaud Delhi-based Nisha Pahujas film To Kill a Tiger, which has been nominated in the Best Feature Documentary category. And now for my predictions for the 96th Academy awards to be held at the Dolby Theatre (once known as the Kodak theatre) in Hollywood, Los Angeles, on 10 March. Best Picture: Unequivocally, it would go to Oppenheimer. Having won almost all major awards in this category, it is the favourite. Nolans magnum opus is a meticulous biopic on the life of Robert Oppenheimer, and at a length of 3 hours and 20 minutes, it surprisingly performed better than Barbie in India. It has over a dozen nominations, and the only surprise winner could be Yargos Lanthimoss dark comedy, Poor Things, with just under a dozen. Unfortunately, the latter may not be screened in India on account of its objectionable content. Best Director: This also seems to me like a slam dunk for the deserving Christopher Nolan, who has been nominated eight times and will likely walk away with the golden statuette. His commitment to the big screen, dazzling writing and great direction is commendable, and every film of his is so audacious and thought-provoking that his films are a genre on their own. Best Actor: Cillian Murphy. Surprisingly, this is his first nomination and is my favourite to win for his brilliant transformation as Robert Oppenheimer. A regular in most Nolan films, his body of work is stupendous and he deserves this accolade, having also won the Golden Globe this year. My only candidate for a surprise win would be Paul Giamatti for The Holdovers. Best Actress: A surprise inclusion in the list is Annette Bening for Nyad, her fifth nomination (though she has never won). My vote, however, goes to first-time nominee Lily Gladstone for her splendid performance in Killers of the Flower Moon, but there could be a possible surprise win for Emma Stone for her magnificent performance in Poor Things. Both of them won Golden Globes in the drama and comedy categories, but alas, the Oscar for a lead role can only go to one of them. Whatever the outcome may be in the above four major Oscar categories, my alarm clock will be set for 5.30am to watch the resplendent red carpet, comprehensive interviews, drama and humour of the presenter and also the thrill of anticipation and excitement as those secret envelopes are opened one by one to announce winners. It is indeed one of the best times of the year for me as we celebrate the best of cinema and the people behind it. See you on 10 March! Taking a swipe at JD(U) president Nitish Kumar over his latest volte-face after he walked out of the Mahagathbandhan government in Bihar, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Sunday called him as a snollygoster" or a shrewd and unprincipled politician. Tharoor shared his social media post from 2017 when Nitish Kumar had broken away from the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress and returned to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) despite being foes for a long time. ALSO READ: Bihar politics LIVE: Nitish Kumar to take oath as Bihar CM for record 9th time at 5 pm; celebrations outside BJP office In 2017, the Congress leader had tweeted: Word of the day! Definition of *snollygoster* US dialect: a shrewd, unprincipled politician. First Known Use: 1845. Most recent use: 26/7/17." Sharing that post, Tharoor said in a post of X, Didn't realise it would be the Word of Another Day too!#snollygoster." Reacting to Kumars decision to join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the Congress on Sunday compared Nitish Kumar to a chameleon", and said the people of the state will never forgive him for his betrayal". Congress party MP Jairam Ramesh said, This will not affect the INDIA alliance. The people of Bihar will give the right answer to Nitish Kumar and those who are sitting in Delhi in the 2024 elections. I have not seen any opportunistic leader like him. He can give tough competition to Chameleon. This entire drama has been created by PM- Muhurat Mantri. He is baffled by the success of Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra..." ALSO READ: Why Nitish Kumar left INDIA bloc to rejoin BJP-led NDA Nitish Kumar on Sunday resigned as the chief minister of Bihar, saying things were not working well" for him in the Mahagathbandhan and the opposition bloc INDIA. He staked claim to form a new government with the BJP, which he had dumped less than 18 months ago. Talking to media after submitting his resignation to governor Rajendra Arlekar, Kumar, who is likely to form a new government by the evening, said: I have submitted my resignation to the Governor. The government that was in place now comes to an end. I have let it go". At the state BJP headquarters, the party's in-charge Vinod Tawde said: We had gathered here to listen to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Mann Ki Baat. After the programme. Later a proposal was moved to support the JD(U) and form an NDA government which was unanimously accepted by all MLAs." Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge commented on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's resignation by stating that he was not surprised by the development. As reported by ANI, Kharge added that many individuals in the country are known for switching loyalties, using the popular phrase 'Aaya Ram-Gaya Ram' to describe such political behaviour. Also Read: Bihar politics LIVE: BJP chief JP Nadda to leave for Patna in afternoon; oath likely today Earlier he and us were fighting together. When I talked to Lalu Ji and Tejashwi, they also said that Nitish is going. If he wanted to stay, he would have stayed but he wants to go. That's why we already knew this, but to keep the India Alliance intact, if we say something wrong, the wrong message will be sent. This information was already given to us by Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav. Today that came true. There are many people in the country like 'Aaya Ram-Gaya Ram'," Kharge said. In Patna, Janata Dal (United) national president Nitish Kumar arrived at the Raj Bhavan and submitted his resignation to Governor Rajendra Arlekar on Sunday. Also Read: Bihar political turmoil: Mahagathbandhan on tenterhooks as Nitish Kumar edges towards NDA | 10 points Furthermore, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh in a post on X said that Nitish Kumar, who frequently changes political partners, is giving tough competition to the chameleons in changing colours. He wrote, Nitish Kumar, who frequently changes political partners, is giving tough competition to the chameleons in changing colours. The people of Bihar will not forgive the experts of this betrayal and those who made them dance on their tune. It is quite clear that the Prime Minister and the BJP are scared of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra and this political drama has been created to divert attention from it." Speaking to media in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri, Ramesh said, It is not surprising that Nitish Kumar has resigned. He is a seasoned politician. He has been a Chief Minister for several years. But he keeps changing his political colours. He gives a tough challenge to chameleons. People of Bihar will give a befitting reply to him and to those who are making him dance from Delhi. The BJP, PM and HM are perturbed by the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra...This drama has been done to divert attention from the Yatra...I would like to say that Nitish Kumar is an expert in betrayal." This move occurred amidst widespread speculation that Nitish might reunite with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), leading to the conclusion of the 'Mahagathbandhan' government in the state. Also Read: Want Nitish Kumar to stay: Akhilesh Yadav blames Congress for Bihar political turmoil Congress leader Tariq Anwar said that the people of Bihar will not forgive Nitish Kumar. We have faced such challenges several times. The Opposition is strong here. RJD, Congress and Left will face this challenge together and I think people of Bihar won't forgive Nitish Kumar this time. People of Bihar are being toyed with. They are being mocked. Bihar's image has suffered a blow," he added. Meanwhile, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad told ANI, If the main man (Nitish Kumar) behind this alliance says so, then there was no future (for INDIA alliance). There is no vacancy for the Prime Ministerial post. BJP will have a historic win in Lok Sabha polls and in Bihar we will win the whole 40 seats." Bihar Politics: I was hurt. I left the INDIA Alliance," said Janata Dal (United) president Nitish Kumar after resigning as the Bihar chief minister and severing ties with the Mahagathbandhan to break away from the ruling government as not everything was alright". Submitting his resignation to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Raj Bhavan in Patna, Nitish Kumar said his party has decided to sever ties with the Mahagathbandhan comprising the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress. Today, I have resigned as the chief minister and I have also told the Governor to dissolve the government in the state," Nitish Kumar told reporters outside Raj Bhavan. "This situation came because not everything was alright...I was getting views from everyone. I listened to all of them. Today, the government has been dissolved," Nitish Kumar said, adding, "We have decided to sever ties with the Mahagathbandhan in the state," Nitish Kumar told the Bihar Governor. Also Read: Live updates on Bihar politics Nitish Kumar had earlier snapped ties with the NDA in 2022 when he resigned as chief minister and joined the Mahagathbandhan with Lalu Yadav's RJD, the Congress and the Left parties. Nitish Kumar will continue as the Bihar caretaker chief minister until a new government is formed in the state. The BJP is likely to submit its 'Letter of Support' to JD(U) and CM Nitish Kumar to stake claim to form the next alliance government. The oath-taking ceremony is likely to be held at 4 pm. After breaking away from the ruling alliance, Nitish Kumar is likely to return to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) fold to continue to. In the current scenario, the RJD remains the single-largest party in the 243-member Bihar Assembly with 79 MLAs but falls short of the halfway mark of 122. The Mahagathbandhan government had 159 MLAs. After Nitish Kumar's defection, the Mahagathbandhan is short of eight MLAs to stake claim to form the next government in Bihar. The Congress holds 19 MLAs, while the BJP remains the second largest party with 78 MLAs. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Deborah Bret (R) learns clinical techniques at Anhui Medical University, Hefei City, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 23, 2024. Deborah Bret, a 21-year-old student from Lyon, France, majors in clinical medicine at Anhui Medical University. Bret, also known as Zhang Bohan in Chinese, has been learning Taichi since the age of five under the influence of her father, and thus developed a deep yearning to go to China. Bret continued learning Taichi from a local instructor after she came to Anhui in 2019 for her academic studies. In 2023, Bret won two first prizes in a national Wushu competition for college students. Bret also enjoys climbing mountains in China. "The most impressive experience of mine is climbing Huangshan Mountain, one of the country's most famous scenic spots. I felt like I was wandering in a Chinese landscape painting," Bret said. Bret loves Chinese cuisine, landscapes and traditional Chinese culture. Speaking of the future, she hopes to help others with her medical knowledge and let more people know about China. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan) Deborah Bret studies in a library at Anhui Medical University, Hefei City, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 23, 2024. Deborah Bret, a 21-year-old student from Lyon, France, majors in clinical medicine at Anhui Medical University. Bret, also known as Zhang Bohan in Chinese, has been learning Taichi since the age of five under the influence of her father, and thus developed a deep yearning to go to China. Bret continued learning Taichi from a local instructor after she came to Anhui in 2019 for her academic studies. In 2023, Bret won two first prizes in a national Wushu competition for college students. Bret also enjoys climbing mountains in China. "The most impressive experience of mine is climbing Huangshan Mountain, one of the country's most famous scenic spots. I felt like I was wandering in a Chinese landscape painting," Bret said. Bret loves Chinese cuisine, landscapes and traditional Chinese culture. Speaking of the future, she hopes to help others with her medical knowledge and let more people know about China. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) Deborah Bret walks out of a library at Anhui Medical University, Hefei City, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 23, 2024. Deborah Bret, a 21-year-old student from Lyon, France, majors in clinical medicine at Anhui Medical University. Bret, also known as Zhang Bohan in Chinese, has been learning Taichi since the age of five under the influence of her father, and thus developed a deep yearning to go to China. Bret continued learning Taichi from a local instructor after she came to Anhui in 2019 for her academic studies. In 2023, Bret won two first prizes in a national Wushu competition for college students. Bret also enjoys climbing mountains in China. "The most impressive experience of mine is climbing Huangshan Mountain, one of the country's most famous scenic spots. I felt like I was wandering in a Chinese landscape painting," Bret said. Bret loves Chinese cuisine, landscapes and traditional Chinese culture. Speaking of the future, she hopes to help others with her medical knowledge and let more people know about China. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan) Deborah Bret practices Taichi by a lake in Hefei City, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 23, 2024. Deborah Bret, a 21-year-old student from Lyon, France, majors in clinical medicine at Anhui Medical University. Bret, also known as Zhang Bohan in Chinese, has been learning Taichi since the age of five under the influence of her father, and thus developed a deep yearning to go to China. Bret continued learning Taichi from a local instructor after she came to Anhui in 2019 for her academic studies. In 2023, Bret won two first prizes in a national Wushu competition for college students. Bret also enjoys climbing mountains in China. "The most impressive experience of mine is climbing Huangshan Mountain, one of the country's most famous scenic spots. I felt like I was wandering in a Chinese landscape painting," Bret said. Bret loves Chinese cuisine, landscapes and traditional Chinese culture. Speaking of the future, she hopes to help others with her medical knowledge and let more people know about China. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) Deborah Bret practices Taichi by a lake in Hefei City, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 23, 2024. Deborah Bret, a 21-year-old student from Lyon, France, majors in clinical medicine at Anhui Medical University. Bret, also known as Zhang Bohan in Chinese, has been learning Taichi since the age of five under the influence of her father, and thus developed a deep yearning to go to China. Bret continued learning Taichi from a local instructor after she came to Anhui in 2019 for her academic studies. In 2023, Bret won two first prizes in a national Wushu competition for college students. Bret also enjoys climbing mountains in China. "The most impressive experience of mine is climbing Huangshan Mountain, one of the country's most famous scenic spots. I felt like I was wandering in a Chinese landscape painting," Bret said. Bret loves Chinese cuisine, landscapes and traditional Chinese culture. Speaking of the future, she hopes to help others with her medical knowledge and let more people know about China. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan) Deborah Bret visits Huangshan Mountain scenic area in Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, May 27, 2023. Deborah Bret, a 21-year-old student from Lyon, France, majors in clinical medicine at Anhui Medical University. Bret, also known as Zhang Bohan in Chinese, has been learning Taichi since the age of five under the influence of her father, and thus developed a deep yearning to go to China. Bret continued learning Taichi from a local instructor after she came to Anhui in 2019 for her academic studies. In 2023, Bret won two first prizes in a national Wushu competition for college students. Bret also enjoys climbing mountains in China. "The most impressive experience of mine is climbing Huangshan Mountain, one of the country's most famous scenic spots. I felt like I was wandering in a Chinese landscape painting," Bret said. Bret loves Chinese cuisine, landscapes and traditional Chinese culture. Speaking of the future, she hopes to help others with her medical knowledge and let more people know about China. (Xinhua) Deborah Bret competes during a national Wushu competition for college students in north China's Tianjin, Oct. 8, 2023. Deborah Bret, a 21-year-old student from Lyon, France, majors in clinical medicine at Anhui Medical University. Bret, also known as Zhang Bohan in Chinese, has been learning Taichi since the age of five under the influence of her father, and thus developed a deep yearning to go to China. Bret continued learning Taichi from a local instructor after she came to Anhui in 2019 for her academic studies. In 2023, Bret won two first prizes in a national Wushu competition for college students. Bret also enjoys climbing mountains in China. "The most impressive experience of mine is climbing Huangshan Mountain, one of the country's most famous scenic spots. I felt like I was wandering in a Chinese landscape painting," Bret said. Bret loves Chinese cuisine, landscapes and traditional Chinese culture. Speaking of the future, she hopes to help others with her medical knowledge and let more people know about China. (Xinhua) Deborah Bret (L) receives basic training of laparoscopic operation at Anhui Medical University, Hefei City, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 23, 2024. Deborah Bret, a 21-year-old student from Lyon, France, majors in clinical medicine at Anhui Medical University. Bret, also known as Zhang Bohan in Chinese, has been learning Taichi since the age of five under the influence of her father, and thus developed a deep yearning to go to China. Bret continued learning Taichi from a local instructor after she came to Anhui in 2019 for her academic studies. In 2023, Bret won two first prizes in a national Wushu competition for college students. Bret also enjoys climbing mountains in China. "The most impressive experience of mine is climbing Huangshan Mountain, one of the country's most famous scenic spots. I felt like I was wandering in a Chinese landscape painting," Bret said. Bret loves Chinese cuisine, landscapes and traditional Chinese culture. Speaking of the future, she hopes to help others with her medical knowledge and let more people know about China. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan) Deborah Bret does a medical experiment at Anhui Medical University, Hefei City, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 23, 2024. Deborah Bret, a 21-year-old student from Lyon, France, majors in clinical medicine at Anhui Medical University. Bret, also known as Zhang Bohan in Chinese, has been learning Taichi since the age of five under the influence of her father, and thus developed a deep yearning to go to China. Bret continued learning Taichi from a local instructor after she came to Anhui in 2019 for her academic studies. In 2023, Bret won two first prizes in a national Wushu competition for college students. Bret also enjoys climbing mountains in China. "The most impressive experience of mine is climbing Huangshan Mountain, one of the country's most famous scenic spots. I felt like I was wandering in a Chinese landscape painting," Bret said. Bret loves Chinese cuisine, landscapes and traditional Chinese culture. Speaking of the future, she hopes to help others with her medical knowledge and let more people know about China. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan) Deborah Bret uses an interactive study platform at Anhui Medical University, Hefei City, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 23, 2024. Deborah Bret, a 21-year-old student from Lyon, France, majors in clinical medicine at Anhui Medical University. Bret, also known as Zhang Bohan in Chinese, has been learning Taichi since the age of five under the influence of her father, and thus developed a deep yearning to go to China. Bret continued learning Taichi from a local instructor after she came to Anhui in 2019 for her academic studies. In 2023, Bret won two first prizes in a national Wushu competition for college students. Bret also enjoys climbing mountains in China. "The most impressive experience of mine is climbing Huangshan Mountain, one of the country's most famous scenic spots. I felt like I was wandering in a Chinese landscape painting," Bret said. Bret loves Chinese cuisine, landscapes and traditional Chinese culture. Speaking of the future, she hopes to help others with her medical knowledge and let more people know about China. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan) Deborah Bret (back) learns cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) technique at Anhui Medical University, Hefei City, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 23, 2024. Deborah Bret, a 21-year-old student from Lyon, France, majors in clinical medicine at Anhui Medical University. Bret, also known as Zhang Bohan in Chinese, has been learning Taichi since the age of five under the influence of her father, and thus developed a deep yearning to go to China. Bret continued learning Taichi from a local instructor after she came to Anhui in 2019 for her academic studies. In 2023, Bret won two first prizes in a national Wushu competition for college students. Bret also enjoys climbing mountains in China. "The most impressive experience of mine is climbing Huangshan Mountain, one of the country's most famous scenic spots. I felt like I was wandering in a Chinese landscape painting," Bret said. Bret loves Chinese cuisine, landscapes and traditional Chinese culture. Speaking of the future, she hopes to help others with her medical knowledge and let more people know about China. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan) Reacting to the Maharashtra government's decision to give all benefits enjoyed by the OBCs (other backward communities) to Marathas till they get reservation, Union minister Narayan Rane on Sunday said it could lead to an unrest in the state. In a post on X, Rane said that he does not approve of the state government's decision and assurance to the Maratha community regarding the reservation. It will lead to suppression of the Maratha community that has a historical legacy and it will also be an encroachment on the other backward communities" Rane said. It could lead to an unrest in the state," he said, adding that he will speak on the issue on Monday also. ALSO READ: Ajit Pawar's NCP slams ally CM Eknath Shinde's 'eyewash' response to Maratha quota demand Activist Manoj Jarange on Saturday called off his indefinite fast for Maratha quota after the Maharashtra government accepted his demands, with chief minister Eknath Shinde announcing that till Marathas get reservation, they will be given all the benefits enjoyed by the OBCs. A draft notification was issued by the government following negotiations with Jarange, stating that blood relatives of a Maratha person, who has records to show that he belongs to the agrarian Kunbi community, would also be recognised as Kunbi. Kunbi, an agrarian community, falls in the OBC category, and Jarange, who is spearheading the agitation for reservation for the Marathas since last August, has been demanding Kunbi certificates for all Marathas. Maharashtra cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal has also expressed dissatisfaction over his government's decision and questioned the backdoor entry" of Marathas into the OBC category. Bhujbal also claimed that Justice (retd) Sandeep Shinde, who heads a committee set up to find Kunbi records of Marathas, was getting almost double the salary drawn by the Chief Justice of India and called it an unnecessary expenditure. Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has tried to assuage concerns of the OBCs, stating that Marathas would not get Kunbi caste certificate without any proof. (With inputs from agencies) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Sometimes friends, sometimes foe. Nitish Kumar, dubbed "Paltu Ram" by many political leaders, switched alliances once again. The JD(U) chief severed ties with the Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD) and the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar on Sunday. A video, reportedly from 2023 went viral recently, in which Nitish Kumar can be heard saying, "Mar jaana qabool hai lekin unke (BJP) saath jaana humko kabhi qabool nahin hai (I'd rather die than tie up with them)". Now: Nitish Kumar said he broke away from the RJD and the grand alliance as "things were not working well" for him in the Mahagathbandhan and the opposition bloc INDIA. Kumar added that RJD leader and his former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav "was not doing anything". He said, Now I am back where I was before (in NDA) and now there is no question of going anywhere." What BJP says Then: The BJP had till some time back declared its "doors closed" for Nitish Kumar. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had slammed Nitish Kumar in one of his speeches in 2023 and accused him of sitting on RJD leader "Lalu Yadav's lap for satisfying his hunger for power". The BJP had dubbed Nitish Kumar's move to ally with the RJD and Left parties as "insulting and betraying" people's mandate. The party claimed that Kumar's "prime ministerial ambition" is the reason behind the JD(U)'s decision to walk out of the NDA and join hands with the RJD-led opposition in the state. Former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi had dismissed JD(U)'s allegations that the BJP wanted to break the party and that it made RCP Singh a Union minister without Nitish Kumar's consent. Now: BJP national president JP Nadda said, "Nitish ji has returned to NDA, it is a matter of happiness for us. The people of Bihar gave the mandate to NDA. JDU and Nitish Ji's natural alliance is NDA only..." BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad said, Now there will be development in Bihar. BJP will win all 40 Lok Sabha seats..." Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Nitish Kumar, Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Sinha on taking oath as the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Ministers of Bihar. "The NDA government formed in Bihar will leave no stone unturned for the development of the state and to fulfil the aspirations of its people...," PM Modi tweeted. What RJD says Then: After an alliance with Nitish Kumar in 2022, Tejashwi Yadav said, Today, all parties and members of the Bihar Legislative Assembly except the BJP have accepted Nitish Kumar as their leader." Now: Tejashwi Yadav called Nitish Kumar a "tired Chief Minister" after the latter pulled his party JD (U) out of the grand alliance and joined hands with the BJP again. Speaking to ANI, Yadav said, "He was a tired CM. Khel abhi shuru hua haii, khel abhi baki hain. I can give you in writing that the JDU party will be finished in 2024. The public is with us..." Yadav added, "Why should we not take credit for the work we have done? ... The CM who used to say that it is impossible to give jobs, we gave jobs and showed that it is possible. We brought new policies in tourism, IT, and sports. The work that was done in 17 months could not be done in 17 years (of BJP-JDU rule). We did historic work in the 17 months..." The Mahagathbandhan of the JD(U), the Congress and the RJD had won the 2015 assembly polls handsomely but came apart in just two years. Kumar returned to the NDA in 2017, hoping to get some traction after taking a stand against corruption taint on his then deputy Tejashwi Yadav. Again in 2022, he moved back to the alliance with the RJD. In the current 243-member Bihar Assembly, JD(U) has 45 MLAs and the BJP 78. Kumar also has the support of one Independent member. Jitan Ram Manjhi-led Hindustani Awam Morcha, which is already a part of the NDA, has four MLAs. The RJD (79), along with the Congress (19) and the Left parties (16), have a combined 114 MLAs, eight short of a majority. (With inputs from agencies) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi have been frequently trading charges against each other. In a recent sarcastic jibe at Gandhi, Himanta Biswa Sarma called him the biggest star campaigner of the BJP. He also claimed that the Congress loses its footprint wherever Gandhi passes through. "Wherever Rahul Gandhi passes through, the Congress gets erased. He is uninspiring, arrogant and has no leadership quality," Sarma told reporters on the sidelines of a programme in Dibrugarh on Sunday. "His footsteps always prove to be positive for the BJP. He is the biggest star campaigner for the BJP," he added continuing his remark against the Congress leader. Sarma leaves no opportunity to lash out at Rahul Gandhi. A few days back, the BJP leader had called the Wayanad MP Ravan when he was asked about him on the day of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony. His latest remark of calling Rahul Gandhi the star campaigner" of the saffron party has come after the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra travelled through the state from January 18 to 25. Meanwhile, several former Congress and ex-student leaders joined the BJP in the state. Among those who joined the party are ex-Congress minister Bismita Gogoi, former state Youth Congress chief Ankita Dutta, former president of All Assam Students Union (AASU) Dipanka Nath and former AASU adviser Prakash Das. The ceremony was also attended by state BJP president Bhabesh Kalita, cabinet minister Pijush Hazarika and party MLAs and leaders. "I have to admit Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Bus Nyay Yatra has created a huge impact in Assam. Over 150 leaders from @INCAssam and AASU are joining @BJP4Assam today," Hazarika wrote on X earlier in the day. Former Congress minister Bismita Gogoi said that disenchantment with the Congress leadership and the good work encouraged her to join the ruling party. "Women are no longer safe in Congress. I am sad to leave the party. But as much as the disgruntlement against the state Congress chief led me to leave the party, it was also the leadership of the prime minister and the chief minister which attracted me to the BJP," she claimed. Gogoi was expelled from the Congress for anti-party activities last year after she alleged National Young Congress president of sexual harassment. "The Congress formed on the ideology of Mahatma Gandhi is not there anymore. The only ideology of the Congress is now to re-brand Rahul Gandhi," Dutta, whose late father was a minister and president of the state Congress, added. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday dialled and congratulated Nitish Kumar ahead of his resignation as the Bihar chief minister, as per media reports. Nitish Kumar on Sunday junked the Mahagathbandhan government in Bihar, comprising the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress, by resigning as the chief minister. He is expected to return to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). PM Modi conveyed his wishes to the JD(U) chief before he left for Raj Bhavan, News18 reported citing sources. Nitish Kumar is set to exit the 28-party Opposition bloc, INDIA, and then form a coalition government with the BJP, as per reports that emerged on Saturday. The BJP is likely to submit its 'Letter of Support' to JDU and CM Nitish Kumar by 12 pm. The oath-taking ceremony is likely to take place at 4 pm. After resigning as the Bihar chief minister, Nitish Kumar said, We have decided to sever ties with the mahagathbandhan in the state." Nitish Kumar is most likely to take oath as CM for the ninth time on Sunday but this time, the JD(U) may form government with the new NDA cabinet, according to reports. Over Nitish Kumar's resignation, Congress compared the JD(U) chief to a chameleon" and said people of state will never forgive his betrayal. Nitish Kumar said, Things were not working out well, therefore I had to resign." Nitish Kumar said his resignation was prompted by the unfavourable state of affairs within the ruling alliance in Bihar. He further added, I sought the advice and opinions of everyone before coming to this decision. I took all opinions and suggestions to heart. The government is being dissolved today," reported ANI. The Governor's office at Raj Bhawan in a social media post on X stated, "Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar accepted the resignation of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and asked him to act as acting Chief Minister until alternative arrangements are made." Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, while emphasising that Nitish Kumar played an important role in the INDIA bloc, said, "So we expected that Nitish Kumar would fight the BJP and its ideology till the very end. In the coming two to three days, I don't know what will happen," he added. Also read: Why Nitish Kumar cannot be ignored by INDIA or BJP ahead of Lok Sabha Polls 2024 Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said that he knew it would happen and added, "There are many people in the country like 'Aaya Ram-Gaya Ram,' reported ANI. Mallikarjun Kharge further added, Earlier he and us were fighting together. When I talked to Lalu Ji and Tejashwi, they also said that Nitish is going," reported ANI. (With agency inputs) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! ON JANUARY 25TH Kenneth Eugene Smith became the first person anywhere to be executed by nitrogen hypoxia. He was convicted in 1989 of murdering Elizabeth Sennett, the wife of a preacher from Alabama, on her husbands orders. The state had first tried to execute him, by lethal injection, in November 2022, but botched the procedure. After that, Mr Smith chose to be put to death by novel means. His execution has caused outrage: Alabama claims nitrogen hypoxia is a quick, painless death but many medical experts disagree. Some have likened it to torture. Why did Alabama authorise this untested method? Lethal injection was used for 89 of the 92 executions carried out in America between 2019 and 2023. (The remaining three were by electric chair.) Three drugs are typically used: an anaesthetic, a paralytic and a chemical that stops the heart. But in recent years a number of American pharmaceutical companies have stopped supplying these drugs because they do not want to be associated with the death penalty. The European Union has banned the export of any drug that could be used in an execution. Some American states are seeking alternatives. Five (most recently Idaho in 2023) have approved execution by firing squad, a method last used in Utah in 2010. And threeAlabama, Mississippi and Oklahomahave authorised the use of nitrogen gas. Nitrogen makes up 78% of the air. But it is only safe to inhale when mixed with oxygen. During an execution the inmate breathes pure nitrogen through a mask, causing asphyxiation. Research on death by nitrogen exposure is limited: most of what is recorded in medical journals relates to accidents or suicide attempts. Some studies of oxygen deprivation suggest that it can cause pain similar to that of a heart attack. Nitrogen hypoxia may cause the prisoner to defecate or vomit while remaining conscious. The American Veterinary Medical Association wrote in its euthanasia guidelines in 2020 that nitrogen hypoxia is not an acceptable euthanasia method for most mammals because it is distressing". Moreover, if a prisoners mask is not placed correctly, nitrogen could leak, putting other people in the room, such as a spiritual adviser, at risk. Several weeks before Mr Smiths execution, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights warned that the procedure could amount to torture. But Americas Supreme Court rejected a last-minute bid by the prisoners legal team to halt his execution. According to witnesses, Mr Smith was conscious for several minutes after the procedure had begun, and seemed to be in extreme pain. What we saw was minutes of someone struggling for their life," said the Reverend Jeff Hood, Mr Smiths spiritual adviser. Those present say it took 22 minutes for Mr Smith to die. Alabama has an especially unhappy history of executions. Like many states, it has struggled to recruit highly trained medical staff to administer lethal injections: both the American Medical Association and the American Board of Anesthesiology ban their members from participating. The first attempt to execute Mr Smith was called off after staff struggled to put an intravenous line into his arm. That was the third consecutive execution attempt in which Alabama officials had problems administering lethal injections. (One other inmate survived the procedure; the other died after a three-hour ordeal, the longest in American records.) On January 26th Alabamas attorney-general, Steve Marshall, said that 43 other prisoners have chosen to be executed by nitrogen hypoxia, rather than endure a lethal injection. That will not guarantee a swift or painless death. A Chinese artist performs Yu Opera in Cape Town, South Africa, Jan. 27, 2024. A captivating gala performance presented by a Chinese arts troupe wowed the audience on Saturday evening in Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa. (Photo by Fred Barker/Xinhua) CAPE TOWN, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- A captivating gala performance presented by a Chinse arts troupe wowed the audience on Saturday evening in Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa. The performance is part of celebrations of the Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival. The talented performers come from Henan Province in central China. Their diverse show at the Westin Cape Town hotel featured martial arts, acrobatics, magic show, Yu opera, as well as Chinese traditional songs and dances. Welcoming the guests at the event, You Wenze, China's consul general in Cape Town, said the renowned Henan Arts Troupe, coming all the way from China, would grace the beautiful city of Cape Town with an enchanting performance showcasing the richness of the Chinese culture. "Tonight's spectacular performance will undoubtedly transport us to the heart of China, allowing us to experience the cultural treasures that have been passed down through generations," he said. The consul general also expressed hope that more pragmatic cooperation results between the two sides can be achieved in the new year. Speaking on the occasion, Sylvia Lucas, deputy chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (upper house) of the Parliament of South Africa, said the relationship between China and South Africa has long transcended the bilateral scope and become a shining model for the relationships between China and the continent. "In the past 25 years, the special and friendly relationship between China and South Africa has grown from strength to strength," she said. "It epitomizes the cooperation between the rising markets of the Global South." Lucas also expressed her wish that the friendship between Chinese people and South African people will continue to proper in the new year. Located to the south of China's "Mother River" -- Yellow River, Henan holds a significant position as the birthplace of the Chinese nation and is known for its abundant historical sites, splendid cultural heritage, and bountiful tourism resources, said Li Yanqing, deputy director general of Culture and Tourism Department of Henan Province. Li also extended an invitation to all South Africans to visit and explore Henan, and experience the ancient charm of China. The Spring Festival falls on Feb. 10 this year. Chinese artists perform martial arts in Cape Town, South Africa, Jan. 27, 2024. A captivating gala performance presented by a Chinese arts troupe wowed the audience on Saturday evening in Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa. (Photo by Fred Barker/Xinhua) A Chinese paper-cutting artist interacts with an audience in Cape Town, South Africa, Jan. 27, 2024. A captivating gala performance presented by a Chinese arts troupe wowed the audience on Saturday evening in Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa. (Photo by Fred Barker/Xinhua) A Chinese artist plays Chinese musical instrument Erhu in Cape Town, South Africa, Jan. 27, 2024. A captivating gala performance presented by a Chinese arts troupe wowed the audience on Saturday evening in Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa. (Photo by Fred Barker/Xinhua) People watch a gala performance to celebrate the Spring Festival in Cape Town, South Africa, Jan. 27, 2024. A captivating gala performance presented by a Chinese arts troupe wowed the audience on Saturday evening in Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa. (Photo by Fred Barker/Xinhua) Longford County Council members are to travel to Ballina to discuss how the Mayo town successfully redeveloped their former army barracks to a business hub. At the January County Council meeting Councillor Seamus Butler tabled a motion calling on the Executive to arrange a visit to the new Innovation Quarter in the former Ballina Military Barracks. Cllr Butler said that such a meeting with the team that oversaw and delivered the project could inform the local authority on means of delivering a strategy for the Camlin Quarter. The Fianna Fail elected representative's call came as a substantial upgrade at Ballina Military Barracks in Mayo was completed. That 8 million project saw the redevelopment of the former army barracks in Ballina, to create a business hub. It's a much smaller scale to Connolly Barracks, but it's completed and is ready to open, Cllr Butler told the meeting. He continued: We must be struggling somewhere, perhaps with the Department. Time is running out as far as I am concerned. We are starting to knock on doors and we don't have answers for this. We are going out canvassing with one arm as long as the other. Cllr Butler concluded by saying: Anything that can push this project to getting started in some shape or form is an absolute. It's not just something that might happen, it has to happen. The proposal was seconded by Cllr Uruemu Adejinmi, who said: Anything we can do as a council to support and encourage this project must be followed through on. Supporting the motion, Cllr Gerry Warnock added: We have had this site in our ownership since 2013. It's a long time on the boil. So much could happen there. I know a significant amount of money will have to be spent in the area, but something needs to be done with it. Cllr Peggy Nolan said there was a degree of frustration in the town at the lack of progress on the development of Connolly Barracks: So many projects were almost over the line, but just fell at the last hurdle. It's time we looked at something community led that will open up that part of the town. Cathaoirleach Colm Murray said a Corporate Policy Group will arrange a trip for any member of the local authority who wishes to travel to Ballina to discuss how the Mayo town progressed their project. IFA President Francie Gorman has welcomed the announcement that Irish beef exports to China will resume. The matter was raised by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar during a meeting with the Chinese Premier Li Qiang last week. We are always seeking access to as many markets as possible and the Chinese market offers very significant opportunities. The renewal of access to this market must be reflected in further price increases for farmers, he said. Francie Gorman said the suspension last November was disappointing and IFA had said that it must be resolved quickly. Given the nature of the case which brought about the suspension, there shouldnt have been any delay in regaining access, he said. Beef farmers will hope the formalities are concluded as quickly as possible and that trade will resume, he concluded. Meanwhile, ICSA Beef chair Edmund Graham has said the resumption of beef exports to China is welcome but stressed that farmers must see a dividend as a result this time. We have fought hard once again to get Irish beef back into the Chinese market and the opportunity is there to really make that market count, and count for the primary producers of beef, not just the processors. The resumption of exports to China must lead to an increase in beef price, he said. Confirmation of the resumption of Irish beef access to China came from Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, and Minister of State, Martin Heydon TD following high level talks in Dublin between the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and the Chinese premier Li Qiang. Continuing Mr Graham said, Beef farmers are enduring yet another long, hard, and expensive winter and the current price of beef is still not enough to cover our increased cost of production. Beef price needs to go to a base price of a least 6.00/kg in the short term to cover the costs of this winter. There will be optimism again now, but it is no use to us if it does not result in a price rise for beef producers. This opportunity must translate into a concrete rise in beef prices for it to be truly beneficial. Iran-backed militias killed three U.S. service members and injured 25 in a drone attack on a base in northeast Jordan near the Syrian border. Its the single worst incident of deaths and injuries of US personnel in the region since the uptick of attacks by Iran-backed militias following the start of the Oct. 7 war in Gaza, and the first militia attack on U.S. forces in Jordan. On Jan. 28, three US servicemembers were killed and 25 injured from a one-way attack UAS [unmanned aircraft system] that impacted a base in northeast Jordan, near the Syria border, said a CENTCOM statement. President Biden said that the US was gathering information about the incident but blamed Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria for the attack. While we are still gathering the facts of this attack, we know it was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq, Biden said. Earlier today, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a grouping of Iraqi and Syrian militias and front organizations of Iran, published a statement claiming responsibility for attacking Israel and several locations in Syria with drones, including al-Tanf, located near the Syrian-Jordanian border. The Mujahideen of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq attacked at dawn today, Sunday, January 28, 2024, using drones, four enemy bases, three of which are in Syria. They are Al-Shaddadi Base, Al-Rukban Base, and al-Tanf Base, and the fourth is inside our occupied Palestinian territories. The Iranian-backed militias have launched more than 150 attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria, and now in Jordan, since Hamas initiated a war with Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Before todays attack that killed three American soldiers, scores of troops had been injured in the attacks. The Biden administration responded to the militia attacks by sporadically striking at the militias in Iraq and Syria. The U.S. military has launched eight strikes in Iraq and Syria in response to the onslaught. Iran, which organizes, funds, trains, and equips and directs these militias, has been off limit as the Biden administration fears escalation in the region. Joe Truzman is a research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal focused primarily on Palestinian militant groups and Hezbollah. Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal. SPRINGFIELD A city developer plans to build 13 single-family homes on vacant land off Allen Street, saying the proposal will help with the housing crisis plaguing the state. The Planning Board approved the project this month in a 4-0 vote. The Conservation Commission has also given its OK, adding conditions designed to protect the nearby wetland and conservation area. But abutters and neighbors from the Outer Belt Civic Association see problems with increased water in their already wet basements and even more traffic on Allen Street. Michael Serricchio, owner of RJH Development, said he is planning the development on six acres of vacant land close to where the street intersects Bicentennial Highway. The homes are designed to be a mix of two-story colonials and ranches that will measure between 2,200 and 2,700 square feet. Residents, mainly of Wilshire Road and Hillside Drive, aired concerns that the construction and new homes will exacerbate problems with water they face on their properties. One resident said homes that exist probably should not have been allowed on the land, saying his basement frequently floods and his sump pump operates constantly. Water is an issue. There is no doubt about it, said Margaret Sheehan, who lives on Hillside Drive. There is no guarantee the wetlands and the water table will not be affected. In the past there was one home on the property. An additional 12 will add traffic onto Allen Street, which is already bumper-to-bumper multiple times during the day, she said. Sheehan said she has no objections to development if it is done properly. But she said people must consider the balance between preserving and protecting the environment with the need to reduce the housing shortage. Another Hillside Drive resident, Maryann Fellion, mentioned the deer, ducks and other wildlife in her backyard that will be displaced by the subdivision. The additional traffic will also be problematic in her view. One day she waited 12 minutes to exit Wilshire Road onto Allen Street because of the never-ending stream of cars. I cant understand the greed of trying to put that many homes in that area. Its ridiculous, she said. Slowing traffic The developers do understand the heavy traffic on Allen Street and Bicentennial Highway that intersects with it, said Filipe Cravo, project engineer for R. Levesque Associates, which is overseeing the project. Another concern is traffic, so we met with law enforcement to see what we can do [to] slow people down, he said. The company will continue to work with the Outer Belt Civic Association to address concerns residents have, Cravo said. On the water issue, officials said city engineers have approved the developers system to manage storm water. The city requires any additional water generated by a development to remain on the site. Before the Planning Board approved the project, Leo Florian, vice chairman of the board, said the development follows city zoning, lot size and other requirements, so the members cannot deny a permit, although they can require conditions to protect the area. I understand there are people who live by woods and dont like to lose them, he said. It is just not a reason to turn down a subdivision. Juan Latorre III, a member of the civic association, said it is time for the city to start talking about protecting urban woodlands while at the same time facing the fact that the greater Springfield area is facing a housing crisis. Planning Board member Jennifer McQuade said the Planning Board should look at its long-standing regulations to ensure they protect neighbors as well as developers. On the first night that Ashleigh Young, her partner, her 7-year-old son, and her 14-year-old daughter moved into their Deerfield apartment in November 2021, a light fixture in her sons bedroom fell from the ceiling. It only got worse from there. During their first two winters in their new home, it got so cold in the apartment that the family was forced to huddle together in their living room, the only room with adequate insulation, for warmth. In Massachusetts, residential properties must be heated to at least 64 degrees at night and 68 degrees during the day between Sept. 15 and May 31, but Young regularly measured temperatures in the 50s, she told MassLive last year. They dealt with incessant electrical issues whenever they tried to use kitchen appliances, tripping the breakers almost daily. Their former landlord never addressed many of these or the numerous other issues, despite a June 2022 order from Deerfield town officials ordering him to fix them. Despite new ownership, a housing court trial and numerous attempts to get the town to intervene, Youngs family still faces problems in their home on a daily basis. Their landlord wants them out, and they dont want to stay, but with record-high housing costs across the state, they cant move. The amount of fighting that I have to do, the amount of documentation that I have to provide, the amount of photos and video proof that I provide to just continuously be ignored and invalidated is really, really stressful, Young said. I have never in my life dealt with this. Wooden planks were nailed over this window in Young's hallway by her landlord. (Trea Lavery, MassLive)Trea Lavery/MassLive Under new ownership In November 2022, Robert Obear, owner of Northern Enterprises LLC of Montague, purchased the home for $650,000, with the intent to redevelop the property. Youngs family are the only remaining tenants in the originally three-family home. Her downstairs neighbors moved out in the months after Obear took over. The third unit was demolished last year due to damage from a downed tree. She told MassLive she believes Obears redevelopment plans are the reason problems still persist. I have made it clear to him from day one that Ive been trying to get out of here from before he even bought the place, she said. There is nothing that could keep me here, no amount of money, no amount of repairs. Im just so traumatized from everything. Obear did not respond to requests for comment for this story. Some things have improved since last winter. Obear now keeps the thermostat set at 73 degrees, which generally keeps the apartment within the legally required temperature zone. But not all of the radiators in the building are working. And Young says because the thermostat is in the living room, the warmest room in the unit, the heat in other rooms does not always get as high before it shuts off again. Obear has also replaced the oven hood, which used to cause a lot of the electrical issues. Young said she now has to reset the breakers about every two weeks, down from almost daily. Despite these and other smaller fixes since Obear took over, other concerns are still at the front of the tenants minds. One of Youngs biggest challenges has been mold and algae growth all over the home. She and her children have dealt with chronic health problems since a few months after moving in, which she has been told by doctors is connected to the presence of mold. Her son, who had never had respiratory problems before, now uses an inhaler, and missed more than 50 days of school last year due to illness, she said. Young, whos allergic to mice, has seen her own health impacted. They, along with other pests, frequently get into the apartment, likely through holes in the foundation, she said. Obear has sent pest control workers several times to set traps, but Young still finds dead mice and droppings throughout the building. The family always washes their pots and pans in the sink before cooking because they have found droppings in the floor-level cabinets where they are stored. In addition, Young told MassLive that during an energy assessment in December, the assessing technician found ice in the walls of the building, indicating both leaking moisture and a lack of insulation. She has not yet received the assessment report. Ashley Benedetti, a disability advocate and friend of Youngs working with her to address her housing situation, said she immediately noticed problems the first time she visited the apartment. Benedetti said she and colleagues she has spoken with have not seen a situation like Youngs before. We have to read those horror stories for our training, and there have been some horrible ones, she said. Hearing that my friend who is disabled is going through some of the similar things that Ive seen in these horrifying documentaries, its like, alright, thats it. I cant stand by anymore. Ashleigh Young and her family no longer use the front porch at her Deerfield home because parts of the wood are broken or rotting. (Trea Lavery, MassLive)Trea Lavery/MassLive Going to court In January 2023, Obear filed an eviction to remove the family for nonpayment of rent, after Young withheld payments due to the conditions in the unit. In July, the eviction made it to court for a two-day trial, during which Young, who was representing herself, said she tried to explain the conditions she was dealing with. She said she felt belittled by the landlords legal team, who repeatedly called her difficult. A judge eventually ruled that while Obear owed $4,500 to the tenants for one of the winter months where the heat in the apartment was inconsistent, the family owed him $7,500 plus court fees, for a total of $8,328.92, for the remaining months where they did not pay rent. If they were able to pay within 10 days, they could remain at the apartment. In his decision, Housing Court Judge Jonathan Kane wrote that while Young had claimed the eviction had been in retaliation for her complaints about the conditions, this was not the case as Obear served the notice to quit immediately after taking control of the property, without any knowledge of the heating, hot water and electrical issues. As evidence, he referenced a September 2022 letter from the towns board of health saying there were no code violations at the home, theorizing that the weather at the time of the inspection had not been cold enough to identify the existing problems. Kane added that Obear had repeatedly sent technicians to the property to address the heating issues, which both evidences a diligent effort to address the problem and indicates the severity of the problem. Kylie Brunner, who lived in the apartment before Young and her family moved in, told MassLive the poor conditions at the home predated even her time there, and prompted her to move out before her lease was up. The basement flooded frequently, the roof leaked and electrical problems were never addressed because it would have required rewiring. They offered us $200 off our rent every month if we would just deal with it, she said. We assumed it was safe, but there were definitely outlets in almost every room that didnt work. After the trial, the tenants were able to scrape together just enough money, despite Young being out of work at the time, but then struggled to remain up-to-date on rent after depleting their resources. In September 2023, Obear again sent them another notice to quit for nonpayment of rent, but Young told MassLive in December that they were able to again catch up and at that point were fully paid. Im at the point now where I know there are condition issues, but I also know if I withhold rent, he will happily go down the eviction path again, Young said. So its like hes won pretty much, because now Im in between a rock and a hard place. Young no longer bothers covering the space below her oven, because keeping it open makes it easier to clean out mouse droppings. (Trea Lavery, MassLive)Trea Lavery/MassLive Fighting for repairs After the town inspected the unit again at Youngs request in November 2023, its report, reviewed by MassLive, listed only a handful of minor issues that needed to be repaired. Some larger issues, such as mildew on the exterior of the building and rotting under the eaves, were described as not affecting the habitability of the second-floor apartment. Young, however, disagreed with the findings from the inspection, and felt that things had been left out. When a reporter visited her apartment earlier this month, she pointed out numerous issues not addressed in the report. In the kitchen, a loose-fitting sink had led to water leaking into the cabinets below, rotting the wood, and the entire counter can easily be lifted up as it is not attached. Inspectors concluded that there was no evidence of mold or excessive moisture under the sink. Electrical issues in that room are blamed on multiple appliances being plugged into one outlet. But Young says she only ever has one appliance plugged in at a time and still experiences problems. The exterior door the family uses is supposedly weatherproofed, but it swings open unless its locked. And even when its closed, light can be seen coming in from outside through the cracks around it. Young also worries about the basement, where she used to have a washer and dryer, but which is now mostly blocked off except for access to the breaker. The basement flooded in July 2023 when the town was deluged with heavy rain, but unlike most of her neighbors, she says it has flooded many times before and since. The inspection report acknowledges a small amount of moisture in one area of the basement, pointing out that the stone foundation is 100 years old. Valerie Bird, Deerfields assistant health agent who conducted the inspection, provided language from the Massachusetts General Laws about the inspection process, but did not otherwise comment on Youngs case. Young said she believes her landlord and the town inspectors think she is concerned only about cosmetic issues. But she feels differently. I cant say theyre not doing anything, but theyre not doing the things that are my concerns, she said. I continue to point small things out because the big things still arent fixed. The roof over this entrance at the back of the house fell last year, damaging Young's car, which was parked next to it in the driveway. It was propped up with a two-by-four and Young now parks her car in a different spot. (Trea Lavery, MassLive)Trea Lavery/MassLive Trying to get out Young and her family have been living at the home without a lease since Obear purchased the property. With all the challenges, she said she is desperate to leave, but until now, hasnt been able to. Since March 2022, she has been looking for other apartments, but with the high cost of housing combined with owning a large dog, its been virtually impossible. According to rental real estate platform Zumper, the average rent for a three-bedroom apartment in the Greenfield area is over $2,500 per month, more than $1,000 more than the family currently pays. Young said she has sent 257 apartment inquiries since March 2022, but has only heard back from three people, filled out one application and seen one unit. All three times she heard back, it was a no. Were not even getting responded to. Our applications arent even being processed, she said. What is a person in my situation supposed to do? I feel backed into a corner. I dont feel like Im even safe. Young said she is done looking to the town or the courts for help, and will instead focus her energy on finding a new home for her family. All I want is a home where me and my kids feel safe and were not getting sicker than we already are, and I want to pay for that in return, she said. JERUSALEM, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- A delegation led by the chief of Israel's intelligence agency Mossad traveled on Sunday to Paris for talks on a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, an Israeli government official told Xinhua. The official, speaking on conditions of anonymity, said that "significant gaps" have remained between Israel and Hamas. Contrary to reports in U.S. media, he noted that "a deal is not near. Hamas didn't soften its position and more levers of pressure should be applied to Hamas." According to the official, the U.S.-led talks in Paris, aimed at reaching a deal to end the Gaza conflict, will be held with the participation of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director, Qatari prime minister, and negotiators from Egyptian and Israeli security agencies. The Israeli official said Mossad Head David Barnea, accompanied by the chief of the Shin Bet internal security agency Ronen Bar, led the delegation. The objective of the meeting is "to bring up ideas and discuss proposals that will break the ongoing deadlock in the talks," he added. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly stated that his government will not agree to a deal that involves a full cessation of the conflict while Hamas remains in power in Gaza, and the escalation aims to "eliminate" Hamas. Israel launched its offensive in Gaza on October 7, 2023, in response to Hamas's assault on communities in southern Israel, which killed about 1,200 people and around 240 people being kidnapped. Currently, more than 100 hostages are still held in Gaza by Hamas and other militant groups. The deadly conflict has had a devastating impact on Gaza, with the Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks to 26,422 and 65,087 injured, according to the Gaza-based Health Ministry on Sunday. It had been a long time since Pharmacists Mate 2nd Class Merle Hillman had been in Holyoke, his hometown and the place where he spent his growing up years. Saturday, he came home. An outsized American flag waved in the breeze of a cold day, held up by two Holyoke Fire Department aerial ladder trucks at the entrance to St. Jerome Cemetery, signaling this was not an ordinary day. Hillman was home after 82 years in a military cemetery under a stone that read Unknown. A 56-year-old Littleton woman who died last week in a snowmobile crash in New Hampshire was set to be married soon, according to her obituary. Stacey McGarry was driving a rented snowmobile in Berlin on Jan. 23 when she failed to make a right turn on a trail, hit a rock and flew into the air, officials said previously. McGarry died in the crash, but her passenger was unharmed. Officials said speed and lack of snowmobiling experience were factors in the crash. Read more: Massachusetts woman killed in airborne snowmobile crash off New Hampshire trail According to McGarrys obituary, she was born in Lowell on Sept. 30, 1967, to the late Thomas McGarry Sr. and Frances McGarry. She grew up in Billerica and spent most of her life in the area. McGarry studied cooking in high school, but was working as a dispatcher for Copart auto auction in Billerica when she died, according to her obituary. In addition to caring for her family, she had a lot of love for her dogs Mimi, Scout and Millie. McGarry leaves behind her fiance, Bruce Noble, her daughter, Ashley Pelczarski, her son, William McDonald and many brothers, sisters and other relatives, according to her obituary. Stacey was an angel from the moment she entered this earth. The amount of love she had for her family was out of this world, especially her children, her obituary reads. McGarrys funeral is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 29, at 10 a.m. at St. Theresa Church in Billerica. Anybody who got the pleasure to know Stacey will forever have a void in their heart. We will miss her forever, her obituary reads. The Newton teachers union is planning to continue its strike and keep Newton Public Schools closed for a seventh day on Monday after city and school officials rejected its latest contract proposal Sunday afternoon. Both sides said they presented comprehensive offers on Sunday, but that they remained far apart on key issues. In a statement, the Newton Teachers Association (NTA) said it was deeply disappointed that the school committee rejected its proposal and said its members will be on picket lines Monday and continuing to advocate for what our students and educators need and deserve. The Newton School Committee said the unions proposal was neither affordable nor sustainable in a statement Sunday afternoon. The school committee accused the union of walking out on negotiations and not bargaining in good faith. The NTA began the strike on Jan. 19 after more than a year of failed negotiations. The citys teachers have worked without a contract since August, and according to the NTA, the parties remain stuck on multiple issues, including increased teacher pay and hiring more support staff. Newton Superintendent Anna Nolin has said the 21-school, 11,700-student district does not yet know how it will make up the lost days of learning. It is illegal in Massachusetts for teachers unions to strike, and the NTA faces steep financial penalties for each day its members refuse to work. Ryan Normandin, the bargaining team liaison for the Newton Teachers Association, speaks at a press conference on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024, at the Newton Education Center. Far left is Mike Schlegelmilch, co-chair of the union's Contract Action Team.Will Katcher/MassLive A new proposal At a Sunday afternoon news conference, NTA Bargaining Team Liaison Ryan Normandin said the unions proposal phases in changes out of consideration for the districts financial concerns without sacrificing the NTAs biggest demands. The package we presented is fair, affordable and it compromises. The NTA has worked urgently to get kids back to the schools that they deserve, Normandin said. We have done all we can. Now, the decision is in the hands of School Committee Chair Chris Brezski and Superintendent Anna Nolin. Among other provisions, the proposal included compromises on cost-of-living pay raises and phased in caps on class size. Read more: Newton educators to appear in court again as strike closes schools 6 days Disagreements remain as strike continues In a message to Newton families on Sunday, Nolin said the parties had reached tentative agreements on many key issues, including a plan to add five social workers to the districts elementary schools, adding 14 high school STEM teachers to reduce class sizes, a more generous family leave package, raises of 2.5% for some educational support staff members and the elimination of the lowest pay level for all educational support staff. I feel positive about the alignment of values between all parties that have been revealed during our face to face negotiations over these days, Nolin wrote. Some sticking points in the negotiations include the cost of living raises, how to restructure the day for the districts elementary schools, adding professional development days, and realigning staff insurance benefits with the rest of the city, Nolin said. These issues were discussed Sunday and both sides are moving quickly to try to come into alignment, she said. Still, Nolin said, the major issue in the negotiations remains the costs linked to the NTAs proposals. All of these proposals have to work in tandem to ensure a balanced and sustainable budget through the life of this contract, she wrote. I cannot endorse a budget that makes cuts to our current level of services or to our current employees. Affecting the negotiations is a lingering distrust between the NTA and school and city officials, Nolin said. This was also evident in comments from Mike Schlegelmilch, the co-chair of the unions Contract Action Team, who on Sunday accused Newton Mayor Ruth Fuller of stonewalling the union. The funding is there, he said. This is a manufactured political crisis created by the mayor, not a fiscal crisis. Financial costs for both sides Teachers unions can face financial penalties for striking. As of Friday, the NTA owed $375,000 in fines, according to a court order. If the union doesnt end the strike by 8 p.m. Sunday, it will incur another $50,000 fine. It will be fined that same amount again every day the strike continues, per the order. The fines are a result decisions by Middlesex Superior Court Judge Christopher Barry-Smith, who found the union in contempt of a Jan. 19 court order to end the strike early last week. According to court filings, the NTA has $486,229 on hand and $756,836 in total assets. Costs are piling up for the district too, according to Nolin. She said previously that it has had to shell out for police details as crowds have rallied outside school buildings, and that as a result of the strike, there may be students who will need to enroll in extended school year programming, which costs up to $290,000 to fund. COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) Three American troops were killed and dozens were injured Sunday in a drone strike in northeast Jordan near the Syrian border, the U.S. military said. President Joe Biden blamed Iran-backed militias for the first U.S. fatalities after months of strikes by the groups against American forces across the Middle East amid the Israel-Hamas war. With an increasing the risk of military escalation in the region, U.S. officials were working to conclusively identify the precise group responsible for the attack, but they have assessed that one of several Iranian-backed groups was behind it. Biden said the United States will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner (of) our choosing. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said we will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, our troops, and our interests. Iran-backed fighters in east Syria began evacuating their posts, fearing U.S. airstrikes, according to Omar Abu Layla, a Europe-based activist who heads the Deir Ezzor 24 media outlet. He told The Associated Press that the areas are the strongholds of Mayadeen and Boukamal. According to a U.S. official, the number of troops injured in the attack by the one-way attack drone rose to at least 34. Another official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details not made public, said a large drone struck the base, which two other American officials identified as an installation in Jordan known as Tower 22. It is along the Syrian border and is used largely by troops involved in the advise-and-assist mission for Jordanian forces. The small installation, which Jordan does not publicly disclose, includes U.S. engineering, aviation, logistics and security troops. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the troops were deployed there to work for the lasting defeat of ISIS. Three officials said the drone struck near the troops sleeping quarters, which they said explained the high casualty count. The U.S. military base at al-Tanf in Syria is just 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Tower 22. The Jordanian installation provides a critical logistical hub for U.S. forces in Syria, including those at al-Tanf, which is near the intersection of the Iraq, Syria and Jordan borders. Jordanian state television quoted Muhannad Mubaidin, a government spokesman, as insisting the attack happened across the border in Syria. U.S. troops long have used Jordan, a kingdom bordering Iraq, Israel, the Palestinian territory of the West Bank, Saudi Arabia and Syria, as a basing point. U.S. Central Command put the toll at three killed and 25 injured. Some 3,000 American troops typically are stationed in Jordan. Since the war in Gaza began Oct. 7, Iranian-backed militias have struck American military installations in Iraq more than 60 times and in Syria more than 90 times, with a mix of drones, rockets, mortars and ballistic missiles. The attack Sunday was the first targeting American troops in Jordan during the Israel-Hamas war and the first to result in the loss of American lives. Scores of U.S. personnel have been wounded, including some with traumatic brain injuries, during the attacks. The militias have said that their strikes are in retaliation for Washingtons support for Israeli in the war in Gaza and have also said they aim to push U.S. forces out of the region. The U.S. in recent months has struck targets in Iraq, Syria and Yemen to respond to attacks on American forces in the region and to deter Iran-backed Houthi rebels from continuing to threaten commercial shipping in the Red Sea. I am confident the Biden Administration will respond in a deliberate and proportional manner, said said Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., who heads the Senate Armed Services Committee. Republicans in Congress said the administrations approach had failed to deter Americas adversaries in the region. We need a major reset of our Middle East policy to protect our national security interests, said Republican Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., went further, urging the administration to strike targets of significance inside Iran, not only as reprisal for the killing of our forces, but as deterrence against future aggression. The only thing the Iranian regime understands is force. Biden, who was in Columbia, South Carolina, on Sunday, was briefed in the morning by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, national security adviser Jake Sullivan, and principal deputy national security adviser Jon Finer, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. In the afternoon, he met virtually with Vice President Kamala Harris and his national security team for an update. The president called it a despicable and wholly unjust attack and said the service members were risking their own safety for the safety of their fellow Americans, and our allies and partners with whom we stand in the fight against terrorism. It is a fight we will not cease. Syria is still in the midst of a civil war and long has been a launch pad for Iranian-backed forces there, including the Lebanese militia Hezbollah. Iraq has multiple Iranian-backed Shiite militias operating there as well. Jordan, a staunch Western ally and a crucial power in Jerusalem for its oversight of holy sites there, is suspected of launching airstrikes in Syria to disrupt drug smugglers, including one that killed nine people earlier this month. An umbrella group for Iran-backed factions known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq earlier claimed launching explosive drone attacks targeting three areas in Syria, as well as one inside of occupied Palestine. The group has claimed responsibility for dozens of attacks against bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria since the Israel-Hamas war began. Three officials with Iran-backed militias in Iraq, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter with journalists, said the drone attack against the base in Jordan was launched by one of the Iraqi groups. No faction has yet officially claimed responsibility. Officials said the U.S. military is not tracking any other attacks on its forces Sunday in the region. ___ By Zeke Miller and Lolita C. Baldor. Bassem Mroue, Abby Sewell, Omar Akour and Jon Gambrell contributed. by Ray Schultz , January 28, 2024 Colleen Brady is stepping down as publisher of the Arizona Daily Sun after five years in the slot. Brady is joining the Arizona Media Association's foundation to help create opportunities for local journalism in the state, according to a report in the Sun. The Sun says it will soon announce the next publisher. This happens as Wick, a local company, completes its takeover of the Sun. But Brady asserts that my leaving has nothing to do with Wick Communications taking over." Rather, I spent the last three months commuting between Flagstaff and Chandler because my family's there, my mother, my son ... so I wanted to be closer to them, she says. Brady became publisher after serving a brief period as interim general manager. "I'm proud that during this time, we've gone through a lot of changes, from how we deliver the newspaper to how people are reading it, consuming it -- in a town where you've got a highly educated audience, you always see a quicker changeover from print to digital," she says. advertisement advertisement Brady adds, "We have very strong numbers here for digital subscribers, and that's where people have shown they want to consume our information. Wick is a family-owned company in Arizona, out of Sierra Vista, Brady continues. They own a lot of papers that are our size or smaller, and what is really great is they're still letting each paper drive that connection with the community as well as what kind of content that community wants from the newspaper, whether it's advertising or news stories. Trusted Source Complete Biosynthesis of the potent vaccine adjuvant QS-21 Go to source Trusted Source Vaccine landscape sees a breakthrough as a key ingredient derived from the soapbark tree is successfully replicated in an alternative plant host, ushering in unprecedented opportunities for the industry. # vaccine #soapbarktree #vaccineindustry Replicating Vaccine Components from Nature's Pharmacy Advertisement Advertisement Complete Biosynthesis of the potent vaccine adjuvant QS-21 - (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41589-023-01538-5) Scientists achieve a groundbreaking milestone by replicating a vital vaccine ingredient from the soapbark tree in an alternative plant host, opening up revolutionary possibilities for the vaccine industry ).A research collaboration led by the John Innes Centre used the recently published genome sequence of the Chilean soapbark tree (Quillaja saponaria) to track down and map the elusive genes and enzymes in the complicated sequence of steps needed to produce the molecule QS-21.Using transient expression techniques developed at the John Innes Centre, the teamdemonstrating for the first time the free-from 'tree production of this highly valued compound.Professor Anne Osbourn FRS, group leader at the John Innes Centre said: Our study opens unprecedented opportunities for bioengineering vaccine adjuvants. We can now investigate and improve these compounds to promote the human immune response to vaccines and produce QS-21 in a way that does not depend on extraction from the soapbark tree.Vaccine adjuvants are immunostimulants that prime the bodys response to the vaccine and are a key ingredient of human vaccines for shingles malaria , and others under development.QS-21, a potent adjuvant, is sourced directly from the bark of the soapbark tree, raising concerns about the environmental sustainability of its supply.For many years researchers and industrial partners have been looking for ways to produce the molecule in an alternative expression system such as yeast or tobacco plants. However, the complex structure of the molecule and lack of knowledge about its biochemical pathway in the tree have so far prevented this.Previously researchers in the group of Professor Osbourn had assembled the early part of the pathway that makes up the scaffold structure for QS-21.However, thethat stimulates immune cells, remained unfinished.In a new study that appears in Nature Chemical Biology, researchers at the John Innes Centre used a range of gene discovery approaches to identify around 70 candidate genes and transferred them to tobacco plants.By analyzing gene expression patterns and products, supported by the Metabolomic and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) platforms at the John Innes Centre, they were able to narrow the search down to the final 20 genes and enzymes that make up the QS-21 pathway.First author Dr Laetitia Martin said: This is the first time QS-21 has been produced in a heterologous expression system. This means we can better understand how this molecule works and how we might address issues of scale and toxicity.What is so rewarding is that this molecule is used in vaccines and by being able to make it more sustainably my project has an impact on peoples lives. It's amazing to think that something so scientifically rewarding can bring such good to society.On a personal level, this research was scientifically extremely rewarding. I am not a chemist so I could not have done this without the support of the John Innes Centre metabolomics platform and chemistry platform.The team has partnered with Plant Bioscience Limited PBL (Plant Bioscience Limited) Norwich Limited which is leading the commercialization of this project.Source-Eurekalert URUMQI, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Horgos area of the Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ) in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Saturday announced the official operation of two motorcycle production lines targeting the Central Asian market, after a batch of motorcycles rolled off the lines. The production lines belong to Horgos Kingold New Energy Technology Co., Ltd, with the daily capacity of each production line reaching up to 500 motorcycles. The company's first order of 1,200 motorcycles will be exported to Kazakhstan in February, and it has received pre-orders for more than 20,000 motorcycles. With an investment of 1.5 billion yuan (about 211.27 million U.S. dollars), the motorcycle production project primarily focuses on new energy photovoltaic motor tricycles, two-wheeled electric vehicles and fuel motorcycles. The project is planned to be constructed in two phases, and the two production lines that have been put into operation are part of the first phase of the project. The company plans to introduce advantageous resources in the region such as steel, aluminum and electricity, into its motorcycle production lines, with a goal that 60 percent of the component parts of a motorcycle are made in Xinjiang. "It will significantly reduce costs compared to other provinces and cities in the country, and enhance our competitiveness in the market," said Yuan Zhiyou, chairman of the company. The Xinjiang Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ) is the first in China's northwestern border regions. Covering approximately 180 square km, the pilot FTZ comprises the iconic areas of Kashgar prefecture, Urumqi and Horgos, and is expected to greatly contribute to Xinjiang's integration into both domestic and international markets as well as boost local socioeconomic development. JERUSALEM (AP) Iran said Sunday it successfully launched three satellites into space with a rocket that had multiple failures in the past, the latest for a program that the West says improves Tehran's ballistic missiles. The launch comes as heightened tensions grip the wider Middle East over Israels continued war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip, sparking fears of a regional conflict. While Iran has not intervened militarily in the conflict, it has faced increased pressure within its theocracy for action after a deadly Islamic State suicide bombing earlier this month and as proxy groups like Yemen's Houthi rebels conduct attacks linked to the war. Meanwhile, Western nations remain worried about Iran's rapidly expanding nuclear program. Footage released by Iranian state television showed a nighttime launch for the Simorgh rocket. An Associated Press analysis of the footage showed that it took place at the Imam Khomeini Spaceport in Irans rural Semnan province. The roar of the Simorgh (rocket) resonated in our countrys sky and infinite space," said Abbas Rasooli, a state TV reporter, in the footage. State TV named the launched satellites Mahda, Kayhan-2 and Hatef-1. It described the Mahda as a research satellite, while the Kayhan and the Hatef were nanosatellites focused on global positioning and communication respectively. Iran's Information and Communications Technology Minister Isa Zarepour said the Mahda had already sent signals back to Earth. There have been five failed launches in a row for the Simorgh program, a satellite-carrying rocket. The Simorgh, or Phoenix, rocket failures have been part of a series of setbacks in recent years for Iran's civilian space program, including fatal fires and a launchpad rocket explosion that drew the attention of former U.S. President Donald Trump. The footage showed the rocket launched Sunday bore the slogan We Can" in Farsi, likely referring to the previous failures. The Simorgh is a two-stage, liquid-fueled rocket the Iranians described as being designed to place satellites into a low Earth orbit. However, the U.S. intelligence communitys 2023 worldwide threat assessment said the development of satellite launch vehicles shortens the timeline for Iran to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile because it uses similar technology. That report specifically cites the Simorgh as a possible dual-use rocket. The United States has previously said Irans satellite launches defy a U.N. Security Council resolution and called on Tehran to undertake no activity involving ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons. U.N. sanctions related to Irans ballistic missile program expired last October. Under Irans relatively moderate former President Hassan Rouhani, the Islamic Republic slowed its space program for fear of raising tensions with the West. However, in the time since, the 2015 nuclear deal Rouhani shepherded with world powers has collapsed and tensions have been boiling for years with the U.S. Hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi, a protege of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who came to power in 2021, has pushed the program forward. Meanwhile, Iran enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels and enough material for several atomic bombs, though U.S. intelligence agencies and others assess Tehran has not begun actively seeking a nuclear weapon. On Friday, France, Germany and the United Kingdom condemned an Iranian satellite launch on Jan. 20, similarly calling it capable of helping Iran develop long-range ballistic missiles. We have longstanding concerns over Irans activity related to ballistic missile technologies that are capable of delivering nuclear weapons, the countries said. These concerns are reinforced by Irans continued nuclear escalation beyond all credible civilian justification. Tehran maintains the largest arsenal of ballistic missiles in the Mideast, in part due to decades of sanctions following its 1979 Islamic Revolution and the U.S. Embassy hostage crisis blocking it from advanced fighter jets and other weapon systems. The U.S. military and the State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment Sunday. However, the U.S. military has quietly acknowledged the Jan. 20 launch conducted by the country's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard was successful. Meanwhile Sunday, the United Kingdom's Defense Ministry acknowledged one of its warships shot down a drone launched by the Houthi rebels from Yemen. The HMS Diamond shot down the drone with its Sea Viper missile system in the Red Sea, causing no damage or injuries, it said. These intolerable and illegal attacks are completely unacceptable and it is our duty to protect the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, the Defense Ministry said in a statement. The Houthis did not acknowledge the attack. The rebels have said U.S. and British ships are now targets in their campaign of attacks that they say is aimed at pressuring Israel to stop the war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. However, their attacks increasingly have tenuous or no links to the war and have disrupted international trade. ___ Associated Press writer Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report. The Mariners have signed utiltyman Cole Tucker to a minor league deal, USA Todays Bob Nightengale reports (X link). The contract contains an invitation to Seattles big league Spring Training camp. Tucker also signed a minors deal with the Rockies last winter, though it didnt lead to much time in the majors. His contract wasnt selected to the active roster until August, and Tucker appeared in only five MLB games amidst twice being designated for assignment and then outrighted off the 40-man roster. At seasons end, Tucker had the ability to elect minor league free agency and hit the open market once more. Picked 24th overall in the 2014 draft, Tucker showed flashes of that high draft pedigree during his time in the Pirates farm system, but he has a modest .250/.350/.382 slash line over 1107 career plate appearances at the Triple-A level. The Pirates gave him multiple looks in the majors, but Tucker has struggled to a .216/.266/.318 slash over 479 PA against MLB pitching. Pittsburgh DFAed Tucker during the 2022 season and he was claimed off waivers by the Diamondbacks, though the Phoenix native didnt receive any time at the big league level with his hometown team. Tucker was drafted as a shortstop but has moved into more of a multi-positional role in an effort to increase his value of catching onto another big league roster. Between this positional versatility and a switch-hitting approach, Tucker fits the profile of a useful bench piece if he can get any consistency going at the plate. The Mariners have Josh Rojas, Dylan Moore, and Sam Haggerty already lined up for roster spots, so while Tucker may face an uphill battle in winning a job in Spring Training, he could be a good depth piece for Triple-A if he agrees to remain in Seattles organization. NEWAYGO COUNTY, MI Charges are pending against a 35-year-old man who is accused of firing a gun during an altercation, Newaygo County sheriffs deputies said. The White Cloud mans name is being withheld pending arraignment in Newaygo County District Court. Police responded to a 9:38 a.m. report of shots fired on Saturday, Jan. 27, in the 1900 block of South Walnut Avenue in Everett Township. An investigation showed that several men police didnt say how many at the residence got into an altercation, which resulted in shots being fired. Its unclear if anyone was shot or injured during the altercation. The 35-year-old White Cloud was arrested on charges of felonious assault and felony firearms. He was lodged in the Newaygo County Jail. Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter. PORTLAND, MI -- Anyone traveling near water in the Portland area should be cautious, city officials said. The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for the City of Portland and the surrounding area. The warning was issued at about 10:15 p.m. Friday and is in effect until 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31. The Grand River is flowing more swiftly as ice continues to shift and break apart, city manager Tutt Gorman said in a post on the City of Portlands Facebook page. This change in water level might cause flash flooding in certain low-lying areas. River ice is notoriously unpredictable, so while no abrupt changes are imminently expected, it is wise to pay careful attention to the river for the next few days and have a plan in case water levels do rise quickly, Gorman said. Portlands Wastewater Treatment Plant remains in good condition and is operational. Board of Light and Power crews have closely monitored the electrical systems and are adjusting the grid as needed, while the Portland Police Department and the Department of Public Works continue to closely monitor areas threatened by flood waters, officials said. Canal Street was open reopened Saturday evening after being closed when the warning initially came through. Flooding on Water Street has receded as of Saturday, though the street will remain closed as a precaution until the flood warning has been canceled, Gorman said. The Bogue Flats Recreational Area is closed and heavily flooded, officials said. Local residents are advised not to enter this area. Gorman said conditions may change with little notice while under the flood warning, and residents are advised to be prepared and have a plan. BELMONT, MI The state has denied a request by Kent County for a $2.3 million grant to help purchase a 160-acre trail and natural area at Cannonsburg ski area. It was the second time the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund has denied the countys grant application to purchase property at the ski area. MUSKEGON, MI -- Twenty years ago, if you were looking to add gourmet cheese to your charcuterie board, youd head to Kathleen Fagan Rieglers home. If the cheese flag was flying outside her cottage, you could come inside to her cheese snug. If there were two people ahead of you, then youd have to wait in the kitchen. Today, you can comfortably line up at one of seven locations across Michigan. You can browse for other specialty butters, jams and olive oils but youre coming for the variety of cheese sometimes 200 choices. MOGADISHU, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The African Union's high-level delegation arrived in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, Saturday evening to assess the ongoing troop withdrawal, whose second phase began in December 2023. The African Union Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) said the AU team, which is led by Alhaji Sarjoh Bah, the director of conflict management within the Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department of the African Union Commission, will also discuss post-ATMIS strategy for 2024. "The delegation is scheduled to engage in a series of meetings with officials from the Federal Government of Somalia and international partners," ATMIS said in a statement issued in Mogadishu. ATMIS was expected to have reduced its troop presence in Somalia by an additional 3,000 and transfer control of several military bases to Somali security by Dec. 31, 2023. According to ATMIS, this strategic approach aims to align with Somalia's overarching security transition objectives, ensuring a careful and well-planned reduction in troop presence. Bah said the AU team will hold consultations with the Somali government officials and international partners on ATMIS transition and modalities for the deployment of a new mission in January 2025. "It is the culmination of 17 years of costly peace enforcement in Somalia. A smooth transition is critical to consolidate the gains," Bah said on his X, formerly Twitter. In the first phase of the drawdown, which concluded in June 2023, ATMIS withdrew 2,000 troops and transferred control of seven militaries to Somali Security Forces, as mandated by UN Security Council Resolutions 2687 and 2670. UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia Catriona Laing welcomed the AU team to Mogadishu for this very important mission. "Our strong partnership as the AU and UN under the leadership of the government of Somalia and with other international partners is showcasing what we can achieve when we work together to share goals," Laing said. TEHRAN, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Sunday accused the country's enemies of using "the tool of terrorism" to target Iran's neighbor-oriented policy, according to the semi-official Fars news agency. He made the remarks at a conference on Iran's foreign relations history while commenting on the recent events and developments in Tehran's ties with Islamabad and Baghdad. Amir-Abdollahian gave the assurance that Iran had a special focus on expanding relations with its neighbors and had seen and defined security within the framework of its "neighborliness policy." The minister said the past days witnessed certain "anti-Iran terrorist movements" in parts of Iraq's Kurdistan Region and Pakistan's Balochistan Province, as well as "terrorists that targeted the security of Iran and its neighbors, including Iraq and Pakistan." He added that the Iranian side has held "constructive and positive talks" with these countries' officials to find a common understanding and political solutions to the developments. On Jan. 16, Iran said it had launched missile strikes on the bases of "terrorists" and Israel's intelligence service Mossad in Syria and Iraq's Kurdistan Region respectively in response to recent anti-Iran "terror" attacks. A few hours later on the same day, Iranian media reported that Iran had struck a base of the "Jaish ul-Adl terrorist group" in Pakistan's Balochistan province. Both Iraq and Pakistan condemned Iran's strikes. On Jan. 18, Pakistan recalled its ambassador from Tehran and launched a missile strike on a border village in Iran's southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan, claiming to have targeted "terrorists' hideouts." The brief tension between Iran and Pakistan eased after phone talks between the two foreign ministers, and the return of Iran's Ambassador to Islamabad Reza Amiri Moqaddam and Pakistan's Ambassador to Tehran Muhammad Mudassir Tipu to their respective posts on Friday. According to a joint statement recently released by Iran and Pakistan, Amir-Abdollahian would visit Pakistan on Monday at the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani. Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE:AIT Get Free Report) announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The industrial products company reported $2.24 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.11 by $0.13, MarketWatch Earnings reports. The company had revenue of $1.08 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.06 billion. Applied Industrial Technologies had a net margin of 8.39% and a return on equity of 25.22%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 1.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.05 EPS. Applied Industrial Technologies updated its FY24 guidance to $9.35-9.70 EPS. Applied Industrial Technologies Stock Up 0.4 % Applied Industrial Technologies stock traded up $0.64 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $177.09. The companys stock had a trading volume of 295,091 shares, compared to its average volume of 156,715. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $168.50 and its 200-day simple moving average is $158.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 3.52 and a quick ratio of 2.44. Applied Industrial Technologies has a 52-week low of $122.24 and a 52-week high of $182.96. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.58 and a beta of 1.07. Get Applied Industrial Technologies alerts: Applied Industrial Technologies Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 29th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 15th will be issued a $0.37 dividend. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.84%. This is a boost from Applied Industrial Technologiess previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 14th. Applied Industrial Technologiess dividend payout ratio is currently 14.69%. Insider Activity Institutional Trading of Applied Industrial Technologies In other news, Director Mary Dean Hall sold 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $153.99, for a total value of $307,980.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 4,812 shares in the company, valued at $740,999.88. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink . In related news, VP Kurt W. Loring sold 5,470 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $164.50, for a total transaction of $899,815.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 21,269 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,498,750.50. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website . Also, Director Mary Dean Hall sold 2,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $153.99, for a total value of $307,980.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 4,812 shares of the companys stock, valued at $740,999.88. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last three months, insiders have sold 10,584 shares of company stock valued at $1,715,612. Company insiders own 2.20% of the companys stock. Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. FinTrust Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Applied Industrial Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Point72 Middle East FZE acquired a new position in Applied Industrial Technologies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. State of Wyoming acquired a new position in Applied Industrial Technologies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Quarry LP acquired a new position in Applied Industrial Technologies during the 1st quarter worth approximately $53,000. Finally, Federated Hermes Inc. increased its position in Applied Industrial Technologies by 54.9% during the 3rd quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 553 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $57,000 after purchasing an additional 196 shares during the period. 92.49% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities analysts have issued reports on AIT shares. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Applied Industrial Technologies in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a buy rating on the stock. KeyCorp increased their price target on shares of Applied Industrial Technologies from $182.00 to $195.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Applied Industrial Technologies Applied Industrial Technologies Company Profile (Get Free Report) Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc distributes industrial motion, power, control, and automation technology solutions in North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. It operates in two segments, Service Center Based Distribution, and Engineered Solutions. The company distributes bearings, power transmission products, engineered fluid power components and systems, specialty flow control solutions, advanced automation products, industrial rubber products, linear motion components, automation solutions, tools, safety products, oilfield supplies, and other industrial and maintenance supplies; and motors, belting, drives, couplings, pumps, hydraulic and pneumatic components, filtration supplies, valves, fittings, process instrumentation, actuators, and hoses, filtration supplies, as well as other related supplies for general operational needs of customers' machinery and equipment. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Applied Industrial Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Applied Industrial Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Atlas Copco (OTCMKTS:ATLKY Get Free Report) released its earnings results on Thursday. The industrial products company reported $0.13 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.15 by ($0.02), MarketWatch Earnings reports. Atlas Copco had a return on equity of 31.82% and a net margin of 16.24%. The company had revenue of $4.22 billion for the quarter. Atlas Copco Stock Performance Shares of ATLKY traded down $0.11 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $15.66. 99,351 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 171,342. Atlas Copco has a 52-week low of $11.14 and a 52-week high of $17.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 1.47 and a quick ratio of 0.96. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $16.11 and its 200-day simple moving average is $14.42. The stock has a market capitalization of $76.28 billion, a PE ratio of 28.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.41 and a beta of 1.30. Get Atlas Copco alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, Barclays assumed coverage on shares of Atlas Copco in a report on Friday, October 6th. They issued an underweight rating for the company. About Atlas Copco (Get Free Report) Atlas Copco AB, together with its subsidiaries, provides productivity solutions North America, South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Oceania. It operates through Compressor Technique, Vacuum Technique, Industrial Technique, and Power Technique segments. The company offers piston compressors, oil-free tooth and scroll compressors, rotary screw compressors, oil-free blowers, oil-free centrifugal compressors, gas and process compressors, air and gas treatment equipment, and medical air solutions primarily for use in the manufacturing and process industries. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Atlas Copco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Atlas Copco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Blackstone (NYSE:BX Get Free Report) issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The asset manager reported $1.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.95 by $0.16, Briefing.com reports. Blackstone had a return on equity of 17.19% and a net margin of 17.34%. The firm had revenue of $1.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.48 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.07 earnings per share. Blackstone Stock Performance NYSE:BX traded up $1.08 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $124.57. The company had a trading volume of 3,715,753 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,308,664. The company has a current ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. Blackstone has a 52 week low of $76.19 and a 52 week high of $133.53. The firms 50 day moving average price is $119.75 and its 200-day moving average price is $108.91. The firm has a market cap of $88.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 68.07, a PEG ratio of 3.50 and a beta of 1.52. Get Blackstone alerts: Blackstone Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 12th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 5th will be issued a dividend of $0.94 per share. This is a positive change from Blackstones previous quarterly dividend of $0.80. This represents a $3.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.02%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 2nd. Blackstones dividend payout ratio is currently 174.86%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on BX shares. Barclays increased their target price on Blackstone from $110.00 to $116.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 10th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Blackstone in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. HSBC assumed coverage on Blackstone in a research report on Friday, October 6th. They set a hold rating and a $113.00 price target on the stock. TheStreet cut shares of Blackstone from a b rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Oppenheimer cut Blackstone from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research note on Thursday, January 11th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have issued a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Blackstone presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $116.69. View Our Latest Stock Report on BX Insider Activity at Blackstone In related news, insider John G. Finley sold 29,900 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, October 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.39, for a total transaction of $2,762,461.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 424,863 shares in the company, valued at $39,253,092.57. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, CAO David Payne sold 5,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $128.21, for a total transaction of $705,155.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 47,781 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,126,002.01. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider John G. Finley sold 29,900 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $92.39, for a total transaction of $2,762,461.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 424,863 shares in the company, valued at $39,253,092.57. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Blackstone Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its position in Blackstone by 144.4% in the third quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 6,245 shares of the asset managers stock worth $669,000 after acquiring an additional 3,690 shares in the last quarter. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC increased its holdings in shares of Blackstone by 30.0% in the 2nd quarter. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC now owns 38,445 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $3,574,000 after purchasing an additional 8,874 shares during the period. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC acquired a new position in shares of Blackstone in the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. Imprint Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Blackstone in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $1,004,000. Finally, Wambolt & Associates LLC boosted its position in Blackstone by 5.3% during the second quarter. Wambolt & Associates LLC now owns 11,699 shares of the asset managers stock worth $1,088,000 after purchasing an additional 591 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 63.35% of the companys stock. About Blackstone (Get Free Report) Blackstone Inc is an alternative asset management firm specializing in real estate, private equity, hedge fund solutions, credit, secondary funds of funds, public debt and equity and multi-asset class strategies. The firm typically invests in early-stage companies. It also provide capital markets services. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Blackstone Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Blackstone and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV Get Free Report) issued its earnings results on Thursday. The airline reported $0.37 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.12 by $0.25, MarketWatch Earnings reports. Southwest Airlines had a return on equity of 9.36% and a net margin of 1.91%. The business had revenue of $6.82 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.75 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned ($0.38) EPS. The firms revenue was up 10.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Southwest Airlines Stock Down 1.0 % Shares of LUV stock traded down $0.30 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $30.09. 9,929,037 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 8,268,183. The stock has a market cap of $17.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.12, a PEG ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 1.19. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $28.37 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $29.02. Southwest Airlines has a 12-month low of $21.91 and a 12-month high of $39.53. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. Get Southwest Airlines alerts: Southwest Airlines Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 11th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 21st were paid a $0.18 dividend. This represents a $0.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.39%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, December 20th. Southwest Airliness payout ratio is 96.00%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts recently weighed in on LUV shares. TD Cowen upped their target price on shares of Southwest Airlines from $20.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Friday. Citigroup boosted their target price on Southwest Airlines from $25.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, December 18th. Sanford C. Bernstein cut Southwest Airlines from a market perform rating to an underperform rating and lowered their price target for the company from $29.00 to $24.00 in a report on Monday, January 8th. Melius cut shares of Southwest Airlines from a neutral rating to an underweight rating in a research report on Monday, November 13th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Southwest Airlines from $24.00 to $29.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday. Six analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Southwest Airlines has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $31.82. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Southwest Airlines Hedge Funds Weigh In On Southwest Airlines A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Comerica Bank purchased a new stake in Southwest Airlines in the 2nd quarter worth $34,644,000. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Southwest Airlines by 2.0% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 12,482,011 shares of the airlines stock worth $451,167,000 after acquiring an additional 244,723 shares during the last quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Southwest Airlines by 15.1% during the second quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 11,713 shares of the airlines stock worth $424,000 after purchasing an additional 1,538 shares during the period. National Bank of Canada FI increased its holdings in shares of Southwest Airlines by 115.6% during the 2nd quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 131,418 shares of the airlines stock valued at $4,839,000 after purchasing an additional 70,452 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Tobam raised its position in Southwest Airlines by 163.8% during the second quarter. Tobam now owns 4,912 shares of the airlines stock worth $178,000 after acquiring an additional 3,050 shares during the period. 78.22% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Southwest Airlines (Get Free Report) Southwest Airlines Co operates as a passenger airline company that provide scheduled air transportation services in the United States and near-international markets. As of December 31, 2022, the company operated a total fleet of 770 Boeing 737 aircrafts; and served 121 destinations in 42 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as ten near-international countries, including Mexico, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Aruba, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Belize, Cuba, the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Southwest Airlines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southwest Airlines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MOGADISHU, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The UN under-secretary-general for operational support Atul Khare wrapped up a three-day visit to Somalia Sunday by stressing the need for additional funding to support more Somali security forces. Khare acknowledged international partners contributing to the UN-administered Trust Fund and appealed for more resources to boost stabilization efforts in Somalia. "I call upon all UN Member States to contribute to this Trust Fund. This is security for the future to enable the Somali security forces to take over full responsibilities," Khare said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. He stressed the significant role played by the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) which has been actively supporting the government in enhancing the capabilities of the Somali security forces, and civilians in critical fields such as civil aviation, supply chain management, medical triage, and medical evacuation. "We have great hopes for Somalia, and I am confident they will build on the achievements made so far and reach even more milestones. We will stand side by side with them and assist them on this journey," Khare said. Over the past year, more than 500 Somali nationals have received training from UNSOS in various fields, he said. The UNSOS was expected to increase the number of Somali security forces supported by the Somalia Trust Fund to 18,900 from 15,900, starting November 2023 in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2710 (2023). Resource shortfalls in the UNSOS-administered Trust Fund, however, have hindered this scaling up, Khare said. Through the Trust Fund, the UNSOS has provided non-lethal logistical support to the Somali security forces engaged in joint or coordinated operations with ATMIS troops. This support includes delivering logistics such as food rations, fuel, communication equipment, tents, and lifesaving air medical evacuation. Khare said the UNSOS was looking into effective ways to build Somalia's capacity and provide operational support to Somali security forces. The UN official, who held talks with senior government, UN, and African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) officials, added the future role of the UNSOS will be determined as part of the post-2024 discussions on security arrangements in Somalia and a decision by the Security Council. abrdn plc grew its position in shares of Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM Free Report) by 315.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 1,457,393 shares of the business services providers stock after purchasing an additional 1,106,773 shares during the quarter. abrdn plc owned approximately 0.36% of Waste Management worth $222,165,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Spirit of America Management Corp NY purchased a new position in shares of Waste Management during the second quarter worth about $26,000. Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of Waste Management during the second quarter worth about $28,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new position in shares of Waste Management during the first quarter worth about $29,000. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO purchased a new position in shares of Waste Management during the third quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, KB Financial Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Waste Management during the first quarter worth about $33,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.34% of the companys stock. Get Waste Management alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on WM shares. Scotiabank lowered their price target on Waste Management from $177.50 to $165.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 10th. Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on Waste Management in a report on Monday, November 27th. They set an equal weight rating and a $175.00 price target on the stock. UBS Group upgraded shares of Waste Management from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their price objective for the company from $170.00 to $190.00 in a research report on Monday, October 23rd. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Waste Management in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on shares of Waste Management from $160.00 to $163.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 26th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Waste Management has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $181.29. Waste Management Price Performance Shares of WM stock traded up $0.71 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $185.81. 1,231,166 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,291,346. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $177.22 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $166.91. Waste Management, Inc. has a 1-year low of $148.31 and a 1-year high of $186.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.17, a current ratio of 0.84 and a quick ratio of 0.80. The firm has a market cap of $74.84 billion, a PE ratio of 32.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 0.71. Waste Management Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 15th. Investors of record on Friday, December 1st were given a dividend of $0.70 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 30th. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.51%. Waste Managements dividend payout ratio is currently 49.56%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, CEO James C. Fish, Jr. sold 5,383 shares of Waste Management stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $172.00, for a total transaction of $925,876.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 171,938 shares in the company, valued at approximately $29,573,336. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Waste Management news, EVP Charles C. Boettcher sold 2,500 shares of Waste Management stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $184.50, for a total value of $461,250.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 32,959 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,080,935.50. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO James C. Fish, Jr. sold 5,383 shares of Waste Management stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $172.00, for a total transaction of $925,876.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 171,938 shares of the companys stock, valued at $29,573,336. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 55,833 shares of company stock worth $9,750,104 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.27% of the companys stock. Waste Management Company Profile (Free Report) Waste Management, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of environmental solutions to residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers in the United States and Canada. It offers collection services, including picking up and transporting waste and recyclable materials from where it was generated to a transfer station, material recovery facility (MRF), or disposal site; and owns and operates transfer stations, as well as owns, develops, and operates landfill facilities that produce landfill gas used as renewable natural gas for generating electricity. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Waste Management Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Waste Management and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Seizert Capital Partners LLC raised its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Free Report) by 1.7% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 520,502 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after acquiring an additional 8,462 shares during the period. Bristol-Myers Squibb accounts for approximately 1.6% of Seizert Capital Partners LLCs holdings, making the stock its 26th biggest position. Seizert Capital Partners LLCs holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $30,210,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich grew its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 86,002.1% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 659,143,253 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $42,152,211,000 after purchasing an additional 658,377,716 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 92,570,288 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $5,919,870,000 after purchasing an additional 858,922 shares in the last quarter. Capital International Investors grew its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 12.8% during the 2nd quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 69,296,006 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $4,431,517,000 after acquiring an additional 7,878,833 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 39,034,341 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $2,489,314,000 after acquiring an additional 225,065 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter valued at $1,873,696,000. Institutional investors own 74.98% of the companys stock. Get Bristol-Myers Squibb alerts: Insider Activity at Bristol-Myers Squibb In other news, CEO Christopher S. Boerner acquired 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 5th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $49.78 per share, with a total value of $99,560.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer now owns 82,672 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,115,412.16. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Theodore R. Samuels II purchased 8,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 20th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $49.81 per share, with a total value of $423,385.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 35,500 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,768,255. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Christopher S. Boerner purchased 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 5th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $49.78 per share, for a total transaction of $99,560.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer now directly owns 82,672 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,115,412.16. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have acquired a total of 13,571 shares of company stock valued at $672,994 over the last quarter. 0.09% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Performance Shares of BMY traded up $0.09 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $49.70. 10,855,482 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 14,001,830. The stocks fifty day moving average is $50.57 and its 200 day moving average is $55.75. The stock has a market cap of $101.13 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 0.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a current ratio of 1.18. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 1-year low of $48.25 and a 1-year high of $75.18. Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.00 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.76 by $0.24. The business had revenue of $10.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.96 billion. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 18.44% and a return on equity of 51.59%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.99 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 7.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Bristol-Myers Squibb announced that its board has approved a stock buyback plan on Thursday, December 7th that authorizes the company to buyback $3.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the biopharmaceutical company to repurchase up to 2.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are usually a sign that the companys board of directors believes its shares are undervalued. Bristol-Myers Squibb Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 1st. Investors of record on Friday, January 5th will be paid a $0.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 4th. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.83%. This is a boost from Bristol-Myers Squibbs previous quarterly dividend of $0.57. Bristol-Myers Squibbs payout ratio is presently 60.91%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research firms have recently commented on BMY. BMO Capital Markets cut shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and set a $60.00 price target on the stock. in a report on Friday, October 27th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $56.00 to $50.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 27th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Thursday, November 9th. They issued a hold rating and a $55.00 price objective for the company. Cantor Fitzgerald lowered shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $68.00 to $55.00 in a research note on Wednesday, November 15th. Finally, TheStreet lowered shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Thursday, November 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have assigned a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Bristol-Myers Squibb has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $62.41. Get Our Latest Analysis on BMY Bristol-Myers Squibb Profile (Free Report) Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis, an oral inhibitor for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in NVAF, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for anti-cancer indications; Pomalyst/Imnovid indicated for patients with multiple myeloma; Orencia for adult patients with active RA and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BMY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. HM Payson & Co. reduced its stake in Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:SPR Free Report) by 18.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 20,771 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 4,683 shares during the period. HM Payson & Co.s holdings in Spirit AeroSystems were worth $335,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Private Advisor Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Spirit AeroSystems in the first quarter valued at about $576,000. Natixis Advisors L.P. bought a new stake in Spirit AeroSystems during the first quarter worth about $772,000. MetLife Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Spirit AeroSystems during the first quarter worth about $169,000. Panagora Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in Spirit AeroSystems during the first quarter worth about $200,000. Finally, BlackRock Inc. lifted its position in Spirit AeroSystems by 4.0% during the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 5,332,086 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $260,687,000 after purchasing an additional 205,899 shares during the period. 88.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Spirit AeroSystems alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes SPR has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Citigroup initiated coverage on shares of Spirit AeroSystems in a research report on Wednesday, January 17th. They set a buy rating and a $39.00 price objective for the company. Sanford C. Bernstein raised Spirit AeroSystems from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and upped their price objective for the company from $25.00 to $29.00 in a research note on Monday, October 23rd. Morgan Stanley raised Spirit AeroSystems from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and upped their price objective for the company from $22.00 to $35.00 in a research note on Wednesday, December 20th. Wolfe Research raised Spirit AeroSystems from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $34.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 9th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on Spirit AeroSystems from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday, November 2nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $30.28. Spirit AeroSystems Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:SPR traded up $0.64 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $26.96. The company had a trading volume of 2,195,738 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,079,581. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $28.63 and a 200 day moving average price of $24.23. Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. has a one year low of $14.65 and a one year high of $38.55. Spirit AeroSystems (NYSE:SPR Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 1st. The aerospace company reported ($1.42) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($1.56) by $0.14. The business had revenue of $1.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.46 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted ($0.15) EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 12.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. will post -3.33 EPS for the current year. About Spirit AeroSystems (Free Report) Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc engages in the design, engineering, manufacture, and marketing of commercial aerostructures worldwide. It operates through three segments: Commercial, Defense & Space, and Aftermarket. The Commercial segment offers forward, mid, and rear fuselage sections and systems, nacelles, struts/pylons, horizontal and vertical stabilizers, flaps and slats flight control surfaces, wing structures, and fully functional and tested wing systems. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Spirit AeroSystems Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Spirit AeroSystems and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. AMI Investment Management Inc. decreased its position in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:EEM Free Report) by 2.9% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 10,300 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 307 shares during the quarter. AMI Investment Management Inc.s holdings in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF were worth $391,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in EEM. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF during the second quarter worth approximately $25,000. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF during the third quarter worth approximately $28,000. Balentine LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF during the second quarter worth approximately $28,000. Pacific Center for Financial Services purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF during the first quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Pin Oak Investment Advisors Inc. grew its position in shares of iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 49.0% during the second quarter. Pin Oak Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 1,073 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 353 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.58% of the companys stock. Get iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF alerts: iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Stock Performance Shares of EEM traded up $0.03 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $38.89. 21,031,551 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 26,912,124. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $39.32 and its 200-day simple moving average is $39.07. iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF has a 52-week low of $36.38 and a 52-week high of $42.38. iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Profile iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF, formerly iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund (the Fund), seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of publicly traded equity securities in global emerging markets, as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (the Index). Read More Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. L.M. Kohn & Company lifted its position in shares of BCE Inc. (NYSE:BCE Free Report) (TSE:BCE) by 2.3% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 13,629 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 300 shares during the period. L.M. Kohn & Companys holdings in BCE were worth $520,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Bank of Montreal Can purchased a new position in BCE during the second quarter valued at approximately $1,543,572,000. National Bank of Canada FI raised its stake in BCE by 2.1% in the third quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 15,712,011 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $575,871,000 after buying an additional 323,998 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia raised its stake in BCE by 1.7% in the second quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia now owns 14,536,809 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $662,797,000 after buying an additional 239,750 shares in the last quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec increased its stake in shares of BCE by 53.5% during the first quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec now owns 13,375,600 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $742,107,000 after purchasing an additional 4,661,300 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of BCE by 3.9% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 13,200,273 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $553,619,000 after purchasing an additional 496,949 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 42.30% of the companys stock. Get BCE alerts: BCE Trading Up 0.6 % Shares of BCE traded up $0.25 during trading on Friday, reaching $40.75. 1,268,844 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,697,288. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $40.05 and a 200-day simple moving average of $40.25. The company has a quick ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.68. BCE Inc. has a twelve month low of $36.15 and a twelve month high of $48.38. The stock has a market cap of $37.18 billion, a PE ratio of 22.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.52 and a beta of 0.61. BCE Cuts Dividend BCE ( NYSE:BCE Get Free Report ) (TSE:BCE) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 2nd. The utilities provider reported $0.60 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.60. The business had revenue of $4.53 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.56 billion. BCE had a net margin of 9.37% and a return on equity of 16.28%. On average, analysts anticipate that BCE Inc. will post 2.36 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 15th were paid a $0.6969 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, December 14th. This represents a $2.79 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.84%. BCEs dividend payout ratio is currently 159.67%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades BCE has been the topic of several research reports. Canaccord Genuity Group upgraded shares of BCE from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, October 23rd. TD Securities raised shares of BCE from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of BCE in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of BCE from $62.00 to $59.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 18th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $58.60. View Our Latest Stock Report on BCE BCE Company Profile (Free Report) BCE Inc, a communications company, provides wireless, wireline, Internet, and television (TV) services to residential, business, and wholesale customers in Canada. The company operates through three segments: Bell Wireless, Bell Wireline, and Bell Media. The Bell Wireless segment offers integrated digital wireless voice and data communication products and services, as well as consumer electronics products. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for BCE Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BCE and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH grew its stake in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report) by 0.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,895,014 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 8,020 shares during the period. Philip Morris International makes up about 1.3% of Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OHs holdings, making the stock its 18th largest position. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH owned about 0.12% of Philip Morris International worth $175,440,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in PM. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Philip Morris International during the second quarter worth $753,000. PCA Investment Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Philip Morris International in the 2nd quarter worth about $27,000. Spotlight Asset Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Philip Morris International in the 2nd quarter valued at about $37,000. DHJJ Financial Advisors Ltd. purchased a new position in Philip Morris International during the 3rd quarter valued at about $36,000. Finally, Legacy Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in Philip Morris International during the third quarter worth about $37,000. 79.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. UBS Group cut Philip Morris International from a buy rating to a sell rating and cut their price target for the stock from $105.00 to $86.50 in a report on Tuesday. Stifel Nicolaus reissued a buy rating and set a $114.00 price objective on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Monday, October 2nd. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $118.00 to $113.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 2nd. Bank of America cut their price target on Philip Morris International from $118.00 to $111.00 in a report on Friday, September 29th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price objective on Philip Morris International from $111.00 to $105.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $107.39. Philip Morris International Price Performance PM traded down $0.36 during trading on Friday, hitting $90.85. The company had a trading volume of 5,935,831 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,004,673. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 1-year low of $87.23 and a 1-year high of $105.62. The company has a market cap of $141.04 billion, a PE ratio of 17.64, a P/E/G ratio of 2.44 and a beta of 0.67. The business has a 50-day moving average of $93.60 and a 200-day moving average of $94.03. Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 21st were issued a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, December 20th. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.72%. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 100.97%. Insider Activity In other Philip Morris International news, insider Wilde Frederic De sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $94.25, for a total transaction of $942,500.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 198,447 shares of the companys stock, valued at $18,703,629.75. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. About Philip Morris International (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. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Philip Morris International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Philip Morris International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Providence Resources P.l.c. (LON:PVR Get Free Report)s stock price passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 3.25 ($0.04) and traded as high as GBX 3.25 ($0.04). Providence Resources shares last traded at GBX 3.25 ($0.04), with a volume of 1,470,563 shares. Providence Resources Stock Performance The company has a market cap of 34.84 million and a P/E ratio of -3.19. The firm has a 50 day moving average of GBX 3.25 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 3.25. The company has a quick ratio of 1.54, a current ratio of 1.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. Providence Resources Company Profile (Get Free Report) Providence Resources P.l.c. operates as an oil and gas exploration company in Ireland. Its principal project is the Barryroe project located in the North Celtic Sea Basin. The company was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Providence Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Providence Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (OTCMKTS:BKRKF Get Free Report) were down 4.4% on Thursday . The company traded as low as $0.33 and last traded at $0.33. Approximately 34,650 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 53% from the average daily volume of 73,525 shares. The stock had previously closed at $0.34. PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk Stock Up 3.2 % The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $0.35 and a 200 day moving average price of $0.34. About PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (Get Free Report) PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk provides various banking products and services in Indonesia, the United States of America, Singapore, Timor-Leste, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. The company offers savings, time deposit, and current accounts; mortgage, working capital, investment, franchise, and cash collateral loan, as well as supply chain financing and bank guarantee; and micro, consumer, small and medium, program, and other loans. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Thai Union Group Public Company Limited (OTCMKTS:TUFBY Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest in January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,100 shares, a decrease of 45.0% from the December 31st total of 2,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 11.0 days. Thai Union Group Public Price Performance Shares of TUFBY stock remained flat at $8.00 during trading hours on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $8.20 and a 200 day moving average price of $8.16. Thai Union Group Public has a 1 year low of $6.89 and a 1 year high of $12.94. Get Thai Union Group Public alerts: About Thai Union Group Public (Get Free Report) Read More Thai Union Group Public Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells frozen, chilled, and canned seafood in Thailand and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Ambient Seafood; Frozen and Chilled Seafood and Related Businesses; Pet food; and Value-Added and Other Businesses. Receive News & Ratings for Thai Union Group Public Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Thai Union Group Public and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sivik Global Healthcare LLC increased its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Free Report) by 80.0% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 90,000 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 40,000 shares during the period. Novo Nordisk A/S comprises approximately 4.1% of Sivik Global Healthcare LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 5th largest position. Sivik Global Healthcare LLCs holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S were worth $8,185,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Argonautica Private Wealth Management Inc. boosted its stake in Novo Nordisk A/S by 100.8% during the third quarter. Argonautica Private Wealth Management Inc. now owns 5,812 shares of the companys stock worth $529,000 after acquiring an additional 2,918 shares in the last quarter. Aviance Capital Partners LLC raised its holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S by 43.7% during the third quarter. Aviance Capital Partners LLC now owns 10,206 shares of the companys stock worth $928,000 after buying an additional 3,103 shares during the last quarter. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH raised its holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S by 100.0% during the third quarter. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH now owns 2,860 shares of the companys stock worth $260,000 after buying an additional 1,430 shares during the last quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S by 153.6% during the third quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLC now owns 8,492 shares of the companys stock worth $772,000 after buying an additional 5,143 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sigma Planning Corp raised its holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S by 289.8% during the third quarter. Sigma Planning Corp now owns 11,560 shares of the companys stock worth $1,051,000 after buying an additional 8,594 shares during the last quarter. 6.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Novo Nordisk A/S alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In NVO has been the topic of several research reports. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, October 16th. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. They set an overweight rating and a $120.00 price objective on the stock. UBS Group began coverage on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. They set a neutral rating on the stock. TD Cowen increased their target price on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, December 4th. Finally, Argus began coverage on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a report on Monday, October 2nd. They issued a buy rating and a $110.00 target price for the company. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Novo Nordisk A/S presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $116.25. Novo Nordisk A/S Stock Performance NVO stock traded up $2.39 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $108.07. The company had a trading volume of 5,544,745 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,544,520. The firm has a market cap of $484.97 billion, a PE ratio of 44.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 0.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a current ratio of 0.82. Novo Nordisk A/S has a 12 month low of $65.58 and a 12 month high of $108.98. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $103.04 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $80.17. Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 2nd. The company reported $0.73 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.69 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $8.58 billion for the quarter. Novo Nordisk A/S had a net margin of 35.20% and a return on equity of 86.53%. On average, analysts forecast that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 2.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. About Novo Nordisk A/S (Free Report) Novo Nordisk A/S, a healthcare company, engages in the research, development, manufacture, and marketing of pharmaceutical products worldwide. It operates in two segments, Diabetes and Obesity care, and Rare Disease. The Diabetes and Obesity care segment provides products in the areas of insulins, GLP-1 and related delivery systems, oral antidiabetic products, obesity, glucagon, needles, and other chronic diseases. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NVO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BEIJING, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The year 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic ties. The relationship has weathered numerous challenges and has benefited both nations and the world as a whole. The unique history of China-France relations has shaped the "China-France spirit" featuring independence, mutual understanding, foresight, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, as said by Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday in a video speech at a reception in Beijing celebrating the 60th anniversary. The inception of diplomatic ties between China and France six decades ago marked a pivotal moment in 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. Since then, despite disparities in social systems, historical backgrounds, and cultures, China and France have consistently shown mutual respect, engaged in reciprocal learning, and fostered cooperation founded on the principle of finding common ground while setting aside differences. Their enduring partnership serves as a model of peaceful coexistence and mutual benefit. In the last six decades, China-France relations have marked numerous historic milestones. France is the first major Western nation to formalize diplomatic relations with China, catalyzing a shift toward global dialogue and cooperation. From pioneering the inaugural civil air route between China and the West to embarking on joint ventures to explore third-party markets, these groundbreaking initiatives exemplify the enduring "China-France spirit" and its transformative impact on bilateral ties. In an interview with Xinhua, former French Prime Minister Laurent Fabius said that China and France are both committed to independence as well as multilateralism and peace. "We do not want a bloc policy, with the risks of conflicts that this entails," he said. With the guidance of the "China-France spirit," economic cooperation and trade exchanges between the two countries have become closer. France is already China's third-largest trading partner and the third-largest source of investment in real terms in the EU. China is France's largest trading partner in Asia and the seventh largest globally. French-made Airbus in-service planes in China had risen to over 2,100 aircraft, according to the company's official website, representing more than 50 percent of the market by the end of the first quarter of 2023, while French consumers increasingly favor Chinese mobile phones, electric vehicles and other products. People-to-people exchanges have also reached a new high as China announced on Dec. 1 last year that it would implement a 15-day visa-free policy for French short-term visitors to China, and France later also announced that Chinese holders of master's degrees who have studied in France could receive five-year visas. Such steps will surely enhance cultural exchanges between the two civilizations of East and West. Chairman of the France-China Friendship Group of the French National Assembly Eric Alauzet said that 60 years of togetherness between France and China will provide the foundation for developing the next six decades of ties. Today, the world is at a pivotal moment. China and France must uphold their shared diplomatic principles as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. They are responsible for charting a collective course toward peace, security, prosperity and human progress. It is hoped that over the next 60 years, China and France will work together to strengthen their bilateral relations, promote a multi-polar world, and contribute to global peace and stability. Wambolt & Associates LLC raised its stake in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM Free Report) by 8.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 25,978 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 2,005 shares during the quarter. Wambolt & Associates LLCs holdings in Archer-Daniels-Midland were worth $1,928,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Berkshire Asset Management LLC PA grew its holdings in Archer-Daniels-Midland by 3.1% in the 2nd quarter. Berkshire Asset Management LLC PA now owns 4,031 shares of the companys stock valued at $305,000 after buying an additional 120 shares in the last quarter. Athena Investment Management grew its holdings in Archer-Daniels-Midland by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. Athena Investment Management now owns 13,857 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,047,000 after buying an additional 121 shares in the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Archer-Daniels-Midland by 2.2% in the 2nd quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 5,730 shares of the companys stock valued at $433,000 after buying an additional 124 shares in the last quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC grew its holdings in Archer-Daniels-Midland by 41.9% in the 2nd quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 491 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 145 shares in the last quarter. Finally, DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main grew its holdings in Archer-Daniels-Midland by 1.2% in the 4th quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main now owns 12,171 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,130,000 after buying an additional 146 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 77.73% of the companys stock. Get Archer-Daniels-Midland alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades ADM has been the topic of a number of research reports. Barclays lowered Archer-Daniels-Midland from an overweight rating to an underweight rating and set a $60.00 price objective on the stock. in a report on Monday, January 22nd. Robert W. Baird downgraded Archer-Daniels-Midland from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and cut their target price for the company from $96.00 to $61.00 in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. BMO Capital Markets cut their target price on Archer-Daniels-Midland from $80.00 to $66.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. Argus downgraded Archer-Daniels-Midland from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Finally, Roth Mkm downgraded Archer-Daniels-Midland from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $98.00 to $66.00 in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and twelve have given a hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Archer-Daniels-Midland currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $68.00. Archer-Daniels-Midland Trading Up 1.3 % Shares of ADM stock traded up $0.67 on Friday, hitting $52.05. The company had a trading volume of 10,795,844 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,099,449. The stocks 50-day moving average is $70.42 and its two-hundred day moving average is $75.43. Archer-Daniels-Midland Company has a twelve month low of $50.72 and a twelve month high of $87.30. The firm has a market cap of $27.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.25 and a beta of 0.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a current ratio of 1.69. Archer-Daniels-Midland Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 29th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 8th will be paid a dividend of $0.50 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 7th. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.84%. This is a boost from Archer-Daniels-Midlands previous quarterly dividend of $0.45. Archer-Daniels-Midlands dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 25.07%. About Archer-Daniels-Midland (Free Report) Archer-Daniels-Midland Company procures, transports, stores, processes, and merchandises agricultural commodities, products, and ingredients in the United States, Switzerland, the Cayman Islands, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Ag Services and Oilseeds, Carbohydrate Solutions, and Nutrition. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ADM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Archer-Daniels-Midland Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Archer-Daniels-Midland and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Washington Trust Bank lifted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report) by 80.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 25,619 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after acquiring an additional 11,448 shares during the period. Washington Trust Banks holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $2,481,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. GHE LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 1.3% in the 3rd quarter. GHE LLC now owns 12,365 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $1,198,000 after purchasing an additional 158 shares during the last quarter. Cottage Street Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 4.0% in the third quarter. Cottage Street Advisors LLC now owns 3,223 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $312,000 after acquiring an additional 123 shares during the last quarter. Flputnam Investment Management Co. grew its position in Abbott Laboratories by 4.5% during the third quarter. Flputnam Investment Management Co. now owns 124,731 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $12,080,000 after acquiring an additional 5,348 shares during the period. Cassaday & Co Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 1.9% during the third quarter. Cassaday & Co Wealth Management LLC now owns 35,055 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $3,395,000 after acquiring an additional 649 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AdvisorShares Investments LLC lifted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 6.1% in the 3rd quarter. AdvisorShares Investments LLC now owns 24,071 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $2,331,000 after purchasing an additional 1,392 shares in the last quarter. 73.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Abbott Laboratories Stock Down 0.4 % ABT traded down $0.44 during trading on Friday, hitting $112.01. The company had a trading volume of 5,176,697 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,588,744. Abbott Laboratories has a 1-year low of $89.67 and a 1-year 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 company has a market cap of $194.46 billion, a PE ratio of 34.36, a P/E/G ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 0.73. The business has a 50-day moving average of $108.60 and a 200-day moving average of $103.74. Abbott Laboratories Increases Dividend Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $1.19. The business had revenue of $10.24 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.19 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 14.27% and a return on equity of 20.84%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 1.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.03 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.62 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 12th will be issued a $0.55 dividend. 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 payout ratio is currently 67.48%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts recently issued reports on ABT shares. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $120.00 to $112.00 in a research report on Monday, October 2nd. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $133.00 to $141.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Abbott Laboratories in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a buy rating for the company. UBS Group decreased their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $130.00 to $118.00 in a research report on Thursday, October 19th. Finally, TheStreet upgraded Abbott Laboratories from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Thursday, December 21st. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $120.00. Read Our Latest Stock Report on Abbott Laboratories Insiders Place Their Bets In other Abbott Laboratories news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 15,000 shares of Abbott Laboratories stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $108.00, for a total value of $1,620,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 65,027 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,022,916. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Abbott Laboratories Profile (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. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Abbott Laboratories Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abbott Laboratories and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. You are already a Moneycontrol Pro user. OK BEIJING, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- China and Thailand signed a mutual visa exemption agreement on Sunday, which will come into effect from March 1, according to the Chinese foreign ministry. By then, Chinese holders of ordinary official passports and ordinary passports and Thai holders of ordinary passports will be allowed to enter and stay in each other's country visa-free for up to 30 days (no more than 90 days per 180 days). Those who enter each other's country for work, study, news reporting, residence and some other activities requiring prior approval and plan to stay in each other's country for more than 30 days shall obtain the corresponding visa before entering each other's country. Gayatri is a mind body spirit therapist and author of Elas Unfinished Business (Harper Collins, July 2023), among other books. Views expressed are personal. Neeta Lal is an independent lifestyle and travel writer. Views expressed are personal. January 28, 2024 / 09:40 PM IST BJP National President JP Nadda said, the people of Bihar had given majority to NDA, making it a natural alliance of Nitish Kumar and JD(U). It is on record that when NDA government came to power in Bihar, the pace of stability and development in Bihar took a great leap, he said. Return of Nitish Kumar to NDA, is a matter of joy for all of us and his coming back is good news for Bihar and for the development of Bihar, he added by Fu Yiming BRUSSELS, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) kicked off "Steadfast Defender 2024," its largest military drill in decades, on Wednesday. Analysts have said that the drill, the largest since the end of the Cold War, is directed at Russia. It aims to cheer up Ukraine, which is frustrated on the battlefield, and play up the so-called "Russian threat" to persuade NATO members to support military expansion and prepare for war. Such a move provokes confrontation and is harmful to regional peace and security. FLEXING MUSCLES The "Steadfast Defender 2024" drill, spanning the Atlantic, is scheduled to extend until the end of May. NATO said the military exercise had been planned for several years and is the largest one held by NATO since 1988. About 90,000 soldiers from 31 NATO member countries and Sweden will participate. The exercise includes over 50 ships ranging from aircraft carriers to destroyers, plus over 80 fighter jets, helicopters and drones, and at least 1,100 combat vehicles, including 133 tanks and 533 infantry fighting vehicles, according to NATO. NATO said the exercise "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." "The alliance will demonstrate its ability to reinforce the Euro-Atlantic area via trans-Atlantic movement of forces from North America," said NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe Christopher Cavoli. SUPPRESS RUSSIA Although NATO refrained from explicitly naming any specific country in its announcement, experts and media reports say Russia is the target of what NATO describes as "a simulated emerging conflict scenario with a near-peer adversary." It will be the first large-scale NATO exercise where new defense plans will be implemented, NATO said. And its top strategic document lists Russia as the most significant and direct threat to the security of NATO members. "The exercises are quite unprecedented," said Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, adding that NATO is not trying to hide the fact that the exercises are postured against Russia. Experts argued that the drills are also intended to cheer up Ukraine, which is frustrated on the frontlines and deeply worried about growing fatigue in the West and stagnating financial aid from the United States and EU. Tass news agency reported that there has been increasingly more rhetoric in Europe and the United States about a direct military conflict with Russia on the battlefield. "A situation where an enemy is being conjured up is leading directly to a revival of the very idea of maintaining NATO as a counterweight (to that purported threat)," Viktor Mizin, a researcher at the Russian Academy of Sciences' Institute of World Economy and International Relations, told Russian media Izvestia. Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told RIA Novosti that Russia is not afraid of such "provocative demonstrations" since it has "all the resources to ensure security and defense capability." PROVOKING TENSIONS Before the start of the military exercise, Rob Bauer, chair of the NATO Military Committee, claimed that civilians in NATO countries should be prepared for the prospect of an all-out war with Russia in the next 20 years. Analysts have pointed out that NATO is overemphasizing the "Russian threat" and the possibility of a future war with Russia. They argue that this is being done to justify NATO's expansion towards the east and north and to persuade the people of NATO countries to increase their military spending and join the military. The central locations involved in the drill are the Baltic nations, identified by NATO as particularly vulnerable to a possible Russian assault. Other areas include Norway and Romania, situated on the outskirts of the alliance; Poland on the alliance's eastern flank; and Germany as a central hub for reinforcements. "An exercise of this scale ... marks the final and irrevocable return of NATO to the Cold War schemes," Grushko said, warning that "any events of this scale significantly increase the risk of military incidents and further destabilize the security situation." "But the interests of European security today are of little concern to those who lead NATO; the main thing for them is to keep this instrument of American influence afloat in the already lost struggle to preserve Western hegemony in the world," he added. Analysts also pointed out that confrontation measures adopted by NATO cannot resolve the security concerns of member states. Instead, they will deepen the hostility between Europe and Russia and worsen the region's security. Enditem (Xinhua correspondent Zhang Zhang from Warsaw also contributed to the story) Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Manik Sharma is an independent entertainment journalist. Views expressed are personal. Danish Khan is a London-based independent journalist and author of 'Escaped: True Stories of Indian fugitives in London'. He is researching Indian capitalism at University of Oxford. The presidential candidate of the National Coalition, former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb casts his vote at a polling station in Espoo, Finland, Jan. 28, 2024. Finland's presidential election kicked off on Sunday as polling stations opened at 9 a.m. local time (0700 GMT). Finns are going to cast their votes until 8 p.m. (1800 GMT) to elect a president for a six-year term. (Xinhua/Chen Jing) HELSINKI, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Finland's presidential election kicked off on Sunday as polling stations opened at 9 a.m. local time (0700 GMT). Finns are going to cast their votes until 8 p.m. (1800 GMT) to elect a president for a six-year term. Nine candidates are contesting to be the successor to the incumbent, Sauli Niinisto. After two terms in the presidency, he is not running. According to Finland's constitution, the president can be elected to only two consecutive terms. If none of the candidates receives more than half of the votes in the first round, a second round will be held between the top two runners on Feb. 11. The presidential candidate of the National Coalition, former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb, and independent Green candidate, former Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, have been leading runners in the opinion polls. Stubb has been leading the polls since November but the candidate of the Finns Party and Speaker of the Parliament of Finland Jussi Halla-aho has been gaining popularity in recent weeks. According to the Ministry of Justice, which oversees the election arrangements, the results would be available around 10 p.m. local time (2000 GMT) on Sunday. National broadcaster Yle is expected to issue a prognosis earlier. People line up to cast their votes at a polling station in Espoo, Finland, Jan. 28, 2024. Finland's presidential election kicked off on Sunday as polling stations opened at 9 a.m. local time (0700 GMT). Finns are going to cast their votes until 8 p.m. (1800 GMT) to elect a president for a six-year term. (Xinhua/Chen Jing) People vote at a polling station in Espoo, Finland, Jan. 28, 2024. Finland's presidential election kicked off on Sunday as polling stations opened at 9 a.m. local time (0700 GMT). Finns are going to cast their votes until 8 p.m. (1800 GMT) to elect a president for a six-year term. (Xinhua/Chen Jing) A citizen casts the vote at a polling station in Espoo, Finland, Jan. 28, 2024. Finland's presidential election kicked off on Sunday as polling stations opened at 9 a.m. local time (0700 GMT). Finns are going to cast their votes until 8 p.m. (1800 GMT) to elect a president for a six-year term. (Xinhua/Chen Jing) A United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 jetliner is grounded as passengers try to rebook their tickets from canceled United Airlines flights after U.S. air safety regulator the Federal Aviation Administration grounded 171 Boeing 737 MAX 9 jetliners for safety checks because of the emergency landing of an Alaska Airlines plane, at Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Jan. 7, 2024. A screen displays the logo of Spotify on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., December 4, 2023. BANGKOK, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara here on Sunday for the annual consultation. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China and Thailand are one family. As next year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand, both countries face new opportunities and should take new actions in their respective modernization developments and in building a China-Thailand community with a shared future. China is willing to focus on building a more stable, prosperous and sustainable China-Thailand community with a shared future, strengthen pragmatic cooperation in various fields, and constantly add new dimensions to the bilateral relations, Wang said. For his part, Parnpree said Thailand attaches great importance to the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Thailand and China as well as strengthening friendly cooperation with China, as it not only aligns with the common interests of both countries but is also crucial for world peace and stability. Thailand firmly adheres to the one-China principle and does not engage in any official exchanges with the Taiwan authorities. Following the consultations, the two officials signed an agreement on mutual visa exemption. Reporter Andrew Roberto was raised his whole life on Saipan. He graduated from Saipan Southern High School, holds a degree from Northern Marianas College, and a BA in English from the University of Guam. He once worked for KUAM, UNO Magazine, and the Guam Daily Post. Chicago police conduct an investigation after a shooting on Wabash Avenue between Madison and Washington streets on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, in Chicago. White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan talks to reporters during the daily news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on July 11, 2022, in Washington, D.C. Sullivan and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed scheduling a call between the two countriesa leaders for sometime in the spring of 2024, a senior US official said. BCs Tales of the Pacific A Chamorro fights in the Second World War, part 2 People inspect the damage after an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Jan. 27, 2024. The Israeli army killed 174 Palestinians and wounded 310 others over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of Palestinian deaths and injuries to over 26,000 and 64,000, respectively, since Oct. 7, 2023, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Saturday. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua) TEHRAN, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Qatar and the United States were committed to an agreement with Iran regarding the country's use of its unfrozen funds worth 6 billion U.S. dollars, Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said on Saturday. The fund release process was advancing following the agreement between the central banks of Iran and Qatar, said the Qatari foreign minister during a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. Iran's funds were released last year by South Korea as part of a prisoner swap agreement between Iran and the United States and were transferred to six Iranian accounts in two Qatari banks. The two sides also discussed the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and stressed the necessity to end the crisis in Gaza, according to a statement published on the Iranian Foreign Ministry's website. People inspect the damage after an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Jan. 27, 2024. The Israeli army killed 174 Palestinians and wounded 310 others over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of Palestinian deaths and injuries to over 26,000 and 64,000, respectively, since Oct. 7, 2023, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Saturday. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua) People inspect the damage after an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Jan. 27, 2024. The Israeli army killed 174 Palestinians and wounded 310 others over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of Palestinian deaths and injuries to over 26,000 and 64,000, respectively, since Oct. 7, 2023, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Saturday. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua) People inspect the damage after an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Jan. 27, 2024. The Israeli army killed 174 Palestinians and wounded 310 others over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of Palestinian deaths and injuries to over 26,000 and 64,000, respectively, since Oct. 7, 2023, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Saturday. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua) A Palestinian man is seen standing beside the deceased in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Jan. 27, 2024. The Israeli army killed 174 Palestinians and wounded 310 others over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of Palestinian deaths and injuries to over 26,000 and 64,000, respectively, since Oct. 7, 2023, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Saturday. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua) People mourn for the victims at a hospital in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Jan. 27, 2024. The Israeli army killed 174 Palestinians and wounded 310 others over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of Palestinian deaths and injuries to over 26,000 and 64,000, respectively, since Oct. 7, 2023, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Saturday. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua) Letter of support for the nomination of Lillian Tenorio to the Superior Court Nelson Chamisa rejects pressure to form new party, advocates for broad-based movement Former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader, Nelson Chamisa, has declared that he will not succumb to pressure and establish another political party. According to Chamisa, he already enjoys the support of over two million Zimbabweans who are backing his leadership. Instead, he aims to lead a diverse movement encompassing all Zimbabweans, including dissatisfied members of ZANU PF, who are disillusioned with President Emmerson Mnangagwas rule. Chamisa said his decision to part ways with CCC was prompted by the partys significant infiltration by ZANU PF and its proxies. Sengezo Tshabangu destabilized the party when he assumed the role of interim secretary-general. He proceeded to recall numerous CCC Members of Parliament, senators, and councillors, leading to by-elections. However, Tshabangu went a step further by preventing the recalled members from participating in the by-elections. In response, Chamisa released a statement last Thursday clarifying his disassociation from CCC, effectively putting speculations about the partys future to rest. During an exclusive interview with The Standard, Chamisa emphasized that he remains an active politician with the support of over two million people who are committed to unseating ZANU PF. He intends to engage with other political players to establish a broad movement aimed at challenging ZANU PFs dominance. Chamisa emphasized that beyond political parties, the focus should be on uniting Zimbabwe as one cohesive entity, transcending partisan boundaries. He believes that individuals from various political parties, including ZANU PF, possess the potential to contribute to the countrys prosperity and transform it into a haven of peace. Recent speculation fuelled by CCC deputy spokesperson Gift Siziba suggested that Chamisa was on the brink of forming a new political party after losing control of CCC to Tshabangu. However, several CCC lawmakers, senators, and councillors reaffirmed their unwavering loyalty to Chamisa on Friday. Fadzayi Mahere, the CCC MP for Mt Pleasant, announced her intention to leave CCC in solidarity with Chamisa and plans to submit her resignation to Parliament this week. Chamisa expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support he has received, dispelling misconceptions that he had abandoned his supporters. He reassured them that he is resolute in his commitment to their cause and invited all like-minded individuals to join him. Chamisa stressed that he possesses the necessary confidence, mandate, authority, and power from the millions who voted for him, including those who were unable to cast their ballots. In response to Chamisas departure, Sengezo Tshabangu announced that the party would hold a meeting to address internal party matters and engage Chamisa in hopes of convincing him to reconsider his decision. Tshabangu also mentioned the possibility of Chamisa being held accountable for party assets if reconciliation efforts fail. Chamisa dismissed the notion, stating that CCC had no significant assets and that he personally financed his activities, including travel and rallies. What handover and takeover? he said. Where did you hear a party president managing the partys funds? CCC was being run on a voluntary basis, without offices. CCC was renting. The only assets CCC had were the MPs and councillors, who were elected by the people. If anything I used my own resources to travel to conduct rallies and many more. Its a sacrifice. It was a struggle. Chamisa founded CCC in January 2022 after being ousted from the MDC Alliance by Douglas Mwonzora. He had previously contested the 2018 presidential election under the MDC Alliance banner. Chamisa remains optimistic about the Southern African Development Communitys involvement in addressing Zimbabwes political challenges, as he had formally approached them regarding the disputed election. Sadc is seized with the matter (of the disputed election) because we wrote to them about the issue. George Charamba, Mnangagwas spokesperson, alleged on his former Twitter account that Chamisas former CCC colleagues, Welshman Ncube and Tendai Biti, would demand accountability for donations allegedly received by the party from Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and the European Union. Ncube and Biti have consistently distanced themselves from Tshabangu, amidst allegations that he serves as a proxy for the ruling party and state security institutions seeking to dismantle the opposition in order to create a one party state. Breaking News via Email Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday stressed Israel must achieve all the goals of the war, including destroying Hamas, bringing all the hostages home, and ensuring that Gaza does not again constitute a threat to Israel. It came after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague on Friday ordered Israel to take all possible measures to prevent genocide acts in the Gaza Strip. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Lambert here: Not a geopolitics maven, but Iran sure did offer Russia the right hand of good fellowship with those drone sales. By Simon Watkins, a former senior FX trader and salesman, financial journalist, and best-selling author. He was Head of Forex Institutional Sales and Trading for Credit Lyonnais, and later Director of Forex at Bank of Montreal. He was then Head of Weekly Publications and Chief Writer for Business Monitor International, Head of Fuel Oil Products for Platts, and Global Managing Editor of Research for Renaissance Capital in Moscow. Originally published at OilPrice.com. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei gave his official approval to a new 20-year comprehensive cooperation deal between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Russia. The agreement will replace the 10-year-deal signed in March 2001 and has been expanded not only in duration but also in scope and scale. The new deal includes far-going agreements on defense and energy. Irans Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, gave his official approval on 18 January to a new 20-year comprehensive cooperation deal between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Russia, according to a senior energy source in Iran and a senior source in the European Unions (E.U.) energy security complex, exclusively spoken to by OilPrice.com last week. The 20-year deal The Treaty on the Basis of Mutual Relations and Principles of Cooperation between Iran and Russia was presented for his consideration on 11 December 2023. It will replace the 10-year-deal signed in March 2001 (extended twice by five years) and has been expanded not only in duration but also in scope and scale, particularly in the defense and energy sectors. In several respects, the new deal additionally complements key elements of the all-encompassing Iran-China 25-Year Comprehensive Cooperation Agreement, as first revealed anywhere in the world in my 3 September 2019 article on the subject and analysed in full in my new book on the new global oil market order. In the energy sector to begin with, the new deal gives Russia the first right of extraction in the Iranian section of the Caspian Sea, including the potentially huge Chalous field. The wider Caspian basins area, including both onshore and offshore fields, is conservatively estimated to have around 48 billion barrels of oil and 292 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of natural gas in proven and probable reserves. In 2019, Russia was instrumental in changing the legal status of the Caspian basins area, cutting Irans share from 50 percent to just 11.875 percent in the process, as also detailed in my new book. Before the Chalous discovery, this meant that Iran would lose at least US$3.2 trillion in revenues from the lost value of energy products across the shared assets of the Caspian Sea resource going forward. Given the newest internal-use only estimates from Iran and Russia, this figure could be a lot higher. Previously, the estimates were that Chalous contained around 124 billion cubic feet (bcf) of gas in place. This equated to around one quarter of the gas reserves contained in Irans supergiant South Pars natural gas field that account for around 40 percent of Irans total estimated gas reserves and about 80 per cent of its gas production. The new estimates are that it is a twin-field site, nine kilometres apart, with Greater Chalous having 208 bcf of gas in place, and Lesser Chalous having 42 bcf of gas, giving a combined figure of 250 bcm of gas. The same right of first extraction for Russia will also now apply to Irans major oil and gas fields in the Khorramshahr and nearby Ilam provinces that border Iraq. The shared fields of Iran and Iraq have long allowed Tehran to side-step sanctions in place against its key oil sector, as it is impossible to tell what oil has come from the Iranian side or the Iraqi side of these fields, which means that Iran is able simply to rebrand its own sanctioned oil as unsanctioned Iraqi oil and ship it anywhere it wants, as also analysed in full in my new book on the new global oil market order. Former Petroleum Minister, Bijan Zanganeh, publicly highlighted this very practice when he said in 2020: What we export is not under Irans name. The documents are changed over and over, as well as [the] specifications. Another advantage of the shared fields is that they allow effectively free movement of personnel from the Iranian side to the Iraqi side, and the utilisation of key oil and gas developments across Iraq is a key part of Irans longstanding plan, fully supported by Russia, to build a land bridge to the Mediterranean Sea coast of Syria. This would enable Iran and Russia to exponentially increase weapons delivery into southern Lebanon and the Golan Heights area of Syria to be used in attacks on Israel. The core aim of this policy is to provoke a broader conflict in the Middle East that would draw in the U.S. and its allies into an unwinnable war of the sort seen recently in Iraq and Afghanistan, and which may soon be seen as the Israel-Hamas War escalates. The price of all manufactured items traded between Russia and Iran, including military and energy hardware, has been formalised in the new deal, although also not in Irans favour. For Iranian goods exported to Russia, Tehran will receive the cost of production plus 8 percent. However, these export sales to Russia will not be transferred to Iran, but rather they will be held as credit in the Central Bank of Russia (CBR). Moreover, Iran will receive a huge markdown on US dollar/Rouble or Euro/Rouble exchange rates used to calculate its credits in the CBR. Conversely, for Russian goods exported to Iran, Moscow will receive the payment in advance of delivery and at a much stronger exchange rate that benefits Russia. Moreover, the base price before any exchange rate calculations are made, will be founded on the highest price that Russia has received in the previous 180 days for whichever product it is selling Iran. This system has informally been in place for several weeks now, and according to the senior energy sector source in Tehran exclusively spoken to by OilPrice.com last week, Russia has ensured itself the highest possible price by selling to Belarus at a very large premium whichever product it intends to sell later to Iran, so establishing the required pricing benchmark. Payments for goods and services falling outside the direct finance route between the central banks of the two countries can now be done through interbank transfers between Iranian and Russian banks. Those also involving renminbi can also be done through Chinas Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS) system, its alternative to the globally-dominant Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications (SWIFT) system. In many cases, the expansion of military cooperation between Iran and Russia is tied into the energy sector elements of the new 20-year deal. Progress is earmarked to be made on upgrading the facilities at the key airports and seaports that have long been targeted by Russia as being especially useful for dual-use by its air force and navy, and which are also close to major oil and gas facilities. Top of the list of Iranian airports that Russia regards as the best for dual-use by its air force are Hamedan, Bandar Abbas, Chabahar, and Abadan, and it is apposite to note that in August 2016, Russia used the Hamedan airbase to launch attacks on targets in Syria using both Tupolev-22M3 long-range bombers and Sukhoi-34 strike fighters. Top of the list of seaports for use by its navy are Chabahar, Bandar-e-Bushehr, and Bandar Abbas. Similarly linked to Russias gaining the first right of extraction in the Iranian section of the Caspian Sea is that it will also be given a joint command capability over the northern aerospace defense section of Irans Caspian area. It is also apposite to note here that Irans electronic warfare (EW) system can easily be tied into Russias Southern Joint Strategic Command 19th EW Brigade (Rassvet) near Rostov-on-Don to the northwest of the Caspian. This can also be linked in with Chinas EW capabilities. These EW capabilities would include jamming systems for neutralising air defences in the region. This will be augmented with new missiles designated to be sent to Iran by Russia under the new deal, according to the senior E.U. security sector source exclusively spoken to by OilPrice.com last week. Selected IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] personnel will be trained on the latest Russian upgrades of several short- and long-range missiles the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal, the Iskander M, the RS-26 Rubezh, the BrahMos3, and the Avangard before the plan to manufacture them under licence in Iran begins, with the aim being to have 30 percent of them stay in Iran, with the rest being sent back to Russia, he said. What all of this means, is that the new 20 -year deal between Iran and Russia will change the landscape of the Middle East, southern Europe, and Asia as Iran will have a much-extended military reach that will give it much more leverage to make political demands across those region, he exclusively told OilPrice.com last week. This reach also means that countries in these areas will feel that continuing to rely on the U.S. for their protection is a lot more of a precarious option than it was before, he concluded. Moscow accuses Kyiv of shooting down Il-76 aircraft filled with Ukrainian POWs Russia has accused Ukraine of deliberately shooting down a Russian transport plane with 65 captured Ukrainian soldiers en route to a prison exchange. Moscow leveled the accusation on Jan. 24, noting that the Ilyushin Il-76 military transport plane was carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs). The plane was shot down near the Russian city of Belgorod, which borders Ukraine, per a report by Russian state media. All 74 passengers the 65 Ukrainian POWs, six Russian crew members and three Russian guards were killed in the incident. Footage of the incident was posted on the Telegram messaging app by the Baza channel, which is linked to the Russian Federal Security Service. The clip, which was verified by Reuters, showed a large aircraft falling toward the ground near the Yablnonovo in the oblast (province) and exploding in a large fireball. "The Il-76 is a military transport aircraft designed to airlift troops, cargo, military equipment and weapons," the Epoch Times reported. "It usually has a crew of five, and it can carry up to 90 passengers." Belgorod Oblast Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov also confirmed that there were no survivors on the plane. He added that the plane came down in the region's Korochansky district, located northeast of the city of Belgorod. Investigators and emergency workers had already responded to the scene, as per Gladkov. Andrey Kartapolov, a member of the State Duma Russia's lower house of parliament said the attack was "done deliberately to sabotage the prisoner exchange." He added that the transport plane was shot down by three missiles manufactured either in the U.S. or in Germany. "It was absolutely deliberate," he told the SHOT news outlet in an interview. "They knew very well that the plane was en route [and] where it was going. Operators of [Ukrainian] surface-to-air missile systems cannot mistake transport planes for military planes or helicopters as targets." (Related: WATCH: Ukrainian soldiers caught on camera appearing to commit war crimes by shooting Russian POWs in the legs.) "If the details are confirmed, it would be the deadliest incident of the almost two-year-old war inside Russia's internationally recognized borders," the Epoch Times pointed out. Meanwhile, the Kremlin told a reporter that it was looking into the situation. Kyiv remains silent on the matter The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense did not immediately reply to a request for comment sent by Reuters. According to the Interfax-Ukraine news agency, the ministry did not have any reliable information for now and it would share additional information when it did. "Comments will come a little later," Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, told Reuters. "Time is needed to clarify all the data." Meanwhile, Ukrainian media outlet Ukrainska Pravda initially reported that Kyiv had shot down the plane as it carried S-300 missiles. It cited military sources for this initial report but later corrected the story saying that information hadn't been confirmed by other sources. "Reuters couldn't immediately verify details of who was on board, but Moscow and Kyiv have regularly swapped prisoners since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 in what it calls a 'special military operation,'" the Epoch Times stated. "The Belgorod region has come under frequent attack from Ukraine in recent months, including a December missile strike that killed 25 people." State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin meanwhile said the lower chamber would prepare an appeal to its counterparts in the U.S. and Germany the U.S. Congress and the German Bundestag "so their lawmakers at last can see clearly who they are financing [and] helping." "[Ukraine] shot down their own soldiers in mid-air. Their mothers, wives and children were waiting for them," said Volodin. "They took a decision and shot down our defenseless pilots on a military transport plane, who were carrying out a humanitarian mission, with American and German rockets." Head over to WWIII.news for more stories about the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Watch this clip of the transport plane with Ukrainian prisoners being shot down. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Human rights investigators find neo-Nazi torture chamber with corpse in Ukraine. Horrific video appears to show Ukrainians using chemical weapons against Russian troops. New report finds Ukrainian troops equally liable for nursing home massacre early in war with Russia. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com Brighteon.com 25 states support Texas as it asserts right to self-defense and installs more razor wire As the epicenter of the relentless influx of illegal immigrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, Texas has been desperately trying to protect itself in the face of federal government failures. As the state takes measures like reinforcing the border with razor wire to keep terrorists, human traffickers and drug dealers out of the country, the Biden administration keeps finding ways to destroy their efforts. Although it often feels like Texas is out there fighting this battle on its own, more than two dozen states have declared their support for the Lone Star State in a battle that has sparked a national debate about state sovereignty. The situation at the border grew even more tense this week when the Supreme Court granted an emergency appeal allowing the Biden administration to continue removing miles of razor wire that Texas officials installed along the border to block illegals from making their way into the U.S. after a lower court blocked them from cutting the wire. An undeterred Governor Abbott has declared the crisis an invasion, invoking the authority granted to Texas by the U.S. Constitution to defend and protect itself. He said: "That authority is the supreme law of the land and supersedes any federal statutes to the contrary. 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." Despite the ruling, Texas continues to install razor wire, with Abbott writing on X that they are using it to repel illegal immigration because it is an effective deterrent. Who is standing with Texas? The governors of 25 states have publicly declared their support for Texas as it defends its right to enforce its own borders, something that every state in the nation is entitled to do under the Constitution. The statement, which was released by the Republican Governors Association, declared: 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. It added: 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 all of the country's Republican state governors except for one. The only holdout was the governor of Vermont, Phil Scott, who has also admitted to voting for President Biden in the 2020 presidential election. A handful of the governors who signed the statement have also issued their own individual messages of support for the state, and some have even offered to provide Texas with resources to help in its fight against illegal migrant crossings. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt suggested in a recent interview with Newsmax that the National Guards of other states with Republican governors, including Oklahoma, may be sent to Texas for reinforcement. He said: You've got Oklahoma and Florida and Tennessee, and you've got all these other states that would send our National Guard to help and to support the efforts of Governor Abbott, because every state is a border state. The governor of South Dakota, Kristi Noem, said that she would be willing to send National Guard officers to Texas to stand with them, adding that she has already done this in the past. Similarly, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said that his state would continue to support policies aimed at securing the border and added that Ohio's National Guard has had a continuous presence on the border since October 2020. The level of support Texas is attracting is a testament to the growing sentiment in the U.S. that something must be done about the border crisis and to stem the flow of potential terrorists, human traffickers and other types of criminals into the country. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com InfoWars.com NYPost.com Trump: Haley donors will be PERMANENTLY BARRED from MAGA camp Former President Donald Trump has warned that individuals who have contributed money to the campaign of his rival, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, will be "permanently barred from the Make America Great Again (MAGA) camp." Trump issued this warning in a Jan. 25 post on Truth Social, where he shined a light on donors jumping ship from a losing candidate to a winning one. "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.' This is standard in politics, but no longer with me," he wrote. The real estate mogul warned that anybody who contributes to Haley, "from this moment forth, will be permanently barred from the MAGA camp. We don't want them and we will not accept them, because we Put America First and always will." According to The Hill, Trump's direct threat against Haley's supporters signals a sharpening in his rhetoric as he seeks to compel support from the entire Republican Party. The former president beat Haley, who served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under him, by 11 points during the Jan. 23 New Hampshire primary. Trump took a swipe at Haley during his victory speech on the same day as the primary, telling his supporters: "Let's not have somebody take a victory when she had a very bad night. She had a very bad night." But later, the former president remarked that he could not let Haley "get away with b******t." In recent weeks, Trump has managed to secure numerous high-profile endorsements even from some lawmakers who had once criticized him as unfit for office. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Texas Sen. John Cornyn and Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer all from the GOP expressed support for him. Even Trump's erstwhile rivals for the GOP's presidential nomination are backing him up. These include South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum. Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who both withdrew after the Iowa caucuses, also threw their support behind Trump. Trump: Haley's campaign backed by Democratic DARK MONEY Days before the primary in the Granite State, Trump blasted Haley in a Jan. 20 speech. He pointed to her top campaign staffer's links to a dark money group known for donating to Democratic causes. The former president cited a report by the Washington Examiner about this development. Trump asked the crowd: "Haley's state director in New Hampshire, listen carefully Tyler Clark. Did anyone ever hear of him?" "He was a lobbyist for the Sixteen Thirty Fund, which is managed by Arabella Advisors the largest Democrat dark money network in the country, and considered Public Enemy No. 1. That's who's managing her campaign. Does that tell you something, perhaps?" (Related: Matrixxx Grooove: Nikki Haley's presidential campaign is backed by Democratic DARK MONEY Brighteon.TV.) The DeSantis War Room account on X also posted about the revelation. It wrote: "Haley's campaign is not only funded by Democrats, it's run by Democrats too. [Her] New Hampshire director lobbied for dark money giant that helped [President Joe Biden] win [the rigged] 2020 election." Head over to Trump.news for more stories about the former president. Watch this episode of "The Matrixxx Grooove Show" on Brighteon.TV that touches on how Nikki Haley's campaign is backed by Democratic dark money. This video is from the BrighteonTV channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Democrat megadonors are trying to subvert the Republican Party by backing "Trojan horse" Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy tells Tucker Carlson. CAMPAIGN FINANCE SCHEME: Half of Democrat funds come from untraceable, unemployed donors. Even GOP donors are supporting RFK Jr. proof that his appeal goes beyond party lines. Republican big-money donors RETREAT as Trump continues to dominate GOP primary. Sources include: TheHill.com WashingtonExaminer.com Brighteon.com. Trump calls on states to DEPLOY NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS to Texas to protect the border amid Abbott-Biden feud Former President Donald Trump has weighed in on the brewing feud between Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and President Joe Biden by calling on all states to mobilize their respective National Guard units to help Texas defend its border "Joe Biden has surrendered our border, and is aiding and abetting a massive invasion of millions of illegal migrants into the United States," wrote Trump on his account on Truth Social, wherein he also bragged about how his term as president resulted in the U.S. having "the most secure border in history." (Related: EXCLUSIVE details on Trump's MASS DEPORTATION plan to save America from being overrun.) "Instead of fighting to protect our country from this onslaught, Biden is, unbelievably, fighting to tie the hands of Gov. Abbott and the State of Texas, so that the invasion continues unchecked," he continued. "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." "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," continued Trump. Trump further noted that all Americans should be supportive of the "commonsense measures" put in place by Abbott and the Texas authorities that are meant to protect Texas residents and the security and sovereignty of the state. Trump joins Republican governors in expressing support for Abbott Trump's call to action for states to deploy National Guard troops to the Texas border comes as 25 other Republican governors express their support for Abbott in his standoff against the Supreme Court and the federal government. In concluding his statement of solidarity to Abbott, Trump vowed that, when he wins the upcoming presidential election in November, on day one, "instead of fighting Texas, I will work hand in hand with Gov. Abbott and other border states to stop the invasion, seal the border and rapidly begin the largest domestic deportation operation in history." "Those Biden has let in should not get comfortable because they will be going home," he said. The feud between Texas and the federal government exploded in recent weeks after Texas seized the Shelby Park area of the border city of Eagle Pass, blocking federal Border Patrol agents from entering. The federal government went to the Supreme Court to complain, and the court later ruled in the administration's favor, granting it unrestricted access to the border and allowing Border Patrol agents to remove razor-wire Texas had set up along the Rio Grande to act as a deterrent against dangerous and illegal border crossings through the river. This feud, which has been going on since Biden took office in January 2021 when the migrant crisis immediately escalated, is threatening to overwhelm Texas, with the administration claiming that immigration enforcement is the sole purview of the federal government. Learn more about the battle to secure the border at OpenBorders.news. Watch this Jan. 25 episode of "Brighteon Broadcast News" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, discusses the ongoing legal and political battle between Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and the Biden administration over the state's right to defend itself against migrant invasion. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Supreme Court says federal government can REMOVE RAZOR WIRE Texas installed along the border but GOv. Abbott DEFIES the order. U.S. Supreme Court betrays America and authorizes the total INVASION of illegals by ordering Texas to remove wire fencing. Biden regime threatens WAR with Texas over border security: "Give us access, or else." Texas takes control of park in Eagle Pass along the U.S.-Mexico border to halt endless flow of migrants. 50 Texas counties have now passed resolutions declaring an INVASION. Sources include: InfoWars.com TheHill.com FoxNews.com Brighteon.com WHO appoints former prostitute, other transgender activists to transgender task force The United Nations global health-watchdog group, the World Health Organization (WHO), has created a new panel that looks to promote global awareness on subjects such as HIV, hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections, and specifically how the conditions relate to trans and gender-diverse people. The panel has also been charged with creating guidelines on how transgenderism should be treated. Among those experts is a biological male known as Erika Castellanos. (Article by James Murphy republished from TheNewAmerican.com) WHOs bio describes Castellanos as a trans woman living with HIV from Belize who resides in the Netherlands. In addition, WHO points out that Castellanos has founded a Belize network of people who live with HIV as well as the nations first network for transgender people. He also serves as the executive director of Global Action for Trans Equality (GATE), a transgender extremist organization. What WHO neglects to say is that, by his own admission, Castellanos is a former prostitute and drug user whose credentials include a lived expertise as a person living with HIV, sex worker, drug use, incarcerated and migrant. According to Castellanos himself, sex work was the most empowering thing that ever happened to me. He started working in the streets, offering my sexual services prior to ending up in prison. That WHO would employ a transgender activist as an expert in the field is not surprising. All 12 members of the new panel, including the physicians, are trans activists in some respect. One activist who was selected for the panel but declined to participate due to scheduling issues is another biological male named Florence Ashley, who describes himself as a biorg witch with flowers in their hair! He further refers to himself as a transfeminine jurist, bioethicist, public speaker, and activist. Ashley recently authored a piece set to be published by McGill Law Journal in Canada, titled Genderf***ing as a Critical Legal Methodology. What exactly is genderf***ing? He explains: Genderf***ing is defined by its focus on the needs and experiences of those who f**k with gender, resisting attempts at gender governance through laws, policies, and practices. (Its probably safe to assume that Ashley and Castellanos would not approve of the Ohio Legislatures override of Governor Mike Dewines veto of HB 68.) Why are WHOs actions important? Because WHO is often referred to as an authoritative expert body by mainstream media sources. Recall that in March of 2020, it was WHO that declared Covid-19 a pandemic, based largely on the word of panels such as this expert panel on transgender issues. In any new set of guidelines produced, it wont be Castellanos or Ashley who will make the announcement, it will simply be WHO, which many people still consider an authoritative source on health matters, despite their abject failure with Covid-19. But WHOs choice of experts shows that they cannot be impartial on the issue of transgenderism. Rather, they are advocates. At a time when the European community is in the midst of a great re-examination of the entire edifice of so-called gender affirming care, it is indeed unfortunate that the world health organization has decided to enlist a number of gender activists to create new guidance, said Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, the director of Do No Harm, a group that advocates medicine for medicines sake not political agendas. Guideline formation should be first based on a careful and comprehensive review of the medical literature. If this is done, these activists must come to the conclusion that gender affirming care should be dramatically curtailed as has occurred in five European nations, Goldfarb said. Its highly unlikely that this particular group of experts would arrive at such a conclusion. Unfortunately, the World Health Organizations choice of individuals suggest that their present commitment to this activity will prevent them from approaching this problem in an evenhanded and rigorously scientific approach, Goldfarb concluded. Read more at: TheNewAmerican.com Arjun Dwivedi: Being on Rohit Shetty set feels like stepping into a dream world Mumbai, Jan 27 Actor Arjun Dwivedi, who recently featured in the action thriller series Indian Police Force (IPF) shared that being on a Rohit Shetty set feels like stepping into a dream world, adding that he loves the vibrant energy and the universe he creates. Talking about his experience working with filmmaker Rohit Shetty, Arjun said: Being on a Rohit Shetty set feels like stepping into a dream world. I absolutely love the vibrant energy and the universe he creates, where my passionsautomobiles, driving, action, and adventurebecome the pulse of the film. Working with sir is a privilege. He's an incredible director, human being, and collaborator. The cop universe IPF created by Rohit, stars Sidharth Malhotra, Shilpa Shetty, and Vivek Oberoi in the lead roles. Our coordination as director and actor was seamless. I easily understood his vision for my character, and we worked in perfect harmony. Rohit Sir's passion, focus, and work ethic are an inspiration. He's more than a director; he's an institution. Our shared love for automobiles, especially the Scorpio, only strengthened our bond. It was an experience I'll cherish forever, said the CID fame actor. Arjun essays the character of the Bangladesh intelligence head who clashes with the Indian Police team in a high-octane Rohit Shetty-style climax set in Bangladesh in IPF. He shared: "Taking on the mantle of Bangladesh's intelligence head in the 'Indian Police Force' was a dream come true. The climax explodes in true Rohit Shetty style, with a thrilling clash between my character and the Indian police team on Bangladeshi soil." Arjun, who also featured in Sunny Deol-starrer Gadar 2 has been roped in for Rohits Singham Again, starring Ajay Devgn. 'IPF' also stars Nikitin Dheer, Shweta Tiwari, Sharad Kelkar, Isha Talwar, and Rituraj Singh in pivotal roles. (IANS - Posted on 28 January 2024) Arjun Dwivedi: Being on Rohit Shetty set feels like stepping into a dream world Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Very concerning: Elon Musk on new Apple App Store changes in EU San Francisco, Jan 27 X owner Elon Musk on Saturday joined the debate around Apples App Store changes in the European Union (EU) ahead of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in March, saying these changes are very concerning. To which, Musk said these changes are very concerning. He, however, did not divulge more on the hot issue. Apple has announced changes to iOS, Safari, and the App Store in the European Union in response to the DMA coming into force in March. The key news is that third-party app stores will be allowed on iOS for the first time. The changes will arrive with iOS 17.4 in March. However, the upcoming new App Store tax is the real bone of contention. In August last year, the tech billionaire had said he will speak to Apple CEO Tim Cook to lower the App Store Tax. While we had previously said that X would keep nothing for the 12 months, then 10 per cent, we are amending that policy to X keeps nothing forever, until payout exceeds $100k, then 10 per cent. First 12 months is still free for all, he posted. He further said that Apple does take 30 per cent, but I will speak with @tim_cook and see if that can be adjusted to be just 30 per cent of what X keeps in order to maximise what creators receive. (IANS - Posted on 28 January 2024) Very concerning: Elon Musk on new Apple App Store changes in EU Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! BANGKOK, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Sunday that China and Thailand will officially enter a "visa-free era" from March 1 as the two sides have just signed an agreement on mutual visa exemption. Wang made the remarks in a joint press conference after an annual consultation with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, adding that it will surely bring bilateral people-to-people exchanges to a new height. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China always sees Thailand as a priority in its diplomacy with neighboring countries. He added that China appreciates Thailand's firm commitment to the one-China principle and its active support for the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative. Noting that next year will mark the 50th anniversary of China-Thailand diplomatic relations, Wang said that over the past half a century, the bilateral relationship has withstood the test of the changing international landscape and grown from strength to strength. Beyond War: Punjab seeks Israel's support for virus-free horticulture Chandigarh, Jan 28 With depleting rivers and groundwater, high pesticide dependence, climate risks and unsustainable cropping patterns like paddy growing, Punjab seeks Israels support to develop agri-infrastructure, minimise production and price risks and provide high-yielding and disease-free horticultural varieties that require less water. Farming experts say that it takes 3,800-5,000 litres of water to produce one kg of rice. According to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann rice is not even the state's staple food and its cultivation depleted Punjab's groundwater. Agriculture experts foresee a major threat to the country's food security if the state's groundwater goes dry as it has already reached the depths of 150-200 metres in most places. Groundwater contamination is another concern in Punjab that is not getting public attention. To reduce farm distress, as a majority of the growers of Punjab are small and marginal farmers with declining and fragmenting landholdings, the state government last week explored opportunities to collaborate with Israel as it excels in advance farming technologies. This collaboration with Israel would benefit local farmers as it would give them access to the latest farming technologies and teach them sustainable practices through centres of excellence. It would also build on existing partnerships in horticulture projects with the need for a digital revolution. Also an attempt was initiated to provide farm-to-market technology to facilitate the marketing of kinnow, the states flagship citrus fruit with an average annual production of over 5 lakh tonnes, mainly in the South Malwa belt, in case of a bumper crop. Field reports say this year the kinnow mandarin had bumper production but farmers stared at poor income as they fetched an average rate of Rs 9-10 per kg, compared to Rs 20-25 per kg they got in the previous year when the crop was not bountiful. This season 47,000 hectares of land was brought under kinnow production. Also the kinnow flavoured gin, a product of Punjab Agro Industries Corporation Ltd launched last year that was brewed in Goa, has failed to make waves despite its huge value. A Punjab Government spokesperson told IANS that during the meeting with Hadas Bakst, Political Domestic Advisor, Embassy of Israel, on January 23 in Chandigarh, the states Horticulture Minister Chetan Singh Jauramajra highlighted that underground water was depleting rapidly -- a critical issue that needs urgent attention. Chetan Singh Jauramajra highlighted key areas for collaboration, including digital solutions for pest control, climate and soil monitoring systems, use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for crop yields, decision support systems, drones for harvesting and spraying, as well as precision farming software solutions. The discussion touched upon the potential of year-round cultivation in greenhouses and hydroponic farming to address the increasing demand for food, the spokesperson told IANS. The minister focused on extending sensor technology-based irrigation systems and innovative storage solutions for efficient and sustainable farming. Addressing the need for advancements in citrus cultivation, he proposed the integration of byproduct technologies to manage biowaste effectively. On an average, a single piece of kinnow mandarin contains 45-50 per cent juice and the rest of the percentage is peel, rag and seeds, which is of no use so far. With the introduction of new machinery at processing units, the management of biowaste of citrus such as extraction of limonin, peel oil, etc., will help a lot. He asked to introduce new patented citrus varieties, rootstocks resistant to pests and the cultivation of new crops like dragon fruit and raspberries. In the vegetable sector, the minister advocated for the introduction of seedless varieties of melons, single-picking varieties of peas and tomatoes suitable for mechanisation and brinjal varieties resistant to fruit and shoot borers. The minister underlined the need for biodegradable and slow-release fertiliser technology in horticulture, along with the utilisation of bio-pesticide technology to control pests and diseases. He proposed the incorporation of instant sensor-based technologies to detect nutrient deficiencies in horticultural crops. Director, Horticulture, Shailender Kaur emphasised on the integrated value chain centre of excellence establishment in Punjab in collaboration with Israeli technology to reduce post-harvest losses in horticulture crops. Hadas Bakst said Israel was keen to enhance technological collaboration in agriculture and horticulture sectors with Punjab. She said expert-level meetings would be held in February and March with focus on delivering the latest technology and introducing new horticultural varieties to address the state's depleting groundwater issues. Hadas Bakst also highlighted the ongoing operation of two centres of excellence in Punjab by Israel, emphasising the continued sharing of agricultural technologies. (Vishal Gulati can be contacted at gulatiians@gmail.com) (IANS - Posted on 28 January 2024) Beyond War: Punjab seeks Israel's support for virus-free horticulture Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! The Illinois State Board of Elections will be asked to decide Tuesday whether former President Donald Trump is barred under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution from having his name appear on Illinois March 19 Republican primary ballot. Download Now The News-Gazette mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the News-Gazette on your mobile device just as it appears in print. According to a study led by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, diagnoses of breast cancer have increased steadily in women under age 50 over the past two decades, with steeper increases in more recent years. Studying such trends may offer clues to possible prevention strategies. Diagnoses of breast cancer have increased steadily in women under age 50 over the past two decades, with steeper increases in more recent years, according to a study led by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The surge is driven largely by increases in the number of women diagnosed with estrogen-receptor positive tumors, cancerous growths fueled by estrogen. While overall trends show increases, however, some decreases have occurred in specific tumor types and among specific groups of women. Such changes in disease rates in young women observed over time analyzed by age, race, tumor type, tumor stage and other characteristics may offer clues to possible prevention strategies. The study is published Jan. 26 in JAMA Network Open. For most women, regular breast cancer screening does not begin until at least age 40, so younger women diagnosed with breast cancer tend to have later-stage tumors, when the disease is more advanced and more difficult to treat. This research offers a way to begin identifying the factors driving these increasing rates, with the goal of finding ways to slow or reverse them. It also could help identify young women who are at high risk of developing early-onset breast cancer, so that we can design interventions to evaluate in clinical trials to see if we can lower that risk." Adetunji T. Toriola, MD, PhD, senior author, professor of surgery and co-leader of the Cancer Prevention and Control Program at Siteman Cancer Center, based at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine The research team analyzed data from over 217,000 U.S. women diagnosed with any type of breast cancer from 2000 through 2019. In 2000, the incidence of breast cancer among women ages 20 to 49 was about 64 cases per 100,000 people. Over the next 16 years, that rate slowly went up, increasing at about 0.24% per year. By 2016, the rate had reached about 66 cases per 100,000. But after 2016, for reasons researchers do not yet understand, the trend line made a steep uphill turn, suddenly increasing at 3.76% per year. By 2019 only three years later the rate had reached 74 cases per 100,000. An additional intriguing aspect of the data is that the increase in breast cancer incidence is due almost entirely to an increase in tumors that are estrogen-receptor positive, according to Toriola, who is also a William H. Danforth Washington University Physician-Scientist Scholar. These tumors have proteins on their surfaces that bind to estrogen, which fuels tumor growth. In fact, the incidence of tumors without the estrogen receptor decreased over the 20 years of data analyzed in the study. "We need to understand what is driving the specific increase in estrogen-receptor positive tumors," Toriola said. "We also hope to learn from the decrease in estrogen-receptor negative tumors. If we can understand what is driving that rate down, perhaps we can apply it in efforts to reduce or prevent other breast tumor types." The researchers also found higher rates of breast cancer among Black women, especially among those ages 20 to 29. Black women in this age group have a 53% increased risk of breast cancer compared with white women of the same age group. A higher risk for Black women also continues from ages 30 to 39, but the increased risk is smaller, at about 15% greater risk compared with white women of the same age range. Then, from ages 40 to 49, the rate for Black women drops below that of white women. Toriola said his group is evaluating breast tumor tissue from cancer patients of different ages and races to see if there are molecular differences that could shed light on what is driving cancer to develop more in young Black women. Of note, Hispanic women in the study had the lowest incidence of breast cancer of any group. The researchers also showed an increase in diagnoses of stage 1 and stage 4 tumors, and a decrease in diagnoses of stage 2 and stage 3 tumors. Toriola said such data suggest that improvements in screening over the past two decades, and perhaps greater awareness of family history and genetic risk factors for breast cancer, have led to many tumors being caught earlier. But it also suggests that when stage 1 tumors are missed in younger women, the tumors tend not to be found until they reach stage 4. The researchers also found differences in breast cancer risk by year of birth. Toriola said the most dramatic difference was a greater than 20% increased risk of breast cancer among women born in 1990 compared with women born in 1955. "We are hopeful this study will offer clues to prevention strategies that will be effective in younger women, especially younger Black women, who are at particularly high risk of developing breast cancer before age 40," Toriola said. UK law changes pose a threat to the security of messaging apps - and therefore their use in the NHS. In The BMJ today, doctors warn that patient care will suffer if they can no longer use apps such asWhatsApp and Signal to share information. In March 2020, in the face of the pandemic, clinicians were officially allowed to use messaging services such as WhatsApp "where the benefits outweigh the risk," reversing years of caution about their use in patient care - provided the apps used encryption, explains journalist Stephen Armstrong. The most recent NHS England advice continues that policy, advising healthcare workers to use two-step verification and disable message notifications on the lock-screen. And yet two recent pieces of legislation - one passed and one pending - threaten the use of any end-to-end encrypted messaging in the NHS. October's Online Safety Act instructs the UK communications regulator Ofcom to monitor user-to-user apps and software, while an amendment to the Investigatory Powers Act - expected in the spring - says technology companies can't introduce new security software or make any significant changes to the security of their existing service without UK government approval. What this means, in effect, is that the government will have installed surveillance of all encrypted messaging, making it impossible to be sure patient data is secure, writes Armstrong. Not only that, but the app providers - including major tech companies such as Meta, owner of WhatsApp and Facebook, Apple and Signal - have warned that the new requirements may force them to withdraw services from the UK if it unduly impacts their ability to innovate and introduce new security features. Marcus Baw, an emergency medicine and general practice doctor in Yorkshire, says if WhatsApp were to disappear, "we'd have an NHS wide problem immediately." Ross Anderson, professor of security engineering at Cambridge University, also points out that "as Signal and WhatsApp upgrade their software a number of times a week to deal with bugs or new threats, the UK would have to be treated like Burma or North Korea and simply avoided rather than wait for GCHQ approval - which could take months". The combination of the IPA reforms and the online safety Act presents the possibility of a shocking level of state interference. If the choice came down to adulterating the security features that allow us to keep the privacy promises we make to the people who rely on Signal in the NHS or leaving, we would leave." Meredith Whittaker, President of Signal Foundation An Ofcom spokesperson told The BMJ they will use their new online safety powers "in a way that is compatible with rights to privacy and freedom of expression" and "won't be reviewing all harmful online material or be able to read private online messages." But Mike Grocott, professor of anesthesia and critical care medicine at the University of Southampton, argues that tech companies are not prepared to subject their apps to this level of government surveillance. If encrypted messaging apps withdraw from the UK, patient care would suffer, he says. "Care is better when doctors can talk to each other," agrees Sam Smith from patient privacy group MedConfidential. "For a range of situations doctors find themselves in, only a general app like WhatsApp is easy to use." For Marcus Baw, the entire problem could have been avoided if NHS IT leaders had had the vision to build an end-to-end encrypted NHS approved app linked to NHS mail. His hope is that someone in government is going to realize the electoral foolishness of the two pieces of legislation. "The tech companies are serious," he says. "Can you imagine the outcry from the population if WhatsApp withdraws from the UK? It would be an act of catastrophic self-harm by any government. Perhaps for once common sense will prevail." Secretary for Transport & Logistics Lam Sai-hung will leave tomorrow afternoon for Singapore, where he will visit local transport and logistics facilities and meet Singaporean officials and trade representatives. He will return to Hong Kong on February 1. Mr Lam will pay visits to ports, Singapore Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal and Changi Airport to learn about their operations. He will also have a tour to the Intelligent Transport Systems Centre. During his absence, Under Secretary for Transport & Logistics Liu Chun-san will be the Acting Secretary. Rana Talwar, the first Indian to head a global bank Standard Chartered Bank, passed away on Saturday, January 27, at the age of 76. He was unwell for some time, according to a TOI report citing sources. Talwar is survived by wife Renuka (daughter of DLF Group chairman emeritus K P Singh) and son Rahul (who is also involved with DLF). His last rites will be performed at Lodhi crematorium on Sunday, said the TOI report citing company sources. Rana Talwar, who had a Bachelors Degree in Economics from St. Stephens College in Delhi, started his career with Citibank in India in 1969. Rising through the ranks, he went on to lead Citis retail businesses in Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and then in Europe and North America. Later, he joined Standard Chartered Bank in the summer of 1997, where after some months, he became its CEO. He was the former Group Chief Executive of SCB Plc from 1997 to 2002 and was responsible for transitioning SCB to one of the leading emerging markets banks. Prior to that, Rana was an Executive Vice President and Policy Committee member at Citicorp and Citibank. Rana was instrumental in Standard Chartered Banks major acquisitions, including the Trade Finance business of UBS, Grindlays Bank in India and the Middle East from ANZ, and the Credit Card business from Chase Manhattan in Hong Kong. Rana Talwar was also the founding chairman and managing partner of Sabre Capital. Admissions of SC/ST/OBC students in the higher education system has steadily improved with an increase of 44 percent for scheduled castes, 65 percent for scheduled tribes and 50 percent for other backward classes in 2021-22 as compared to 2014-15. The All India Survey for Higher Education (AISHE 2021-22) report, released by the ministry of education late on Thursday, highlighted an overall increase of 4.58 percent from 2020-21 and 26.5 percent from 2014-15 in higher education enrolment; and a steady improvement in the admissions of female students over the years. The report gives data sets and details of student enrolment, teachers and the number of higher educational institutions in the country. It covers 1,162 universities, 45,473 colleges, and 12,002 standalone higher education institutions in the country. The ministry has been releasing these since 2011. The report states that the enrolment of SC students in higher education has increased by 44 percent in 2021-22. At least 66.23 lakh such students took admission, as compared to 46.07 lakh in 2014-15. Also, the enrolment of female students in the SC category has substantially increased in this period with 31.71 lakh girls enrolling in 2021-22, as compared to 29.01 lakh in 2020-21 and 21.02 lakh in 2014-15. This is an increase of 51 percent, the report said. Similarly, for the ST category, 27.1 lakh students enrolled in 2021-33 from 16.41 lakh in 2014-15. In case of OBC students, the enrolment is up to 1.63 crore in 2021-22 from 1.13 crore in 2014-15. There is a notable increase of 45 percent in the intake of female students from the OBC category as well, the report added. Increase in enrolment The gross enrolment ratio (GER) has also increased to 28.4 in 2021-22 from 23.7 in 2014-15. The GER was 27.3 in 2020-21. The report shows that government-run universities form 58.6 percent of the total and contribute 73.7 percent of the total enrolment. Private universities account for 26.3 percent of the total enrolment. The total number of students that have passed out of the higher education system has also increased to 1.07 crore in 2021-22, as against 95.4 lakh in 2020-21, the report said. What are the experts saying? Academics said the improvement in SC/ST/OBC admissions in the last few years is an encouraging trend, as most of these students are from modest backgrounds and backward states as well as rural areas. And, hence, there are limited opportunities for the youth to enrol in higher education in such places. Prof Hansraj Suman from Delhi Universitys Aurobindo College, who is the all-India head of the Forum of Academics for Social Justice, said if this trend continues, it will help clear the backlog for reserved category students, who have been previously left out. The report shows a substantial increase in intake, which has been possible mainly on account of two reasons. First, a large number of government-run higher education institutions have come up in the last five years or so, which allowed more students from the SC/ST categories mainly from backward states and rural pockets to get admission in a college. Second, the 10% economically weaker sections (EWS) quota in all educational institutions introduced in 2019-20 has helped a large number of students secure seats across colleges, said Suman. On January 7, 2019, the central government approved a 10 percent reservation in government jobs and educational institutions for the EWS in the unreserved category. This is over and above the existing 50 percent reservation for SC/ST/OBC categories. A second-year engineering student of Luckyreddy Balireddy Engineering College in Andhras NTR district allegedly died by suicide in her hostel room, Kishore Babu, inspector of police in Andhra Pradesh told news agency ANI. The deceased, identified as Roshini, was a resident of Muppalla village in Chanderlapadu Mandal. She was studying Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) at the college and allegedly hanged herself in her hostel room. After the news broke out, the college authorities declared a holiday. Parents and relatives of the deceased student were informed following which they rushed to the college. The girl had taken her own life within the college hostel premises, Kishore Babu told the news daily. Discussions were held between the management, police, and the students family as to what led the student to take such a huge step. The students body was transported to Mylavaram Government Hospital for post-mortem, Kishore Babu added. Investigation is underway. Further details of the incident are awaited. ALSO READ | IIT Madrass New Grading System on Student-Guide Rapport Sparks Scholars Protest Citing Researchers Suicide Earlier, a Ph.D. student of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur died by suicide in her hostel room. The 29-year-old student, Priyanka Jaiswal, was doing Ph.D. in chemical engineering at the institute. She was found hanging in her hostel room. A native of Jharkhands Dumka, she had joined the IIT around 20 days ago. A fellow student informed the college authorities about Priyankas body hanging from the ceiling in the hostel room in the morning. This was the third suicide case reported at IIT Kanpur in a month. If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata) The popularity of government jobs is gaining momentum among the youth in India, thanks to job security, social prestige, and post-retirement benefits. If you find yourself facing challenges in identifying a government job that aligns with your skills and qualifications, here is a compilation of the top government-recruited positions from various organisations for you to explore this week. DELHI HOME GUARD RECRUITMENT The Directorate General of Home Guards (DGHG), Delhi, is recruiting 10,285 aspirants for the position of Home Guard. Interested candidates between the age bracket of 20 and 45 years old must submit their applications on the official website, www.dghgenrollment.in, by February 13. Candidates will go through a four-tiered selection process that includes a physical measurement test (PMT), a physical efficiency test (PET), a written examination, and a medical examinationread more CHANDIGARH POLICE RECRUITMENT FOR CONSTABLE POSTS The Chandigarh Police Department is offering job opportunities for Constable (Executive) (IT) positions, with applications accepted until February 12, 2024. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria can apply through the official website, chandigarhpolice.gov.in, and grab this opportunity. Under this recruitment drive, a total of 144 candidates will be recruited in the department. Candidates will be selected on the basis of a written test followed by the Physical Efficiency and Measurement Test (PEMT)read more OSSC RECRUITMENT FOR JUNIOR ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT POSTS The Odisha Staff Selection Commission (OSSC) has invited applications offering various roles within the department, including Junior Enforcement Officer (JEO) and Junior Accountant (JA). Candidates between 21 and 38 years of age can apply through ossc.gov.in until February 24, 2024. Applicants will undergo a multi-stage selection process for 31 positions in the department, including a prelim exam, a main examination, and certificate verification.read more IOCL RECRUITMENT FOR APPRENTICE VACANCIES The Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) has initiated a recruitment drive for 473 Apprentice vacancies under multiple trades. Candidates who fulfil the eligibility criteria can submit their applications on the official website, iocl.com. It is important to note that applicants between the ages of 18 and 24 who have completed their 12th grade, diploma, degree, or graduation from any of the recognised boards or universities are eligible to apply before the deadline on February 1read more ESIC RECRUITMENT FOR FACULTY, SPECIALISTS, OTHER POSTS The Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), which is part of the Ministry of Labour and Employment in the Government of India, is currently accepting applications for the post of Faculty, Specialists, Senior Residents, and Tutor. Candidates can apply for walk-in interviews via the official website of ESIC at esic.gov.in. Through this recruitment campaign, the ESIC will fill up a total of 146 Sub Inspector and Assistant Sub Inspector posts in the departmentread more YANGON, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinatown of Yangon in Myanmar is bustling with people selling and buying festive items to celebrate the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Dragon, which falls on Feb. 10. Many stalls have been selling red banners, various styles of lanterns, snacks, hongbao (red envelope), and candies in Chinatown market. "As the New Year approaches, the sale rate is gradually increasing. But this year sales are down compared to previous year and the flow of the goods is decreasing. Last year, I couldn't even sit down because many people flock to our shop to buy items," Pa Pa Lin, a 21-year-old manager of the Wang Wang store, told Xinhua on Saturday. On the weekends, the sales rate is better than on weekdays, she said. "I bought incense, joss paper, gold and silver foil to honor ancestors and traditional snacks will be bought on the actual day," Soe Lin Tun, a 36-year-old shopper at the Chinatown, told Xinhua. Chinese people are happy on Lunar New Year's Day. Most people love the Year of the Dragon because it is powerful, he said. Khant Ko Ko, a 22-year-old sales staff of Royal Trading store, told Xinhua, "At our shop, the stickers and hongbao are the most popular items. Sales are good on Lunar New Year's Day, so I'll spend the day selling stuff." Khin Khin Aye, a shopper at Chinatown, said, "I bought gold and silver papers, necessary items to pay respect to ancestors and decorations. The New Year will be celebrated with my family happily cooking various foods, decorating red banners at my home and doing good deeds on that day." "We buy the items in advance before the actual day because if we buy the things late, we won't be able to buy the things we want," she said. Some people from far away came to buy the things in Chinatown market where a variety of traditional Chinese New Year items are available, she added. Facing criticism over the University Grants Commissions recently released draft guidelines proposing de-reserving of reserved posts in faculty recruitment in rare and exceptional cases, the Union Ministry of Education (MoE) on Sunday evening clarified its stance on the issue, saying no reserved post can be de-reserved. The UGC also directed all central educational institutions to fill up vacancies strictly as per the central governments reservation norms. The UGC, which is the higher education regulator, put out the draft Guidelines for Implementation of the Reservation Policy of the Government of India in Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) in the public domain for feedback from stakeholders in November last year. Under the guidelines, the UGC proposed to de-reserve the posts reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) candidates if they remained vacant due to not having enough such candidates available. The draft rule on the de-reservation of seats was widely criticised by teachers and students calling it the killing of the ethos of social justice. Several students at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) also staged a protest against the order on Sunday, prompting its vice-chancellor Santishree D Pandit to issue a statement. The Education Ministry released a statement on X, formerly Twitter, saying: Reservation in Central Educational Institutions (CEI) is provided for all posts in direct recruitment in Teachers cadre as per the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers Cadre) Act, 2019. After enactment of this Act, no reserved post is to be de-reserved. Ministry of Education has given directives to all the CEIs to fill up the vacancies strictly as per the 2019 ACT. The draft norms state that there is a general ban on the de-reservation of reserved vacancies in case of direct recruitment. However, in rare and exceptional cases when a vacancy in a Group A service cannot be allowed to remain vacant in the public interest, the University concerned may prepare a proposal for de-reservation of the vacancy, read the draft guidelines. It also says that de-reservation in case of Group C and D shall go to the Executive Council of a University while in case of Group A and B, it must be referred to the MoE. Meanwhile, UGC chairperson M Jagadesh Kumar too put out a statement on X, saying: This is to clarify that there has been no de-reservation of reserved category positions in Central Education Institutes (CEIs) in the past and there is going to be no such de-reservation. It is important for all HEIs to ensure that all backlog positions in reserved categories are filled up through concerted efforts. However, the draft guidelines on reservation in HEIs on the UGC website, also propose that in case of promotion, if a sufficient number of SC/ST candidates fit for promotion against reserved post vacancies are not available, such positions may be de-reserved and filled in by candidates from other communities. The power to approve the same will rest with the MoE. According to UGC officials, the draft norms are not finalised yet and hence nothing from it could be implemented as of yet. Ramayana will now be taught across madrassas affiliated to the Uttarakhand Waqf Board. The new syllabus will be introduced to four madrassas initially out of the total 117 madrassas under the board. The story of Lord Ram will be introduced to four madrassas one each in Dehradun, Haridwar, Nainital, and Udham Singh Nagar districts from the upcoming 2024 academic session, reported Times of India. Teachers will also be recruited to impart lessons on Ramayana to the students and following this, the new syllabus will be introduced to the remaining 113 madrassas, officials said. Well teach the Quran as well as Ramayana. When we can tell our students about Lakshman, who gave up everything for his elder brother, then what is the need to tell them about Aurangzeb, who killed his brothers to get the throne? A proper dress code will also be introduced in the four identified madrassas, Uttarakhand Waqf Board chairman Shadab Shams told the news agency. The Uttarakhand Waqf board will appoint principals for the four madrassas who will be given the task of recruiting teachers who are well-versed in the subject well. The board further added that elaborate arrangements are being made for the introduction of the new syllabus. The four selected seminaries will be developed as model madrassas with smart classes There is a strong need to upgrade educational standards of these institutions and we are also in the process of introducing National Council of Educational Research and Training books, Shams said. The study of Shri Ram will be introduced in the Madrasas affiliated with the Waqf Board as part of our madrasa modernisation programme from March this year. Someone who gave up the throne and went to the forest to help his father keep a commitment! Who wouldnt want to have a son like Shri Ram, Shams told PTI. The family of a dead man was left in shock after they received a call from him hours after police moved his charred body for postmortem. Earlier, the mans burnt body was found in an agricultural field in Andhra Pradeshs East Godavari district under mysterious circumstances. The strange account was reported on Friday from Rangampet mandals Veerampalem in the district, a Times of India report said. P Vijay Kumar, sub-inspector of the Rangampet police station said that villagers on the morning of January 26 found a fully charred body near an electricity transformer in the agro field owned by one Ketamalla Pusaiah, a grain trader. Since Pusaiahs footwear was also food near the body, the villagers assumed that the grain trader had been murdered. Soon after this, the villagers informed the police and Pusaiahs relatives about the same. A police team rushed to the spot and sent the body for postmortem. Pusaiah Comes ALIVE From The DEAD While the postmortem was underway, the grain traders family answered a call from an unknown number, only to realise that it was Pusaiah himself. Informing them that he is alive, Pusaiah asked them to pick him up. His relatives rushed to the given address where they found Pusaiah in a beaten up condition. Narrating the ordeal he went through, Pusaiah told them that he witnessed three unidentified youths setting a mans body ablaze after pouring petrol over it on his farm on Thursday night. Reportedly, when he tried to stop them, they caught hold of him and assaulted him. Pusaiah further said that the trio dropped his footwear near the body and took him to an unknown location in an auto. The grain trader said he lost consciousness while they were thrashing him. Later when he woke up, he found himself in an agricultural field near Pidimgoyya in Rajamahendravaram rural mandal. Stranded in that area, he stopped a passer-by and borrowed his phone to call his relatives. Following Pusaiahs narration, police registered a case in the matter and opened an investigation into the matter. The charred body, however, is yet to be identified. The findings of a scientific survey by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi premises confirmed the existence of a temple before the construction of the mosque. Following ASIs survey report, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) urged the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee to consider the new report and make an offer to respectfully move the Gyanvapi mosque to another appropriate place and handover the site to the Hindu community. VHPs International Working President, Alok Kumar, said that the organisation makes two demands following the confirmation of a temples existence. First is for the offering of Sewa Puja to the Shivling found in Wazukhana and second to handover the original site to the Hindu community. 15 SHIVLING, 5 HANUMAN: ASI FINDS 55 STONE SCULPTURES During the scientific survey by ASI inside the Gyanvapi mosque premises, as many as 55 stone sculptures were found. This included, 15 Shivling, three Lord Vishnu sculptures, three of Lord Ganesh, two Nandi, two Krishna and five Hanuman sculptures. The ASI report, as quoted by Indian Express, said that the temple appears to have been destroyed in the 17th century, during the reign of Aurangzeb and part of it modified and reused in the existing structure. It was also said that one stone sculpture of Makara, one Dwarpala, one Apasmara Purusha, one Votive Shrine, 14 fragments and seven miscellaneous stone sculptures were found by ASI. The survey report notes that 23 terracotta figures, of which two were of gods and goddesses, 18 were human structures and three were of animals. The description of the Hanuman sculpture said that it was made of marble. The report read, The extant part depicts the bottom half of a sculpture of Hanuman. The left leg bent at the knee is placed on a rock. The right leg is firmly planted on the ground. Meanwhile for the Ganesha sculpture, the report read that the crowned head of Ganesha is depicted, the trunk is turned to the right and the eyes are visible. Lord Ganeshas structure was listed as late medieval. The report added that two glass objects a pendant and a broken Shivling were also found during the survey. WAZUKHANA SURVEY DEMANDED BY HINDU SIDE The Hindu side counsel is preparing to approach the Supreme Court with a request for another survey by the ASI, this time only for wazukhana and the portion beneath the central dome. Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain on Saturday said, As ASIs survey has confirmed that the existing structure at Gyanvapi is standing atop a Hindu temple, we will now move a plea before SC on Monday to seek a comprehensive survey of the wazukhana, Times of India quoted him. Amid the claims of a Shivling being found inside the wazukhana, its premises were sealed on May 16, 2022. Following this, even after the Varanasi courts order allowing an ASI survey of the mosque on July 21 last year, the wazukhana was kept excluded. The apex court too upheld the exclusion of the pond. VHP ASKS FOR HANDOVER OF ORIGINAL SITE Following the ASI survey report of the Gyanvapi mosque premises, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) said that there is no doubt left over the existence of a temple. VHP made two demands in this regard, said the bodys International Working President Alok Kumar. These are: Offering of Sewa Puja to the Shivling found inside the wazukhana should be allowed by the Court now. Urging Intezamia Committee to consider the new report and respectfully shift the mosque to another appropriate place and handover the site to the Hindu community. Kumar said that since the evidence collected by the ASI proves that the religious character of the place existed on August 15, 1947, then as per Section 4 of the Places of Worship Act, 1991, the structure should be declared as a Hindu temple. The ASI report also proves that parts of the pre-existing temple including pillars and pilasters were reused with modifications to extend the span of the mosque and in the construction of the sahan. He said that finding the names of Janardana, Rudra, Umeswara in the inscriptions on the structure are the tell-tale evidence of it being a temple. JUST A REPORT, NOT A JUDGMENT, SAYS MOSQUE COMMITTEE Following the report of the ASI survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque, the masjid committee said that it just a report and not a judgment. The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee said that they are studying the report and would make comments once they are done. Mohammed Yasin, the committees secretary 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. WILL NOT EAT FOODGRAIN UNTIL GYANVAPI IS LIBERATED, SAYS KASHI SEER A seer from Kashi, Jitendranand Saraswati, who is the general secretary of Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti said that the will not eat foodgrain until Gyanvapi in Kashi is liberated. He said that this is his personal pledge. It is not that I am the first person to take this pledge. Rishis and seers have been performing this penance for thousands of years. In such a situation, my personal vow is that I will not eat food until Kashi Gyanvapi becomes free and it takes the shape of a grand temple, Hindustan Times quoted Saraswati as saying. He said I am not a hunger striker. I am not an agitator. I am a Dandi Sanyasi, citing that he will be consuming milk and fruits. PART OF A PRE-EXISTING HINDU TEMPLE | WHAT THE ASI REPORT SAID The ASI report read, Based on the scientific studies and observations central chamber and main entrance of the pre-existing structure is 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. It said that remains of bird figure carved on the doorsill appears to be that of a cock, adding that the western wall of the existing structure is the remaining part of a pre-existing Hindu temple. FOUGHT DARKNESS TO SHED LIGHT: ASI TEAMS EFFORTS TO CONDUCT SURVEY The ASI team, which conducted the scientific survey on the premises of the Gyanvapi mosque, endured everything from darkness to humidity, just to ensure that the work is done in the right manner. The worked through the darkness to shed light on the reality of the premises. The entire survey process was slowed down after the High Court ordered for a surface only study, the ToI report said. Battling through all the tough weather conditions in scorching heat, in humid monsoon the ASI team worked on the premises. The survey report said that the south and north cellars of the complex had no electricity or light available in them. The team reportedly faced difficulty to even step on the surface of the south cellar area because of all the debris material lying there. The humidity inside these cellars, where the team worked with just torches, was higher than outside. The north cellar had more humidity than the south one, making ASIs task even more tough. Monsoon did not bring any respite either, rather it brought seepage and slush. The survey body used waterproof sheets to protect the structure from being exposed to the rain water. Amid all this, was the chaos reigned in by monkeys. They frequented the premises freely and also posed obstacles in the ASI teams working. The monkeys even tore the waterproof sheets. (With PTI inputs) As French President Emmanuel Macrons India tour as the Republic Day guest of honour came to an end, discussion on cooperation in defence, space and civil nuclear aspects emerged as a key highlight of the meetings. Of these, talks on small modular reactors (SMRs) have proved to be of particular interest as India pivots its civil nuclear power strategy toward SMRs. This comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi commits the country towards reducing reliance on coal for its power generation. Notably, the two leaders discussed the Jaitapur nuclear power project which has faced delays since 2018. They also appreciated Electricite de Frances (EDF), the French state-owned electric utility company, proposal to train Indian nuclear engineers and technicians for deployment in projects involving European Pressurised Reactors. India is working towards a strategy to proliferate small nuclear power plants across the country. With a goal to swiftly increase its reliance on nuclear energy in the next decade, India aims to address both decarbonisation and the escalating demand for power. Currently, nuclear plants contribute to less than 2% of Indias annual electricity generation. France is a leading power in civilian nuclear energy. France relies on nuclear reactors to produce 65% to 70% of its electricity, representing the highest proportion of nuclear generation worldwide. This historical reliance on nuclear power has allowed France to export excess clean energy to neighbouring countries during periods of increased demand. Pivoting Towards Nuclear As the worlds most populous country with over 1.4 billion people, Indias energy demands are soaring at an accelerated pace. At the same time, global awareness about climate change have mobilised the world into a mission to reduce carbon emissions drastically. India has heeded this call and aims to reach net zero emissions by 2070 and to meet 50% of its electricity requirements from renewable energy sources by 2030. To this end, India has made a plethora of moves and developed various projects and mega projects to tap into the countrys renewable energy resources, which has led to greater contribution of solar, wind and hydro towards Indias power needs. As fossil fuel forms the source of 56% of Indias power and renewables like solar, wind and hydro account for about 40%, nuclear stands at less than 2%. Contrast this with France, 65-70% of whose power comes from nuclear, which helped that nation avert a larger energy crisis in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war. India is yet to expand on nuclear energy, one of the most reliable sources that can churn out power regardless of weather conditions. In the past, reasons like safety fears, huge construction cost, limited uranium reserves in the country and curbs on nuclear fuel acquisition stifled the growth of Indias civil nuclear programme. However, India is not only well placed to make significant investments and implement advanced and dependable state-of-the-art technologies, but also freely acquire nuclear fuel since 2008 when the NSG, which India is not a member of, lifted nuclear trade sanctions against India imposed in 1974. Indias civil nuclear programme is poised for take-off if concerns about cost-effectiveness and disputes on liability issues are addressed. Indias civil nuclear programme has significant potential. The country may have limited reserves of uranium, but it has the largest reserves of thorium in the world an element that can be converted to uranium and used in a reactor. At this point, as the world overlooks thorium as an alternative to uranium, India is single-handedly developing technologies to build thorium-based nuclear reactors which in foresight will prove to be a long-term game-changer for India. India-France Nuclear Cooperation India and France share a solid history of nuclear collaboration, which began in 2008 with the signing of the India-France Civil Nuclear Agreement, which was significant as it ended Indias isolation from the international nuclear market after nearly three decades and access nuclear technology from France, a leading nuclear power. The agreement committed France to provide India with nuclear fuel, reactors, and associated equipment for civilian purposes. It also opened the gates for French companies to participate in Indias civil nuclear endeavours. In 2018, with PM Modi and President Macron at the helm, the two countries signed a pact on the development of six nuclear reactors at Jaitapur in Maharashtras Ratnagiri district. If constructed, the Jaitapur nuclear facility would hold the title of the worlds largest nuclear power generation facility in terms of net generation capacity, reaching 9,900 MW. However, owing to differences in liability laws in the two countries and other issues, the project has encountered delays. In Macrons visit this month, the two sides discussed progress on financing mechanism and the localisation component of the project. Small Modular Reactors: A Game Changer? In light of this, India has is leaning toward the prospect of developing small modular reactors or SMRs. SMRs represent an emerging technology advanced nuclear reactors with a capacity of up to 300 MW(e) per unit, approximately one-third of traditional reactors. Capable of producing substantial low-carbon electricity, are characterised by their small physical size, modular design for factory assembly and transport, and the use of nuclear fission to generate heat for energy production. SMRs are localised, cost effective and bypass the risk of devastating accidents as they are meant to provide power in scenarios where extensively large facilities are unnecessary or locations lack the infrastructure to accommodate sizable units, such instances encompass smaller electrical markets, isolated areas, modest grids, sites with restricted water and land availability, or distinctive industrial applications. Limited grid coverage and the high costs of rural electrification pose challenges to expanding energy access. To address this, small modular reactors (SMRs) with their smaller electrical output can be integrated into existing grids or deployed off-grid in areas lacking sufficient transmission infrastructure. This offers a low-carbon power solution for industry and local populations, ensuring that a single power plant does not exceed 10% of the total installed grid capacity. Due to their compact size, simplicity, and advanced technology, small modular reactors (SMRs) offer enhanced safety and reduced fuel demands. SMR-based power plants may need less frequent refuelling, occurring every three to seven years, in contrast to the one to two years typical for conventional plants. Certain SMRs are designed to operate for extended periods, up to 30 years, without requiring refuelling. Over 80 commercial small modular reactor (SMR) designs are currently in development worldwide. Despite the nascent nature of the concept, the global community is progressing with SMRs. Projects are either under construction or in the licensing stage in various countries, including Argentina, Canada, China, Russia, South Korea, and the United States of America, showcasing the international momentum behind the development of small modular reactors. India seeks to ensure that it is not left behind in this aspect, and has its own SMR technologies in the development phase. The Indian government is considering implementing incentives, resembling a production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, to encourage the production of small modular reactors (SMRs) and increase the share of nuclear power in the countrys energy mix. This move aims to attract private investments, scale up production, and reduce costs. Bilateral talks with France, Russia, South Korea, and the United States are ongoing to secure technologies and investments for SMRs. Meanwhile, the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, is being re-examined to facilitate private sector and startup participation in advancing SMR technology within the country. Apart from France, powers like the US and Russia have also offered to build SMRs with India. S Jaishankars visit to Russia last month entailed the discussion on nuclear energy particularly the development of the Kudankulam nuclear power project. Small modular reactors were also discussed. Similarly, during PM Modis state visit to the United States, nuclear cooperation and SMRs were discussed in detail. This reflects Indias burgeoning international clout in the civil nuclear energy sector. Israel-made anti-drone systems are likely to soon guard the Ayodhya Ram Temple, along with some other top vital installations in Uttar Pradesh, police sources have confirmed to CNN-News18. The UP Police have completed the procurement process and the advanced shield systems are expected to soon be a part of latest technologies that already are in use by the largest police force in the country. This is the first time that an anti-drone technology is being procured by the Uttar Pradesh police. During the recent Ayodhya Ram Temple Pran Pratishtha event and on other occasions, the police used anti-drone systems borrowed from the National Security Guard (NSG), Special Protection Group (SPG) or other security forces. CNN-News18 has learnt that these anti-drone systems manufactured in Israel were shortlisted after detailed trials. The system will not only detect any drone in a radius of 3-5 kilometers, but will also have the potential to disable any enemy drone in its radar. Based on the assessment of threat, these systems will allow the police to take suitable decisions in different situations. One of which is to execute a soft kill, that is a laser-based destruction mechanism that can be used against the enemy drones. The technology also allows the police to hack the enemy drone and ensure a safe, yet guided landing or execute a self-destruction of the enemy drone. Snipers will also be deployed with these systems, who will be trained hard kill, which is shooting down such drones in case of use of laser or other technologies that are not advisable, said an officer, privy to the technology. Around 10 of these anti-drone systems are being procured by the UP police. These will be installed at sensitive installations in cities across the state such as Lucknow, Varanasi and Mathura and on need basis. The process is complete and we expect the devices to be handed over soon, the officer added. Senior officers believe that such a technology will not only strengthen the UP Police in tightening its vigil during mega events like the recent Ram Temples Pran Pratishtha, but also help them fight new-age threats. Drones are modern-age weapons and we have already seen their lethal misuse around the world. Fortunately, we have not had any such situation to deal with so far, but it is always good to be geared up for the safety of our people and our valued assets, said another officer. A murder convict, who had been granted parole, has been arrested for allegedly raping a woman and her minor daughter in Nagpur, an official said on Sunday. Bharat Goswami (33), a resident of Jaripatka area in the city, was convicted in 2014 in a murder case. He was recently out on parole, the official said. Goswami went to the house of the 43-year-old woman, who is known to him, on January 25 and allegedly raped her. He also allegedly sexually assaulted her 14-year-old daughter and threatened to kill the minor if she spoke about the crime, said the official citing the FIR. Acting on a complaint by the woman, the police arrested Goswami for rape under the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, he added. Hello readers, News18 evening digest brings you the latest news: INDIA Bloc Distracted, Not Working: Nitish Kumars 1st Reaction After Quitting as Bihar CM; Superpower India Rising, China Not So Much: Intl Praise for Navys Rescue Op in Gulf of Aden and other stories. INDIA Bloc Distracted, Not Working: Nitish Kumars 1st Reaction After Quitting as Bihar CM Janata Dal (United) president Nitish Kumar on Sunday resigned from the top post of Bihars chief minister. After submitting his resignation, Kumar told reporters that he is no longer a part of the INDIA bloc. READ MORE Superpower India Rising, China Not So Much: Intl Praise for Navys Rescue Op in Gulf of Aden The Indian Navy deployed its missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam to assist the vessel, Marlin Luanda, and extinguished the fire onboard the tanker with 22 Indian crew on Saturday. READ MORE Trouble In Muizzus Maldives as Opposition Withholds Approval for 4 Members of His Cabinet In what is turning out to be a political standoff in Maldives, the main opposition party in the island nation has withheld approval for four members of President Mohamed Muizzus cabinet. The Maldivian Parliament was poised to vote on a 22-member cabinet at 1 pm on Sunday, the SunOnline outlet reported. READ MORE Taapsee Pannu Enjoys Nick Jonas Lollapalooza Concert, Says Jijaji Stage Pe Hai On Saturday evening, Taapsee Pannu and her friends enjoyed Nick Jonas concert at the Lollapalooza stage. The actress shared a photo of herself vibing with the fans and called him Jijaji. She wrote, Jijaji Stage Pe Hai. READ MORE IND vs ENG Live Score 1st Test Day 4: Bharat, Ashwin Look to Rescue India in Tricky Chase India have had a difficult start to their run-chase of 231 runs. Tom Hartley managed to come back stronger after a difficult start in the first innings as he took apart the Indian top order dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill to put India under pressuree. READ MORE Parliament, state legislatures and democratic institutions at grassroots levels should communicate more with one another, said Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Sunday and pitched for the use of technology by legislative bodies. Addressing the 84th All India Presiding Officers Conference, he said that the path of technology is the path of future for legislatures and that Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of one nation, one legislative platform, will be made a reality this year. The conference adopted five resolutions, including the one recommending legislative bodies in the country to embrace and promote emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve productivity and engagement with citizens. Birla said a model IT (information technology) policy for legislative bodies will be prepared. During the conference, he said, presiding officers discussed action plans to connect democratic institutions with the public and to make them more accountable and transparent. The Lok Sabha speaker said forced and planned adjournments in the house are a matter of concern for all stakeholders. He said democracy runs on public trust and confidence. It is the responsibility of the democratic institutions to bring necessary changes in their working style and, if necessary, even amend the rules so that public confidence in these institutions is enhanced. During the conference, Birla lauded the suggestion for establishing channels of communications among democratic institutions at central, state and grassroots levels. Referring to the outreach programme organised by the Lok Sabha, he suggested that state legislatures organise similar initiatives. Birla spoke about Prime Minister Narendra Modis observations during his video address at the conference on Saturday and said Lok Sabha has achieved remarkable success in this direction through Digital Parliament. He pitched for use of technology in legislatures to make them more effective and efficient. The path of technology is the path of the future and we should gain proficiency in technology as soon as possible, Birla said and asserted that the PMs vision of one nation, one legislative platform will be a reality in 2024. Mentioning challenges posed by new technologies in the functioning of legislatures, Birla spoke about telecast and broadcast of proceedings expunged by the chair and observed that an action plan is required in that direction. Legislatures are forums for unhindered discussions and there should be more debates and less disruption in the house, he said. He urged the presiding officers to chalk out action plans and strategies so that the time of legislatures is utilized in debates and discussions for the welfare of the public. Birla noted that parliamentary committees are the lifeblood of parliamentary processes and by enhancing their functionality, we can ensure that they become powerful tools for effective governance and oversight of the executive. Five resolutions were adopted at the conference. Parliament and state and Union Territory legislatures have been urged to review and align Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, taking into account current realities, to enable their effective functioning in accordance with the letter and spirit of the Constitution. The legislatures should take effective steps at capacity-building of grassroots Panchayati Raj institutions and Urban Local Bodies to further help strengthening the vibrant and ancient democratic ethos of the country. It was recommended that the legislatures adopt and promote emerging technologies including, Artificial Intelligence (AI), for improving efficiency, transparency, productivity and engagement with citizens. The conference resolved to explore ways and means to improve their effectiveness in enforcing accountability of the executive. It was also resolved to take proactive measures to implement one nation, one legislative platform for resource and experience sharing between legislatures and closer public engagement with the citizens. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed the first Mann Ki Baat this year. This was the 109th episode of the PMs radio programme. PM Modi spoke about Ayodhya Ram Mandir, women empowerment, and the Bharat Ratna awardees. The Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) President JP Nadda, Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi, Rajasthan Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore and party leader Bansuri Swaraj listened to PMs Mann Ki Baat along with booth workers. A LOOK AT WHAT PM MODI SAID: This year marks 75 years of the Indian Constitution, PM Modi said, adding that is also the 75th year of the Supreme Court. The Constitution of India is made after such intense brainstorming, that it is called a Living Document. In the third chapter of the original copy of the constitution, the fundamental rights of the citizens of Bharat have been described, he said. Talking about the recently inaugurated Ayodhya Ram Mandir, the prime minister said that Lord Ram brought the nation together. He said that the pran pratishtha ceremony has woven a common thread in uniting the citizens. During this time, many people sang Ram Bhajan and dedicated them to Shri Ram. On the evening of 22 January, the entire country lit Ram Jyoti and celebrated Diwali. The nation witnessed a collective power, which also forms the basis of our pledge of developed Bharat, the prime minister rejoiced. Women empowerment was also a key point in the prime ministers radio program. He said that womens power in the Republic Day parade was the most talked about. When women contingents of the Central Security Forces and the Delhi Police started marching on the Kartavya Path, everyone experienced a sense of pride PM Modi said. He said that as many as 1,500 daughters took part in cultural programs. Many female artists were also playing Indian musical instruments like conch shells, nadaswaram, and nagda, he noted. PM Modi said that the DRDOs tableau caught everyones eyes, saying that it showed how womens power is protecting the nation in every field be it water, land, air, cyber or space. Women in sports was also a focus point in the 109th episode of Mann Ki Baat. The prime minister noted that 13 women athletes were honoured with the Arjuna Award this year, adding that their life journeys intrigued the entire nation. Physical, economic challenges could not deter these courageous and talented players, he added. PM Modi hailed the contribution of the nations women in every field. He said women have made notable mark in self-help groups as well. Today, the number and scope of womens self-help groups in the country have expanded substantially. The day is not far when NaMo Drone Didiyan will be seen helping in farming through drones in the agricultural field in every village, the prime minister said. He further pointed at the women of Nibiya Begumpur Village associated with SHGs who prepare bio-fertilisers by mixing cow dung, neem leaves, and several medicinal plants. Additionally, he said, these women have formed an organisation named Unnati Jaivik Ikai, which helps these women in preparing bio-products. PM Modi mentioned the recently announced Padma Awards and said that this time as well the awardees far away from any limelight were engaged in social services. He noted that the credibility, prestige, and respect of the award is increasing year by year. Talking about the organ donation campaign, the prime minister said there have been more than a thousand people in the country who donated their organs after their death. This decision, though difficult, saves many lives. He hailed those, who even in tough times, respected the last decision of their loved ones. Lastly, he took note of the Ayurvedic and Unani treatments and said that the Ministry of Ayush has classified the data and terminology related to Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani medicine. He added, The WHO has also helped in this. With their combined efforts, the terminology related to diseases and treatment in Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha medicine has been codified During his last address on December 21, 2023, the prime minister spoke about Indias growing self-confidence, the spirit of Viksit Bharat and the governments Fir India movement. Nowadays we see how much there is talk about lifestyle related Diseases, it is a matter of great concern for all of us, especially the youth, he had noted. PM Modi had said that India is becoming an innovation hub, which is a symbol of fact that the people of the country are not going to stop. Requesting peoples participation, he asked the citizens to keep writing to him about innovative health care startups that can help the country towards realising the dream of Fit India. Notably, PM Modi had mentioned about a young couple from Byndoor in Karnatakas Udupi district, for opting to clean the Someshwara beach instead of a honeymoon trip. The couple, earlier this year this received an invitation from the Prime Ministers office (PMO) to witness the Republic Day parade in New Delhi. The PMs notice was caught by the couples noble act, because of which he acknowledged and mentioned them. The prime ministers monthly radio program first started on October 3, 2014 and so has had 108 episodes. MANN KI BAAT IMPACTS Previously, PM Modis Mann Ki Baat program has impacted several policies and both tangible, non-tangible things. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, launched in 2015, the scheme gained traction in Google searches popularity after its mentions on PM Modis radio show. Yoga, Khadi, Millets and Swami Vivekananda, all of the names and concepts gained popularity and traction in Google searches after PM Modi mentioned them. In fact, Covid Panic Index 2020-22 was one of the lowest in India with continuous positive communication through Mann Ki Baat. People perform during a Chinese New Year culture festival in Lianhua Town of Jiande City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 28, 2024. A culture festival celebrating the upcoming Chinese New Year is held in Lianhua Town on Sunday. Tourists enjoyed watching traditional performances while having delicacies at a large open-air banquet consisted of 100 tables amid a bustling and festive atmosphere. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) People perform dragon dance during a Chinese New Year culture festival in Lianhua Town of Jiande City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 28, 2024. A culture festival celebrating the upcoming Chinese New Year is held in Lianhua Town on Sunday. Tourists enjoyed watching traditional performances while having delicacies at a large open-air banquet consisted of 100 tables amid a bustling and festive atmosphere. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) People take part in an open-air banquet during a Chinese New Year culture festival in Lianhua Town of Jiande City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 28, 2024. A culture festival celebrating the upcoming Chinese New Year is held in Lianhua Town on Sunday. Tourists enjoyed watching traditional performances while having delicacies at a large open-air banquet consisted of 100 tables amid a bustling and festive atmosphere. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) Tourists and villagers watch lion dance during a Chinese New Year culture festival in Lianhua Town of Jiande City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 28, 2024. A culture festival celebrating the upcoming Chinese New Year is held in Lianhua Town on Sunday. Tourists enjoyed watching traditional performances while having delicacies at a large open-air banquet consisted of 100 tables amid a bustling and festive atmosphere. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) A man makes maci, a local snack made from sticky rice, during a Chinese New Year culture festival in Lianhua Town of Jiande City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 28, 2024. A culture festival celebrating the upcoming Chinese New Year is held in Lianhua Town on Sunday. Tourists enjoyed watching traditional performances while having delicacies at a large open-air banquet consisted of 100 tables amid a bustling and festive atmosphere. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) People take part in an open-air banquet during a Chinese New Year culture festival in Lianhua Town of Jiande City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 28, 2024. A culture festival celebrating the upcoming Chinese New Year is held in Lianhua Town on Sunday. Tourists enjoyed watching traditional performances while having delicacies at a large open-air banquet consisted of 100 tables amid a bustling and festive atmosphere. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) People take part in an open-air banquet during a Chinese New Year culture festival in Lianhua Town of Jiande City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 28, 2024. A culture festival celebrating the upcoming Chinese New Year is held in Lianhua Town on Sunday. Tourists enjoyed watching traditional performances while having delicacies at a large open-air banquet consisted of 100 tables amid a bustling and festive atmosphere. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) Data Privacy Day, also known as Data Protection Day in Europe, is an international event held annually on January 28. Its a day dedicated to raising awareness about online privacy, data protection, and how to safeguard your personal information in the digital world. The day is a great opportunity to start thinking about your online privacy habits and how you can take control of your data. By making small changes and practicing good data hygiene, you can protect yourself from risks and empower yourself in the digital world. Remember, taking charge of your privacy is an ongoing process. Use Data Privacy Day as a springboard to become more informed and proactive about safeguarding your information in the digital age. DATA PRIVACY DAY 2024: HISTORY Data Privacy Day, also known as Data Protection Day in Europe, is an international event held annually on January 28. It aims to raise awareness about online privacy, data protection, and best practices for safeguarding personal information. The day originated in 2006 when the Council of Europe established it to mark the anniversary of the opening for signature of Convention 108, the first legally binding international treaty on data protection. Since then, it has grown into a global initiative observed in over 100 countries, including the United States and Canada. DATA PRIVACY DAY 2024: SIGNIFICANCE Data Privacy Day is crucial in our increasingly digital world where personal information is constantly collected and used. It serves as a reminder of our fundamental right to privacy and the importance of protecting our data from unauthorized access, misuse, and exploitation. 10 WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION AND DATA Amitabh Bachchan recently weighed in on the Bollywood vs. South film industry debate at a college event. He even opened up about how regional filmmakers have admitted to remaking his hit films. The veteran actor attended the inauguration ceremony of the Symbiosis Film Festival in Pune, organized by Symbiosis International. His wife, Jaya Bachchan, also accompanied him. In his speech, the 81-year-old actor addressed the criticism faced by the film industry and various aspects in between. The Piku actor expressed, Many times, the film industry comes under a lot of criticism and faces accusations that it is responsible for changing the morals of the country and the attitudes of the people. Im sure Jaya, who has formally studied at the Institute (FTII), would endorse the fact that stories and films are created from experiences observed in nature, in the world, and in everyday life, and that becomes our inspiration. During the same speech, while lauding Malayalam and Tamil cinema, Big B stated that its not right to compare them with Hindi cinema. He shared, Regional cinema has been doing very well. But when we talk to them, they say they are making the same kind of films that we do in Hindi. They just change the dressing so that they look beautiful. A lot of the people Ive met said, We are remaking your old films; theres Deewar, Shakti, and Sholay somewhere in all our stories. Malayalam and some of the Tamil cinema are authentic and aesthetic. This whole idea of pointing fingers at a particular region and saying that unki aachi chal rahi hai, humari nahi (they are better than us) is not right. Amitabh also recalled how his late father, noted poet and writer Harivansh Rai Bachchan, would watch films on repeat. Cinema in itself has its own power. During the last years of my fathers life, every evening he would watch a film on television on cassette. Many times, the films that he saw were repeated. I asked him every evening, You have watched the film; dont you get bored? What do you find in Hindi cinema? He said, Id get to see poetic justice in three hours. You and I will not get to see poetic justice in a lifetime. And that is the learning that cinema gives to all, he shared. On the work front, Amitabh has a series of projects in the pipeline. These include Kalki 2898 AD with Prabhas and Deepika Padukone, and Vettaiyan with Rajinikanth. Vettaiyan marks Amitabhs Tamil film debut. He also recently wrapped a season of Kaun Banega Crorepati. Aditi Rao Hydari and Siddharth sparked relationship rumours after meeting on the set of Maha Samudram in 2021. Despite neither confirming nor denying, their joint appearances at events fueled speculations. Not long back, Aditi officially acknowledged their relationship with a sweet photo from their New Year trip. The actress expressed feeling happy, blessed and grateful in the post. As Nick Jonas and his brothers, Kevin and Joe, rocked the stage at Lollapalooza India in Mumbai on Saturday evening, in what was their first-ever concert in India, Natasha Poonawalla hosted a big bash to celebrate it. Aditi looked stylish in boyfriend jeans and a white tee, paired with a black blazer. Siddharth, as usual, looked dapper in a blue tee and black jeans. Cheeky paparazzi requested Aditi to pose with her beau Siddharth, but she hesitated. Meanwhile, Siddharth asked Ishaan Khatter, who was also present, to join them for a photo. Reluctant at first, Ishaan eventually agreed and posed for a quick photo, then graciously allowing the couple to take center stage. The fun video is going viral on social media. Check it out here: Aditi Rao Hydari and Siddharths romance reportedly blossomed during the filming of Maha Samudram. Since then, the duo has been seen together on outings and attending public events. In October 2023, on Aditis 37th birthday, Siddharth shared a lovely birthday tribute to her and even called her partner. Alongside a picture of them together, the Rang De Basanti star wrote a sweet caption, which read, Isnt she lovely? Happy Birthday partner. Thank you for being all the pixies in all the worlds. Fly around sprinkling dust in your grace. Incantations and giggles fill the air. All in wait of a smile on your face. Be you be true and thank you for showing us. It always, without fail, takes two. See you soon. Its been too long. Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui recently shared that he used to feel insecure and stutter while talking before finding success. Now, he prefers not to ask for work and is willing to sell his belongings to fund his own projects. During a recent appearance on the Unfiltered by Samdish YouTube channel, Nawazuddin said he never expected that hed become such a popular actor. I never thought that I would be able to do these things, because I was a little laidback. I was a tube light, the actor said, adding that he used to stammer, and take time to understand things back then. However, he mentioned that things improved around 2005 and 2006 when he started getting more work. Nawaz shared When I am really angry, the stammering comes back. It went away in 2005 and 2006. Maybe it was there because of insecurity, and then when I achieved some things in life, it went away. Nawazuddin Siddiqui shot to fame in Bollywood for his roles in movies like Gangs of Wasseypur, The Lunchbox, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, and Manjhi: The Mountain Man. Despite his success, he mentioned that he wouldnt feel comfortable asking for work if opportunities ever became scarce. Adding that he will never ask for work, Nawazuddin said, If I dont have work tomorrow, I dont even have the strength to go and ask for it. I cant come to you and say, Give me work. I will sell my house, my shoes and everything and make a film on my own. I am so confident about that. I cant do that in my life. Acting is important, but acting in films is not. I will do it on the streets, trains or bus. On the work front, Nawazuddin will share screen space with Arbaaz Khan and Regina Cassandra in director Rasikh Khans Section 108. Bollywood actor-director Shreyas Talpade marked his 48th birthday on January 27, adding another chapter to his illustrious career. Renowned for his versatile roles in films like Iqbal, Dor, and Om Shanti Om, Shreyas has seamlessly transitioned from a gifted actor to a brilliant director. As birthday wishes pour in from fans and industry peers, Shreyas Talpade addressed his fans for the first time since his heart attack in 2023. In a clip that was shared by the popular paparazzo handle Viral Bhayani, Shreyas Talpade can be seen enacting the dialogue from Pushpa: The Rise. He goes on to do the hand gesture and says, PushpaPushpaMain jhukega nahi saala. The video cuts to Shreyas thanking his fans for being there in his tough times. He can be heard saying,I wanted to share this day with my fans, with all of you and I wanted to thank everyone for loving me so much, for praying for me, for blessing me. I think I am very fortunate. Take a look: For the unversed, Shreyas Talpade suffered a heart attack in October last year. The actor, who is 47 years old, was reportedly shooting for his upcoming movie in Mumbai during the day. However, when he went back home, he complained of uneasiness and collapsed. Talpade was then rushed to a hospital where he later underwent angioplasty. Born on January 27, 1976, in Mumbai, Shreyas Talpade initially explored acting in college plays, later expanding his repertoire to serials, dramas, and movies. Despite facing financial struggles early in his career, including the inability to afford a simple sandwich or bus fare to the studio, Shreyas persevered through hard work to establish himself as a prominent actor in both Hindi and Marathi cinema. Having appeared in over 45 films, Shreyas Talpade made a significant impact in the South Indian film industry by lending his voice to Allu Arjuns character in the movie Pushpa: The Rise. Beyond acting, Shreyas has ventured into directing and producing, owning the OTT platform Nine Rasa, which launched in 2021. Veteran actress Sreela Majumdar, who has worked with esteemed filmmakers such as Mrinal Sen, Shyam Benegal, and Prakash Jha, passed away at her Kolkata home on Saturday due to cancer. She was 65 and is survived by her husband and son. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her condolences on Sreelas passing, praising her as a powerful actor with outstanding roles in significant Indian films. It is a big loss for Bengal film industry and we shall miss her stellar presence. My condolences to her family, Banerjee said. She started her acting career at 16 in Sens Parashuram in 1980. Later, she appeared in several unique Indian films alongside big names like Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, and the late Smita Patil. She played pivotal roles in Shyam Benegals Mandi (Market Place, 1983), Prakash Jhas Damul (Bonded Until Death, 1985), and Utpalendu Chakrabortys Chokh (Eye, 1983). Her final film, Palan by Kaushik Ganguly, a sequel to Ekdin Pratidin, received widespread acclaim last year. In total, she contributed to 43 films. Majumdar was also recognized for her delicate voice dubbing for Aishwarya Rai in Rituparno Ghoshs film Chokher Bali (A Passion Play, 2003). Condoling her death, the industrys younger colleague Rituparna Sengupta said, She had delivered so many memorable performances under the direction of filmmakers like Mrinal Sen and others. She could have been utilised more by the industry. According to her husbands statement to IANS, Majumdar had been battling cancer for the past three years. She was admitted to a hospital earlier this month but was subsequently brought back home, where she passed away on Saturday. For a while now, we were being told that Bharat needs the INDIA bloc. And that it provides an important antidote to the alleged miasma of Moditva. A lead intellectual from the INDIA bloc ranks, Shashi Tharoor, once described Moditva as cultural nationalism anchored in the RSS doctrine of Hindutva, but extending beyond it. On top of the foundation of Hindutvaa reactionary and regressive doctrine, with its roots in the racial pride ethos that spawned fascism in the 1920sit builds the idea of a strong leader, powerful and decisive, who embodies the nation and will lead it to triumph. The strong leader needed to be stopped as his ten-year reign as prime minister has thrived on cruelty, fear, division and violence. We were grandiloquently told last year that the only counter to Modi, before he wrung the life force out of our nation, was INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance). Tellingly, one I in the acronym stands for inclusive. The emphasis being deliberate. The use of the word was intended to send a clear message to voters that the INDIA grouping alone can safeguard the idea of India as enshrined in the constitution that exalts unity in diversity. As was to be expected, with self-proclaimed grandees of secularism like Nitish, Mamata, Lalu, Kejriwal, Pawar and Rahul in the tent, the INDIA bloc almost daily proclaimed Modi had murdered secularism. And when Modi wasnt inflicting that particular brand of violence, the INDIA bloc would claim he was busy eviscerating autonomous institutions that dared to dissent. Nitish was often the most visibly vocal in his criticism of Modi. In 2019, he said that unlike Modi, he would never compromise on 3Cs corruption, crime and communalism. Yet today, Nitish has dumped the INDIA bloc to embrace Modi and by extension, the alleged odium of Moditva. Hypocrisy, a characteristic that is by no means alien to Indian politics, is a particular trait of Nitish Kumar. The chief minister of Bihars flexible conscience has made him an expert practitioner of opportunism. But it is also true that in this regard, he has competition from other worthies in the INDIA bloc. The Congress decoupled from Nehruvian secularism to embrace the hardline Hindutva of Uddhav Thackerays Shiv Sena. And for the sake of power, the Thackerays were only too happy to reciprocate despite the Congress sparing no opportunity to belittle Senas Hindutva icon Veer Savarkar. The prospect of a victory and the chance of becoming prime minister even enthused Mamata Banerjee to share the INDIA stage with the Communists whom she has vowed to fight to the finish. Principles, schpinciples! With such supple spines holding up the INDIA tent, what is the guarantee that the bloc wont fold upon itself in the face of the right incentive? Could it be that, as with Nitish, some others in the INDIA bloc are only symbolically committed to secularism and speciously opposed to Modi? The Nitish-sized breach in the INDIA bloc will undoubtedly benefit the BJP, but more than this, it severely dents democracy. India needs Opposition leaders who might change their alliances but not their principles. Unfortunately, the INDIA bloc has leaders who change their principles and alliances, for power. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. Ramuni Maravaka Ve Manasa Oh! Heart, Do not forget Ram. (Saint Tyagaraja) My beloved avva (paternal grandmother) a devout Ram Bhakt instructed me when I was heading to the US Ramuni Maravaka Ve (do not forget Ram) and she added Take good care of Ram the Murti shown in the above picture has been handed down in my family history for over seven generations. It must be noted that she didnt say Ram will take care of you, instead, she extracted a promise from me Take good care of Ram because when you do that, everything falls into place. Thus, the Murti resides in my home in New York, and I do my humble part, remembering the tales that my Avva told me about the wonder called Shri Ram. Avva would always say that when a Murti has been worshipped for many generations, as in a family or by a countless number of devotees as in a temple, they become more potent in their godliness, and their resplendency becomes almost magical and astral. In my attempt to enhance the glow of my Murti, I made sure that a coin of Saint Tyagaraja was tied to the throne pillar that you see behind Hanuman ji. On the other side, you see a coin of Lord Shiva, who perennially meditated on Taraka Mantra. The corals that my avva wore hangs behind Shri Ram and the bangle she wore garlands Shri Ram and Devi Sita. The mad and intoxicating love that my avva had for Shri Ram had to be kept alive. This two-syllable name Ram is indeed magical. Ram Ram is a way people greet in many parts of India, at moments of exhilaration we shout RamRam, when in pain the utterance that comes at ease is Hey Ram and when in shock, or disgust or accident, one says, Ayyo Rama or Che Che Rama Rama and so on. Ram is so easy on jihva (tongue) short, sweet, and effective that it becomes the heartbeat of consciousness and that of a civilisation. That is why the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla on January 22, 2024, held in Ayodhya is a momentous occasion and its significance goes way beyond India. In space, it revives all the regions where Ramayana culture spread and in time it is a beautiful and meaningful excursion into the past the Treta Yuga, to find the relevance of that time period to our present Kali Yuga. There is something unique about Ram bhakti. Prabhu Shri Ram embodies Karuna Rasa compassion. I have never seen my avva cry to Ram and communicate her grievances and challenges, instead she would weep for the adversities faced by the God she loved and worshipped. About her challenges, the answer was simple; having taken the nar (human) avatar, even Ram was not spared of pain and suffering, and therefore it is only natural that any mortal being is bound to experience innumerable challenges when thrown into the Samsara Sagaram the ocean of earthly life. Ram not only embodies compassion, but also generates that emotion in his devotees. From Tyagaraja to Bhadrachala Ramdas to Tulsidas to Kabir and Guru Nanak, all have conveyed emotions so tender and so everlasting in their compositions that they instantly soften our hearts and souls. The activities in a day or moments during a significant event can be covered through the compositions of these great mystics. Start the day with Tyagarajas Meluko Dayanidhi, Meluko Dasarathi to wake up Ram. To describe his baby steps, sing Tulsidass Thumak Chalat Ramachandra, when you are wonderstruck by the beauty of Ram and fall short of words, think about Tyagarajas Entha Muddo, Entha Sogaso, Everi Valla Varnimpa Tagune how endearing and how enchanting, who is capable of describing this. When you want to feel the power of Ram Nam, listen to the composition of Sant Khalas, a Muslim poet, Khalas ek Bhagwan Bharose, Sumiran Kar Man Saanjh Savere, Ram Nam Jap Leejo Prani (the God that Khalas trusts, Remember, O Mind, Evening and Morning, Take on the Ram Nam Jap, O Living Being). Nothing can be more reassuring than these lines. When Ram marries Sita, sing Sita Kalyana Vaibhogame and when the newlyweds are on a swing, sing Uyyalalugavayya (while I rock, swing O Rama) and when you need to put Ram to sleep, sing softly and gently the lullaby, Ananda Ghana Rama, JoJo.. With such an abundance of compositions by Ram Bhakts, every mood, emotion, and mode of relating to Ram can be found in our endless civilisational history. Avvas Tales and the Tales of Bhadrachalam In my growing years, Ram Navami was celebrated with great pomp and excitement. My beloved avva never got tired of repeating an ancestral story. She would say, with her eyes wide open, This Ramachandra Murti has been worshipped in our lineage for more than seven generations, and up to this point, the tale was readily accepted, and then she would continue, During the Ram Navami celebrations that always happens on hot summer days, a thirsty Nawab stopped in front of the house of one of our ancestors, and the elderly woman of the household offered him the prasad paanakam (jaggery water), neeru majjiga (watery seasoned buttermilk) and vada pappu (mung dal salad). Avva would continue, The Nawab, having quenched his thirst and satisfied, gave the family a small pouch of pearls for the Talambralu (a wedding custom where the bride and groom pour dry rice over each others heads) in Sita Kalyanam. With enormous pride, avva would tell the gathering, that even a Nawab was enamoured by this Ramachandra Murti and gifted precious pearls. Noticing disbelief or scepticism on the faces of listeners, she would say, Ramudu Sakshi, this is what my elders told me, and they heard the same story from their elders. Once you invoke Ram as a witness to the tale she heard, no one could or would question the veracity of the event. As for me, I didnt want to displease her, fearing that my bedtime stories would be discontinued. Besides, avva might embellish a story, but not tell a false story. Her narrative pull was so strong, one readily surrendered. Now, let us come to the story of Bhadrachalam. A major Ram Mandir before the Ayodhya temple has been in Bhadrachalam, Telangana, on the banks of Godavari, on a hill. Before becoming a major shrine, the Murtis were in a modest structure and it was Kancharla Gopanna, who later came to be called Bhakta Ramdas, who built this magnificent temple. Gopanna was a tehsildar in the court of Nawab Abul Hussan Tanishah, the ruler of Golconda. Gopanna used the money from land revenue to build the temple and make jewellery for all the deities, without the permission of Nawab, hoping to collect money from donors in future to repay what he had taken from the kingdoms treasury. Gopanna sincerely believed that Lord Ram deserved a temple in his district and saw nothing wrong in using state funds. He was happily composing and singing songs on Lord Rama and from then onwards he came to be known as Bhadrachala Ramdas. When Nawab Tanishah came to know about it, Ramdas was duly imprisoned and tortured for 12 long years from 1665 to 1677. During these years of imprisonment, Bhakta Ramdas spontaneously composed and sang some of his finest and most poignant pieces and they reveal his pious nature, childlike innocence and intense love, devotion, and freedom he felt with Lord Ram. In one of his prominent compositions, he pleads and begs Ram to take pity on him, Ikshvaku Kula Tilaka, Eka Naina Palukave, Ramachandra, Nannu Rakshimpakunnanu Rakshakulevaraiyya Ramachandra. Oh! The Jewel of Ikshvaku dynasty, say something at least now, If you dont protect me, who else can be my protector, Ramachandra? In each stanza in this song, Ramdas gives a detailed account of money spent on various aspects of the temple building ramparts around the temple and constructing the gopurams (towers) and then goes on to list the jewellery he made for every member of the Ram Parivar emerald medallion for Bharat, gold waistband for Shatrughan, a pearl medallion for Lakshman, emerald pendant for Sita, gold chains for the vahanas (vehicles) and the last item on his expense list is glittering plume for Ram. At this point in the song, Ramdas displays his ire and asks Ram, You seem to swagger along with pride flaunting the jewellery I made for you as if it is your ancestral property. Did your father Dasharatha present the ornaments to you or did your father-in-law, Raja Janak send them to you? In the very next stanza, the tone becomes regretful and apologetic, Do not be exasperated that I scolded you Ramachandra, unable to bear the pain from the lynching, I am blaming you. Ramdas goes on to plead with Ram to clear his debts and then govern the town of Bhadrachalam. Emotions reach their peak in this song, from despondency to matter-of-fact accounting of expenses to wrath, followed by contrition and explanation and finally praise of the glorious and compassionate nature of Shri Ram. It is said that after 12 years of imprisonment of Ramdas, Nawab Tanishah heard a knock at his door late at night and when the doors were opened, two young men introduced themselves as Ramoji and Lakshmoji and showed a bag of gold coins to the Nawab and said they came to settle the expenses incurred by Ramdas. Tanishah accepted the coins and affixed his seal stating that the debt was cleared. Two of these coins are on display along with all the jewels that Ramdas made in the Bhadrachalam temple museum. Later, the Nawab not only freed Ramdas but also gave additional funds to complete the construction of the temple. Ironically, on learning that Tanishah treated the Hindus well, the Golconda empire was attacked by Aurangzeb and Tanishah was captured and died in prison many years later and his ministers were slaughtered. Now returning to my avvas tale about a Nawab presenting my ancestor with a pouch of pearls after quenching his thirst it was neither accepted nor rejected in my mind, but when I visited the Bhadrachalam temple, I was forced to ponder and re-examine my impression. In the history of the temple, I read that Nawab Tanishah used to send a bag of precious pearls for the Talambralu ritual during the Sita Kalyanam ceremony on Ram Navami and the priest/storyteller in the temple during a Puja narrated the same story. The temple also added that the descendants of the Nawab continue to send pearls for the occasion to this day. I was completely dumbstruck by the identical tale that my avva told us innumerable number of times. Did she or her elders somewhere in the lineage pluck the story from the temple history and insert it into their family tale? Was it a case of appropriation? Or was it simply coincidental? For sure, the Ram Vigraham in my household does resemble the Ramachandra of Bhadrachalam and perhaps my ancestors did live in that region of Golconda and genuinely had the experience of receiving pearls from a Nawab. One can only speculate on this family tale. I must confess however that I find deeper meaning in these parallel tales. It seems to me that when the tale of a family and a shrine intersect, meaningful exchanges appear to take place. Nothing is compartmentalised anymore. The all-pervasive transcendental God becomes my personal God. The Puja corner, where my God resides (see picture below), gives structure and purpose to my daily life, and the God that resides in a temple is the collective God, meant for all. Bhadrachalam and Ayodhya: A Chequered Past If the Bhadrachalam temple was built by the efforts of Ramdas and consequently suffered imprisonment and torture and through divine intervention survived, countless Ramdas servitors of Ram struggled and fought for over 500 years to guard, reclaim and rebuild a temple at the birthplace of Shri Ram. The story of these temples is the story of Bharat, and these temples carry the imprint of the cultural history in all its brutality and glory. The presiding deity in these temples Shri Ram is the very soul of an ancient and majestic civilisation that continues to stand tall despite relentless and brutal attacks. The inauguration of Ayodhya mandir on Jan 22, 2024, was indeed a momentous occasion. And the world will once again hear the heartbeat of a great civilisation. The author is a Professor at City University of New York. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. Bihar Political Developments Updates: With Bihar Nitish Kumars return to the BJP-led NDA imminent, the Janata Dal (United) president has resigned as Mahagathbandhan Chief Minister on Sunday. The new state government, with the support of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), would be sworn in by evening today, according to sources. Meanwhile, BJP Chief JP Nadda is scheduled to reach Patna at 3 pm Today. The formation of a new government, with the BJPs support, is expected by the evening in Naddas presence. History Of Nitish Kumar Switching Sides Kumars exit from Mahagathbandhan, which he had joined less than 18 months ago, would deal a body blow to the opposition bloc INDIA. He 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. Over the past two decades, Kumar has frequently switched alliances between the BJP and the RJD-Congress-Left coalition while retaining his position in office. Lights, camera, run this is how the INDIA blocs story has unfolded in the last four months. Since the first alliance meeting at Delhi in September last year, the opposition alliance is left with the DMK in Tamil Nadu, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) in Maharashtra, CPM in Kerala, RJD in Bihar and SP in Uttar Pradesh. As the leader of the Congress, the major partner of INDIA, Rahul Gandhi proceeds with his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra while his allies are on an INDIA chhodo spree, said a senior JD(U) leader, whose party switched sides and joined its former political adversary BJP on Sunday. Out of the remaining allies, RJD leaders have agreed to stick to the INDIA bloc as they feel that distancing themselves from the coalition might affect their Muslim vote bank in Bihar. The DMK has an almost negligible role or presence in national politics as the partys strength is limited to Tamil Nadu. The Samajwadi Party seems to be a depleting force in Uttar Pradesh but have announced their decision to give 11 seats out of a total of 80 in the state, to the Congress for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. In such a situation, what is the strength of the disintegrating alliance? Is the alliance fighting against Narendra Modi by banking on Muslim votes? Will Rahul Gandhis repeated assurance about the implementation of caste census across states help? How is the caste equation developing following the Bihar debacle? These are some of the political-electoral questions experts are trying to decode while the scenario changes rapidly as India approaches the all-important general elections. Did the NDA outsmart them all? The opposition front now stands without the TMC and AAP, which refused to share seats in West Bengal and Punjab, and now the JD(U) in Bihar. Sandeep Shastri, a senior political analyst and national coordinator at Lokniti Network, said the current situation looks challenging for the opposition, especially for the Congress. The nucleus of the INDIA bloc looks shaky. The JD(U) clearly needed to save face for jumping ship, and that is why they blamed the Congress. Mamata Banerjee, too, trained guns at the Congress, which also did not think this through or see this coming. The leaders started their election campaign and embarked on a tour, but failed to win the trust of regional allies. A day before they entered Bengal, Mamata quit the alliance in her state; a day before the party was scheduled to reach Bihar, another ally pulled out of the INDIA bloc and joined the rival group. With such developments, it seems that the NDA has outsmarted them all and are setting the agenda, while the opposition is merely reacting, Shastri said. It appears that all political parties are fighting for their individual space and their personal ambition. There is no unity over the agenda. Even political parties could not come together on the issue of the consecration ceremony. The relevant adage for them will be: divided we stand, united we fall, he added. Oppositions dwindling vote bank Out of a total of 543 seats, there are 131 reserved seats. The number includes 84 for SCs while 47 for STs. With the assembly election results in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, the BJP appears to have made significant inroads in the Dalit and tribal vote bank. The Muslim communitys pattern of voting for anti-BJP parties, the Congress or regional forces as a bloc, also seems to have changed. An analysis into the results of the 2019 elections and the last significant poll in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka show how Muslims have voted for the BJP. Additionally, Prime Minister Narendra Modis overt outreach to some Muslim groups and sub-groups, some Christian groups changed the electoral chemistry of these communities as well, said experts. After the Bihar and Bengal debacle, the Congress and its allies in the opposition bloc are left with fewer options when it comes to counting a vote bank that is solely theirs. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who has severed all ties with the Congress in the state, said she will remain a part of the alliance but will not share seats. No politician or political party has, however, made any comment on her decision as to how this formula will work. A senior Trinamool leader said the party is now looking at a post-poll alliance and will fight against the BJP with all its strength in Bengal. This makes the electoral equation and fight in the state a bipolar one. It is now going to be a straight fight between the TMC and BJP, while the Congress and CPM alliance is likely to be a fringe player. The results of past elections, including Lok Sabha, assembly, panchayat and municipal, show how the Congress support base has only depleted even in their strongholds like Murshidabad and Malda, while the CPM has been wiped out. In Bihar, with the JD(U) joining the BJP, experts said the OBC and EBC (economically backward class) as well as the upper castes are likely to vote for the NDA. The BJP has managed to strategise the rainbow coalition of voters, which includes non-Yadav, Kurmi and other OBC votes along with EBC and upper caste. In fact, they have managed to get the Madhya Pradesh chief minister Manoj Yadav to work in Bihar among the Yadav voters, said Shastri. The surveys that Lokniti did post 2014 and 2019 elections also showed that Muslims too voted for the BJP in some states. In fact, in Karnataka, the voting percentage of Muslims was in double digits, he added. Naveen Upadhyaya, a senior political analyst based out of Patna, said, Bihar has always seen a caste-equation based election. The state did not vote for governance or development. So, whatever Nitish Kumar does and no matter how many times he jumps ship, the caste equations remain the same. His party will have a hold on its OBC and EBC voters, while the LJP and HAM will have a hold on theirs. In addition, the BJP too has a good support base across the Hindi heartland including Bihar. The consecration of Ram Temple may add some momentum to that, while the RJD is solely dependent on Muslim and Yadav votes. One has to consider that the voting pattern of Lok Sabha and assembly elections are different. In 2019, the BJP won all the 17 seats it contested. URUMQI, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- International representatives and media outlets have for the first time been invited to sit in on or cover the upcoming "two sessions" of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, local authorities said on Sunday. Local "two sessions" are the annual meetings of provincial-level lawmakers and political advisors, during which plans for local economic and social development in the year ahead are discussed. The annual meeting of the Xinjiang regional people's congress will open on Tuesday, while the Xinjiang regional committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference will open on Monday, according to a Sunday press conference. The regional foreign affairs office has invited diplomats from the embassies of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states, SCO observer states and dialogue partners, as well as representatives of international organizations such as the SCO Secretariat and the Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation Institute, to sit in on the meetings. Dozens of domestic and international media outlets, including four foreign media organizations, as well as 10 from Hong Kong and Macao, attended the press conference on Sunday. Expelled Assam Youth Congress president Angkita Dutta, along with former MLA Bismita Gogoi and numerous former All Assam Student Union (AASU) members, made a significant political move by joining Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today (January 28). The official joining event was held at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Bhawan in Guwahati. The decision to switch allegiance to the BJP was highlighted by the presence of prominent figures such as Bhavesh Kalita, the BJPs Assam Pradesh president, Pijush Hazarika, an Assam Minister, Jayanta Malla Baruah, MLAs, and other notable personalities from the party. Ex Minister Smt. @bismita_gogoi, Ex President of Youth Congress Smt @angkitadutta, Ex President of AASU Shri @DipankaKumar, Ex Advisor of AASU Shri Prakash Kr. Das, Ex Speaker Shri Dilip Pal, AJP leader Shri Pani Pathak along with more than 700 members of various organisations pic.twitter.com/IqilbZxYU8 BJP Assam Pradesh (@BJP4Assam) January 28, 2024 One of the reasons to switch was Angkita Duttas harassment complaint against Indian Youth Congress president Srinivas BV with the Assam police on April 22. Speaking on the occasion, Angkita Dutta expressed her disillusionment with the Congress partys ideology, stating, The ideology of Congress is being completely rooted, it is no longer the party of Mahatma Gandhis beliefs, but about branding Rahul Gandhi repeatedly. She further emphasized that there is a disconnect between the Congress leadership and grassroots workers, citing a lack of serious consultation and decision-making processes. The leaders at the helm are not attentive to the concerns of grassroots workers. After much deliberation, we collectively decided to take a new direction, which led us to join the Bharatiya Janata Party, Angkita Dutta said. Another prominent congress leader Bismita Gogoi who joined BJP on Sunday stated that she decided to join BJP because she and other party workers were not satisfied with the partys leadership. The senior party leadership, particularly the decisions of current President APCC Bhupen Bora were not satisfactory. They even made small talk about a lotus flower on my blouse while doing the Nyay yatra. Also, we know that Congress is currently with the INDIA alliance. But we didnt even see any other leader of any other party during Rahul Gandhis Nyay yatra. Only they know what kind of Nyay is this or just a piece of utter drama.Gogoi added. Sources informed CNN NEWS 18 that Gogoi might be offered the candidature from the newly formed constituency of Kaziranga. The move signifies a significant shift in Assams political landscape, as influential leaders and grassroots workers realign their loyalties ahead of the upcoming political challenges. With Angkita Dutta, Bismita Gogoi, and other former AASU leaders joining the BJP, the party aims to strengthen its presence and influence in Assam while offering a new platform for these leaders to contribute to the states development. In his fifth political flip-flop in the last decade, Nitish Kumar on Sunday resigned as the Mahagatbandhan Chief Minister of Bihar and joined the NDA led by the Bharatiya Janata Party. Kumar took oath as the chief minister for the 9th time in partnership with the BJP. With this, Nitish Kumar, who was once called the fulcrum of opposition unity, will also mark an exit from the grand INDIA bloc, a crucial move ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. Bihar News LIVE Updates: Nitish Kumar Takes Oath As CM For 9th Time; Tejashwi Yadav Says Khela Abhi Baki Hai Soon after Nitishs blow, which is strongly attributed to the Congresss failure to take the lead on talks around the seat-sharing arrangement, the grand old party seems to have gotten into the damage control mode. Owing to the turn of events, the future INDIA bloc, which is considered a brainchild of Nitish Kumar, also seems gloomy. Despite his instrumental role in uniting these opposition parties, the blocs failure to recognize Nitish Kumar as a potential candidate for Prime Minister is also considered a reason behind Kumars exit. Here is a timeline of major INDIA events and Nitish Kumars role: August 9, 2022: Nitish Kumar announced that the JDU-BJP alliance was over and formed the Mahagatbandhan government in Bihar with RJD and Congress. February 2023: Bihar Chief Minister asked Congress leadership to make the formal announcement of Opposition unity as soon as possible to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in upcoming Lok Sabha polls. April 2023: Kumar set in motion his plans to create a united opposition front against the BJP. Meets Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and Rahul Gandhi. In the coming months, he met other opposition leaders including Mamata Banerjee, Uddhav Thackeray, and Sharad Pawar among others. July 18, 2023: More than two dozen Indian opposition parties formed an alliance called INDIA to challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. September 13, 2023: The first meeting of the INDI Alliance coordination committee was held on Wednesday (13 September 2023) at NCP leader Sharad Pawars residence in New Delhi. It was attended by 12 parties. December 20, 2023: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal proposed that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge should be projected as the INDIA blocs prime ministerial face against PM Modi. However, Kharge turned down the offer, saying lets win first and this thing will be decided later. January 13, 2023: The INDIA Bloc proposed the name of Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge as the chairperson of the grouping instead of Nitish Kumar. January 28, 2023: Nitish Kumar, one of the architects of the INDIA bloc, exits the alliance and joins hands with the BJP-led NDA to form a new government in Bihar. During the zenith of Lalu Prasad Yadavs political influence, his supporters popularised the slogan, Jab tak rahega samosa me aaloo, tab tak rahega Bihar mein Lalu. Lalus tenure as the Chief Minister of Bihar came to an abrupt and unceremonious end in 1997, when he resigned after his name cropped up in various fodder scam cases. ALSO READ | Bihar Politics LIVE Updates HERE However, in reality, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has emerged as a prominent figure over the last decade, resembling a potato (aaloo) in state politics and beyond. Despite belonging to the Kurmi caste, which comprises only 2.87% of the states population, he has successfully maintained political relevance. How has Kumar retained his chair for such an extended period, and why does it seem likely to continue, at least for now, despite his party never winning a majority on its own? A closer examination of the poll numbers provides an insight into the Nitish Kumar phenomenon, as he holds the record for being in the Bihar Chief Ministers chair for the longest time. THE FALL OF LALU PRASAD YADAV & RISE OF NITISH KUMAR The state, after ceding Jharkhand in 2000, has witnessed five assembly polls. The year 2005 had two assembly polls the first in February, which resulted in the first crack in Lalu Yadavs undisputed political fiefdom in the state, and again in October-November of that year. The February polls resulted in a fractured mandate in a three-cornered fight, with the first front led by Yadavs Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the second by Kumars Janata Dal (United) (JDU) with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a partner, and the last by Ram Vilas Paswans Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), which won 29 seats and emerged as a kingmaker. Paswan insisted that he would support the grouping that would put up a Muslim as CM, leading to another poll. In the February 2005 elections, despite winning 75 seats and coming second in another 95, the RJDs core vote bank of Backwards, Muslims and Dalits had begun to show strain. The results of the October-November polls became a turning point, with Kumars JD(U) winning 88 of the 139 seats it contested, thereby becoming the largest party in the state legislative assembly. The BJP, the other NDA partner, secured 55 seats in the 243-member house, where the magic figure is 122. While the BJP had solid support from the upper castes, Kumar brought in the most backward castes disillusioned with Yadav to the NDAs fold, making it a formidable force in state politics. ALSO READ | INDIA Bloc on Verge of Collapse, Section of Cong Repeatedly Insulted Nitish Kumar: K C Tyagi This election, much like the previous one, unfolded as a three-cornered contest. Despite contesting 175 seats, the RJD secured only 54, with a modest 23.45% vote share. In a span of just seven months, the Yadav-led party descended to become the third largest in the state. The causes behind this significant electoral setback were diverse, including allegations that Yadavs party had transformed into a Muslim-Yadav-centric entity, sidelining the most backward castes and the Dalits. These groups, which once formed the stronghold of the party symbolized by the lantern, representing its pro-poor image, experienced a diminishing presence. Yadavs party, once an unquestionable stronghold, witnessed a loss of support from a substantial section of the poor and the most underprivileged. The poll results also amplified the notion of gair Laluvaad, which became synonymous with gair Yadavvaad in the state at the time and has remained so till now. The social foundation of Laludom, initially built on the Muslim-Yadav combination, proved ineffective. Ram Vilas Paswan, who had played the Muslim chief minister card in a hope to corner minority community votes, was abandoned by majority of his 29 MLAs. The LJP won just 10 seats in the October polls. THE THREE POLES In his first term, Kumar worked aggressively on both the economic and socio-electoral fronts. This effort led to Kumar sweeping back to power with a landslide win in the 2010 assembly polls. With JD(U) winning 115 of the 141 seats it contested and the BJP adding another 91 seats, the NDA secured a whopping 206 seats, constituting 85% of the seats in the state assembly. The radical change in Bihars political landscape bore fruit. The governance, which had taken a hit during the earlier Lalu-Rabri regime, was brought back on track to a large extent. Kumar reached out to non-Yadav and disadvantaged OBCs, particularly those from the extremely backward classes, the Mahadalits the poorest social groups within the SCs, and even to the most backward and socially oppressed among the Muslims, the Pasmandas, constituting over 85% of the community. Another important constituency Kumar developed was that of women voters. His schemes for the welfare of girls and women, such as the Mukhyamantri Balika Cycle Yojna, earned him much applause. The improved law and order in the state under Nitish was another gift to women. The 2010 election firmly established three political poles in the state: the first being the RJD with Muslims and Yadavs as core voters; the BJP, which has the support of upper castes, including Baniyas; and the JD(U) with Extreme Backward Castes and non-Dushadh as its core constituency. THE NUMBER GAME The state politics, to date, has remained tripolar. The vote is fractured in a way that it always takes any two of these three poles to come together to form the government. As the RJD and the BJP, due to ideological reasons, could not come together, its Kumar who jumps from one pole to another to ensure he remains politically relevant and in the CMs chair. In June 2013, Kumars JD(U) ended its 17-year-old alliance with the BJP and quit the NDA over the saffron partys decision to declare Narendra Modi as its prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 general elections. The next assembly polls in 2015 saw Kumar contesting in alliance with the RJD and the Congress. Despite the BJP garnering the highest vote share at 24.4% (53 seats), it suffered a shocking defeat at the hands of the Kumar-Yadav-Congress combine, which together polled around 42% of the votes. While the RJD won the highest number of seats at 80 despite having just 18.35% of the votes, the Congress added another 6.66% (27 seats). The JD(U), with its 16.83% votes and 71 MLAs, made it possible for the grouping to form a government with an absolute majority. In a nutshell, in this poll too, Kumar became both the king and the kingmaker. In 2017, Kumar made another somersault to rejoin the NDA. The excuse this time for this ideological U-turn was corruption charges against the RJD first family. In the next Assembly elections in 2020, the Yadav-led party secured the top spot with 75 seats and 23.11% votes, while the BJP came second with 74 seats and 19.46% votes. Despite finishing third with just 43 seats and 15.39% votes, the JD(U) became necessary for the NDA coalition to form the government in the state. One of the JD(U)s poll banners at the time read Nitish Sabke hain (Nitish is for all). One significant reason for JD(U)s below-average performance was that Chirag Paswans Lok Janshakti Party candidates ate into Kumars votes. JD(U) reportedly lost at least 25 seats due to the vote cutter" candidates of the LJP. LJPs grudge against Kumar is that the latter dented Dalit votes which Ram Vilas Paswan had assiduously cultivated. Kumars Mahadalit reachout during his first term poached SC sub-castes like Chamar and others, while leaving Paswans with their core Dushadh vote bank. In November 2020, Kumar took the oath of Chief Minister for the seventh time with BJPs support, and with Tarkishore Prasad and Renu Devi of the saffron party as his deputies. Kumar went back to the RJD in August 2022 and is now set to align with the BJP again. A NECESSITY AND COMPULSION Both Kumar and the BJP need each other. The alliance will help Kumar overcome long-standing anti-incumbency, leveraging Modis popularity. Besides, reports suggest that Kumar was under pressure from Lalus family to hand over the CM post to his deputy, Tejashwi Yadav. There is not much scope in the INDIA alliance for him either, as the grouping under the Congress is not ready to give him a key position. For the BJP, winning back Kumar, the prime architect of the opposition unity alliance, will be a significant victory and virtually mark the end of the opposition grouping. Additionally, post the Karnataka debacle, the saffron party is wary of fighting a lone battle against the mighty RJD. Not to discount the fact that the conduct of a Caste Survey in the state has bolstered Kumars image among the backward castes nationally. Kumars clean image and anti-dynasty stance come as other reasons to court him, as well as the fact that his Kurmi caste has a presence across major North Indian states. ALSO READ | BJPs Bihar In-charge Vinod Tawde Blames Cong for Break Up of Nitish with INDIA Bloc As of today, Nitish Kumar is both a necessity and a compulsion in Bihar politics. A compulsion because the side he takes tends to become the winning side in a state where the mandate remains fractured. A necessity because his past developmental works still resonate in a state where poor governance had acquired the blot of Jungle Raj. Besides, despite his party losing much sheen, he remains the tallest leader in the state. Kumar won an Assembly poll only once, some 39 years ago in 1985. Throughout his term as Chief Minister, he has served as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC). Janata Dal (United) president Nitish Kumar on Sunday resigned from the top post of Bihars chief minister. After submitting his resignation, Kumar told reporters that he is no longer a part of the INDIA bloc. Bihar Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar accepted Kumars resignation and asked him to be the acting Chief Minister until alternative arrangements are made. The mahagathbandhan is finished. I have listened to suggestions of all. The situation was not good in grand alliance. Now, if our erstwhile partners (BJP) join us, well proceed. We tried to make INDIA bloc but it was not working, Kumar told reporters after quitting. WHY DID NITISH RESIGN? The JD(U) chief said that the alliance he formed a year and a half back was also not in a good condition. So today we have submitted the resignation now we are separate. So if all the parties that were there earlier, they come together and decide then you will come to know about it, Kumar said. Taking a swipe at the distracted opposition alliance, he said no work was getting done in the INDIA bloc. According to Kumar this situation came about because not everything was alright. I was getting views from everyone. I listened to all of them. Today, the Government has been dissolved, he told the media. Meanwhile, the saffron partys in-charge of the state of Bihar for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Vinod Tawde took to the microblogging site X and said that As Nitish Kumar resigns, Bihar BJP legislature party has called for a meeting, which will take place after PMs Mann Ki Baat and will review recent developments in the state and decide further course of action. REACTIONS FROM POLITICAL LEADERS Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Mrityunjay Tiwari critically slammed Nitish Kumar saying paltimaar rajneeti is back and nobody would trust the JD(U) chief ever again. Tiwari said that Tejwashi Yadav will now form the government and win all 40 seats of the state. Meanwhile, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh compared Nitish Kumar to a chameleon. In a post on X, the grand-old partys leader wrote, Nitish Kumar, who frequently changes political partners, is giving tough competition to the chameleons in changing colours. Ramesh said that such experts of betrayal wont be forgiven by the people of Bihar. Union Minister and BJP leader Giriraj Singh on the other hand thanked Nitish Kumar putting an end to jungle raj. Whatever be his compulsion, Bihar was perplexed if there was a Jungle Raj 2-like situation in 1.5 years. Had Tejashwi Yadav sat on the seat (CM position), it would have been very difficult, Singh added. I was apprehensive that with the kind of pressure that Lalu Yadav was putting on him for the tajposhi of Tejashwi Bihar would have had a jungle raj again. It is free of this now. BJP wont allow jungle raj in Bihar, the Union Minister said. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, as a reaction to the Bihar CMs resignation, posted on X and took a jibe at Nitish Kumar and BJP. Chaturvedi wrote, Dying is acceptable, going with them is not acceptable. Know this well! Nitish Kumar. Her post further read, Palturam has insulted the mandate Hey Paltu Babu, please be considerate. I pray to Chhath Maiya that Bihar be free from Paltu Ram. BJPs doors closed for Nitish Kumar Amit Shah. Congresss national president Mallikarjun Kharge said that there are many Aaya Ram-Gaya Ram kind of people in the country. Taking to X, Kharge said that RJDs Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav had said that Nitish Kumar might leave the alliance. When I talked to Lalu ji and Tejashwi ji, they also said that Nitish is going. If he wanted to stay, he would have stayed but he wants to go. Therefore, we already knew this, but we did not say anything to keep the India alliance intact. If we say something wrong, the wrong message will be sent. Lalu Prasad Yadav ji and Tejashwi Yadav ji had already given us this information. Today it became true, Kharge added. WHAT HAPPENS NOW? A meeting between all the Bihar legislative leaders of BJP and JD(U) took place after Nitish Kumar submitted his resignation to the Governor. In the aftermath of the meeting, Kumar stands elected as the National Democratic Alliances (NDA) leader in the state of Bihar. Meanwhile, as per sources in BJP, party leaders Vijay Sinha and Samrat Choudhury will take charge as deputy chief ministers of Bihar. Calling it an emotional moment, Choudhary thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihars party MLAs for showing faith in him. Jungle Raj will end, Choudhary said, adding that the party had vowed to win all 40 seats the upcoming general elections. NITISHS 4TH SHIFT IN LAST 10 YEARS & WHERE DOES KARPOORIS BHARAT RATNA COME IN? The JD(U) chiefs perceived insult at the last INDIA meeting may have proved to be the last straw for Nitish Kumar to contemplate jump ship to the BJP, sources said. The JD(U) also had an issue with the importance being given in the INDIA bloc to certain leaders, like Sitaram Yechury and Mallikarjun Kharge, over the likes of Kumar who has been a multiple-time Chief Minister. Kumars latest statement on dynasty politics, which seemed to be an attack on his ally RJD, and his public gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a Bharat Ratna to socialist icon Karpoori Thakur acted as clear indicators that Kumar is keen to return to the BJP fold. The BJP and the JD(U) have been old partners and despite the bitterness since their last split, Kumar is aware that his party can get a good count in Lok Sabha in Bihar if it allies with the BJP. The JD(U) had won 16 Lok Sabha seats in alliance with the BJP in 2019, while it won two seats in 2014 when it had contested separately from the BJP. The mood was upbeat at the Congress headquarters on Saturday (January 27) as the party launched yet another crowdfunding campaign. This, even as there was writing on the wall that the alliance was breaking in Bihar. By the time Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra entered West Bengal and he landed in Jalpaiguri, Nitish Kumar was gone. The yatra has got off to a bad start from the beginning. Just a day before it was to begin, Rahuls close aide Milind Deora quit the Congress raising questions over the party and its leadership. It got worse in the days to come. Just before Rahul entered Bengal, where he was hopeful that the TMC will join the yatra to show the oppositions might, chief minister Mamata Banerjee suddenly called off seat-sharing talks. She made it clear that her party will fight on all 42 Lok Sabha seats. Not that the Congress made it any easier. West Bengal unit president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhurys personal attacks on Mamata and senior TMC leader Derek OBrien have soured ties to an extent that going back seems impossible. Worse was to follow. Just two days before Rahul was to reach Bihar and hold a Mahagathbandhan rally in Purnia district on January 30, the alliance in the state broke up as Nitish joined hands with the BJP yet again. Now, there is a sense of wariness in the Congress as to what will happen next. The yatra will go to Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand after Bihar. While Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has announced there were seat-sharing talks with the Congress on 11 seats, it looks like the grand old party wants more that could lead to a collapse. Many INDIA allies like the TMC and JD(U) were against the timing of the yatra as seat-sharing talks were going nowhere. Also, within the Congress, some felt the focus should be on the Lok Sabha polls instead of the yatra. Senior leader Jairam Ramesh, however, said: The yatra will move and it will not be overshadowed by these developments. The Bharat Jodo Yatra before this had managed traction as it was also able to get many allies like the DMK and NCP to join. It also did much to improve Rahuls image but this time around, the yatra has got off to a jerky start mired in numerous contradictions. While its not fair to only blame the yatra but the way it is going, it is looking like the INDIA bloc is slowly coming apart at the seams. The Congress had hoped to send a message of unity with allies walking along as the yatra entered key states. The party had taken particular care to include those states where it is in alliance. But, it looks like it is not meant to be, at least for now. It is a yatra, which for now seems to be on a road to nowhere. Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction on Sunday said the country is seeing the rule of Paltu Rams and not Ram Rajya as it took a jibe at the BJP and JD (U) chief Nitish Kumar after the latter dumped the grand alliance in Bihar and returned to the NDA fold. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleged the BJP engineered the break-up of the Bihar alliance, and that the party is the biggest threat to democracy. Union home minister Amit Shah had said that even if Nitish Kumar comes to the doors of the BJP with folded hands, we will not ally with them, Raut told reporters in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has criticised Ajit Pawar and Praful Patel (both NCP leaders) for corruption but let them join the alliance (BJP-Shiv Sena in Maharashtra) within 24 hours, he alleged, referring to the July 2023 development that saw the NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar joining the state government. We are not living in Ram Rajya but in the reign of Paltu Rams. Had there been Ram Rajya, Manoj Jarange would not have been needed to come to Mumbai (for the Maratha quota demand, the Rajya Sabha member said. Earlier in the day, Nitish Kumar resigned as the chief minister of Bihar, saying things were not working well for him in the Mahagathbandhan and in the opposition bloc INDIA, and staked claim to form a new government with the BJP, which he had dumped less than 18 months ago. Later in the day, he took oath as the chief minister of Bihar for a record ninth time. Raut claimed that 3,000 farmers committed suicide in Maharashtra in the last 18 months. He also claimed that people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are left with no choice but to go to Israel in search of jobs. Two disturbing developments", one on December 19 and another on January 13, sowed the seeds of mistrust in Nitish Kumars mind towards the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) alliance and ultimately led him to walk out. ALSO READ | Bihar Politics LIVE Updates HERE It is no secret that Kumar had national ambitions and brought together the INDIA alliance with an idea to be its face or convener, although he himself always denied having such aspirations. The talk of making him INDIA convener was making the rounds for at least two months now. However, on December 19, Kumar was in for a rude shock. As senior JDU leader KC Tyagi now alleges, during the September 1 meeting of the INDIA bloc in Mumbai, it was decided that the alliance will go into the elections with no PM face. But during a meeting on December 19, Mamata Banerjee proposed the name of Mallikarjun Kharge as the PM face. This was part of a well-thought out conspiracy by the Congress with Banerjee proposing the name and Arvind Kejriwal seconding it," Tyagi alleged on Sunday. Kharge rejected the proposal, but the first seeds of mistrust were sown in Kumars mind. Kumar has been the CM eight times, while Kharge lost his own Lok Sabha electionthere is simply no comparison between their political stature," a JDU leader said. SECOND SHOCKER Subsequently, as JDU leaders, including Tyagi, kept saying that Kumars name will be announced as the INDIA convener in a matter of a few days, the announcement never came. Finally, on December 13, when the INDIA bloc met in a virtual meeting, Sonia Gandhi said it was fine to make Kumar the convener. However, Kumar got a rude shock when Rahul Gandhi, in his speech soon after, said a consensus should be built over Kumars name as the convener as Banerjee needs to be brought on-board. Rahul said he would ask Kejriwal to do that job. This is said to have irritated Kumar who saw Rahul Gandhi even overruling his mothers decision regarding his post. ALSO READ | On Bihars Political Chess Board, Nitish Kumar Remains the King & Kingmaker | Analysis Kumar quickly rejected any suggestion to become the convener and even suggested the name of Lalu Prasad Yadav for the same. It seems that Rahul Gandhi, Banerjee and Kejriwal have been acting in concert to downsize Kumar in the INDIA alliance. This, despite the fact, that Kumar is the architect of the alliance who brought Banerjee and Kejriwal on the same table as the Congress," a JDU leader added. The lack of quick seat-sharing deals and the Congress trying to play big brother only escalated Kumars unease. We tried to stitch the INDIA alliance, but no work was happening there," Kumar said on Sunday. He has walked back to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) camp after 17 months. Pakistans caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar has admitted in a recent interview the issues plaguing the Balochistan province, particularly the challenge of facilitating the return of missing persons. Hundreds of Baloch protesters have protested in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad in recent weeks against heavy-handed treatment of those in the province, including enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. Despite threats, crackdowns, and the closure of public spaces, people came in huge numbers to participate in a Quetta rally on Saturday which was organised by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee. This rally, one of the largest in Quettas history, aimed to raise awareness about the Baloch genocide. It is not 1948, but *2024. And this is not Bangladesh, but Balochistan.Dr. Mahrang Baloch, the leader of Baloch Yakjehti Committee under whose supervision this march is led, is talking about the human rights abuses in Balochistan by the State. She states, unity and pic.twitter.com/YMGU8Aa2vz Baloch Yakjehti Committee (@BalochYakjehtiC) January 27, 2024 However, the governments attempts to curb public gatherings faced resistance, particularly from Baloch women protesting under Section 144. The rally concluded with a strong resolution, asserting the Baloch peoples unwillingness to tolerate enforced disappearances or genocide. Sources told CNN-News18 that the states negligence towards Baloch concerns has contributed to an increase in enforced disappearances, affecting both Baloch people and other students. No mainstream political party in the restive province has managed to mobilise such massive public participation in recent times. Despite tall claims to champion human rights, Pakistan grapples with many internal issues and strained ties with neighbours Iran and Afghanistan. Kakars admission signals a willingness to openly address the challenges faced by the Baloch people. The vast province of roughly 15 million people is mostly arid desert and mountainous territory holding untapped mineral wealth. It is Pakistans largest province by size, but the smallest by population. It borders Irans Sistan-Balochistan province. Balochistan is a key location in Chinas huge multi-billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is part of President Xi Jinpings Belt and Road initiative. China has undertaken mining projects and built an international airport and a port in the provinces southern coastal town of Gwadar. US military funding for Ukraine carries a key deterrent message for China, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg argued Sunday at the start of a Washington visit aimed at lobbying Congress to continue funding the war against Russia. After billions in US aid have been sent to Ukraine since the invasion nearly two years ago, many Republican lawmakers have grown reluctant to keep supporting Kiev, saying it lacks a clear end game as the fighting against President Vladimir Putins forces grinds on. President Joe Biden has asked Congress to approve $61 billion in new aid to Ukraine. But the talks have bogged down as Republican lawmakers furious over record illegal flows over the US border with Mexico demand major changes in US immigration and border control policy in exchange for approving more money for Ukraine. NATO secretary-general Stoltenberg plans to make the case in Washington this week for continued aid to Ukraine. What matters is that Ukraine gets continued support, because we need to realize that this is closely watched in Beijing, Stoltenberg said on Fox News. Analysts say China, which claims the self-ruled island of Taiwan and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve this control, is watching to see if once-strong Western support for Ukraine is now petering out. If Ukraine were abandoned by the US and its allies, China might be tempted to take military action to seize control of Taiwan, these analysts warn. So its not only making Europe more vulnerable, but all of us, also the United States, more vulnerable, if Putin gets what he wants in Ukraine, Stoltenberg added. He said the agreement being negotiated in the US Congress is a good deal. US aid to Ukraine, Stoltenberg said, has been just a fraction of the Pentagon budget, and yet we have been able to destroy and degrade the Russian army substantially. And therefore we should continue to do so, he said. US aid to Ukraine also helps American workers, because the money is used to buy weapons made in the United States, the NATO chief said. Stoltenberg is due to meet Monday with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and national security advisor Jake Sullivan. On Tuesday he is scheduled to meet Republican and Democratic lawmakers involved in the Ukraine aid debate. Donald Trump, the almost certain Republican candidate in the November presidential election, and who has often spoken fondly of Putin, is urging Republican lawmakers to reject the immigration accord being negotiated in Congress which would also torpedo aid for Ukraine. Several key donor countries to the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees said Saturday they would halt their funding, following accusations that members of the UN body were involved in Hamass October 7 attack. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has fired several staff over Israels accusations, promising a thorough probe into the claims, which were not specified. But Israel has promised to stop the agencys work in Gaza after the war. UNRWA lifesaving assistance is about to end following countries decisions to cut their funding to the Agency.Our humanitarian operation, on which 2 million people depend as a lifeline in Gaza, is collapsing. I am shocked such decisions are taken based on alleged behavior of a Philippe Lazzarini (@UNLazzarini) January 27, 2024 The head of the UN refugee agency for Palestinians said that nine countries decisions to suspend funding over allegations staff were involved in the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel was shocking, and urged them to reverse course. These decisions threaten our ongoing humanitarian work across the region including and especially in the Gaza Strip, Philippe Lazzarini said in a statement. Here are what the countries that have suspended funding have said about the allegations: Australia Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Saturday that while UNRWA provides vital, life saving work, Brisbane would temporarily pause disbursement of recent funding. We welcome UNRWAs immediate response, including terminating contracts and launching an investigation, she said on social media platform X, formerly Twitter. Allegations UNRWA staff were involved in the abhorrent October 7 terror attacks are deeply concerning.Australia welcomes UNRWAs swift response and will engage closely on investigations. We are speaking with partners and will temporarily pause disbursement of recent funding. pic.twitter.com/Havwserjh3 Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) January 27, 2024 Germany Germany announced on Saturday that it too was suspending funding. So long as the accusation had not been cleared up, Germany, in agreement with other donor countries would for the moment withhold approval for further resources, said a foreign ministry statement. Finland Finland, had a four-year agreement to provide five million euros ($5.4 million) annually to UNRWA. It suspended its payments and called for an independent and thorough investigation, in a statement from its foreign ministry. We must make sure that not a single euro of Finlands money goes to Hamas or other terrorists, it said. Canada Canadas International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen on Friday announced that Ottawa had temporarily paused any additional funding to UNRWA while it undertakes a thorough investigation into these allegations. Canada unequivocally condemns the October 7th attack on Israel. I am deeply troubled by the allegations relating to some UNRWA employees. I have instructed Global Affairs Canada to pause all additional funding to UNRWA pending the outcome of the investigation. Read my statement: pic.twitter.com/YfEbwhKvzx Ahmed Hussen (@HonAhmedHussen) January 26, 2024 Italy Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said it was joining the ranks of those suspending funding. We are committed to providing humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population while protecting Israels security, he added. Switzerland Switzerland has made annual contributions of around 20 million Swiss francs ($23 million) to UNRWA. A foreign ministry statement said Saturday that no decision would be taken on the 2024 payment until the accusations were clarified. Switzerland has zero tolerance for all forms of support for terrorism, and for calls to hatred or incitement to violence, it added. The Netherlands Dutch Minister for Trade and Development Geoffrey van Leeuwen announced a freeze in funding for UNRWA while the investigation was ongoing, saying the government was extremely shocked. The accusation is that the attack was committed on October 7 with UN money, with our money, he told public broadcaster NOS on Saturday. United Kingdom The British government said it was appalled by the allegations made by Israel and would be temporarily pausing any future funding while the Foreign Office reviewed the claims. United Nations The head of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, has vowed to hold accountable, including through criminal prosecution, any agency employee found to have been involved in acts of terror. UN chief Antonio Guterres pledged to conduct an urgent and comprehensive independent review of UNRWA, his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. United States The US State Department on Friday suspended payments and welcomed the UNs announcement of an investigation into the allegations. It called for complete accountability for anyone who participated in the heinous attacks. It also underlined that UNRWA plays a critical role in providing lifesaving assistance to Palestinians, including essential food, medicine, shelter, and other vital humanitarian support. DAMASCUS, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian forces on Sunday neutralized eight Islamic State (IS) militants in the southern province of Daraa, including two leaders, the state TV reported. According to the report, the IS members were eliminated during a planned operation in the city of Nawa in the countryside of Daraa. Among those neutralized were Osama Al-Azzizi, widely known as Al-Shayb, and Awad Al-Awaid, whose alias was Abu Ahmad Al-Qusaiba. Both individuals held influential positions within the IS group, according to the report. The operation in Nawa is part of an ongoing campaign against ultra-radical groups, particularly in Daraa, which was the birthplace of the Syrian crisis in 2011. In 2021, despite the Syrian army's return, Daraa continued to experience volatility as sporadic insurgency against the Syrian government persisted. Tesla CEO Elon Musk joined former US President Donald Trump and Republican critics to denounce the contentious Senate border deal that President Joe Biden described as the toughest set of reforms. No laws need to be passed to halt the US border crisis, Musk, posted on X, calling it undeniable that Biden has pursued an open border policy. All that is needed is an executive order to require proof before granting an asylum hearing, the SpaceX CEO said on Friday. That is how it used to be. The still-under-wraps agreement, if passed, would reportedly trigger partial or full border closures if illegal crossings exceed 4,000 per day, in effect, permitting 1.5 million or more new migrants into the country each year. No laws need to be passed. All that is needed is an executive order to require proof before granting an asylum hearing. That is how it used to be. Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 27, 2024 On Saturday, Donald Trump underlined his opposition to a bipartisan immigration plan that Biden has promised to use to shut down the border with Mexico if it becomes overwhelmed. With immigration one of the hottest electoral issues in what increasingly looks like a Trump-Biden rematch for the White House this year, the fate of the bill has become a high-stakes battleground. Biden, threw his weight behind the proposed bill on Friday, insisting it would usher in the toughest ever set of border reforms. It would give me, as president, a new emergency authority to shut down the border when it becomes overwhelmed. And if given that authority, I would use it the day I sign the bill into law, he said in a statement. My statement on President Bidens endorsement of the Senate border deal:President Biden falsely claimed yesterday he needs Congress to pass a new law to allow him to close the southern border, but he knows that is untrue. As I explained to him in a letter late last year, and Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) January 27, 2024 Mike Johnson, the speaker of the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, said in an open letter Friday that any such bill adopted by the Senate would be dead in the water and never get passed by the House. Theyre blaming it on me, I said, Thats OK, blame it on me, please,' Trump said Saturday. Id rather have no bill than a bad bill. As Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the federal government engage in a standoff over control over the border, Trump said he would give the state his full support and deploy all necessary military and law enforcement resources to seal up the final section of the border. The deal being negotiated in Congress carries high stakes. In addition to addressing Americans concerns about the huge influx of migrants arriving via Mexico, it intends to provide military aid for Ukraine in its war against Russia. (With agency inputs) Israel has pushed back after the top United Nations courts ruling to limit destruction in the militarys Gaza offensive, as its leader Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that they will decide and act according to what is required for their security. The International Court of Justices (ICJ) ruling on Friday stopped short of ordering a cease-fire, but its orders were in part a rebuke of Israels conduct in its nearly 4-month war against Hamas. Israels military is under increasing scrutiny now that the World Court has asked Israel for a compliance report in a month. The state of the Jews arose from the ashes of the Holocaust in order to promise a defensive shield for the Jewish people. Israel, like every sovereign country, has the basic right to defend itself. Nobody will take this right from us and nobody will stop us from implementing it, Netanyahu said at a televised press conference on International Holocaust Remembrance Day. ., , . , . pic.twitter.com/hv8vsnnLwo Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) January 27, 2024 New Nazis Netanyahu said that Israel is fighting a war that was forced on the Jewish state by Hamas. We are fighting a war, the justice of which is unparalleled, with an army, the morality of which is unparalleled. This war was forced on us by an abhorrent enemy, that openly declares its intention to murder all the Jews, he said. On October 7, they murdered, beheaded, raped, and burned infants. If they could have, they would have massacred all of us. If we do not eliminate the Hamas terrorists, these new Nazis, the next massacre is only a matter of time, he added. The Israel-Hamas war has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, destroyed vast swaths of Gaza and displaced nearly 85% of the territorys 2.3 million people. The Hamas attack in southern Israel killed about 1,200 people, and about 250 hostages were taken. Israel holds Hamas responsible for civilian casualties, saying the militants embed themselves in the local population. Israel says its air and ground offensive in Gaza has killed more than 9,000 militants. The state of the Jews arose from the ashes of the Holocaust in order to promise a defensive shield for the Jewish people. Israel, like every sovereign country, has the basic right to defend itself. Nobody will take this right from us and nobody will stop us from implementing it. Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) January 27, 2024 Targeted raids Israels military said it had conducted several targeted raids on terror targets in the southern city of Khan Younis in addition to the airstrike in nearby Rafah targeting a Hamas commander. More than 1 million people have crammed into Rafah and the surrounding areas after Israel ordered civilians to seek refuge there. The case brought by South Africa to the UN court alleged Israel is committing genocide against Gazas people, which Israel vehemently denies. A final ruling is expected to take years. The court ordered Israel to urgently get aid to Gaza, where the UN has said aid entering the territory remains well below the daily average of 500 trucks before the war. The UN also says access to central and northern Gaza has been decreasing because of excessive delays at checkpoints and heightened military activity. The World Health Organization and the medical charity MSF issued urgent warnings about the largest health facility in Khan Younis, Nasser Hospital, saying remaining staff could barely function with supplies running out and intense fighting nearby. The United States, Israels closest ally, has increasingly called for restraint and for more humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza while supporting the offensive. More mediation lies ahead in search of a deal to secure the release of hostages who remain captive in Gaza. Over 100 were released in a swap for Palestinian prisoners during a week-long cease-fire in November. An unspecified number of the remaining 136 are believed to be dead. (With agency inputs) Pakistan Foriegn Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani on Saturday expressed grief over the killing of nine Pakistani nationals by gunmen in southeastern Iran, days after the neighbouring countries sought to ease tensions after the tit-for-tat cross-border fire. Unknown armed men killed nine non-Iranians in a house in the Sirkan neighbourhood of Saravan City in Sistan-Balochistan province. So far, no group has claimed responsibility, Irans Mehr news agency reported. The provinces deputy governor, Alireza Marhamati, told the IRNA news agency Three armed people shot at the foreigners after entering their residence and fled the scene. Marhamati confirmed the toll of nine deaths and said three others were wounded. Saddened over the death of Pakistanis in Iran in a terrorist attack.This heinous attack is an attempt to spoil relations between Pakistan and Iran by our common enemies. While offering condolences to the families of victims, urge the Iranian govt for action. @Amirabdolahian Jalil Abbas Jilani (@JalilJilani) January 27, 2024 Horrifying killing The Pakistani ambassador to Tehran, Muhammad Mudassir Tipu, said on X, he was deeply shocked by the horrifying killing of 9 Pakistanis in Saravan. Embassy will extend full support to bereaved families We called upon Iran to extend full cooperation in the matter. Pakistani foreign ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch condemned the attack as horrifying and despicable and asked Iranian authorities to investigate the incident and hold to account those involved in this heinous crime. She stressed that the Pakistani embassy in Iran will do its best to repatriate dead bodies at the earliest, adding that such cowardly attacks cannot deter Pakistan from its determination to fight terrorism. The deadly attack follows rare military action in the porous border region of Balochistan split between the two nations that had stoked regional tensions already inflamed by the Israel-Hamas war. : Statement by the Spokesperson on Reports of a Terrorist Incident Killing Pakistani Nationals in Iranhttps://t.co/aI2ov3hD3r pic.twitter.com/4Re3uejy4n Spokesperson MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) January 27, 2024 Sistan-Balochistan, one of the few mainly Sunni Muslim provinces in Shiite-dominated Iran, has seen persistent unrest involving cross-border drug-smuggling gangs and rebels from the Baluchi ethnic minority, as well as jihadists. On January 18, Pakistan launched air strikes on militant targets in Iran, two days after Iran had launched strikes on its territory. Tehran said it had targeted Jaish al-Adl, a jihadist group which has carried out a spate of deadly attacks in Iran in recent months and blacklisted by Iran as a terrorist organisation. The Iranian strikes, which Pakistan said killed at least two children, drew a sharp rebuke from Islamabad, which recalled its ambassador from Tehran and blocked Irans envoy from returning to Islamabad. Tehran also summoned Islamabads charge daffaires over Pakistans strikes, which left at least nine people dead. The two countries, however, announced last Monday that they had decided to de-escalate and resumed diplomatic missions with the two ambassadors returning to their posts. On Saturday, the Pakistani ambassador presented his credentials to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Tehran. Borders are an opportunity for economic exchanges and improving the security of neighbours, and it is necessary to protect this opportunity against any element of insecurity, Raisi said during the meeting with the Pakistani envoy. (With agency inputs) In what is turning out to be a political standoff in Maldives, the main opposition party in the island nation has withheld approval for four members of President Mohamed Muizzus cabinet. The Maldivian Parliament was poised to vote on a 22-member cabinet at 1 pm on Sunday, the SunOnline outlet reported. But before the vote, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), in a parliamentary group meeting, passed a three-line red whip to withhold approval for four key cabinet members, the report said. Opposition MPs were also prevented from entering the floor of the Parliament ahead of Cabinets approval, according to videos making rounds on the internet. Opposition MPs are locked out of the Parliament floor as PPM/PNC members obstruct the approval vote of Ministers scheduled for 1:30PM today.Details: https://t.co/7MfFfrT6Gi pic.twitter.com/ju97430YAu Adhadhu (@AdhadhuMV) January 28, 2024 Another opposition party, The Democrats, who recently allied with the Maldivian Democratic Party, decided not to approve three ministers, opting to withhold support for foreign minister Moosa Zameer. These two parties hold 56 out of 87 MPs, making approval for the blacklisted ministers unlikely. The Government Oversight Committee previously approved the cabinet in December, ensuring all members met constitutional requirements. The ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and Peoples National Congress (PNC) coalition have expressed concern, saying the denial of approval was a deliberate attempt to hinder the governments functioning. Earlier in November, Muizzu formally requested cabinet approval and the Parliament, initially set to vote on December 18. The committee later reconvened on December 30 during recess, ultimately approving the cabinet. The latest political row comes a few days after the two main opposition parties expressed grave concern about the governments anti-India stance, characterising New Delhi as a key long-standing ally. The MDP and The Democrats said that alienating any development partner, and especially the countrys most long-standing ally will be extremely detrimental to the long-term development of the country. Muizzu, who is considered a pro-China leader, was elected in November after campaigning against India. Earlier this month he went to Beijing to upgrade the bilateral ties with China. The Maldives Parliament witnessed violence on Sunday when government MPs (PPM/PNC party) disturbed the proceedings of Parliament and the speakers. The proceeding of the house was disrupted when the ruling alliance clashed with opposition lawmakers. The altercation started during a special session called to seek parliamentary approval for the ministers in President Mohamed Muizzus cabinet, reported the Sun Online. Following the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), led by former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, which holds a majority in Parliament, choosing to withhold approval for four members of president Mohamed Muizzus cabinet, pro-government lawmakers from the Peoples National Congress (PNC) and Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) erupted in protest. Clash erupted in the parliament of #Maldives.The opposition MPs are protesting against the Chinese puppet @MMuizzu gvt for his anti India policies.Muizzu is trying to silence the opposition by force. Hope @UN is watching!! pic.twitter.com/B1HDEsfSzM Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_) January 28, 2024 The video captures the fight between MDP MP Isa and PNC MP Abdullah Shaheem Abdul Hakeem, where Shaheem was seen holding Isas leg, causing him to fall. In response, Isa kicked Shaheem in the neck and pulled his hair. Shaheem sustained injuries in the quarrel, and was taken to hospital for treatment, the local media reported. Notably, ministers clearance was scheduled at 1:30 p.m. But a number of PNC members blocked the House, interfering with the proceedings. The protesters wanted the Speaker of Parliament to step down and claimed that recognizing the ministers would impede progress. The ruling coalition parties, the PNC and the PPP, released a statement portraying the ministers refusal as an impediment to the delivery of public services, according to Adhadhu. However, Chief Advisor to Muizzu and PNC Chairman Abdul Raheem Abdullah stated that the ministers have the right to be reappointed even if they are not authorised. He criticised the refusal to approve the ministers as irresponsible. Recently, Two Maldivian opposition groups denounced the current government for their stark anti-Indian turn. In a joint press release, The Democrats and the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) described the change in foreign policy as extremely detrimental to the long-term growth of the nation. The Oppositions view that alienating any development partner, and especially the countrys most steadfast ally, will be extremely detrimental to the long-term development of the country was reasserted and reinforced by the statement. (with ANI inputs) WHEN the Mandidzudzure area in eastern Zimbabwe was renamed Chimanimani in 1982, the village gods may have had Anyway Neshiri in mind. Although the 40-year-old Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison inmate was not yet born by then, the name Chimanimani resonates with the life that Anyway lived decades later. The name Chimanimani (formerly Melsetter) was derived from the Chimanimani gap a small passage between mountains which leads to Mozambique. The gap is infamous for mysterious happenings that locals say claimed a lot of lives in the past. People that traversed the path simply disappeared without a trace! Episodes in Anyways challenging life can be equated to the said strange things that are believed to have transpired at the Chimanimani gap. Missing for 22 years, his family strongly believed that he was dead. The family searched for him everywhere and even consulted both faith and traditional healers as it sought to get closure but with no luck. Growing up at his maternal grandparents home, Anyway dropped out of school when he was still in Grade Five. For years, he worked as a cattle herder and also assisted his grandparents. According to locals, the young lad was disciplined and hardworking. However, in 2002, Anyway abruptly left home without informing anyone and never returned. Days turned into months and months into years as the family desperately searched for him before eventually giving up. According to Anyway, as his family was desperately looking for him, he had moved to Chipinge, where he became an illegal miner. He went on to marry and had two children. The greener pastures-seeking young lad later left the wife and kids in Chipinge and moved to Chiadzwa diamond fields. He toiled for years, paying little or no attention to his family wife and children as he would infrequently visit them. But one day when he returned home to Chipinge in 2019, he caught his wife in bed with another man. A scuffle ensued and the enraged Anyway went on to murder his cheating spouse. He was arrested and sentenced to a 40-year jail term. The close to five years he has so far spent in prison have been a living hell for the murder convict. Apparently, it is not only the murder case that is tormenting his soul. Anyway said he was also suffering emotionally as he had a lot of unanswered questions about his life. Although the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) offers rehabilitation programmes, some of the inmates like Anyway are troubled by a burning desire to see their families. The incarcerated murderer poured his heart out, indicating how he was being adversely affected by not getting visitors from his family side. However, what is baffling is that these are the same relatives he ran away from when he still had his freedom. Furthermore, he thus far refuses to divulge the reason why he ran away from his family. Likewise, his relatives are also in the dark with regards to what pushed him to turn his back on them. No one visits me here. I do not even know if my family members are alive or not. Maybe they died during the Cyclone Idai disaster, presumed Anyway in an emotional interview with The Sunday Mail Society. I do not sleep well at night. I am stressed. The visibly troubled inmate wishes to know his father as he believes this will give him the peace of mind he craves for. He also hopes that his family will be able to locate his children and take them into their custody. The two children are believed to have crossed to Mozambique where their maternal relatives are said to be based. I may be cursed. I want to know my father. Maybe he can help me remove the curse, he said. The Sunday Mail travelled to Chikukwa Shopping Centre in Chimanimani, where we met Anyways aunt, Miriam Neshiri. According to Miriam, Anyway was raised by Clever and Martha Neshiri, his maternal grandparents. This was after his mother, Racheal, was impregnated by his alleged father Enock Magura, who then disappeared without a trace. Anyway went on to develop a strong bond with his grandmother, becoming her favourite grandchild. Gogo loved him. In fact, he was a sweetheart to everyone because of his nice character, Miriam said. Sekuru Edison Neshiri Anyways uncle also spoke glowingly about the inmate. We were worried all these years. At some point, I travelled to Chiadzwa where he was rumoured to be, but I could not find him. We wanted him home either dead or alive. Although we heard that he committed murder, we are still grateful that he is back. As a family, we are thankful and relieved, Sekuru Edison said. He was grateful that The Sunday Mail managed to create a link between his family and their prodigal son. We are prepared to welcome him home should he be released since we are the only family he knows. Every family has its ups and downs so we cannot hold on to the past. Also, it is up to him (Anyway) to tell us why he left, otherwise no one is going to force him to do so. Right now we have a bigger problem to focus on; we need to appease the spirit of the deceased by complying with the familys demands. Our family (Neshiri) is bitter with his father for abandoning him and deciding to live in the shadows of life. We are committed to assisting him in locating his father, he should at least make the young man familiar with his roots, added Sekuru Edison. But other interviewed family members appeared keen on knowing what forced him to abandon his roots. I need to know why he disappeared and more so end up in jail. We are going to pay him a visit and I would want him to answer some of these questions, Loriet Neshiri, another aunt, said. With at least three decades left before he completes his sentence, Loriet said she would advise Anyway to study whilst in custody. Despite being a school dropout, Anyway is said to have grown into a quiet and morally upright young man who was admired by many. Those who knew him as a boy were shocked by the murder charge. He was a loner, a very quiet boy who never got into trouble with anyone, recalled Matthew, a local villager. Many have been left wondering why Anyway never bothered to introduce his late wife to his family. The Neshiri family reckons their grandmother, who died in 2012, was deeply affected by Anyways disappearance a development that some feel contributed to her death. She always called out his name, hoping that one day he would come to check up on her. She loved him so much. I believe that some of the misfortunes that befell him were caused by his grandmothers bitterness, added Loriet. The family of Anyways late wife said the deceased will fight from the grave. Azizi the deceaseds brother blamed Anyway for the fix that he currently finds himself in. He abused and neglected her. My sister loved him and we tried several times to persuade her to divorce him (Anyway). What my sister did was wrong but killing her was not the solution, argued Azizi. Anyways tale is similar to that of thousands of other inmates that are housed in different prisons across the country. In some cases, the relatives might not be aware that their family members are incarcerated while others simply neglect the convicts. In 2023, James Dube, Maxwell Sibanda and Mncedisi Ncube found themselves in an unexpected fix. Jail had been their home for over two decades. The trio had nowhere to go after serving their sentences. Instead of celebrating their freedom, they found themselves stranded. They were not sure if their families would accept them. ZPCS hosts the Family Week, in which inmates are given the opportunity to freely mix and mingle with their families. During this time, the inmates reconnect and mend bridges with their loved ones. But according to the ZPCS, many families are not keen on taking part in this initiative. Chief Superintendent Meya Khanyezi, the ZPCS spokesperson, is concerned about this lack of interest. We had a Family Week in December last year and it was marred by a low turn-out. Whilst economic challenges might be playing a role, we also noted that some stigma towards offenders still exists, she said. Prison Ministries Pastor Partson Machengete noted that family support was crucial for the full rehabilitation of inmates. Life is not easy behind bars. Despite various efforts that are made by ZPCS, church, NGOs among others to put a smile on inmates faces, they still need their families. These inmates need family love; it gives them a sense of belonging and reduces the mental burden that they carry every day. Periodic visits by family members make their rehabilitation easy and it also gives them confidence and hope for life after prison. Sunday Mail THE Government is set to review school heads and teachers qualifications with a PhD being the most desirable qualification for a school head as it moves to ensure delivery of quality education in the country. Teachers, on the other hand, have been encouraged to upgrade their qualifications so that they remain relevant to the demands of the ever advancing world and benefit from the manpower development leave that is set to be resuscitated. Although no specific timeframes have been set, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Hon Torerayi Moyo said it was essential to ensure that those who deliver education were qualified enough and encouraged teachers to advance academically. Minister Moyo said this while addressing heads of primary and secondary schools, district schools inspectors and education officials at St Columbus High School in Bulawayo on Thursday. I want to encourage you to continuously upgrade yourselves, I started with a Diploma in Education but I had to continue aiming for self-actualisation stage. I see youthful faces among you who were lucky to be promoted and are headmasters. There will come a time when we will come up with a circular to say for you to become a headmaster of a high school you must have a PhD, and for you to become a teacher, teaching in our primary schools you must have a degree, said Minister Moyo. He said there was a time when teachers of Grade ones were holders of the Zimbabwe Junior Certificate and were later removed, and Ordinary Level certificate holders were allowed to teach early grades but they were also later removed. There will come a time when diploma holders will no longer be wanted, so why dont you take this opportunity to take time to do your studies? The sky is the limit for each one of you to continue to aim higher, he said. He shared his experience as a beneficiary of manpower development leave and how he advanced his education. During the course of my profession as a teacher, I went on study leave to do an under-graduate degree. We need to resuscitate the manpower development leave so that our teachers will also be beneficiaries of that very important programme. For three years when I was studying for a Bachelor of Arts General in my first year and my Honours in my second year, I remember I was entitled to a salary for those three years, of course, it was reduced to half pay. I was also a beneficiary of pay-outs. When I did my Master of Arts, it was a full-time programme, I was also entitled to my salary. When I went to study for my PhD at Rhodes University in South Africa I was also on a full-time programme between 2015 and 2017, I was on full pay. At that time, I was already teaching at the University of Zimbabwe as a History lecturer, said Minister Moyo. Turning to the transfer of school heads, he said standing rules and orders highlight that when one was promoted to be a headmaster and assumes duty, they cannot transfer before they complete probation, but said it was an issue that he would want to support for those who were promoted to be allowed to transfer and assume duty elsewhere nearest to them. On Continuous Assessment Learning Areas (CALAs), the minister said teachers were not adequately trained on how to administer the CALAs leading to challenges that the concept was met with. People made submissions on their expectations on CALA, but were the teachers trained on how they can carry out CALA assignments? We had to review the curriculum in its entirety. We may reduce the number of CALAs probably from 27 to two or one, but before we do that we want you the school heads to be trained on how CALA is conducted, then you train your teachers so that people appreciate CALA or we may decide to remove CALA and replace it with something else, he said. The minister said school heads have the responsibility to provide instructional leadership in schools and create an environment where teachers and learners thrive and achieve their full potential. He said the Government was concerned with the behaviour of some school heads who were ignoring instructions given through circulars by the ministry. As Government, we have said it is the responsibility of every parent and guardian to pay school fees and levies for their children and we are demanding that these be paid on time. A delay in the payment of school fees and levies means that operations at our schools will come to a halt, a standstill. Those children from underprivileged families have safety nets at their disposal. (But) it is illegal to turn away learners for non-payment of fees and levies. Schools should find ways of collecting that money. We have heard here that the fees collection rate at St Columbus is 89 percent, this is commendable, he said. He said failure to collect school fees also rests on the schools administration. If you are a headmaster of a school, whether it is in an urban area, high-density area, or rural area, if parents are not paying school fees then there is a problem, emanating from a headmaster or School Development Committee chairman. Ensure that you hold regular meetings with parents, tell them the importance of paying school fees and show them projects that you want to do, they will be part and parcel of what you want to do. As the Government, we are not saying they must not pay, but we are saying they must pay on time. I visited Chireya High School where the collection rate of school fees was 75 percent when schools opened. They were showcasing projects that they were doing, a laboratory is under construction and everyone wants to be associated with good work happening at a school, he said. The minister said headmasters who continue to defy Government orders on school fees will be dealt with. I am here to remind those defiant authorities that we are going to apply the law, we cannot tolerate a situation where people continue to defy our instructions. We are compiling a list of defiant school heads. We have instruments that we can use to punish those schools. We can even transfer those headmasters who are resisting instructions. I am not threatening you but that is a fact. We cannot continue to tolerate school heads who do what they want, he said. Sunday News Pets are a special part of the family, so owners often make plans in case they pass away first. But the uber-wealthy are predictably taking that a step further by leaving massive estates to their furry friends, ensuring they won't lose their doggie therapists and private chauffeurs. And, per the Messenger , it's not just cats and dogs being left sitting prettylizards, parrots, and horses are being set up for life, too. In all 50 states, pets are considered property, which leaves them out of wills (since property cannot inherit property). A workaround for this can play out in a few ways. Animals can be placed in sanctuaries or retirement homes, get adopted, or be left with a caretaker who will manage the pet's trust. Trust, you say? The Messenger got the rundown of what it takes to set up a pet trust from Peggy Hoyt, who runs a nonprofit in that realm. Her cheapest tier starts at $150 (plus a $10 monthly maintenance fee), and requires $10,000 funding per cat, $15,000 per dog, and $50,000 per horse. Buying into it would guarantee the pet would end up with a new family or at an animal sanctuary. She plans to leave her million dollar estate (plus two additional properties) to her four horses, Vogue, Heaven, Sparkle, and Dash, and a mix of eight other cats and dogs (all with equally great names, but especially her Papillon mix, Darla Dinkle Queen of Tinkle). "You would plan for your children," she tells the Messenger. "In my case, I don't have any two-legged childrenI just have the four-legged variety." Darla Dinkle is among the growing number of pets that won't be left out in the cold by their wealthy owners. Designer Karl Lagerfield famously left a $1.5 million trust to his cat, Choupette, who Anna Wintour once described as an "extremely beautiful and bourgeois cat, who has two maids, a chef, a personal hairdresser, and many diamond necklaces." Real estate mogul Leona Helmsley set up her pup, Trouble, with $12 million, and per the New York Times, this sparked a different kind of trouble. The Maltese was given a security detail that ran $100,000 yearly after death threats were made against the millionaire pooch. (Tree Hugger has a rundown of pets that were left fortunes if you'd like to take a stroll down that particular lane). story continues below Trusts aren't the only legal assurances pet owners are setting up these days. Kristina Bergsten of the Animal Law Firm told People that her firm offers "pup-nups" to help handle custody issues when couples decide to part ways. Having these matters handled in writing is important, she says, because judges automatically favor whichever party has their name on paperwork, such as pet adoption agreements. "Courts do not like custody agreements when it comes to pets," she says, "and they do not like to enforce them because there's not really laws yet that exist for them to determine what is in the best interest of the pet as they have for children." (These are the trendiest cat and dog names). MOGADISHU, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appointed Raisedon Zenenga of Zimbabwe as his new deputy special representative in the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM). The UNSOM said in a statement issued Saturday evening that Zenenga whose appointment was made Friday evening succeeds Anita Kiki Gbeho of Ghana, who was appointed as the new deputy special representative in the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and Resident Coordinator in South Sudan. "Zenenga brings extensive experience in supporting political processes and mediation, managing complex peace operations, and working with Government and other key stakeholders in conflict and post-conflict settings," the UN said. It said Zenenga was currently serving as deputy special representative of the secretary-general in Libya, where he had also served as Assistant Secretary-General and Mission Coordinator of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) since 2020. He has over 30 years of experience in the UN, including with UN missions in Liberia, Libya, Iraq-Kuwait, Sierra Leone, Somalia, and South Sudan, as well as at the United Nations Headquarters. According to the UN, Zenenga previously held the positions of deputy special representative of the Secretary-General in Somalia and deputy special representative of the Secretary-General with the UN Mission in South Sudan. He also served in other senior roles at the UN Headquarters supporting peacekeeping operations in Africa. Zenenga began his professional career in his country's diplomatic service. Stories of prisoners being set free years after a wrongful conviction are not highly unusual. But a story by Michael Hall at Texas Monthly has an incredible twist: It wasn't newly revealed DNA evidence that got Carlos Jaile out of prison after nearly three decades, it was a juror who never felt quite right about voting "guilty." In 1990, Jaile was sent to prison for life in El Paso, Texas, after being convicted of raping an 8-year-old girl. No physical evidence tied him to the crime, and he had three solid alibi witnesses. However, the victim picked him out of a police lineup, and that was good enough. Estella Ybarra was on the jury, and she recounts how two "loud and pushy" white men pressured herthe last holdout among other Mexican-American women on the juryto vote guilty. She did just that. However, Ybarra says she never stopped thinking about Jaile, and when she came across her old jury certificate in 2017, she ended up calling the local DA's office to express her doubts. That call set the ball rolling to Jaile's release in 2019. As it turns out, prosecutors and Jaile's own attorney had been presented with DNA tests (then new) establishing his innocence. For reasons nobody can quite recall, this evidence was not brought up at trial. Jaile should have been "the first Texan to be cleared by DNA," writes Hall, but instead he went to prison. The story culminates with Hall reuniting the pairYbarra hadn't even been informed Jaile had been released. "I feel bad because I didn't do it sooner," says Ybarra, but Jaile responds, "If you didn't do it, I would still be there." Read the full story, which notes that Jaile's quest for state compensation is a "long shot." (Or check out other longforms.) When Aaliyah Iglesias was caught vaping at a Texas high school, suddenly, the rest of her high school experience was threatened: being student council president, her role as debate team captain, and walking at graduation. Even her college scholarships. She was sent to the district's alternative school for 30 days and told she could've faced criminal charges. Like thousands of other students around the nation, she was caught by surveillance equipment that schools have installed to crack down on electronic cigarettes, often without informing students, per the AP . Schools nationwide have invested millions of dollars in the monitoring technology, including federal COVID-19 emergency relief money meant to help schools through the pandemic and aid students' academic recovery. The sensors, at more than $1,000 each, can help fight the virus by checking air quality. Some districts pair the sensors with surveillance cameras. When activated by a vaping sensor, those cameras can capture every student leaving the bathroom. Students found vaping can receive a misdemeanor citation and be fined up to $100. And students found with vapes containing THC can be arrested on felony charges. At least 90 students in Tyler have faced misdemeanor or felony charges. The Tyler district declined to comment on its disciplinary actions, saying that tracking vape usage addresses a problem that's hurting children's health. "The vape detectors have been efficient in detecting when students are vaping, allowing us to address the issue immediately," the school system said. A leading provider, HALO Smart Sensor, sells 90% to 95% of its sensors to schools. The sensors don't have cameras or record audio but can detect increases in noise in a school bathroom and send a text alert to school officials, said Rick Cadiz of IPVideo, the maker of the HALO sensors. The sensors are marketed primarily for detecting vape smoke or THC but also can monitor for sounds such as gunshots or keywords indicating possible bullying. The company is aware of privacy concerns, per Cadiz. "All it's doing is alerting that something's going on," he said. "You need someone to physically investigate the alert." story continues below On social media, students around the US describe ways to outsmart the sensors. Some report covering them in plastic wrap; others say they blow the smoke into their clothes. The consequences for Iglesias included having to step down as student council president and debate captain and leaving the National Honor Society. Iglesias was still able to attend prom, walk at graduation, and stay in most of her clubs. She also kept her college scholarship and now attends Tyler Junior College. For her, the vaping punishments went too far, though she notes, "I'm never going to do something like that again, because the repercussions I faced were horrible." More here. (More vaping stories.) Survivors of Nazi death camps marked the 79th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp on Saturday in southern Poland, one of many observances in various nations on Holocaust Remembrance Day. As survivors told their stories, leaders gave speeches urging that the killings of 6 million European Jews between 1940 and 1945 never be forgottenor repeated. "Every new generation must learn the truth about the Holocaust," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is Jewish, posted online, the AP reports. "Human life must remain the highest value for all nations in the world." The day was marked in: President Biden has said that if Congress approves legislation with new presidential authority to close the southern border when it becomes overwhelmed by migrants, "I would use it." Senate negotiators are working on the bipartisan package, and Biden expressed his support for its increased restrictions in a statement on Friday night after Speaker Mike Johnson said the legislation would be "dead on arrival" in the House. "For everyone who is demanding tougher border control, this is the way to do it," Biden said, per USA Today . "If you're serious about the border crisis, pass a bipartisan bill and I will sign it." Biden has not supported such measures before, but Republicans have been hammering on it as the presidential election year begins. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer said Saturday on Fox News that the only reason Biden is willing to consider the issue is "because it has now become a political liability for the White House," per the Hill. Donald Trump has been pressuring congressional Republicans to oppose the Senate compromise so he can campaign on the issue, per CNN. "A bad border deal is far worse than no border deal," Trump posted online Saturday, per Politico. Biden called the provisions "the toughest and fairest set of reforms to secure the border we've ever had in our country." The measure would allow closing the border once average daily migrant crossings topped 4,000 in a one-week period. It includes exceptions, though the details aren't yet clear. The full Senate plan could be released next week, CNN reports. (More President Biden stories.) West African nations Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have withdrawn from the regional economic bloc known as ECOWAS, their respective juntas announced Sunday, accusing the bloc of "inhumane" sanctions to reverse the coups in their nations. The AP reports that the juntas said in a joint statement read out on state television in all three countries that they have "decided in complete sovereignty on the immediate withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)," alleging that the bloc has "moved away from the ideals of its founding fathers and pan-Africanism" after nearly 50 years of its establishment. "ECOWAS, under the influence of foreign powers, betraying its founding principles, has become a threat to its member states and its populations whose happiness it is supposed to ensure," their statements read. Widely seen as West Africa's top political and regional authority, the 15-nation bloc of ECOWASformed in 1975 to "promote economic integration" in member stateshas struggled in recent years to reverse rampant coups in the region where citizens have complained of not benefitting from rich natural resources. In parts of West Africa, ECOWAS is fast losing its effectiveness and support among citizens, who see it as representing only the interests of the leaders and not those of the masses, said Oge Onubogu of the Washington-based Wilson Center think tank. It's not immediately clear how that process of the countries' withdrawal from the bloc would be carried out. ECOWAS didn't immediately respond to an AP inquiry, though the bloc has said it only recognizes democratic governments. The bloc's regional court also ruled last year that juntas lack the power to act in place of elected governments on behalf of their nations. Sunday's announcement is the latest twist in a series of events that have deepened political tension in West Africa since it experienced its latest of a string of coupsin Nigerlast year. It also comes as the three nations have formed a security alliance after severing military ties with France and other European nations and turning to Russia for support. (More ECOWAS stories.) A drone attack killed three US soldiers stationed in Jordan, near the Syrian border, and at least 34 were injured, US Central Command reported Sunday. President Biden said the attack was carried out Saturday night by Iran-backed militia groups. He called the three Army troops "patriots in the highest sense," the Washington Post reports. Although American forces have come under fire by militias repeatedly since the Israel-Hamas war began Oct. 7, this is the first time US service members have been killed. The Pentagon usually has about 3,000 troops in Jordan. The US "will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner [of] our choosing," Biden said in a statement, per the AP . The Jordanian government, according to state television reports, said the attack occurred in Syria; US officials said it was at Tower 22, a small outpost in northeast Jordan, per CNN. It's the first publicly known attack on the site, and it's not clear why air defenses did not intercept the drone. The Americans are there mostly to help combat what's left of the Islamic State, per the New York Times. Jonathan Lord, a former Department of Defense official, told Axios that the outpost is at a spot where the borders of Jordan, Iraq, and Syria meet, near areas that the pro-Iranian militia Kataib Hezbollah has seized. A senior US official told the Post that the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a group that includes Kataib Hezbollah, claimed responsibility. Calling it a "despicable and wholly unjust attack," Biden said, "We know it was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq." The identities of the Americans killed were not released. The US has launched strikes at targets in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen in the past few months, per the AP, in response to the attacks on American forces and to counter the threats to commercial shipping in the Red Sea posed by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. (More Israel-Hamas war stories.) The arrest comes after emergency services were seen swarming outside the Silverdale Mall earlier this morning. A Michael Hill spokesperson told Newshub a person entered Michael Hill's Silverdale store in an attempted robbery but was unable to penetrate the armoured glass displays. "Fog cannons were also activated. The assailant fled the scene and has since been apprehended by police," the spokesperson said. New Zealand Herald reports shoppers at the busy mall were evacuated when fog cannons were activated. People on social media have also posted about the smash-and-grab, with some urging people to stay away from the mall. "We were inside when it happened and we were evacuated. Not quite sure if they got anything in the end," one person wrote. One man who witnessed the police chase going down John Fair Drive contacted Newshub and described it as the "slowest police chase I have ever seen in my life." A video posted to TikTok shows a police chase in Milldale soon after the mall incident. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Community health volunteers Alice Sakala (L) and Doris Chanda walk home after conducting a Cholera sensitization activity in Kapiri Mposhi, Zambia, Jan. 20, 2024. (Photo By Lillian Banda/Xinhua) LUSAKA, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- As cholera continues to be a health challenge in Zambia, community health volunteers in different parts of the country are working hard to educate the public about preventing the disease from spreading. In Zambia, community health volunteers are ordinary members of the public who have undergone training in basic health care management and community mobilization. Most community health volunteers are found in low-income communities in rural and peri-urban areas of the country as well as in densely populated settlements. These volunteers serve as a link between health facilities and the community and often offer their services free of charge. In some cases, they are given equipment such as bicycles to ease transport challenges. "My job is to see to it that people in my area get the information they need to prevent getting sick from cholera. As they say, prevention is better than cure," said an enthusiastic Alice Sakala of Kapiri Mposhi, a town in central Zambia. Sakala, 63, a resident of Kapiri Mposhi's Riverside Compound, a densely populated low-income area, is among the many community health volunteers in Zambia who are calling on members of the public to adhere to cholera prevention measures. Through door-to-door sensitization programs and the use of public address systems to reach more people, Sakala and her colleagues have reached close to 1,000 people in their community with messages about preventing cholera. "Our goal is to ensure that chances of people contracting cholera are minimized. This can be achieved if people drink boiled or chlorinated water and ensure that they eat properly prepared food. They should also wash their hands with soap and water after using the toilet and before eating any food," she pointed out. Since the latest cholera outbreak, Sakala and her team of six community health volunteers comprising five women and a man have had little to no time to rest as they are ever moving from one end of Riverside Compound to another conducting sensitization programs. "We have to work throughout the week now. Our phones are ever busy with requests for us to go and conduct talks about cholera prevention," said Sakala after a two-hour community sensitization program at a market in Riverside Compound. Her sentiments were echoed by her colleague Doris Chanda, 59, who said that more people in Riverside Compound are adhering to cholera prevention measures as a result of the sensitization program that the duo and their team of volunteers are undertaking in the community. "Residents are eager to learn how to prevent cholera and how best to handle someone presenting symptoms of the disease. We tell them that anyone with diarrhea or vomiting should access medical attention immediately," Chanda explained. Interactions with residents of Riverside Compound indicated that sensitization programs are yielding results as evidenced by the increase in the number of people purchasing chlorine to put in water for drinking and various domestic uses. "People are also striving to keep their surroundings clean. To me, that is a sign that the sensitization programs are bearing desired results," noted 30-year-old Mary Mubanga, who sells chlorine, among other items, at Riverside Market. Mubanga also revealed that chlorine sales have improved drastically in the past few weeks, something she attributed to intensified cholera sensitization programs undertaken by community health volunteers. Riverside Market Chairperson Emmanuel Chaota lauded volunteer community health volunteers for always being available and playing a key role in reducing the health burden in Riverside Compound, which is prone to hygiene-related diseases like cholera. "These volunteers help bring healthcare services including information about disease prevention closer to the public. They should be given all the necessary support to help them reach more people in need of healthcare services," Chaota said. Zambia has now recorded 14,900 cases and 560 deaths since cholera cases emerged in October 2023, according to a report by Zambia's Ministry of Health dated Jan. 27, 2024. The outbreak initially emerged in peri-urban areas of Lusaka Province, which still has the highest number of cholera cases. The disease is now affecting people across multiple geographical areas of the country. Meet the women who keep the lights on for China-Europe freight trains in southwest China's Chongqing. Their basic skills include climbing towers up to 22 meters high. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Bahrain police arrested a government school teacher for allegedly molesting several minor students, including a seven-year-old boy, in the parking lot of a mall. The Deputy Chief of the Bahrain Family and Childrens Prosecution said legal actions are being initiated and an investigation is ongoing. Prosecutors opened an investigation about the shocking incident, after receiving a report on the suspect from the Northern Governorate Police Directorate. The seven-year-old confided to his parents that his teacher used to touch him inappropriately and misbehave with him while they were at the mall's parking lot. The parents told police officers that the incident occurred when the boy went for an outing with the teacher with their consent. The accused, a Bahraini national, taught at the victims school, said the Deputy Chief. Prosecutors said they found DNA traces of the accused on the victims private parts and clothing, consistent with the victims statements and the accuseds confession. The report also mentions that full sexual contact is not confirmed. If convicted, the victim faces a penalty of up to life imprisonment. The court will hear the case on January 30. In conjunction with the case, prosecutors are also investigating reports of sexual assault suffered by other students by the suspect at the school. One of the childs guardians confirmed that the accused assaulted the kid in several places by touching and groping, which was later proven through a medical examination. Investigators said they have recorded complaints from other victims too, who all narrated grisly accounts of the sexual abuse they suffered from the same suspect. Police said they are investigating complaints from four other children at the same school where the suspect is working. Prosecutors have spoken to the victims and found that the suspect abused them through acts of touching and groping. Based on the complaint by the student, prosecutors said they had registered a case against the teacher under various sections. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com The Bahrain government has declined a proposal to amend certain provisions of the military retirement law, citing concerns about additional financial burden. The amendment, rooted in two suggestions from the Council of Representatives, aims to raise the governments contribution towards pensions from officers and personnels basic salaries to 21% from 20%. This would be done by reducing the deduction from officers and personnel to 6% instead of 7%. The proposed amendment introduced a new Article 22 in the military retirement law issued by Decree-Law No. 11 of 1976, specifying a modest annual increase in pensions according to a provided table. Rejecting the move, the government said this amendment contradicts the original purpose of the decree law and the retirement and insurance systems of the military retirement law issued by Decree-Law No.11 of 1976. They also called for a comprehensive study to assess the ability of the government and the military retirement fund to handle the resulting financial burdens. Moreover, the government highlighted potential negative impacts on the states general budget and financial equilibrium programme. It argued that implementing the proposed law would require modifying the general budget and necessitating financial support to cover the increased deduction rate and proposed annual pension increase. The government also highlighted the lack of essential elements in the proposed law, emphasising the need for a financial study before enacting laws requiring financial allocations. When preparing a law project belonging to the category of laws that require financial allocations, a financial study must be conducted to determine the amount of these allocations, the resulting financial obligations, the expected source of funding, and the sustainability aspect, it said. Furthermore, the government communicated to MPs that there is no urgent social necessity justifying the laws issuance without a comprehensive study or scientific basis detailing the proposed amendments impact on the military retirement fund or retired officers and personnel. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, signs an agreement on mutual visa exemption with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara after an annual consultation in Bangkok, Thailand, Jan. 28, 2024. Wang met with Parnpree here on Sunday for the annual consultation. (Xinhua/Wang Teng) BANGKOK, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Sunday that China and Thailand will officially enter a "visa-free era" from March 1 as the two sides have just signed an agreement on mutual visa exemption. Wang made the remarks in a joint press conference after an annual consultation with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, adding that it will surely bring bilateral people-to-people exchanges to a new height. There will be a big increase in the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand. We also welcome friends from Thailand to feel the vitality and vibrancy of China and the hospitality of the Chinese people. China and Thailand are one family. It's important that our two peoples forge closer friendships and stronger bonds, and embrace a better life, Wang said. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on the implementation of the outcomes of the meetings between Chinese and Thai leaders and the building of a China-Thailand community with a shared future, and reached extensive consensus. Wang said that China always sees Thailand as a priority in its diplomacy with neighboring countries. He said that China appreciates Thailand's firm commitment to the one-China principle and its active support for the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative. Noting that next year will mark the 50th anniversary of China-Thailand diplomatic relations, Wang said that over the past half a century, the bilateral relationship has withstood the test of the changing international landscape and grown from strength to strength. China-Thailand mutually beneficial cooperation is believed to enjoy a bright prospect, Wang said, adding that China is Thailand's largest trading partner and biggest source of foreign investment. Pursuing modernization at a faster pace, both sides need to keep abreast with the times and open up new prospects for cooperation. The two sides agreed to speed up the development of the China-Thailand Railway, fully implement the China-Laos-Thailand Connectivity Development Corridor Outlook, and open the central line of the Trans-Asian Railway as soon as possible, he said. Wang said that China will import more specialty agricultural products from Thailand, support more Chinese companies in investing and growing in Thailand, and foster new drivers of cooperation in new energy vehicle, digital economy and green development. The two sides should also strengthen law enforcement and security cooperation, strictly prevent cross-border crimes such as telecom fraud, online gambling and drug trafficking, and provide a safe and comfortable environment for exchanges and cooperation between the two peoples, he added. We both look forward to closer multilateral coordination between the two countries. Facing a changing and turbulent international environment, both sides should stay committed to the five principles of peaceful coexistence, jointly uphold the hard-won peace and stability of our region, and oppose zero-sum, win-or-lose political games, Wang said. Committed to true multilateralism and open regionalism, our two sides will work with other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to build a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home, speed up the Code of Conduct (COC) consultation, and jointly uphold ASEAN centrality, Wang said. He said that China supports Thailand in serving as the rotating chair of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation and in developing a Mekong-Lancang community with a shared future of peace and prosperity. With the upcoming 50th anniversary of China-Thailand diplomatic relations, bilateral relations will come to a new historical starting point. Guided by the important consensus between the leaders of the two countries, China is ready to work with Thailand to jointly deepen the building of a more stable, prosperous and sustainable China-Thailand community with a shared future, and provide more stability and certainty to the changing and turbulent world, Wang stressed. A Nigerian student, Mr Qudus Owoyemi, who is in 400-level student of the Department of Statistics, University of Ilorin has set a new world record for the fastest time devoted to completing five skin fade haircuts. According to the University bulletin issued on Monday, the remarkable achievement was accomplished in just 14 minutes, 56 seconds, and 83 milliseconds. It stated that the feat surpassed the previous record of 18 minutes and 57 seconds. The publication explained that the event, which unfolded Jan. 25, 2024, at the University, is expected to make the Guinness World Book of Records listing. It stated that Owoyemi, a University scholar with an impressive CGPA of 4.87, performed the feat to the cheers of a captivated audience. The event, according to the statement, was witnessed by the Sub-Dean of Student Affairs, Dr Mohammed Garba, and the Students Union President, Mr Joseph Ologundudu. In his reaction, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, SAN, lauded Owoyemis remarkable achievement adding that the University was very proud of his feat. Egbewole encouraged other students to pursue their passions while assuring that the universitys management would continue to support innovation and lofty ideals that would elevate the institutions reputation. He observed that the achievement had further solidified the universitys commitment to excellence and innovation. (NAN) Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has made four new appointments amid the State House Assembly voting to override him to pass four new bills into law. The governor on Friday appointed Goodlife Ben as the Acting Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Tonte Davies as the Acting Administrator of New Cities Development Authority, NCDA, and Ine Briggs as the Acting Director General, Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP. In a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo, the governor said the appointments take immediate effect. On Friday, the Martins Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly voted to override Governor Siminalayi Fubara and pass four new bills into law. The bills include the Rivers Local Government Amendment Law, 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. The House decided on Friday during plenary after Amaewhule read four letters addressed to him by the governor, wherein he declined his assent to the four new bills which had been sent to him for assent. According to the House, its decision relies on Section 100 subsection 5 of the constitution, which said the assent of the governor is not required for the passage of the bills into law. The house stated that where the governor withholds assent and the bill is again passed by two-thirds majority of the House, the bill shall become a law and the assent of the governor shall not be required. Amaewhule further accused the governor of having no plans of conducting local government elections in the state. This is coming 24 hours after the Supreme Court upheld the election of Governor Fubara. The assembly, led by Amaewhule comprises 27 members who are loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Four members of the State Assembly, formerly led by Edison Ehie, who has now resigned as Speaker and member representing Ahoada East Constituency 2, are loyal to the governor. President Bola Tinubu had waded into the political crisis in the state, which is predicated on the rift between Fubara and Wike. The intervention of the President had led the concerned parties in the crisis to sign an eight-point resolution (peace accord) to end the crisis. Infrastructural development, educational reform, healthcare enhancement, empowerment and job creation have been identified as some of the measures that can be taken by government to address lingering insecurity in parts of northern Nigeria. Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, made the suggestion in a keynote address at the 10th Annual Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture and Merit Award on Saturday in Maiduguri. Zulum spoke on the theme, Creating Pathways for Peace: Tackling Banditry and Insurgency through Good Governance for Sustainable Development. He described the theme as relevant and timely. It highlights the challenges we have faced over the years, particularly in the wake of Boko Haram crisis. It is evident that good governance is crucial in curbing future insurgencies, he added. The governor noted that while his administration combined both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to addressing the Boko Haram crisis, the root causes of insurgency have also been looked into critically. According to him, in a bid to curtail banditry, insurgency and other forms of insecurity, the Borno State Government has undertaken projects in many key sectors. Here in Borno State, we have undertaken various projects since assuming office with the aim of promoting good governance and tackling all forms of insecurity, Zulum said. Chairman Board of Trustees, Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, (SABMF) and former Governor of Niger State, Muazu Babangida Aliyu, said the rise of banditry and other forms of insecurity is a direct consequence of deep-rooted socio-economic and governance issues. BUENOS AIRES, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Argentine government said on Saturday that Infrastructure Minister Guillermo Ferraro will resign in the coming days for "personal reasons." "Progress will be made in the original plan to merge the infrastructure area within the Ministry of Economy," the president's office said on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter. The president's office said that such a merger "will generate greater coherence in the economic policy of the national government, and will allow for further adjustment of the budget to the current crisis context." Ferraro's resignation will be the first at the ministerial level since President Javier Milei assumed the Argentine presidency on Dec. 10, 2023. With the cabinet reshuffle, the Argentine government will soon have eight ministries instead of nine. The newly inaugurated governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, is under fire for appointing his predecessor, Yahaya Bellos nephew, Ali Bello, who is being investigated for a N3 billion fraud as Chief of Staff. It was gathered that upon Ododos swearing-in as the 6th democratic Governor of Kogi State on Saturday, he announced his Chief of Staff and other key appointments. However, Ali Bellos appointment has been heavily criticised because he was docked by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for an alleged N3 billion misappropriation on February 8 last year. It was learnt that Nigerias anti-corruption agency, EFCC, is prosecuting Ali Bello on 18 counts bordering on money laundering and misappropriation of about N3 billion. Ali Bello was charged alongside other defendants in the case, including Abba Adauda, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, Iyada Sadat and the Kogi First Lady, Rashida Bello. The EFCC is prosecuting them in suit No ABJ/CR/573/2022. Reacting to the development, Nigerians on X expressed concerns. @lawrenceOkoropg: The same person docked for N3bn Fraud by the EFCC in Feb 2023 was appointed Chief of Staff to the Kogi State government 12 months later. Yet many are wasting in jail for doing nothing. @firstladyship: Kogi state is the Wild West & the weakest link in Nigeria. They are the ones I pity the most. Yahaya Bellos nephew, who has a case file with the EFCC, is now the chief of staff. The politicians are why the Naira will continue to crash against other currencies. @aai_austin: Abia State ministry of environment has banned the use of Styrofoam foils, popularly known as Take Away. The ministry in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Environment, Philemon Ogbonna on Saturday, said the use of the product as food containers has been banned in the state. He noted that Take Away had earlier been banned in some states, including Lagos and therefore, advised the public to immediately discontinue the use of the foils until investigations are fully carried out on the dangers of the product to public health. Meanwhile, some defaulters were on Saturday, arrested and sanctioned in Umuahia during the January 2024 Clean Up exercise in the State. The defaulters, who were arrested in some parts of the State capital during the environmental sanitation hours, were caught either trading or loitering, in contravention of the governments earlier orders. However, the clean up recorded a high level of compliance as many residents cleaned their gutters, while trucks provided by the State government evacuated generated wastes. Operatives of the Nigerian Police Force have arrested a suspected kidnapper believed to be involved in the abduction and murder of Nabeeha, daughter of a Bwari lawyer. Recall that about 19 abductees were taken away by bandits from the Sagwari Estate Layout in the Dutsen-Alhaji area in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory. The kidnappers were demanding N700m ransom for nine of their victims. The kidnappers had killed four of the hostages, including Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, a 400-level student of Biological Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and 13-year-old Folashade Ariyo. Nabeeha was abducted alongside six other siblings. The siblings were kidnapped with their father, Alhaji Mansoor Al-Kadriyar, from their home at Zuma 1, on the outskirts of Bwari town in Abuja on January 2. However, in a statement on Sunday, the police stated that 28-year-old Bello Mohammed was apprehended in a Kaduna hotel raid on January 20th with N2.25 million in suspected ransom money. Under questioning, Mohammed confessed to being part of the gang that kidnapped Barrister Ariyos family members in Bwari on January 2nd. The operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, on 20th January 2024, have arrested one Bello Mohammed, 28, of Zamfara state, in Kaduna. The Divisional Police Officer, Tafa Division, acting on intelligence, raided one hotel in Tafa Area, Kaduna, where he arrested Bello, with the sum of #2.25m (Two Million, two hundred and fifty million naira) only, suspected to be proceeds of ransoms collected from kidnapped victims within the area, the statement noted. He further admitted that the gang killed some of their kidnapped victims, including Nabeeha, in a camp in Kaduna State on January 13th. According to the statement, Mohammed offered a N1 million bribe to the DPO leading the operation, SP Idris Ibrahim. But Ibrahim rejected the inducement and arrested the suspect. The suspect, during interrogation, confessed to being part of the gang that kidnapped the family members of one Barrister Ariyo in Bwari, FCT, on 2nd January 2024, and killed some kidnapped victims, including Nabeeha, f, daughter of the legal practitioner, on 13th January 2024, in a kidnappers camp, in Kaduna State. The suspect, in a dramatic situation, offered #1,000,000 (one million naira only) to induce the DPO, who rejected the offer and carried out his duty diligently. Mohammed also confessed to the involvement of five bandits already neutralised by police in Kaduna. Their deadly camp was also destroyed. The suspect is being transferred to the IRT in Abuja for further investigations and to apprehend other accomplices. Mohammed is currently assisting the police in their inquiries. The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has ordered that the suspect, who also confessed to the involvement of the already five (5) neutralised bandits in Kaduna by the IRT, headed by one Mai Gemu (aka Godara), whose deadly camp has also been destroyed, be handed over to the DFI-IRT in Abuja for discreet investigations into the matter and arrest of all other culprits responsible for the dastardly act. The suspect is currently helping the police in their investigations, the statement noted. IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun commended the DPOs commitment and professionalism. He assured that the police would leave no stone unturned in decimating criminally minded individuals and bequeathing to Nigerians a more secure society. The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, on Sunday, addressed a viral video showing plainclothes individuals requesting a motorists tinted glass permit. Adejobi said the policemen have been traced and identified and are undergoing investigation. In the video, the men alighting from a white vehicle are heard asking the motorist for his cars tinted permit. The driver states, Its a factory tinted glass and I cant remember the last time police asked me for a tinted permit because that was canceled two years ago. When asked about the police division, a voice responds, We are from state CID Zone 2, V I here. Please, can you give me your tinted permit, sir? Reacting to the video on Sunday, Adejobi said, These policemen have been traced to Zone 2 and identified. The AIG Zone 2 Lagos is investigating. While the PPRO Zone 2, Lagos will speak to it as soon as possible. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Nyesom Wike, has issued a stern warning to informants of kidnappers, bandits and criminals in the territory to repent or die in the hands of security operatives. Wike spoke yesterday at a town hall security meeting, held in Kuje town in Kuje Area Council of the territory. The minister also urged residents of the Area Council to play their role in providing relevant information that would help security agencies. He said: We are going to tackle insecurity head-on. These bandits and criminals, their time is up. I know some of the criminal informants are here listening to me and if you are an informant, you will die the same way those people you are informing will die. You have the opportunity of repenting today or else you are gone. Nobody will pity you. You have seen what the security agencies have been doing in the past few days. That is to show to you that it is not busy as usual. Be fully aware that we are ready for you. I told the Chairman to make sure that the vigilance groups are empowered and we must do it well. They must be profiled and the security agencies must know them. And to the residents, give us information. You must work with the security agencies and provide them with information. Do not be afraid. I have seen this problem before, and I will tackle it. Let me assure you that no amount of blackmail will stop us from carrying out our assignment. Wike also expressed shock at the state of roads in Kuje Area Council, vowing that he will revisit the Councils file and construct motorable roads for the the people. The pop and soul group Lawerence is heading out on a massive U.S. tour this fall. The eight-piece band, fronted by siblings Gracie and Clyde Lawrence, will begin the U.S. leg of their tour on Sept. 17 in Philadelphia and will wrap up on Nov. 2 in Boston. For the second stop of the U.S. leg of the tour, the group will perform in New York City at Radio City Music Hall on Sept. 19, which is slated as their homecoming concert. It will be in support of their fourth studio album, Family Business, which will release later this year. The concerts come right after Lawrence wrapped up a tour with the Jonas Brothers. If you want to see Lawrence live, here is how you can get tickets. How to get tickets to see Lawrence on tour 2024 Tickets to see Lawrence on their world tour go on sale to the public on Jan. 26 at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster. Fans can also find tickets on to secondary market websites, such as StubHub, Vivid Seats, TicketNetwork and TicketCity. First-time Vivid Seats users can save $20 on ticket orders over $200 by entering promo code NJ20 at checkout. A complete list of Lawrences tour dates are available here. More massive upcoming tours Lawrence is not the only group on tour this year. Here are a few more upcoming tours you wont want to miss. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Nicole Iuzzolino can be reached at niuzzolino@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips. Republican Sen. Jon Bramnick launched his campaign for governor on Saturday based on one core conviction -- that a candidate who snuggles up to Donald Trump cannot win a statewide race in New Jersey. You cant walk a fine line on this, Bramnick says. Its tough to win unless youre willing to speak out against Donald Trumps belief that the election was stolen. You cant win if you deny the events of January 6. And its tough to win if you dont speak out about his hateful rhetoric. The Krewe du Vieux parade is known for the wickedest satire in all of Carnival, and the marching group was certainly in the business of slaughtering sacred cows during Saturdays roll. It seemed especially appropriate this year, since the KDV king was chef Isaac Toups, owner of Toups Meatery restaurant. Crowds on Frenchmen Street seemed hungry to witness the ribald roasting of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, City Hall, Airbnb rentals, Dating apps, Crescent City drivers, the Supreme Court, the Archdiocese of New Orleans again, and various other topics. The 2024 theme was AI ... Artificial Ignorance. One mule-drawn, mini float titled We the Feeble, included a mechanized merry-go-round featuring effigies of some of our elder political leaders, including President Biden and former President Trump. Theres a new Phat City in Jefferson Parish. But its nothing like the Fat City many locals remember an area tucked away off Veterans Memorial Boulevard and defined by bars, juke joints and strip clubs in the 70s and 80s. Now, using a play on his first name, Phat Vu hung a sign in his new restaurant, Ba Chi Kitchen + Bar, that says Welcome to Phat City. Ba Chi Kitchen + Bar Where 3547 18th St., Metairie, (504) 581-8490; facebook.com/bachicanteenla When Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. How Dine-in and delivery Check it out A Metairie spot for Vietnamese and creative Asian dishes I dont really remember the old Fat City, says Vu, who was born in 1978. But we love this location and are happy to be here. Vu and his wife Quinn Vu opened their first restaurant, the original Ba Chi Canteen, on Maple Street in 2013. The menu combined the traditional foods of their childhood with global mashups like gyoza nachos and kimchi fries. When the condition of that building became untenable, the couple moved the restaurant to 3547 18th Street in Metairie and opened in October. The modern, stylish restaurant is large and airy, most recently home to YuYan Kitchen, and before that, Korea House. Theres room for about 80 guests on the restaurant side, and another 40 in the adjacent bar and lounge area, outfitted with funky lighting, neon and flatscreen TVs for watching sports. Theres space for private parties and catering is available for offsite events. Guests can park in the front and back of the restaurant and around the corner in a large off-street parking lot (follow the yellow arrows to 3129 Edenborn Ave.). Although Canteen was his first restaurant, Phat Vu is no stranger to the hospitality industry. He grew up in the East, helping his two sisters sell banh mi and desserts at the Saturday morning farmers market. By the early 90s, his sisters opened a little corner store for their Vietnamese fare, followed by the opening of Tan Dinh, still one of the most popular Vietnamese restaurants on the West Bank. I always worked in the restaurant, Vu says. I didnt feel like I had to, I wanted to. I just had a passion for it. He left home to go to school, studying architecture in Dallas, coming home during the summer and holidays to pitch in at the restaurant. My mind was set on food, he says. After graduating, however, Vu decided not to become an architect and went to culinary school. He moved back home to help his sister after Hurricane Katrina, and he and his wife worked at Tan Dinh until they opened their own place. At first I was in the kitchen, and she was front of the house, but she grew to love cooking too, so we worked together, he says. Now, at the Metairie restaurant, they do it all. Vu is still getting used to the dining preferences of his customers in Metairie. Ba Chi offers an all-day menu for lunch and dinner, and the kitchen stays open until 8:45 p.m. on weekdays and 9:45 p.m. on weekends. Happy hour brings special drink prices and discounts on featured appetizers from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. At the new location, Ba Chi continues to do brisk takeout and delivery business. The menu is expanded, with past specials now featured every day. Bo ne is a tender steak dish with bone marrow that is a popular breakfast food in Vietnam. Its a cousin to bo luc lac, or shaking beef, but served with a fried egg. There are more than a dozen types of pho, the perfect antidote to winter chill, powered by the likes of brisket, filet, chicken and vegetables. Banh mi options range from crispy pork belly to fried shrimp or oysters and curried tofu. Ba Chi specializes in bacos, with various fillings tucked into a tender bao bun, taco style. Popular ones include bulgogi with kimchi, a snow crab baco with eel sauce, and the creamy, spicy soft-shell crab. For guests dining at the restaurant on its taco Tuesdays, bacos are $3-$4, except for the crab. Viet-Cajun-style seafood boils are a new addition, and seafood options include king crab, Dungeness crab, shrimp, green and black mussels, and baby clams. We are still getting the word out that were here, Vu says. Barkus 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4 French Quarter Director Greta Gerwig may have been snubbed by the Oscar nominations, but the Mystic Krewe of Barkus cant get enough of Barbie and her dreamworld. This year, the canine krewes theme is Barkus and Barbie: Pawsitively Pink. Dogs and humans costumed in Barbie pink and otherwise will parade on Sunday. The procession starts at the gates of Louis Armstrong Park and follows a 15-block route circling the heart of the French Quarter and returning to the park. Along the way, it passes a reviewing stand at Good Friends Bar at Dauphine and St. Ann streets. The king is Bentley Burton Jurgens, a 4-year-old English Bulldog. The Queen is Bea Broussard, an 8-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Broussard was the parade grand marshal last year. Broussard was rescued from a puppy mill and adopted from Dogwood Animal Shelter in Osage Beach, Mississippi. The parade is preceded by a Pawty in Armstrong Park. Festivities and parade preparations begin at 10:30 a.m. and there are vendors of food and drink for humans and dogs. Dogs and their human escorts can still register to march in the parade. Proceeds from Barkus benefit regional animal care groups, such as Animal Rescue New Orleans, Jefferson SPCA, Louisiana SPCA, Zeus Rescue and more. Visit kreweofbarkus.org to register and for parade information. Villager Xu Yongqiong (1st L) poses for a photo with her family in front of her new home at the relocation site in Shaba Village of Luding County, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Jan. 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie) CHENGDU, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Xu Yongqiong, a villager of Luding County, southwest China's Sichuan Province, is busy decorating her new home, while electricians are installing the pendant lights in a room. On Sept. 5, 2022, a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted the county, resulting in many casualties, and collapsed houses in the affected areas. After the earthquake, the loosening of the mountains posed a serious geological hazard, forcing Xu's family to relocate. Fortunately, through the support from government and post-quake reconstruction plans, her new home was finally built. With the help of interest-free loans from the bank, borrowing money from relatives and government subsidies, Xu invested nearly 700,000 yuan (about 98,488 U.S. dollars) in constructing a two-story building with eight bedrooms. "I'm preparing for the future to develop this property into a homestay for tourism," said Xu, who is now running an eatery with her family members. "We should stay busy, as I believe that through hard work, we find hope in our days," she added. In Shaba Village alone, where Xu lives, there is a population of 300 across 95 households. The earthquake affected 78 households and 266 people. Among them, 27 households required the reconstruction of their homes. So far, construction of the homes have been completed, and the villagers are expected to move into the new homes by the Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 10 this year, according to Wei Shuquan, Party chief of the village. The disaster-affected villagers are gradually embarking on a new chapter in their lives. With the government's support, more than 4,500 earthquake-affected households have had their new homes fully constructed, the majority of which are located in Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Garze and Ya'an City. Li Zhiying, a villager in Shimian County, Yan'an, has already settled into her new home. After putting her previous fruit cultivation losses from the earthquake behind her, Li has recently been busy managing her citrus orchard up in the mountains. "After selling these fruits, I can repay some of the loans used to build the new home. I am also planning to expand the orange planting area in the next step," Li added. An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 9, 2024 shows new houses at a relocation site in Beitou Village of Luding County, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xinhua/Yang Jin) TEHRAN, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has seized a foreign vessel carrying 2 million liters of "smuggled diesel" in the country's southern waters, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday. The vessel, carrying the flag of an Oceania country, was identified and seized on Sunday morning by the IRGC's naval forces 96.5 km off the coast of the southern port city of Bushehr, Tasnim reported, citing the Commander of the IRGC Navy's second region Heidar Honarian Mojarad. The officer told reporters in the province that the vessel was seized following a judicial order, noting that its 14 foreign crew members, who were from two Asian countries, had been arrested and were being handed over to the provincial judicial authorities. Honarian Mojarad said the confiscated diesel cargo was being handed over to the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company. He stressed that the ship had been under intelligence monitoring since the loading of the fuel cargo, and was seized upon entering the operational area of the IRGC Navy's second region. With the government subsidy on fuel prices in Iran, smuggling fuel out of the country is a lucrative racket. Over the past years, Iranian naval forces have seized a large number of ships with smuggled fuel on board. The carbon footprint of Torridge District Council has more than doubled in the last three years and is near the bottom of the league of local authorities working towards net zero targets. Torridge is 149th out of 164 district councils on the council climate action scorecard for 2023. Climate Emergency UK assessed all councils on the actions theyve taken towards net zero, and of the district authorities Exeter is currently in third position and Teignbridge sixth, with East Devon 16th, South Hams 20th, West Devon 30th, North Devon 64th and Mid Devon 85th. Members of Torridge District Councils community and resources committee were told that its poor ranking was not because it didnt have a good action plan or didnt understand good practice, but that it is struggling for cash. Sustainability and climate change officer Donna Sibley said: There is nothing really missing from our carbon environment and biodiversity plan but the difficulty is this work is not given government funding and we have to scrape together the funds for this. By signing up to the Devon Climate Emergency in 2019, councils agree to report their annual carbon emissions. In Torridge it was 8,011 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) in 2022/23 compared with 3,875 in the baseline year of 2020/2021. Councillors were told that despite the three Torridge leisure centres, which are large energy consumers, being added to the figures for the first time, the council is still well over its baseline year. But the officer reminded councillors that 2020 was an odd year when most people were working from home and carbon emissions were lower than expected because of covid lockdowns. A 1.7 million bid has gone into the government to decarbonise Holsworthy Pool and to Sport England for energy efficiency measures at all three leisure centres and the authority is starting to look at decarbonising its vehicles and energy use at its properties. But its claimed the rural nature of Torridge means that electric vehicles currently on the market cant cope with the hills and lanes. There is also a cost implication, as a refuse collection vehicle fuelled by diesel is 185,000, electric 440,000 and hydrogen 850,000. Carbon offsetting such as renewable energy generation and planting woodlands would be necessary to help reach the net zero target, councillors were told. Lead member for climate change Cllr Peter Hames (Green, Appledore) said the council needed to speed up its action plan. There are good reasons why we cannot invest in electric vehicles for some of our rural areas but we need to put urgent attention on the more urban scenarios, he said. Every councillor needs to be very clear in how we are going to achieve this, we only have six years left of our target. He recognised the good work that is being done, but with Torridge near the bottom of the national scorecard, there is still work to do. With HVO fuel, which comes from palm oil, being one of the cleanest fuels on the market, Cllr Wendy Lo-Vel (Green, Northam) asked if the council could consider this alternative to diesel, but was told that it contributed to deforestation and could outweigh the positives. Officers were waiting on a report from the Environment Agency and construction industry on this. Cllr Jane Whittaker (Con, Northam) said: This council is doing its best within the amount of reserves it has. I know we have to do something, there is no doubt about that and I understand the concerns, but if we havent got the money to put on the table and we are challenged in other ways because of our rurality, I am not terribly sure what else we can do accept keep trying. Cllr Chris Leather said reaching net zero by 2030 is a pipedream and carbon offsetting a con that the council would have no choice but to sign up to. AMMAN, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Jordan on Sunday condemned the "terrorist" attack on "an advanced position" on its border with Syria, which resulted in the deaths of three U.S. soldiers. The attack also inflicted dozens of injuries among the U.S. forces who are collaborating with Jordan in countering the threat of terrorism along Jordan's borders, the kingdom's Prime Ministry said in a statement on Sunday. In a separate statement, Jordan's Minister of Government Communications Muhannad Mubaidin expressed his country's condolences to the United States for the victims of the drone attack and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded. Mubaidin stated that the "terrorist" attack did not result in any deaths or injuries among the Jordanian Armed Forces. He emphasized that Jordan will continue to confront the threats of terrorism, drug trafficking, and weapons smuggling across the border from Syria into Jordan. "Jordan will stand firm and resolute against anyone attempting to jeopardize the kingdom's security," the minister said. Jordan has announced a collaboration with partners to secure its borders, requesting necessary military systems and equipment from its ally, the U.S., and other nations to enhance its capabilities in resolving security threats and safeguarding the borders. "We want to open their eyes when they're younger, when they're not set on becoming a certain thing in their careers. We thought doing that at a younger age would help inspire them, will help leverage that growth mindset that they can be anything they want to be." Police rescued circus animals from a burning truck, suffering smoke inhalation while bringing the endangered animals to safety. A state trooper, a sheriff's deputy and a member of the Shrine Circus saved five zebras, four camels and a miniature horse from a 2012 Volvo semi-truck and trailer that was engulfed in flames. Trooper Edward Titus was out patrolling I-69 near the 263 mile-marker in Grant County in Northeast Indiana when he saw the cab on the truck on fire at about 2 a.m. Saturday. He found the driver, later identified as Armando C. Alvarez, a 57-year-old Sarasota, Florida resident who had exited the vehicle on his own. "While approaching the semi, Trooper Titus learned that the trailer was loaded with animals from the Shrine Circus. Trooper Titus and Grant County Deputy Joshua Kennedy entered the trailer and were able to rescue the animals," Indiana State Police Sergeant Steven Glass said in a press release. "Trooper Titus, Deputy Kennedy and a member of the Shrine Circus rescued five zebras, four camels, and a miniature horse. Additional officers on the scene were able to secure all the animals until other trucks from the Shrine Circus arrived." Firefighters put out the blaze and crews cleaned up the scene. Traffic was rerouted from Interstate 69 northbound to State Road 22 at the 259 mile marker until the interstate highway was fully reopened at 6:30 a.m. Saturday. "The preliminary crash investigation by Trooper James Wilkison revealed that an equipment failure was the cause of the fire," Glass said. Titus and Kennedy went to a local hospital to be treated for for smoke inhalation. They were released without any further injury. The driver and animals were all uninjured in the blaze. The Indiana State Police Peru Post, the Indiana State Police Fort Wayne Post, Indiana State Police Pendleton Post, the Marion Police Department, Markel Police Department, Warren Police Department, Grant County Sheriffs Office, Upland Volunteer Fire Department, Matthews Volunteer Fire Department, Indiana Department of Transportation, Losures Towing and Marion Health all responded to the call. The Class UFC Gym in Winfield will have a grand opening Saturday with top welterweight UFC title contender Belal Muhammad. Muhammad, a Chicago-based fighter with a 23-3 record in the mixed martial arts, will do a meet-and-greet and teach a class at the grand opening, which will take place from 12 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the gym at 10660 Randolph St. in Winfield. The high-end gym focuses on classes, specializing in boutique boxing conditioning, kickboxing and HIIT, or High Intensity Interval Training. Manager Hannah Elliott said it's more akin to an Orange Theory than the boxing or mixed martial arts gym one might expect from the name. "We use Myzone Fit Metrics, which track your workout and connect you to an app," she said. "It's like Orange Theory where they track you the same way and you burn the most calories and sweat the most when you're in the orange." The owners also own the Class UFC Gym on Calumet Avenue in Munster. There also was an unaffiliated UFC Gym in Merrillville that closed. "We are an affiliated class-based gym that's mostly focused on conditioning," she said. "There's also sparring. We hold classes for boxing, kickboxing and high interval cardio and strength classes. We have circuit training and one-on-one time with coaches." Most classes run 60 minutes per session. People can get coached by active MMA fighters or trainers who help them reach their fitness goals, whether getting in shape, losing weight or recovering. Classes run from 5:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays. Class UFC Gym also has open gym times between 12 and 4 p.m. during the week. People can come in and work out outside of classes, such as by punching a heavy bag, rowing, cycling, lifting weights or practicing fundamentals. It has classes like Muay Thai, cycling and a coach's choice day on the weekend. "You can get a day pass to come in and learn techniques and fundamentals," she said. "Our coaches will push you. There's no downtime. They push you hard and you feel accomplished. It's a good workout you feel for days. It will help you get in shape again. We focus on conditioning and fundamentals." The grand opening event will have a taco truck, an ice cream vendor, a bounce house, a bakery, an artisan jewelry maker and fitness clothing for sale. It will feature a motorcycle club, balloon animals, Jersey Mike's and Muse Med Spa. People will be able to buy sparring gloves and have Muhammad sign them. There will be discounted memberships and giveaways. "It's an open house where people can come in to see how we operate," she said. "The facility itself is impressive and high-end. It will be an amazing experience." Class UFC Gym offers monthly membership and multi-class passes. It gives discounts to teachers, first responders and veterans. For more information, call 219-252-9812 or visit www.classufcgym.com/locations/winfield/. Pierogi Fest in Whiting is the first festival from Northwest Indiana to be featured on the cover of the Indiana Festival Guide, a widely distributed tourist brochure. The statewide booklet is a staple at rest stops, museums, hotels and tourist attractions across the Hoosier State. A half million copies of the 116-page publication are distributed at 1,200 locations across Indiana. We are proud to earn the distinction of the front cover," said Tom Dabertin, chairman and co-founder of Pierogi Fest. "Pierogi Fest has won a number of accolades as one of the best festivals in the nation; the front cover is a confirmation of the hard work that more than 600 volunteers undertake annually to make it a success." The Indiana Festival Guide is distributed across all 92 counties in Indiana, from Lake Michigan to the Ohio River and from Terre Haute to Richmond. It tells people about festivals, fairs, gatherings and special events like the 500 Festival, the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival, the Fort Wayne Water Lantern Festival and the Lotus Music and Art Festival in Bloomington. This is the first time a festival in Northwest Indiana has ever been featured on the front cover," said Heather Becerra, chief marketing officer of the South Shore CVA and associate board member of the Indiana State Festivals Association. "Each year an event from a different region of the state is showcased. The covers have already been approved through 2030. The next opportunity for a Northern Indiana festival to be featured wont be until 2036. This is a great opportunity to highlight one of the most unique festivals in all the Midwest. Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, Pierogi Fest will take place from July 26 to July 28 this year. More than 75 food booths will serve pierogi, halupki, buttered noodles, Polish sausage and 1,200 other menu items along 119th Street in downtown Whiting. It kicks off with the polka parade featuring Mr. Pierogi, the buscias and the Precision Lawnmower Drill Team. The weekend-long festival features seven live entertainment stages, two beer gardens and 55 arts and crafts vendors. A copy of the Indiana Festival Guide is available at 7770 Corinne Drive in Hammond For more information, visit www.indianafestivals.org. The public can weigh in on how much air pollution the BP Whiting Refinery is allowed to emit. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management will host a public hearing on the refinery's Title V air permit renewal at 6 p.m. on February 8 at the East Chicago Central High School Auditorium at 1100 W Columbus Dr. in East Chicago. East Chicago is one of the three lakefront communities in North Lake County the massive refinery sprawls into, along with Hammond and of course Whiting. "IDEM staff will describe the draft air permit and answer questions from citizens in an informal setting," IDEM said in a press release. "The public meeting will not include formal presentations, but will give the public an opportunity to ask questions, make statements, and discuss air pollution concerns with IDEM staff." The public hearing comes on the heels of two valve leaks that emitted toxic vapors at the BP Whiting Refinery, filling Whiting and surrounding communities with foul odors. Dirty gas oil was spilled in the tank farm last week as a result of low temperatures that caused the valve to freeze and crack, according to IDEM. The spill gave out benzene and hydrogen sulfide vapors. Both are toxic and benzene is a carcinogen, according to the National Cancer Institute. Then on Tuesday, liquified petroleum gas was spilled as a result of an equipment failure from a second tank, releasing hydrogen sulfide vapor into the air. The public hearing could be rescheduled in the event on inclement weather. For more information, visit www.in.gov/idem/public-notices/. A woman was arrested in connection with an inmate death in southern Indiana. Sarah J. Shipman, a 31-year-old Bloomington resident, turned herself into the Orange County Jail after an arrest warrant was issued on preliminary charges of Dealing in a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death, Dealing a Schedule 1 in a Penal of Juvenile Facility, Trafficking with an Inmate and OWI (Prior). Shipman was arrested after an Indiana State Police investigation into the death of an inmate in the Orange County Jail in Paoli in Southern Indiana on Dec. 30. Jeanne Ross, a 54-year-old Mooresville resident, was found unresponsive when jail officers went to drop off her breakfast. They started providing medical assistance and called for emergency medical technicians but were unable to revive her. The Orange County Coroner's Officer pronounced Ross dead at the scene. She had been transferred over from the Hendricks County Jail on Dec. 26 on a warrant for failure to appear. She is being held on a $500,000 bond. Mimi Burke leaned down next to her daughter's wheelchair. "This is all for you, Sophia, Burke whispered into her ear. This tender exchange took place on Sophias 15th birthday just before her quinceanera, the traditional coming-of-age celebration for Latinas. Sophia reacted in the only way her frail body would allow. She smiled, bigger than usual, and opened her eyes as wide as possible. Not a word was spoken. Not a word has been spoken by Sophia since she was a young girl. Her mother has been her voice, her cheerleader and her round-the-clock caregiver. Sophia is now 21 despite doctors warnings that she would not live past childhood. She was diagnosed as a toddler with Rett syndrome, a rare genetic mutation affecting brain development in girls. Shes essentially trapped inside a body which refuses to function. A business card-like handout that Sophia gave to strangers explains her situation as an awful neurological disorder that messes up everything I try to do. I cannot talk, use my hands or move around very well, but I can hear you. I understand. I am smart. Shes very smart but doesnt understand why the state of Indiana is slashing a Medicaid program to help provide financial assistance to her mother for her daily care, particularly the dissolution of Legally Responsible Individuals, parents of minor children or spouses. Sophia communicates her thoughts through an eye-gaze communication device called Tobii. Or by saying yes through looking into her mothers eyes, or no by looking away. Burke knows every nuance about her daughter, whos the size of a 10-year-old child and is one of the most vulnerable humans youd ever meet. Why does Indiana, with a $3 billion surplus, want to turn their backs on their most vulnerable Hoosiers? her mother asked. We are not thriving on this program, we are surviving. Burke is an attendant caregiver for Sophia under Medicaids Aged and Disabled Waiver. She is compensated for the healthcare services she gives her daughter. Medicaid pays her employer, Guardian Care, a home health agency, which takes their administrative portion and then pays Burke an hourly wage. My hourly wage is about what I would make at Target or McDonalds, Burke said. I am not paid while Sophia is in a doctors appointment, or while hospitalized. If anyone else is being paid to care for Sophia, I am not. I am off the clock. Literally. Burke has been a paid caregiver since just a few months ago after waiting almost a year for acceptance into the program. Background check, paid time off-hours, employer sponsored health insurance, paycheck stubs, an employee handbook, an app to clock in/out its a job, she said. Compensation for her job will drastically drop, possibly in less than 30 days, if Indiana proceeds as planned with changing the attendant care program designed to pay parents who care for their children with disabilities. Last year, a nearly $1 billion budget shortfall emerged from the states Family and Social Services Administration, prompting the program change. When this news was announced, Hoosiers who depend on this program began protesting across the state, including in Northwest Indiana. State Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso, is chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Provider Services. He issued a release last week to clarify Medicaids contentious initiatives after speaking with FSSA to clarify how these new strategies will be implemented. While no new LRIs are allowed to begin providing attendant care services, families currently utilizing LRI-provided attendant care will have until July 1 to transition to the service of structured family caregiving or to plan for a non-LRI to provide attendant care, he said. Families looking to transition have several options. For those who would like to continue receiving attendant care after July 1, the care must be provided by a person who is not an LRI, such as an aunt or cousin. It can also be an unrelated person who is employed by the provider agency. Some Hoosier families have abused the program, milking it for more than they deserved. The abuse attracted out-of-state residents to move to Indiana for access to this specific Medicaid waiver. As with any government program, misuse and lack of proper oversight are key factors. But many families are facing homelessness, food scarcity, utilizing food stamps, repossession of handicapped equipped vehicles, or losing their only job with this change, Burke said. Charbonneau said those caregivers who would like to continue having their paid care provided by an LRI can use a different model called Structured Family Caregiving, reimbursed by a daily amount instead of an hourly wage. This would allow for more movement between daily life and care needs. The caregivers in this Region that I spoke with disagree. I wholeheartedly believe that the program needed adjusted but to completely eradicate it has been devastating, one mother told me. With very short notice, many of these families will now be homeless with medically fragile children. Her young son was diagnosed with Hunter syndrome, a rare, genetic condition that occurs almost exclusively in males. Life expectancy is 10 to 20 years old for boys like him. She has dedicated her life to caring for him and currently receives between $10 to $15 an hour from the state for his respite care. When we applied we were told that this wouldnt change, she said. I had to quit my job with no job lined up in order to care for my medically complex child. Under the proposed program change to Structured Family Caregiving she would receive about $35 a day, she said. This sudden change would be devastating for thousands of medically complex individuals in the state, she said. Burkes daughter could be the poster child for this potentially dire situation. Attendant care helps me give Sophia a better life, Burke said. I cannot hold a job outside my home. Even if we do acquire a home nurse, if they are ill or quit we have no backup care. A nurse cannot take Sophia to see the dozen-plus specialists she has in two states. Once again, Burke is needed to be a voice for the voiceless, not only for her daughter but for thousands of other Hoosiers in her situation. "This is all for you, she told her daughter. Over this past Thanksgiving holiday, Timothy Craig Braun and Peter David Arnold broke the news to their 19-year-old fraternal twin daughters: After 25 years together, they were finally getting married. It was a surprise announcement since the couple, who live in Montclair, N.J., had always told their daughters that they were already married. I was overcome with emotion and super happy for them, said Beatrice Braun-Arnold, who is a sophomore at Denison University in Ohio. She said that the family had some open conversations in the following days, leaving them all feeling better. It was an eventful Thanksgiving, to say the least, she said. Her sister, Liliane Braun-Arnold, a sophomore at Smith College in Massachusetts, said she had an idea that her fathers were not married. They were very adamant about being each others partners, not each others husbands, she said. Furthermore, when New York legalized same-sex marriage in 2011, she said, I overheard my parents talk about if they should get married. Ukraines foreign ministry criticized HBO this week after Milos Bikovic was cast in the third season of The White Lotus, saying without evidence that the Serbian actor had supported Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. HBO announced on Jan. 12 that Bikovic, 36, would be joining the dark comedy about wealthy tourists at island resorts. On Wednesday, the foreign ministry of Ukraine made the accusations against Bikovic on social media, writing, HBO, is it all right for you to work with a person who supports genocide & violates international law? Bikovic was awarded the Pushkin Medal, which honors contributions to Russian arts and culture, by President Vladimir V. Putin in 2018 and received Russian citizenship by presidential decree in 2021. In February 2022, the day after the invasion began, Bikovic said on Instagram that he wished the war had not happened. War and bloodshed on any side reminds us of how far humanity is from global unity and love, he wrote in Russian and Serbian. God save the lives of all those who are now in danger! CAIRO/AMMAN/GAZA, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Arab countries and bloc on Sunday slammed the recent Western suspension of funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), a UN body providing essential services to Palestinian refugees, as "irresponsible," saying it would further impact the already vulnerable Palestinians. Warning against the decision as a "collective punishment" on the Palestinians, Arab League (AL) Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said, "This campaign is not new, and the desire to liquidate the work of the agency that serves millions of Palestinian refugees has been repeated in different forms over the past years," according to a statement by the Cairo-based pan-Arab bloc. It came as six European countries, including Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Finland, on Saturday joined the United States, Australia and Canada in pausing funding to the UNRWA after Israel accused several employees of the UN agency of suspected involvement in the Hamas attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The AL chief lamented that key Western contributors just suspended their funding for the agency "at this dangerous stage" over mere accusations against a limited number of individuals among such a large number of UNRWA employees. He added that the goal of the Western campaign against the UNRWA is "to push the international community to abandon its responsibilities in providing relief to the Palestinian refugees." Earlier in the day, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry held phone talks with UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, during which Shoukry expressed Egypt's full support for the UN relief agency. "The attempts to target the UNRWA at this difficult time and to limit its ability to carry out its tasks in Gaza exacerbate the dangerous effects of the policy of siege, starvation and collective punishment that Israel imposes on the Palestinians," a statement by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry quoted Shoukry as saying. For his part, Lazzarini regretted the Western suspension of UNRWA funding amid "the current humanitarian crisis that the Palestinians are suffering from in Gaza." Meanwhile, the Palestinian presidency said Sunday that the campaign led by Israel against the UNRWA aims to liquidate the Palestinian refugee issue, urging the countries that announced a UNRWA funding pause to reconsider their decisions. "The refugee issue is the essence of the Palestinian cause, for which dozens of UN resolutions have been adopted," the presidency said in a statement, emphasizing that suspending support for the UNRWA "would punish millions of our people unjustly, especially as they were displaced from their land since 1948, and Israel continues to commit crimes against them, including its recent attacks in the Gaza Strip." Also on Sunday, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said on social media platform X that "the UNRWA is the lifeline for the over 2 million Palestinians facing starvation in Gaza." "It (the UNRWA) should not be collectively punished upon allegations against 12 persons out of its 13,000 staff," said Safadi. "The UNRWA acted responsibly and began an investigation, and we urge countries that suspended funds to reverse their decisions." Currently, some 5.9 million Palestinian refugees are eligible for the UNRWA services in its areas of operations, which include Jordan, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and the West Bank, according to the UN agency. "It is clear that this decision came as part of the efforts to place more pressure on the UN, and it seeks to add further obstacles to providing aid to the Palestinians," Jordanian economist Hosam Ayesh said. "It is the defenseless refugees who will suffer at all levels, as they rely heavily on health and education services as well as food support from the agency," Ayesh added. The U.S. decision is unjustified, as it's based merely on allegations at this stage, said Raed Omari, Jordanian political analyst and a senior political editor at the Jordan Press Foundation, adding that millions of Palestinians will suffer because of this "irresponsible decision." Rabbi Aliza Erber, 80, stood at the edge of a pier in Lower Manhattan and told those around her to draw closer and to look out toward the Brooklyn Bridge. A few seconds later, there it was: a portrait of her face projected onto the bridge, against the backdrop of the Brooklyn skyline, along with her own words. It was not okay then, its not okay now. She took in the moment, mesmerized. Thats me, she said, her eyes shining. Thats me. Rabbi Erber is a Holocaust survivor who was hidden in a forest in the Netherlands as a baby during World War II. Standing alongside her on Saturday evening was Gillian Laub, a multimedia artist, who had orchestrated a sweeping public art project that unfurled across Manhattan and Brooklyn. METROPOLITAN A picture caption with an article on Jan. 21 about the former boxer Mike Tysons move into the cannabis market in New York misstated the year of the bout in which Mr. Tyson bit Evander Holyfields ear. As the article correctly notes, it was 1997, not 1987. SUNDAY BUSINESS The Strategies column last Sunday, about the effect of the stock markets peak on long-term investors, misstated how much $1,000 invested in a Vanguard S&P 500 index fund on its first day in 1976 would have grown through November. It would have increased by $161,454, not $16,145,400. SUNDAY STYLES An article on Jan. 14 about the supermodel Beverly Johnson referred incorrectly to Ms. Johnsons time at Northeastern University. Before dropping out at 18, she studied criminal justice, not law. MAGAZINE An article on Page 7 this weekend about the Calvin Klein underwear ad campaign featuring the actor Jeremy Allen White misspells the surname of an actress in The Bear. She is Ayo Edebiri, not Edibiri. American-led negotiators are edging closer to an agreement in which Israel would suspend its war in Gaza for about two months in exchange for the release of more than 100 hostages still held by Hamas, a deal that could be sealed in the next two weeks and would transform the conflict consuming the region. Negotiators have developed a written draft agreement merging proposals offered by Israel and Hamas in the last 10 days into a basic framework that will be the subject of talks in Paris on Sunday. While there are still important disagreements to be worked out, negotiators are cautiously optimistic that a final accord is within reach, according to U.S. officials who insisted on anonymity to discuss sensitive talks. President Biden spoke by phone separately Friday with the leaders of Egypt and Qatar, who have served as intermediaries with Hamas, to narrow the remaining differences. He is also sending his C.I.A. director, William J. Burns, to Paris for Sundays talks with Israeli, Egyptian and Qatari officials. If Mr. Burns makes enough progress, Mr. Biden may then send his Middle East coordinator, Brett McGurk, who just returned to Washington, back to the region to help finalize the agreement. Both leaders affirmed that a hostage deal is central to establishing a prolonged humanitarian pause in the fighting and ensure additional lifesaving humanitarian assistance reaches civilians in need throughout Gaza, the White House said in a statement Friday night summarizing the presidents conversation with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, Qatars prime minister. They underscored the urgency of the situation and welcomed the close cooperation among their teams to advance recent discussions. A bogus account of a shooting at a South Carolina home owned by Nikki Haley sent the authorities scrambling in late December, but the Republican presidential candidate and a former governor of the state, was not there at the time, Reuters reported on Saturday. The news service published details about the Dec. 30 swatting incident at Ms. Haleys home on Kiawah Island, S.C., one intended to draw a heavily armed law enforcement response. Reuters obtained the information as part of a public records request, which included an email from Craig Harris, the towns public safety director, discussing the incident with local officials. The email said that an unknown person had called 911 and claimed to have shot his girlfriend and threatened to harm himself while at the residence of Nikki Haley. The case remains under investigation, according to the email, which did not discuss a motive for the call. The details of the incident took nearly a month to emerge, a stark contrast to a series of high-profile swatting attempts that targeted politicians and government buildings in late December and early January. Hoping to revitalize the momentum that propelled him to the White House, President Biden told a largely Black audience on Saturday night that youre the reason Donald Trump is a defeated former president, in what was effectively his first appearance related to the Democratic primaries. Mr. Biden made clear in his remarks at a South Carolina Democratic Party dinner in Columbia, S.C., that he viewed the forthcoming week as not just a contest but a pivotal moment to energize a frustrated base of Black voters across the nation. And in the run-up to the states Feb. 3 Democratic presidential primary, which the partys national committee selected last year to be the first in the nation, Democrats believe they have entered an opportune time. With former President Donald J. Trump having won both the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary for the Republican nomination, Mr. Bidens allies plan to emphasize not just the presidents record but also the urgency of the moment: The general election effectively starts now, they say. He has made it known what hes going to do if he gets back into office, Representative James E. Clyburn, Democrat of South Carolina, said of Mr. Trump in an interview. And to see that blooming as a possibility and see him running as well as he is in the polls, Im concerned about it. Germany, Britain and at least four other countries said Saturday they were suspending funding for the United Nations agency that provides food, water and essential services for Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip, many of whom have been described as being on the brink of starvation after 16 weeks of war between Israel and Hamas. The countries joined the United States, which said on Friday it would withhold funding for the group, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, or UNRWA, after a dozen of its employees were accused by Israel of participating in the Oct. 7 attacks. The United Nations has not made public the details of the accusations against the UNRWA employees, who have been fired, but a senior U.N. official briefed on the accusations called them extremely serious and horrific. The Israeli military said in a statement Saturday that its intelligence services had compiled a case incriminating several UNRWA employees for their alleged involvement in the massacre, along with evidence pointing to the use of UNRWA facilities for terrorist purposes. It did not elaborate on what that involvement entailed. The 2024 awards season has felt unusually hectic so far, thanks to the strike-delayed Emmy Awards shifting from their usual fall airdate to January. To help make sense of it all and unpack the discombobulated state of Hollywood now these five podcasts offer a mixture of expert analysis and predictions for the major ceremonies, original reporting on the industry trends and behind-the-scenes machinations that influence voting, and reflections on Oscar front-runners of the past that probably shouldnt have been. This Vanity Fair series debuted in 2015, which means its been on hand to chronicle some of the weirdest moments in Academy history, like the 2017 Best Picture flub (when La La Land" was mistakenly announced as the winner instead of Moonlight), 2021s muted Covid-era ceremony held in a cavernous Los Angeles train station, and the slap heard around the world in 2022. But even when theres nothing quite so unusual going on, the analysis here always makes awards season more interesting. Hosted by the Vanity Fair journalists Katey Rich, Richard Lawson David Canfield and Rebecca Ford, the conversation is always exhaustive and packed with expertise, exploring not just the contenders for Hollywoods top prizes, but also the campaigning and strategizing that shape the race. Since many Oscar journeys begin at film festivals such as Sundance, Cannes, Venice and Toronto, theres no shortage of news and releases to cover year round, not to mention interviews; recent guests have included Andrew Scott (All of Us Strangers), Emma Stone (Poor Things) and Greta Lee (Past Lives). Starter episode: Oscar Voters, Start Your Engines Theres a peculiar category of film that debuts with great fanfare, attracts plenty of awards buzz, and then fades from the cultural consciousness without a trace (and no awards). Not all of the films discussed on This Had Oscar Buzz fall into that bracket, but, as the title suggests, the focus is on the movies that had that buzzy aura around them, at least for a while. An early episode about Cake, a 2014 movie starring Jennifer Aniston as a woman living with chronic pain, exemplifies what works so well about this format Aniston was lauded for her playing-against-type performance and campaigned intensely during that awards season, but was famously snubbed on Oscar nomination morning. The hosts, Joe Reid and Chris Feil, dont belittle either the performance or the hustle, but rather use the hype around Cake as a jumping-off point to discuss Anistons career and celebrity more broadly, alongside the ins and outs of how exactly buzz gets built in the first place. Starter episode: Alexander (With David Sims) Though not a traditional awards season podcast with predictions or play-by-play recaps, The Town is an invaluable resource for anyone hoping to understand the upheaval in Hollywood. Delivered in snappy episodes that clock in around 30 minutes, Matthew Belloni, a former editor of The Hollywood Reporter and a founding partner of the digital media company Puck, shares insights and exclusive reporting on the industry, whether the issue is last years monthslong writers and actors strikes, Disneys succession woes or the cost-of-streaming crisis. In a recent episode, Belloni and Brooks Barnes, a Hollywood correspondent for The New York Times, went deep on the current state of the unkillable Golden Globes, which returned last year after a hiatus sparked by controversy surrounding its now-defunct unorthodox voting body, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Traditionally the first awards show on the calendar and the most chaotic the Globes have proved to have more staying power than many predicted, and this analysis is a good resource for anybody wondering why. In 2018, Anna-Lisa Miller was working with agricultural cooperatives in Hawaii, helping them reinvest in their communities through shared ownership. Ms. Miller, who had gone to law school and had planned to do civil rights litigation, loved the principle of workers partaking in the financial success of their employers, and the next year joined Project Equity, a nonprofit that helps small businesses transition to worker ownership. But it was slow going, with each transaction requiring customized assistance. Then she came across an investor presentation from a different universe: KKR, one of the worlds largest private equity firms. In it, a KKR executive, Pete Stavros, discussed a model he had been developing to provide employees with an equity stake in companies it purchased, so the workers would reap some benefits if it was flipped for a profit. When all goes according to plan, KKR doesnt give up a penny of profit, since newly motivated workers benefit the companys bottom line, elevating the eventual sale price by more than what KKR gives up. In 2021, the two met up to talk about the idea. By that time, Mr. Stavros had decided to start an organization to promote his model more broadly, hoping to reach the 12 million people who work for companies that private equity firms own. Ms. Miller saw it as a way to move much faster. Jump to: Todays Theme | Tricky Clues MONDAY PUZZLE Its back to the early-week puzzles for me. Delightful as it was to guest-star on Caitlin Lovingers column for the weekend, I forgot that it required solving weekend crosswords. I admit I breathed a sigh of relief when todays first clue was a simple four-letter word for Completely enthralled (1A); I was RAPT in no time. This crossword is the second published collaboration by Garrett Chalfin and Andrew Kingsley in The New York Times. Their first, in May 2023, was a Thursday puzzle that featured split peas (words with double Ps, split down the pair). This grid may not have the complexity of their last one but is loaded with whimsy. Like the Cheshire cat smiling down at us from a tree in Alices Wonderland, the puzzle promises mischief and delivers. Good morning. Time was, a goodly part of my correspondence was with readers annoyed with me or with The New York Times for publishing recipes calling for ingredients unavailable to them, either for reasons of geography or because they didnt wish to stray beyond the aisles of their local supermarket. Online shopping and better supermarkets changed all that. You can have oyster sauce shipped to your small town or your corner of a large city, and find mullein-leaf tea, tubs of Vegemite and egusi seeds, too. I had a hankering for a St. Louis-style pizza. I didnt have to fly to Lambert Field. Two or three clicks on the laptop and the mail carrier soon brought me a few pounds of the Provel cheese necessary to make it. Todays shopping: cassareep, a Guyanese syrup of boiled cassava root, savory-sweet, like a cross between molasses and Worcestershire sauce. Its a crucial ingredient in one of Guyanas most beloved dishes, pepperpot (above), which Millie Peartree brought to New York Times Cooking this week. Of course you can buy cassareep online, but if theres a Caribbean market where you are, its most likely stocked there as well. Browned into beef chuck, it makes for a lovely stew: spicy, fragrant, slightly sweet and sticky. Millie serves it with sliced white bread. I think thats lovely. A screenshot taken from a video shows Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga, Malian minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization, and spokesperson for the transitional government of Mali, reading a joint statement in the television news of Malian television (ORTM), Jan. 28, 2024. Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger are no longer members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), military officials of the three countries decided in a joint statement read this Sunday in the television news of Malian television (ORTM). (Xinhua) BAMAKO, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger are no longer members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), military officials of the three countries decided in a joint statement read this Sunday in the television news of Malian television (ORTM). On the Malian side, the press release was read by Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga, Malian minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization, and spokesperson for the transitional government of Mali. According to him, this decision was taken in "full sovereignty" by Ibrahim Traore, president of the Transition of Burkina Faso, Colonel Assimi Goita, interim president of Mali, and Brigadier General Abdourahamane Tchiani, president of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland of Niger, they decided to take "all their responsibility before history" by responding "to the expectations, concerns and aspirations of their populations." ECOWAS was founded in 1975 with a mission to promote economic integration in all fields of economic activities, particularly industry, transport, telecommunications, energy, agriculture, natural resources, commerce, monetary and financial questions, and social and cultural matters. To demand a return to constitutional order, ECOWAS, with headquarters in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, has imposed drastic sanctions on the three countries since the military took power in the three countries. He did not go to jail, and has not lost his grip on the race for the Republican presidential nomination, but a jurys verdict in a civil defamation trial last week nonetheless hit Donald J. Trump where it hurts: his wallet. The jurys decision to award $83.3 million to E. Jean Carroll came at an inopportune moment for the former president, who might soon face another large penalty from a civil fraud case brought by the New York attorney general, Letitia James. Mr. Trump and his family business are bracing for the judge in that case to impose a punishment in the coming weeks that could reach hundreds of millions of dollars. Together, the judgments might deliver a punishing one-two punch to the former president, a financial threat unlike any he has experienced in decades. The payouts would hardly raise the specter of bankruptcy for a man who estimates his net worth the subject of much debate in the billions. And they pose no risk to his freedom, unlike his four criminal indictments. But they could erode some of his financial cushion and force him to sell various assets, a New York Times review of his financial records and interviews with people close to him show. Over the past month, weve watched an astonishing, high-stakes global drama play out in The Hague. A group of countries from the poorer, less powerful bloc some call the global south, led by South Africa, dragged the government of Israel and, by extension, its rich, powerful allies into the top court of the Western rules-based order and accused Israel of prosecuting a brutal war in Gaza that is genocidal in character. The responses to this presentation from the leading nations of that order were quick and blunt. Completely unjustified and wrong, said a statement from Rishi Sunak, Britains prime minister. Meritless, counterproductive and completely without any basis in fact whatsoever, said John Kirby, a spokesman for the United States National Security Council. The accusation has no basis in fact, a German government spokesman said, adding that Germany opposed the political instrumentalization of the genocide statute. Dr. Andrews, who was the first female dean of Duke Medical School and until last year the board chair of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, looked up the list of federal discrimination complaints filed against colleges and universities since the start of 2022. The vast majority 80 percent were against universities led by women, even though just 30 percent of colleges and universities nationwide have female presidents. Of the seven complaints filed in the weeks after the war began, all were seeking investigations of schools led by women. Then four presidents were summoned by Congress, under threat of subpoena, to answer for what Republicans called the rampant antisemitism engulfing their campuses. All were women: Elizabeth Magill of the University of Pennsylvania, Claudine Gay of Harvard, Sally Kornbluth of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Minouche Shafik of Columbia, who escaped to a prior commitment outside the country. This was the day that President Biden and his team had feared for more than three months, the day that relatively low-level attacks by Iranian proxy groups on American troops in the Middle East turned deadly and intensified the pressure on the president to respond in kind. With three American service members killed and two dozen more injured by a drone in Jordan, Mr. Biden must decide how far he is willing to go in terms of retaliation at the risk of a wider war that he has sought to avoid ever since the Oct. 7 terrorist attack by Hamas touched off the current Middle East crisis. Until now, the president had carefully calibrated his responses to the more than 150 attacks by Iranian-backed militias on American forces in the region since Oct. 7. He essentially ignored the majority that were successfully intercepted or did little to no damage while authorizing limited U.S. strikes focused mainly on buildings, weapons and infrastructure after attacks that were more brazen, most notably against the Houthis in Yemen who have targeted shipping in the Red Sea. The first deaths of American troops under fire, however, will require a different level of response, American officials said, and the presidents advisers were in consensus about that as they consulted with him by secure videoconference on Sunday. What remained unclear was whether Mr. Biden would strike targets inside Iran itself, as his Republican critics urged him to do, saying he would be a coward if he did not, as one put it. More than 1,000 Black pastors representing hundreds of thousands of congregants nationwide have issued the demand. In sit-down meetings with White House officials, and through open letters and advertisements, ministers have made a moral case for President Biden and his administration to press Israel to stop its offensive operations in Gaza, which have killed thousands of civilians. They are also calling for the release of hostages held by Hamas and an end to Israels occupation of the West Bank. The effort at persuasion also carries a political warning, detailed in interviews with a dozen Black faith leaders and their allies. Many of their parishioners, these pastors said, are so dismayed by the presidents posture toward the war that their support for his re-election bid could be imperiled. Nikki Haley, searching for a message to dent Donald J. Trumps appeal with Republican voters, took him to task on Sunday for the $83 million verdict for defaming a woman he was already liable for sexually assaulting, saying she absolutely trusted the jurys judgment for the writer, E. Jean Carroll. Her defense of the jurys verdict went against Mr. Trumps claims that the legal cases against him amounted to a conspiratorial attack by Democrats determined to stop his political comeback, not legitimate legal claims of malfeasance. But she stopped short of saying the New York civil verdict and award disqualified him from returning to the presidency, leaving that judgment to the voters. Four weeks before what could be the decisive Republican primary in South Carolina, Ms. Haley is trying to navigate an extremely narrow and treacherous path, finding a way to diminish Mr. Trumps hold on the partys electorate without decisively turning conservative voters against her the way they have destroyed other Trump critics. In her most recent campaign swings through South Carolina, she has continued to avoid dwelling on his legal troubles or criminal charges. But she has ratcheted up her criticism of his mental and physical agility, challenged him to debate her and argued he is spending more time in the courtroom than on the campaign trail. House Republicans on Sunday released two articles of impeachment against Alejandro N. Mayorkas, the homeland security secretary, charging President Bidens top immigration official with refusing to uphold the law and breaching the public trust in his handling of a surge of migration at the U.S. border with Mexico. Leaders of the House Homeland Security Committee laid out their case against Mr. Mayorkas ahead of a Tuesday meeting to approve the charges, paving the way for a quick House vote as soon as early next month to impeach him. It would be the culmination of Republicans attacks on Mr. Bidens immigration policies and an extraordinary move given an emerging consensus among legal scholars that Mr. Mayorkass actions do not constitute high crimes and misdemeanors. The push comes as House Republicans, egged on by former President Donald J. Trump, dig in against a bipartisan border compromise Mr. Mayorkas helped to negotiate with a group of senators, which Mr. Biden has vowed to sign. House G.O.P. lawmakers have dismissed the agreement as too weak and argued that they cannot trust Mr. Biden to crack down on migration now when he has failed to in the past. The charges against Mr. Mayorkas, should they be approved by the full House, are all but certain to fizzle in the Democratic-led Senate, where Mr. Mayorkas would stand trial and a two-thirds majority would be needed to convict and remove him. But the process would yield a remarkable election-year political spectacle, effectively putting Mr. Bidens immigration record on trial as Mr. Trump, who has made a border crackdown his signature issue, seeks to clinch the Republican presidential nomination to run against him. He shook his head in anger, sitting with his back hunched. He spoke to his lawyers, his words sometimes quite audible to the packed courtroom. He wrote instructions for his defense team that he shoved their way. He walked in late at one point, and at another, while a lawyer suing him was speaking to the jury, he stalked out. Former President Donald J. Trumps behavior as he attended the defamation trial that ended on Friday with a jury ordering him to pay $83.3 million to the writer E. Jean Carroll and his similar conduct in a pending civil case in New York showcased his disdain both for a legal system seeking to hold him accountable and for the protocols of courtrooms where he has little control. His use of the defense table as a stage also provided clues to the public, and a reminder to his own legal team, of how he might handle himself if and when any of the four criminal cases he is facing go to trial. In all of those cases he will be required to be present throughout the proceedings, unlike in the Carroll case or the New York attorney generals case accusing him of business fraud, both civil trials in which he was free to attend or not as he wished. Even as he was moving toward wrapping up the Republican presidential nomination, Mr. Trump appeared at five days of the Carroll trial in the cavernous, wood-paneled federal courtroom in Manhattan of Judge Lewis A. Kaplan, a veteran, no-nonsense jurist who has handled notable terrorism cases. And in recent months he sat for many days of the trial a few blocks away at 60 Centre Street, where Justice Arthur F. Engoron of State Supreme Court oversaw the fraud trial against Mr. Trump and his company. Finlands presidential election is headed for a runoff after no candidate secured a majority in Sundays closely watched vote, which came as NATOs newest member faces the threat of an antagonistic Russia. Alexander Stubb and Pekka Haavisto both familiar faces with strong foreign policy credentials were the top two finishers on Sunday, when voters braved near-freezing temperatures and icy sidewalks to cast their ballots. With 99.9 percent of the votes counted, Mr. Stubb had garnered 27.2 percent and Mr. Haavisto 25.8 percent, setting the two men up to face off in a second round on Feb. 11. The victor will become Finlands first new head of state in 12 years: The wildly popular president, Sauli Niinisto, has served two terms and is ineligible to run again. Two protesters from an environmental group hurled pumpkin-colored soup on the Mona Lisa at the Louvre museum in Paris on Sunday, splashing the bulletproof glass that protects the most famous painting in the world, but not apparently damaging the work itself. As the customary crowd around the 16th-century painting by Leonardo da Vinci gasped in shock, the protesters, two young women, followed up their attack by passing under a barrier and standing on either side of the artwork, hands raised in an apparent salute. What is more important? Art or the right to have a healthy and sustainable food system? the activists said, speaking in French. Our agricultural system is sick. They were led away by Louvre security guards. It was not immediately clear how the women got the soup through the elaborate security system at the museum, which borders the Seine and contains a vast art and archaeological collection spanning civilizations and centuries. When Russian troops and tanks invaded Ukraine in February 2022, tens of thousands of Ukrainians rushed to serve in the army in a surge of patriotic fervor. The influx of fighters who dutifully answered their draft notices or enlisted as volunteers helped to repel Russias initial assault and thwart the Kremlins plans to decapitate the Ukrainian government. But after nearly two years of bloody fighting, and with Ukraine once again in need of fresh troops to fend off a new Russian push, military leaders can no longer rely solely on enthusiasm. More men are avoiding military service, while calls to demobilize exhausted frontline soldiers have grown. The change in mood has been particularly evident in the heated debates over a new mobilization bill that could lead to drafting up to 500,000 troops. The bill was introduced in Parliament last month only to be quickly withdrawn for revision. The bill has catalyzed discontent in Ukrainian society about the army recruitment process, which has been denounced as riddled with corruption and increasingly aggressive. Many lawmakers have said that some of its provisions, like barring draft dodgers from buying real estate, could violate human rights. Israels accusations that a dozen United Nations workers in Gaza had participated in the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attacks have prompted some donor nations to re-evaluate their commitments to the agency that provides food, water and other essential services to Palestinian civilians. The United Nations said on Friday that it had fired the accused workers from the agency, known as UNRWA, and opened an investigation. Some countries have responded by suspending funding to UNRWA, while others have said they will maintain their support. Here is a look the steps announced by some leading donors, ranked according to the amount they have pledged: United States: Suspending funding. The United States is the agencys largest donor, having pledged $344 million in 2022. The State Department said in a statement that it was withholding less than $1 million that had been approved but not yet disbursed, and that it was pausing additional funding while we review these allegations and the steps the United Nations is taking to address them. Germany: Temporarily suspending all new funding pending the outcome of an investigation into the allegations against the UNRWA workers. Germany pledged $202 million to the agency in 2022. European Union : No plans to suspend funding. The European Union, which contributed 82 million euros to UNRWA in 2023, reiterated its support of the agencys role in addressing the humanitarian crisis, and said it would make upcoming funding decisions in light of the outcome of the investigation. Norway: Continuing its funding, which was $34 million in 2022. Though it expressed deep concerned over the allegations, Norway urged other donors to reflect on the consequences of cutting funding, saying: We should not collectively punish millions of people. Japan: Suspending funding for the time being. Turkey: Expressed concern that some countries had cut off funding and said the decisions, in response to allegations against a few UNRWA staff, will primarily harm the Palestinian people. Canada: Pausing additional funding pending an investigation into the allegations against the UNRWA workers. The Netherlands: Suspending all funding until the investigation is concluded. Britain: Suspending funding. The British government said it was appalled by the allegations. Spain: Continuing funding. Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said Monday that only a dozen of the 30,000 UNRWA employees had been accused of crimes. Australia: Said it would temporarily pause disbursement of recently announced funding. Ireland: No plans to suspend funding. Ireland welcomed UNRWAs decision to investigate and said the agencys 13,000 employees in Gaza provide lifesaving assistance at incredible personal cost noting that more than 100 UNRWA workers had been killed in the fighting. Austria: Temporarily suspending all further payments to UNRWA until the accusations are clarified. Finland: Suspending funding, saying that we must make sure that not a single euro of Finlands money goes to Hamas. Edward Wong contributed reporting. Photo Illustration by Braulio Amado Talk John Malkovich on (Really) Being John Malkovich Theres a scene in that modern classic of screwball existentialism, Being John Malkovich, from 1999, in which John Malkovich, playing a version of himself, enters a portal that others have been using to climb inside his mind. Suddenly, Malkovich is in a world populated solely by variations on himself: Malkovich as a flirtatious sexpot, a genteel waiter, a jazz chanteuse, a bemused child, everyone speaking only the word Malkovich. In a way, that scene is a microcosm of the actors decades-long, always-interesting career. He has played a million different parts, but somehow theyre all defined by the unmistakable, enigmatic, magnetic presence of Malkovich. Same goes for his work in the Apple TV+ series The New Look, premiering Feb. 14, which is based on the experiences of the fashion icons Christian Dior, Coco Chanel, Cristobal Balenciaga and others who helped build the French fashion industry while enduring the impossible complexities of World War II. Malkovich, playing the couturier and Dior mentor Lucien Lelong, delivers a softer, warmer performance than the ones for which he is probably best known. But even so, with his off-kilter line readings, his louche manner, his oddly wavering yet commanding voice and his general air of playing a game to which only he knows the rules, the role is, as always, pure Malkovich. If we take style to mean a manner of doing something, could you articulate the John Malkovich style? Not really, because its not something I think about much what I am or what I do. But Ive always felt style is the only constant in life. By style I mean, simply, the way you move through life. If you get sad news, how do you respond? What do you do if youre angry, if youre amused, if youre moved? Thats what style is. Its not really up to me to say what mine is. Do you think of style as something that people cultivate or as innate? Thats a great question. If youve lived long enough which I classify under If Youre Lucky you experience things. So its cultivated based on your native curiosity and on the experiences youve been granted or blessed with or suffered through. John Malkovich in The New Look. Apple The book has a long interview with you where you say: Im capable of belief, at least inside the theater. Outside of the theater, not so much. Why? Because thats what my life has taught me. It took me seven years of analysis to learn that when people said something, it isnt necessarily what they meant. Im not very clever. I remember once meeting the head of a country I wont say which one at a dinner one night after a performance in a faraway land. He kept telling me about how uncorrupt the country was because he was running it. I think hes still in prison. Thats what I mean. Theater, its a perfect world. Life is more like making a movie: push a boulder up a hill every day and hope it doesnt flatten you. So Ive always felt most at home in the theater at home with myself, my emotions, my colleagues, their emotions, with how we express them. Thats harder to find in life. Aside from work, what do you believe in? I believe in people, generally. I believe in humanity, somewhat. I have a great mistrust of ideology. Maybe even more than I do religion. Im not a believer, but I dont make some big show of it. Im wary of all the things that people believe that make them think theyre them. Explain that. People who say my ideology is this yeah, but that changes. Its based on feelings and what you know and what you dont. I think people are more interesting than that. Ive directed Terry Johnsons play Hysteria three times. Its about the meeting of Freud and Dali, and in my opinion Freud was right in that the study of us is enough. Lets dont complicate more than we need to. Thats what a lot of our beliefs do, in my opinion. Which, of course, can be wrong. Malkovich and Spike Jonze on the set of Being John Malkovich (1999). Maximum Film/Alamy For about 20 years. It was more than a week, lets say. But at the Venice Film Festival, when the audience understood that Charlie was my best friend, there was a rolling laugh that lasted 10 minutes. It destroyed any lingering existential malaise. The line when Im talking about being harassed by this coven of lesbian witches, and he says, Listen, man, give me her number when youre through with them. Thats a tough line for anybody but Charlie. Aside from Charlie Sheens work, what might you turn to when youre trying to combat existential malaise? Im not very existential because Im not profound. So many people think a lot about this or that. I dont think about this or that. I just do this or that. Youve now made reference a couple times to your own lack of profundity or insight. Theres evidence out there that theres something going on behind the eyes of John Malkovich. Hard to say what it is though. Hard to say. Thats my problem. Malkovich in Rounders (1998). John Clifford/Miramax Films Youve done a lot of disparate work, and yet theres always some Malkovich-ness that comes through. Youre not one of these actors who people talk about as subsuming themselves into the character. There is a kind of technical actor who does often fantastic and pretty purely technical things. Im not really that, and Im not sure how much it fascinates me. Often that just draws attention to itself. I can appreciate it, especially when somebodys very good at it, but I dont think there are 50 characters like that in an actor. There are, like, five. For me, I think more about their worldview. You left me hanging on something: Do you remember what it was about Being John Malkovich that made Spike Jonze say you were too close to it? I do. That was after Id seen the cut of the film that was going to be shown to the people from Cannes. Although his best note in that vein was when he told me some choice I had made, he told me that wasnt the way John Malkovich would do it. Which I thought was fantastic. But what was your reaction to the screening? I didnt like it. What I said to Spike is I thought he had made a Bergman film out of it, and it was already a Bergman film conceptually, so what it needed was to go back to kind of Jewish vaudeville. I found it very long and not funny. The cut I saw was almost 20 minutes longer than what was released. I have great faith in Spike and his talent, and I knew hed shot fantastic things it was not punchy enough for the way it was written. That was my opinion, and then when I saw it again, thats the film that was released, and it was very good. A lot of times directors can want to put everything in, but there is a film one conceives, there is a film one writes, and then theres the film one shoots. But none of those things actually exist. Theres only the film you edit: Thats the only thing that actually exists, and a lot of times people want them all to exist together, and they cant. Editing does what it wants, and the more you fight it, the more trouble youll have. Your grandfathers brother was murdered? His older brother. Did that loom over the family? No. He was an attorney, and as I remember it there was a person who was called Dr. Gore, and his son, I believe, had been accused of murdering the doctors second wife. Carl had started the newspaper, and Dr. Gore had told him he would kill him if he defended the son in this trial, which he chose to do, and Dr. Gore shot him in the back in the alley of the newspaper office. Thats all I remember about it. So thats how my grandfather got the newspaper. He was an amputee, and then a double amputee, so my grandmother did all the work and published the paper while he talked to people at various cafes and bet on the horses. Are you like Steve? In some ways. There was something like a child about him. That makes me think of your being able to find belief in the theater more easily than outside. So many things in life are kind of unsolvable and therefore, at a certain point, incredibly tiresome. People feel that and then absolutely know the opposite is true. As they say in New Jersey, ghead. I dont know. Malkovich (left) with Dustin Hoffman in Death of a Salesman (1985). Allstar Picture Library Ltd/Alamy I want to go back to the line that you quoted from Death of a Salesman: Life is a casting off. Youre 70 now. What are you casting off? You have to let go of the past, of connections. At this age, there are people who are dead now that were very close to me. There are people I love to have a conversation with who I sometimes dream of and have the conversation in dreams that Ill never see again. Thats a natural part of life. You have to let it go. Its cast off in the sense that its allowed to float away. Its also not weighing you down. Its gone. And what are you holding on to? Family, work, friends. Not as many as I used to because some people close to me didnt choose to maintain that relationship, and sometimes I didnt choose to, which, of course, is everyones choice. I just, as Joan Didion said, play it as it lays. Opening illustration: Source photograph by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity from two conversations. What It Took Young People in China to Get Their Jobs Not long ago, Chinas economy was the envy of the world. Now a new generation of aspiring professionals is facing the toughest job market in years. I didnt have my own path, and that made me very anxious. Even if it was just a sliver of a chance, I felt I needed to seize it. Maybe Im not good enough at toughing things out. I didnt have my own path, and that made me very anxious. Even if it was just a sliver of a chance, I felt I needed to seize it. Maybe Im not good enough at toughing things out. They knew the job market would be tough. None were prepared for just how tough it proved to be. Chinas economy is struggling through a sustained slowdown, with real estate developers mired in debt, families fearful of spending and entrepreneurs hesitating to take risks. Joblessness levels among young people have hit record highs. We spoke to five young Chinese about what it took to find their jobs amid such uncertainty. They described moving home with their parents, exhausting their savings, taking on unpaid internships or working two jobs. They also spoke of a generational disillusionment. Born in the headiest years of Chinas economic boom, they grew up with more opportunities and more comforts than their parents and also higher expectations. They were told that, with hard work and the right education, their futures were all but guaranteed. Now, those boom years are fading, as are many young peoples hopes with unpredictable consequences for China and the world. Nadia Yang, Class of 2019 TO FIND HER ideal job, Nadia Yang shelled out more than $5,000, moved from a prosperous coastal city to her hometown and spent 20 months doing little but studying. All for a position that paid less than half what she used to make. But that was OK, because it was a job in the government. Jobs in the civil service in China are often low-paying and unglamorous. But they are seen as the epitome of job security which appealed to Ms. Yang after the once-booming field of private tutoring, where she used to work, was suddenly wiped out by a government crackdown in 2021. Ms. Yang was not alone: Record numbers of young Chinese have taken the civil service examination in recent years, as government crackdowns and the slowing economy have caused large-scale layoffs in the private sector. To prepare for the exam, Ms. Yang left the city of Hangzhou, where shed lived for two years, and moved in with her parents. After exhausting her own savings, she relied on them for money. She paid $200 for study material. She signed up for 15 exams each city had its own paying an additional $210 in registration fees. Because Chinas Covid restrictions were still in place, she also had to pay for a total of three weeks of quarantine accommodations while traveling between cities. And yet for months, Ms. Yang struggled to advance past the initial rounds. You feel like youve forced yourself down a dead end, she said. In October 2022, more than a year after she started studying, she found out she had made it to the final round for a job in the small northern city of Yanan. In preparation, she signed up for a weeklong course there on preparing for job interviews, which cost $2,300. She bought new leather shoes, makeup and clothes. And she waited for an agonizing five months. In March, Ms. Yang finally had her interview and was hired by the Yanan transportation bureau the same month. Her monthly salary was only $420, compared with the $1,000 she had earned in Hangzhou. But she works regular hours, and doesnt worry about being laid off. Housing and meals are covered. The peace of mind is worth it at least for now. Be content with what you have, she said. What else can you do? Fiona Qin, Class of 2023 Qilai Shen for The New York Times Until recently, Fiona Qin had always had a plan. She wanted to get into a good college, then a top graduate school, then find work as a journalist at a news outlet in a big city. She seemed well on her way in the fall of 2022, as graduation approached. While finishing her masters program in Beijing, she completed several internships. She set a target of submitting applications to 100 jobs surely enough, she thought, to net an offer. But soon, her plans started to unravel. That fall, as Covid spread widely, China imposed another round of mass lockdowns. Ms. Qin couldnt predict whether shed be able to leave her home the next day, let alone where shed be in a few months. Most of her job applications went unanswered, as the broader economy flailed. Ms. Qin started applying to any field she thought might take her not just journalism but also tech, publishing houses, even retail brands. Ms. Qin was overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness. Submitting 100 resumes and hardly getting any response, it was terrifying, she said. In January, finally, a Shanghai news outlet offered her an unpaid internship. She moved to the city and signed a $370-a-month lease, relying on her savings and money from her parents. But where Ms. Qin might have previously tried to game out how to maximize her odds of staying in Shanghai applying to other jobs, for example she decided to focus only on the internship at hand. If it turned into a permanent job, shed be thrilled. If not, she would figure things out then. A few months later, she was offered a full-time position. But even now, Ms. Qin is skeptical of making any long-term plans. Life is too unpredictable, she said. I just want to do well in this moment. Ethan Yi, Class of 2022 Qilai Shen for The New York Times Looking back, Ethan Yi thinks he had been a little entitled, or at least naive. Mr. Yi, who graduated in June 2022 with a bachelors degree in management, had always been told that a college education came with certain benefits. He wouldnt need to toil as his parents had, working as vegetable wholesalers. He could expect good pay and respect. At first, his expectations seemed borne out. He landed a job at the Chinese car company Geely, earning nearly $1,000 a month, above average for a fresh grad like himself. But when he started the role, he was assigned mostly administrative tasks, like filing expenses, that Mr. Yi considered beneath him. After five months, he quit. While looking for another job, Mr. Yi applied for temporary work. His disappointment followed him. He quit after just three days as a waiter, and soon left other jobs at a hotel and an amusement park. At the end of the day, Im a college graduate, he said. If you want me to go serve others, I think thats a bit too low, to be honest. Mr. Yi had run into an emerging problem in China: A college degree isnt the golden ticket it used to be. For decades, the government has pushed, successfully, to expand university enrollment. Yet the supply of jobs that matches graduates qualifications has not kept pace. As headlines about unemployment proliferated, though, Mr. Yi began to wonder if his expectations were the problem. Other young people working jobs that were less than ideal seemed able to tough things out. In September, Mr. Yi decided to try his luck in Shanghai. This time, he vowed, he would make it stick, even if it meant taking jobs he once wouldnt have considered. If others pick me, thats enough. Im not qualified to be picky, he said. Two weeks after arriving, he was hired by an agricultural chemical company, for $730 a month. He rented an apartment on the outskirts of the city and threw himself into training. Ill see how things go, take it slow, he said. Making fast money is impossible. I see that now. Phoebe Liu, Class of 2022 Gilles Sabrie for The New York Times PHOEBE LIU badly wanted to work at ByteDance, the Chinese tech company behind TikTok. So when she landed an interview there, she decided to go all out. She hired an online interview coach who, for $35, would give her a one-hour mock interview session and feedback. Many university students typically land job offers during the fall campus recruitment period. But this was ending, and Ms. Liu had nothing lined up despite sending dozens of applications. She grew so stressed that her skin broke out badly, and she visited a doctor, forking out about $70. The costs were adding up. She was already paying about $400 in rent for a shared bedroom in Beijing, where she was doing an internship at Xiaohongshu, another tech company. The salary there was about $20 a day barely enough to cover half of one online coaching session. But Ms. Liu was desperate. When she advanced to the second round of the ByteDance interview, she paid for another coaching session. Then she advanced again hence, another session. Youll do anything you can to buy yourself some security and peace of mind, she said. Ms. Liu ultimately did not get the ByteDance job. She took time off from her internship to prepare for other interviews, forgoing a half days pay each time. She visited the doctor again, bringing her medical bills to about $140. Finally, in December, Ms. Liu received a full-time offer out of her internship at Xiaohongshu. The salary was above average, at nearly $3,000 a month. Still, Ms. Liu was rattled by how hard it was to get her first full-time job. Other traditional benchmarks of adulthood, like buying a house, felt more out of reach than ever, especially in a city as expensive as Beijing. While her father had succeeded as a businessman as Chinas economy boomed, she doubted that she would be as upwardly mobile. Even if I work my hardest for 10 or 20 years, will I really make as much as them? she said of her parents generation. Now you cant accomplish the same things through your own hard work. Tsuki Jin, Class of 2020 Qilai Shen for The New York Times Tsuki Jin grew up in a small city in inland China, but had long wanted to experience life outside. And in April, she decided to make that dream happen tough job market or not. Ms. Jin, who asked to be identified by her family name and a nickname, quit the human resources job she had worked for two years and moved to Shanghai, with nothing new lined up and roughly $700 in savings. I think its not good for young people to be too comfortable, she said. Its good to go out and see things. Ms. Jins path shows how some young Chinese are able to hold on to their ambitions: being willing to compromise on almost everything else. She quickly accepted another human resources job, even though it paid only $700 a month, barely higher than what she had earned at home, where the cost of living was much lower. She hunted for part-time jobs, working weekends as a cashier at a games arcade. Ms. Jin cut down on expenses wherever possible. Her primary goal was to stay in Shanghai. Everything else was secondary, including what she looked for in a job. My requirements arent high, she said. There are a lot of people who are more accomplished. Her pragmatism made it possible for her to keep taking new risks. She quit her first job after several weeks to look for a higher-paying one, because she knew that she would have no problem turning back to less glamorous work if needed. About a month after that, she switched again to her current job, which pays $1,270 a month double what shed earned at home. Even with her new job, though, Ms. Jin is already thinking ahead to her next adventure. After a few years in Shanghai, she wants to try other cities. Its all life experience, she said. JUBA, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- At least 42 people were killed including a UN peacekeeper during clashes Saturday in the Abyei Administrative Area between armed youth of the Twic community of neighboring Warrap state and Ngok Dinka of Abyei, officials confirmed Sunday. Rou Manyiel Rou, the secretary general of Abyei Special Administrative Area, said that the attacks in Nyinkuac, Majbong, and Khadian areas by armed youth from the Twic community in collaboration with Nuer youth loyal to their spiritual leader Gai Machiek also left 35 people wounded. "As we face these barbaric coordinated attacks, the government of Abyei Special Administrative Area condemns in the strongest terms possible the attempt by Twic and their allied armed youth to defy the presidential order issued recently by President Salva Kiir to end the conflict between Ngok Dinka and Twic communities," Manyiel told Xinhua in an interview. President Kiir's order issued on Jan. 18 called on security forces to expel from Warrap state the Nuer spiritual leader Gai Machiek and his loyal Nuer youth in a bid to resolve the conflict between Ngok Dinka and the Twic communities. The order also called on security forces to summon and arrest politicians from both warring communities who appeared to incite violence between the two communities. Manyiel called for the speedy deployment of neutral security forces along the border between Twic County and the Abyei Administrative Area. Simon Aguek Chan, the commissioner of Twic County of Warrap state, said that their youth were not involved in the violence in the Abyei Administrative Area. Aguek said that the fighting was between armed Nuer youth staying within Abyei and the local Ngok Dinka youth. "The Nuer armed youth who fought with Abyei youth on Saturday are the ones who have been killing people in Twic, they have heavy machine guns and I believe they are from organized forces because the weapons they have are not supposed to be for civilians," he said. The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) condemned the series of armed attacks that took place Saturday in the Abyei Administrative Area, which resulted in the death of a UN peacekeeper from Ghana. "The Mission confirms that the inter-communal clashes that took place in the Nyinkuac, Majbong, and Khadian areas led to casualties and the evacuation of civilians to UNISFA bases to provide safety for those caught up in the violence. Efforts are underway to verify the number of those killed, injured, and displaced in the violence," it said in a statement. It added that the UNISFA base in Agok came under attack by an armed group that was repelled by the peacekeepers. UNISFA called for a swift and thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to these attacks to ensure that all perpetrators are held accountable. In November 2023, 32 people were killed in deadly communal fighting between Ngok Dinka and Twic communities in the Abyei Administrative Area. The two communities have been contesting for years the ownership of a strip of land in the Aneet border area, which separates the two communities. Abyei Administrative Area remains a contested area between South Sudan and its neighbor Sudan which is currently mired in conflict since April 15. SYDNEY, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Solomon Islands made the right decision to establish diplomatic relations with China in 2019, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has said. In a recent interview with local media Tavuli News, Sogavare said his government's foreign relations are based on the policy of "friends to all, enemy to none." Noting that in 1971, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758, restoring all lawful rights of the People's Republic of China in the UN and recognizing the representatives of its government as the only legitimate UN representatives of China, Sogavare stressed that every UN member is obliged to respect the resolution and recognize Taiwan as an integral part of China. Although the Solomon Islands is a small country, the leaders of some countries, including China, have treated it as an equal, he said. When the Solomon Islands faced severe challenges such as COVID-19 and riots in recent years, China and other development partners actively provided it with assistance, Sogavare said. By contrast, at a summit with the Pacific Island countries, the U.S. leader would lecture others for one hour and only give other leaders three minutes to talk, Sogavare said. "When it comes to Solomon Islands, I will not allow that," he said. "This is a sovereign country. We want to talk as equals no matter how small we are." Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRG) claimed responsibility for missile attacks on an Israeli "spy headquarters". Kurdish businessman Peshraw Dizayee and four of his family members were killed in the attack on their home on January 16 near the US Consulate in Erbil, in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR). Dizayee was the owner of the Falcon Group, which is a business involved in oil and gas, agriculture and security. The IRG claimed its missiles targeted a "Mossad headquarters". "No US facilities were impacted. We're not tracking damage to infrastructure or injuries at this time," a US official said in response to the recent attack. Prime Minister of the IKR, Masrour Barzani, condemned the IRG attacks on Erbil. The Oil business in Erbil The oil business is thriving in IKR, and the Falcon Group was part of it. Kurdish oil has been exported to Israel, Italy, France and Greece through a secretive trade depending on pre-pay deals. Israel buys much of its oil from Erbil, and Israel depends on the heavily discounted crude, making it a key customer. The oil is discounted to Israel because it is free, as the source is the stolen Syrian oil. 40% of Israel's oil supplies were from IKR in the first three months of 2023, which doubled the amount in 2022. Israel received its first substantial seaborne crude oil shipment from the IKR in 2014, which is the same time the US occupation forces arrived in Syria. Israel was reportedly importing as much as three-quarters of its crude oil needs from the IKR by mid-2015. Israeli refineries and oil companies imported almost $1 billion worth of Kurdish oil between May and August of 2023, according to shipping data, trading sources and satellite tanker tracking, which represents about 77 % of average Israeli demand, which runs at roughly 240,000 barrels per day. More than a third of all of the northern Iraqi exports, which are shipped from Turkey's Mediterranean port of Ceyhan, went to Israel over the period. According to anonymous sources, it was a Mossad agent who first traveled to Erbil to negotiate the deal to buy oil from IKR, which was facilitated by US officials. The US Consulate in Erbil The new US Consulate General building in Erbil, near the attack carried out by Iran, is the biggest consulate complex built by the US. Embassies and Consulates are under the US State Department, but the consulate in Erbil has a connection to the US Department of Defense, demonstrating the strategic importance of the region for Washington, with a US military base also in IKR. Irvin Hicks, Jr., the US Consul General in Erbil, stated in January 2023, that the new 800-million-dollar consulate building is a clear statement that the "United States of America is not going anywhere". The US first opened a diplomatic office in Erbil in February 2007, and later upgraded to a consulate general in 2011, the same year the US-NATO attack on Syria began for regime change, under the Obama-Biden administration. The US embassy in Baghdad was built in 2009 and is its biggest mission compound in the world at a cost of $750 million. Iraqi Kurdistan and the Iraqi central government in Baghdad operate separately, as the Kurds are a semi-autonomous region. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). The United States and the United Kingdom have intensified their military involvement in Yemen by launching a new series of coordinated air strikes targeting the Houthi rebel group. The Pentagon announced that the operation, conducted on Monday, successfully hit a total of eight strategic Houthi targets. These included an underground facility used for storage purposes and key components of the Houthis' missile and surveillance systems. The Houthis, who receive backing from Iran, have been actively targeting vessels in the Red Sea. They allege these ships have connections to Israel and Western countries. The Red Sea is a crucial maritime trade route, and the Houthis' actions have raised international concerns about the safety and unimpeded flow of commerce through this vital area. In response to these threats, the US and UK governments have declared their commitment to ensuring the uninterrupted movement of trade in the region. A formal statement from the Pentagon highlighted the latest air strikes as "proportionate and necessary", aimed at countering the Houthis' aggressive postures. The statement emphasized the objective of reducing tensions and stabilizing the situation in the Red Sea region, while also issuing a stern warning to the Houthi leadership about the determination of the US and UK to defend lives and the freedom of maritime commerce against ongoing threats. This latest operation marks the eighth instance of the US targeting Houthi forces in Yemen, and it is the second time such an operation has been executed in collaboration with the UK. The first joint operation took place on January 11th. The UK's Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron, addressed the media, conveying a firm message about the UK's resolve to weaken the Houthis' offensive capabilities. When questioned about the potential for these strikes to escalate tensions in the Middle East, Cameron pointed to the Houthis as the primary escalators of the conflict. He expressed confidence in the effectiveness of the previous military actions. Addressing the narrative propagated by the Houthis, which links the air strikes to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, Cameron rejected this perspective. He stressed the UK's desire for a prompt resolution to the Gaza conflict. Furthermore, Cameron announced the UK's call for an "immediate humanitarian pause" in the region, hoping it would evolve into a lasting and sustainable ceasefire. He plans to propose this initiative during his forthcoming visit to the region. The Biden administration has acknowledged that simply attacking the Houthi militants will not be enough to stop them from threatening commercial ships in the Middle East. President Joe Biden and his team, based on discussions with U.S. officials, are working through a multifaceted strategy to address this issue. It's understood that a singular approach won't be effective in pressuring the militants to halt their missile launches. Instead, a combination of factors over a considerable period, possibly including a slowdown in the fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, is required. Key to this strategy is degrading the Houthis' capabilities through U.S. attacks and intercepting vessels that supply weapons to Yemen. Additionally, recent actions to reclassify the Houthis as a terrorist group have ramped up sanctions, aiming to cut off the resources that fund their operations. The crisis in the international shipping lanes, which has led to increased prices and risks to human lives, is expected to draw international attention and demands for a solution from countries with vested interests, such as China. Concurrently, a more targeted Israeli military approach in Gaza could lead to fewer civilian casualties, potentially undermining the Houthis' pretext for defending the Palestinians, thus removing one of their rallying cries. However, changing the Houthis' strategic priorities remains a complex challenge. Experts point out the difficulty in altering the Houthis' course. The U.S. would need to impose significant costs on the Houthis or change the underlying logic of their actions. Inside the administration, there's a recognition that resolving the Houthi crisis won't happen quickly, and there's no immediate solution that effectively addresses all aspects of the problem. The longer the conflict persists, the greater the risk of the Houthis harming Americans, which could escalate to the U.S. taking more aggressive actions against Iranian interests. In essence, the Biden administration is navigating a complicated and layered geopolitical situation in Yemen and the broader Middle East, involving military, diplomatic, and economic tactics, with a clear understanding of the challenges and the absence of a quick fix. Today, as you must surely know, marks the 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedys assassination and also surely marks a revival of interest in the myriad conspiracy theories that abound in the absence of a satisfactory explanation for the events at Dealey Plaza on November 22nd, 1963. One theory Ive never heard floated before comes to us via Andy Martin, lecturer in French at Cambridge University and author of The Boxer and the Goalkeeper: Sartre vs Camus. In an article for Prospect magazine, Martin writes: To the massed ranks of the CIA, the Mafia, the KGB, Castro, Hoover, and LBJ, we can now add: Jean-Paul Sartre. FBI and State Department reports of the 1960s had drawn attention to Sartres membership of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee, of which Lee Harvey Oswald was also a member. Andprophetically?Sartre had dismissed the US as a headless nation. [] Could he, after all, have been the Second Shooter? Its probably fair to say that Martins tongue is wedged firmly in his cheek throughout this opening of his fascinating chronicle of the FBIs surveillance of Sartre and his onetime friend and editor Albert Camus. But Martins interest in the misalliance of Sartre and the Feds is very serious. What he finds during his investigation of the FBI files on existentialism is that the Gmen, initially so anti-philosophical, find themselves reluctantly philosophizing. They become (in GK Chestertons phrase) philosophical policemen. While we have become accustomed, since the days of Joe McCarthy, to ideological witch hunts, it seems that Sartre and Camus served as test cases for the sort of thing that frequently plays out in overheated Congressional hearings and media denunciationsagents with furrowed brows and little philosophical training desperately trying to work out whether such and such abstruse academic is part of a grand conspiracy to undermine truth, justice, the American Way, etc.. Sartre appeared early on the anti-Communist radar, though, ironically, he did so as a plant of sorts, brought over in 1945 by the Office of War Information as part of a group of journalists the United States government hoped would put out good propaganda. Hoover wondered, however, writes Martin, what kind of good propaganda you can hope to get out of the author of Nausea and Being and Nothingness. It turned out, not much, but a year later Hoover latched on to Sartres friend and editor Albert Camus, whose name he and his agents spelled, variously, as Canus or Corus. Where Sartre had breezed into the countrysmitten by its literature and musicCamus was held at immigration on Hoovers orders. He would spend a brief, depressing time and never return. How we get from post-war surveillance of French existentialist philosophers to Sartre and the grassy knoll is a long and complicated tale, befitting the paranoid imaginings of J. Edgar Hoover. He was, after all, the conspiracy theorist par excellence and he needed to know, writes Martin, if Existentialism and Absurdism were some kind of front for Communism. To him, everything was potentially a coded re-write of the Communist Manifesto. What Hoover feared from Sartre, however, was that the latter was himself an influential believer in a conspiracy, one that cast doubt on the FBIs strongly-held belief that Oswald was the lone gunman. Despite gathering years of NSA-worthy surveillance on the philosophers, Hoovers agents were never able to discern the ideological program of the French. I cant work out, wrote one in a note in Sartres file, if hes pro-Communist or anti-Communist. The black-and-white, spy-vs-spy world of the FBI left little room for philosophical nuance and literary ambiguity, after all. But they never stopped watching Sartre, convinced that there must be some kind of conspiracy between communists, blacks, poets and French philosophers. As it turns out, there were severalpolitical and aesthetic conspiracies involving such terrifying figures as Frantz Fanon and Aime Cesaire. These poets and close relations of Sartre did, indeed, help foment revolution in the Caribbean and elsewherebut theirs are stories for another day. Read Martins Prospect article here. Related Content: FBIs Vault Web Site Reveals Declassified Files on Hemingway, Einstein, Marilyn & Other Icons Albert Camus Writes a Friendly Letter to Jean-Paul Sartre Before Their Personal and Philosophical Rift How the CIA Secretly Funded Abstract Expressionism During the Cold War Josh Jones is a writer and musician based in Durham, NC. Follow him at @jdmagness The Portland Police Bureau has released the name of the officer who fatally shot Matthew Lee Holland on Jan. 14. Officer Joshua Howery, a member of the Special Emergency Reaction Team and a 23-year police veteran, is on administrative leave during the investigation. Hundreds of trees fell across the region during this months winter storm, crushing houses, blocking roads and pulling down power lines. Many Oregonians lost their homes, and in a few tragic instances, some lost their lives. As much as the community reveres our Douglas firs and the grand trees that have sustained life and shaped our culture, the wreckage of the past couple weeks has turned some of that awe into fear and anxiety. For Portland homeowners unlucky enough to be dealing with a fallen tree, add in a dose of bureaucratic frustration, courtesy of Portland city government. The citys Urban Forestry division is requiring homeowners to get retroactive removal permits for trees that have fallen on their property due to the winter storm. The permits, which cost $100 for up to three trees, also require homeowners to plant a replacement. Notably, other cities, including Beaverton, Eugene, Gresham and Lake Oswego, are not requiring residents to secure a retroactive permit for fallen trees on their property. Certainly, the city has a vested interest in tracking, maintaining and growing our tree canopy. Trees, from filtering the air to providing shade, form a critical line of defense for the community, particularly as climate change ushers in more extreme weather. Surveys have shown the decline in Portlands tree canopy over the years, with particular concern in East Portland where the lack of cover exposes neighborhoods to hotter temperatures and other environmental hazards. A permitting system helps ensure that people arent needlessly contributing to tree loss while giving the city necessary data about tree inventory and distribution. But the city should also recognize its vested interest in not kicking residents when theyre down. Many are coping with the aftermath of trees crashing through their roofs, narrowly missing them and loved ones, as The Oregonian/OregonLives Gosia Wozniacka reported. In addition, theyre having to find places to live, salvage their possessions and deal with insurance companies. For the city to demand that they secure a permit and pay a $100 fee seems needlessly aggressive and serves no clear purpose. It should, however, be noted that the city isnt completely heartless. It has temporarily extended the time in which a property owner can apply for a retroactive removal permit from the usual seven days until Feb. 23. Hooray for small victories. Even beyond the lack of consideration for what homeowners are facing, theres room to argue that the city code does not specifically require such a permit when a weather event causes the downing of a tree. As Portland attorney John DiLorenzo points out, while the code requires permits for removal of a tree, removal is defined as felling, cutting or removing any portion of the crown trunk, or root system of a tree, that results in the loss of physiological viability, or any procedure in which the natural result will lead to the death of the tree, including girdling, poisoning, topping or drowning the tree. Homeowners, however, werent the ones doing the felling. If Mother Nature removes it, who at Mother Nature fills out the permit? DiLorenzo quipped. City spokesman Tim Collier noted that the urban forestry division, which is part of the Portland Parks and Recreation bureau, cant simply ignore city code. But this is where the Portland City Council should be proactive in suspending the requirements and refunding any fees that have already been paid. The city could even offer a free tree to incentivize the homeowner to plant a replacement. Regardless, Portland officials should look around and realize other cities arent punishing their residents for the storms damage. In addition to dropping the permit requirement, the city could do more to help quell peoples anxieties. As the authority on Portlands urban forest, City Forester Jenn Cairo should provide greater communication to the public about what the city will do in the coming weeks and months to ensure the health of trees and the safety of the community. Portlanders concerns are merited, considering that arborists have noted, as in a recent story by The Oregonian/OregonLives Tom Hallman Jr., that trees considered stable just a few months ago were among those that fell. The office should also ensure the diligence of tree inspections, considering that some homeowners were denied permits for removing trees that later fell on their homes, as Wozniacka reported. So far, however, theres been little said beyond encouraging homeowners to hire arborists to evaluate their trees for potential risk. Collier said the urban forestry division is working on a new Urban Forest Management Plan that will go to the City Council for review, but gave no timetable for that to occur. If the city wants Portland residents to stay committed to increasing our tree canopy, officials should reassure the community that they will examine how they evaluate neighborhood tree health in light of this months storm and make adjustments as needed. On Friday afternoon, a spokesman for City Commissioner Dan Ryan, who oversees Portland Parks, told the editorial board that there are conversations happening about waiving the retroactive permits fees/process for fallen trees. Thats an encouraging step, albeit a small one. Theres a lot to clean up after this extreme storm and the city shouldnt be adding to the burden. And if urban forestry cant or wont budge on its punitive rules, the City Council should step in. Sign up for our free Oregon Opinion newsletter. Email: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara for an annual consultation in Bangkok, Thailand, Jan. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Teng) BANGKOK, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara here on Sunday for the annual consultation. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China and Thailand are one family. As next year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand, both countries face new opportunities and should take new actions in their respective modernization developments and in building a China-Thailand community with a shared future. China is willing to focus on building a more stable, prosperous and sustainable China-Thailand community with a shared future, strengthen pragmatic cooperation in various fields, and constantly add new dimensions to the bilateral relations, Wang said. Wang said China is willing to join hands with Thailand and other emerging developing countries to strengthen unity and cooperation to serve respective developments, and provide more stability and certainty to the turbulent world. China and Thailand should further strengthen high-level exchanges, said the Chinese diplomat, adding that the two countries should jointly plan the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties. Wang noted that both sides should actively promote high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, speed up the China-Thailand Railway construction, and fully implement the China-Laos-Thailand Connectivity Development Corridor Outlook. According to Wang, China and Thailand should make good use of the important agreement of mutual visa exemption to facilitate closer people-to-people exchanges, strengthen law enforcement cooperation and take concrete measures to ensure the safety of tourists from both countries. He said the two countries should also jointly combat transnational crimes such as online gambling and electronic fraud to safeguard the security and stability of the region. For his part, Parnpree said Thailand attaches great importance to the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Thailand and China as well as strengthening friendly cooperation with China, as it not only aligns with the common interests of both countries but is also crucial for world peace and stability. Thailand firmly adheres to the one-China principle and does not engage in any official exchanges with the Taiwan authorities. The development of Thailand-China relations reflects the deep mutual trust and the consistent support for each other in times of adversity, said Parnpree, adding that Thailand highly appreciates China's contribution to maintaining world stability and promoting global economic recovery as a responsible major country. Thailand is willing to strengthen coordination with China on international and regional issues, engage in substantive cooperation in implementing the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, engage in Belt and Road cooperation, uphold multilateralism, oppose decoupling, and keep production and supply chain stable. Following the consultations, the two officials signed an agreement on mutual visa exemption. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara for an annual consultation in Bangkok, Thailand, Jan. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Teng) The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard has become one of the most-watched true crime documentaries of the past year. However, if you have the time and want to see more tales of true crime, there are a few other documentary films available streaming free on demand. If you are able to sign up for a free trial of Philo, or in case you still have some time left on your free trial, here are the most-watched true crime documentaries that involve high-profile killings and profiles of accused murders streaming on demand on Philo over the past year, including the stories of Gypsy Rose, The Idaho College Murders and more. TOP 5 TRUE CRIME MURDER DOCUMENTARIES STREAMING FREE ON PHILO If you missed it, you can still watch the Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard Lifetime movie for free with Philo (free trial), which tells the story of Gypsys upbringing and how it led to the murder of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard. If you need a preview before you dive in, you can check out the official Prison Confessions trailer provided below for a quick sneak peek. If you missed it back in November, be sure to catch up on The Lost Women of Highway 20, a three-part series about serial killer John Arthur Ackroyd who murdered women in Oregon over three decades before his capture. The new series is based on The Oregonian/OregonLives original five-part narrative documentary videos called Ghosts of Highway 20. All three episodes can be watched back-to-back streaming on demand with a free trial of Philo. Another shocking case that was in the news more recently, you can watch The Idaho College Murders documentary from Investigation Discovery to catch up on the story about the brutal murders of four University of Idaho students at the hands of 28-year-old alleged killer Bryan Christopher Kohberger. This was a case that shook the small town of Moscow, Idaho back in November of 2022. While it is more of a series rather than a documentary, The Playboy Murders tells the story of murders that intersect with Playboy Magazine, exposing the pitfalls of fame for those appearing on their pages and forcing audiences to question everything they thought they knew about one of Americas most recognizable publications. If the prison Confessions Lifetime movie about Gypsy Rose wasnt enough for you, a 2018 documentary about the Gypsy Rose Blanchard case called Gypsys Revenge is streaming for free on Philo. If you signed up for Philo to watch the Prison Confessions documentary, you can also watch this movie before your free trial expires. This documentary features interviews with Dr. Bernardo Flasterstein, a pediatric neurologist who treated Blanchard, but did not recognize her as a victim of Munchausen syndrome by proxy. It also has interviews with the killer, Nicholas Godejohn. Watch Gypsys Revenge now on Philo (free trial). Outside of profiles on killers and high-profile murders, were going to be rounding up all of the best true crime films available on demand on Philo next week, so be sure to check back with us as we keep you updated on the best, and most-watched true crime films available to watch on demand. Warm weather and a sunny sky evoke the feeling of spring, still technically weeks away, along the waterfront on the east side in downtown Portland on Feb. 17, 2015. Unseasonably warm winter weather will again greet Portlanders this week.Randy L. Rasmussen/File New York, US (PANA) - UN Secretary-General has added his voice to calls on countries that have suspended contributions to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) over allegations by Israel that some of its staff were involved in the 7 October attack on Israel to reconsider their decision A reader of this blog by the name of Laralee Nelson shared a couple of links in a blog comment that, with her kind permission (and since theyre in the public domain over at FamilySearch), Im now sharing here more generally. The first link is to the last will and testament of one Samuel Webb, a butcher by trade, of Dry Drayton, county of Cambridge. I quote one particular passage from the document: I am mindful of the tradition spoken of by my forebears that the time will soon come when our Saviour, Jesus Christ, will establish his Kingdom on earth. Believing that time is nigh, I desire that my beloved wife, Sarah, and my son, William, and daughter, Lydia, will accept and enter that Kingdom. I do not fear death. It is not the end. I know we will meet again after we have layed these bodies to rest for our soules will meet our Creator to be judged for our deeds. In witness whereof, I Sml Webb have to this last will and testament set my hand and seal this twenty-sixth day of September in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty. An expression of the family tradition to which Samuel Webb refers can be found in the last will and testament of his great grandfather, William Webb (of Harlton in the county of Cambridge), which is dated 14 May 1745: There is a legacy left me by my Father who was left it by his father to be passed on to my heirs. There is spiritual unrest in the land. Beliefs are springing up and being heard. We believe with others that man should be free to worship his Maker in a manner pleasing to himself. We believe that Death is not the end but that the Soul lives on and is Judged by its Maker for the good or evil it has done, with punishment or reward according to Meritt [sic]. My father John a righteous just forgiving man was told in a dream that the time was nearing when Jesus Christ would return to set up his Kingdom. It will not happen during my lifetime nor that of my children and perhaps not my grandchildren. But the time will come soon when believers may become members in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Having grieved over not being here when that time comes because I will have layed this body to rest I prayed enquiring after the believers and followers of Jesus Christ who have gone to their Eternal rest. As I prayed a calm peace surrounded me and I felt his Presence. I was assured that there will be a way for the dead to enter the Kingdom. Because of the Spirit that thrilled me while in the Presence I am sure it will be so. Therefore I am not afraid to die and my heirs should not feel fear. We will be together in that Kingdom because of Gods great Son. I admonish my heirs and descendants to live according to the law and to follow diligently the teachings of Jesus and you will be blessed. When Judgement Day comes I want that we shall all stand together to receive the happy reward of being together throughout Eternity. This is my desire and from what I know it can be so. I love you all and will continue to love you and yours even after I have layed this mortal body down for I shall live to meet with you again. Between yesterday and today, Ive managed to miss three funerals. Two were for members of my ward, while the third was for a longstanding member of our monthly reading group: I missed them because Ive been sick, and because I suspect that Im still quite contagious. Im grateful however, for the miracle of modern technology that makes it possible to participate in funeral services at a distance. The farewell of a good and righteous person is a sacred occasion and is inspiring to me. In my judgment, the most important and valuable feature of the universe is personalty. Not great oceans. Not splendid mountains. Neither stars nor galaxies nor vast nebulae. And the greatest loss would be for a personality to vanish forever. Happily, though, my conviction is that the things that matter most are never, and never have been, at the mercy of the things that matter most. God be praised. I have admired Dennis Prager since I used to catch his Sunday night religious talk show Religion on the Line on KABC-AM Radio in Los Angeles. Early on in my tenure on the faculty of Brigham Young University, I even had the opportunity to host him for a couple of days when he came to lecture on campus. I say this in order to introduce my admiration for the work of Prager University and, specifically, to mention some items that have been posted on the Prager University website. They share a particular theme, because today (Saturday) is International Holocaust Remembrance Day its the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration camps at Auschwitz-Birkenau and I think that we ought, yes, to remember the Holocaust. I worry deeply that that great horror is being downplayed and even forgotten. In any case, here are three relevant videos from the Prager University website that I commend to your notice: Additionally, Dennis Prager himself has a monologue about The Evil of Holocaust Denial that runs from about 2:30 to 19:00 of an overall video that is very nearly thirty-two minutes in length. Occasionally I hear someone almost always a conservative Christian say if there is no God then life has no meaning. Perhaps the best response to this came from an atheist, who said if there is no master, whose slave will I be? Im a polytheist who finds great meaning in serving my Gods, but Im far closer to the second statement than to the first. Because finding meaning in life doesnt require Gods, much less any one particular God. It just requires a choice. What we mean by meaning What is the meaning of life? is one of those questions people have been thinking about for at least as long as weve been human, and likely will be thinking about until our species is gone from the ordinary world. Why are we here? What is the purpose of life? What is the purpose of my life? What brings genuine happiness and true satisfaction? What is valuable? Do we matter? Do I matter? Over the centuries different people have come up with different ideas different philosophies. Some are better than others. Some are well-suited to one environment and culture and poorly suited to others. Its one thing to argue that your philosophy of life is better than others. Despite my emphasis on philosophical diversity and the necessity of choosing, Im doing that here. But its another thing entirely to insist that meaning can only come from one particular religious outlook and tradition. Exclusivist religions demand control over meaning Religions that insist their way is not just a good way or even the best way but the only way demand control over everything. They demand control over the foundational concepts of life: metaphysics, theology, ethics, and especially the political processes by which these concepts are put into practice in the wider world. This demand for control comes from the fear that no one is at the wheel. Thats a very deep fear. Christians talk about Gods plan but New Agers talking about the Universe do the same thing. So do conspiracy theorists who would rather believe everything is controlled by the Illuminati or the Deep State or Reptilian Overlords than to accept that no one is in charge and life is far more random than wed like to admit. But if meaning is to be found anywhere, it must be found in truth. And while Im convinced that Ultimate Truth is beyond our capacity to know, much less to understand, Im equally convinced that there is no Grand Plan of the Universe, and there is no Supreme Being who is handing out meaning. We have to find it for ourselves. The search for meaning is a privilege I often say its hard to be spiritual when your roof is leaking. Its hard to search for meaning when youre focused on survival. This post is about choices and our mainstream society puts a lot of emphasis on making good choices, but a meme I see occasionally says you didnt make good choices you had good choices. The ability to search for meaning and to choose meaning is a privilege. But as with all privileges, the best approach is not to remove it or to deny it exists, its to use it for good and to share it as widely as possible. And so if youre able to think about meaning, to think about the higher purposes of life, I encourage you to do so and then to choose the approach you think is most likely and most helpful. Meaning and the many Gods In the fight between atheism and fundamentalism, Im almost always on the side of the atheists. But I am not an atheist. Im a polytheist who has experienced several of the many Gods and who is as convinced of Their reality and divinity as can be, given that certainty in such matters is not possible. And I find great meaning in worshipping and serving Them. Forming and maintaining relationships with the Gods connects me to Their values and Their virtues. Those values and virtues are good ways to live. Further, the Gods dont just hang out on Mount Olympus or the regional equivalent thereof. Theyre moving in this world, doing things I dont entirely comprehend but am honored to be a part of. But even when it comes to the Gods, we almost always have a choice and not the worship-me-or-burn-in-hell-forever choice the fundamentalists say their God gives people. Sometimes Gods claim people. But far more frequently, They call people to Their service. If you say yes, great. If you say no, They move on to someone else. And if no one calls you? Then your choices are wide open. Follow those whose stories resonate with you, whose virtues you need in your life, who strike you as particularly noble, or just interesting. I have found great meaning in Cernunnos, Danu, the Morrigan, and the other deities with whom I have on-going relationships. But thats not the only place I find meaning and purpose, and its certainly not the only place you can find it either. The first choice: accepting that you must choose The first step in choosing meaning is accepting that you must choose. Because if you dont, other people will choose for you. Theyll tell you your only real choice is whatever theyre selling, whether thats religion, politics, or whatever overpriced consumer goods theyre offering as a substitute for real meaning and purpose. Refusing to choose is itself a choice a choice to seek meaning in whatever is readily available, or worse, to decide that life is meaningless and the only option is bouncing from whim to whim. Instead, begin by choosing to find and make meaning in the ways that are best for you, not for someone whos trying to sell you something. The second choice: searching If finding meaning and purpose was easy, people wouldnt have been arguing about it with each other and with themselves for millennia. Its hard thats one of the reasons so many people are eager to latch onto someone elses thinking. What interests you? What moves you? What fills your soul with joy or with righteous anger? Where can you promote the flourishing of life? Where can you reduce suffering and harm in the world? Liberal Christian theologian Frederick Buechner said your calling in life is the place where your deep gladness and the worlds deep hunger meet. Dont mistake this for a career search. How you make a living and how you make a life are two different things. Thats OK you dont need to do something full time for it to be meaningful in your life. Its often best that you dont. Otherwise, your deepest calling can turn into just another job. Choose to do the hard work of searching for meaning. The third choice: making a tentative choice Some people spend their lives grazing at the spiritual buffet. A little of this, a little of that, hey whats that over there Ive never tried? People who call themselves seekers often forget that the purpose of seeking is to find something. At some point we need to say Im going to follow this path and see where it leads. Where might you find meaning and purpose? In worship? In service? In learning? In art? In research? In caring for others? In political activism? In becoming the best person you can be, whatever that means to you? Finding meaning and purpose doesnt mean becoming a vocational monogamist, but it does mean not spreading yourself so thin youve got no time and energy for depth. Pick the one you like best. Pick the one youre best at doing. Pick the one that does the most good, as best you can tell. Just pick something. The fourth choice: perseverance Few things of meaning are easy. Their meaning comes because theyre difficult, complicated, or just really really important. This means that at some point, things are going to get hard. There will be obstacles. You will feel like jumping to something else, or just giving up. Keep moving. There is value in perseverance. Perhaps you will get to the point where you realize you were wrong and this isnt the path for you. If so, its OK to quit and try something else. Just dont quit too early. Choose to keep going when things get hard. The fifth choice: reflection, review, and choosing again If all goes well, your first choice turns out to be a good choice and you find meaning in that vocation for the rest of your life. But maybe you dont. Or maybe something thats fulfilling in one decade of your life stops being fulfilling in another. We learn, we grow, we change where we find meaning sometimes changes. We owe it to ourselves and to the wider world to keep thinking about meaning and purpose. Just as we make a conscious decision to follow a path, we need to make informed and conscious decisions to keep following it in the future. Or not. My purpose has not changed since I approached adulthood. But how I fulfill that purpose has changed several times, and its changing again. Of course it is Im nearing the end of my paying career, with all that involves. And the spiritual environment that provided so much meaning to me in the last decade has changed dramatically. The many Gods will always be a key part of my spiritual foundation, but how I serve Them will change. Is changing. And I have to choose what that change will look like. A Tarot reading for insight was filled with Swords: the suit of making clear, sharp distinctions and decisions. The Gods will be part of my meaning and purpose, but They are not dictating what that meaning and purpose will be. Theyre telling me to go find it. Theyre telling me to choose. And so I will. And I hope you will too. YAREN, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese national flag-raising ceremony was held on Monday in Nauru by a Chinese diplomatic team, marking the first time in nearly 19 years that the five-star red flag has been raised in the Pacific island country. The ceremony was held by the team responsible for reestablishing the Chinese embassy in Nauru in a compound that also houses their temporary offices. The Nauruan government issued a statement on Jan. 15, announcing that it recognizes the one-China principle, severed the so-called "diplomatic relations" with the Taiwan authorities, and is willing to resume diplomatic relations with China. China and Nauru signed a joint communique in Beijing on Jan. 24 on the resumption of diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level. The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has been on a working visit with a Ghanaian delegation to Estonia this week, holding talks on their digitalization journey, framework and impact. While Ghana has made remarkable strides in the past seven years in the area of digitalization, Estonia is a global giant as they are widely regarded as the most digitally advanced country in the world. During one of the meetings with Dr. Bawumia in the Estonian capital, Tallinn, officials of e-Estonia Academy which is one of Estonia's national digitalization agencies, revealed how the decision to digitize the nation and public services has immensely contributed to their fight against corruption. "We inherited a very corrupt public system and there was the urgent need for us to do something", a senior official of e-Estonia said. The official continued; "Digitalization has really helped us to sanitize the system and weed out corruption. As one of our former leaders used to say, 'you cannot bribe a computer'." Apart from removing human interface in public service delivery, digitizing Estonia has also helped the country to maintain an efficient revenue generation through a transparent tax system where people and businesses easily file their tax returns online from the comfort of their homes. Corruption Fight In Line With Dr. Bawumia's Vision Estonia's success story in fighting corruption through digitization is in line with Dr. Bawumia's quest to ensuring same in Ghana. Dr. Bawumia maintains that by digitizing many public services such as application and renewal of drivers license, passports, NHIS registration, port clearance among many others in Ghana, human contacts have been reduced significantly and corruption will be dealt a fatal blow once all these services fully integrate their database with the Ghana Card database which would not require holders of Ghana Card to physically show up at other offices or agencies to access services. Even at this growing stage of Ghana's digitalization process, Dr. Bawumia maintains verifiable data at the DVLA, passport office and the ports shows considerable leap in revenue generation under online services as against meagre revenues generated before digitalization. In 2016, he cited, before the application of passports went online, the passport office processed a total of 16,232 applications with a revenue of GHC1.1m. Following the introduction of online application, the same passport office, in 2021, received and processed 498,963 online passport applications with a total revenue of GHC56.7m. Data at other service providers also show significant increase in revenue, which, hitherto, would have ended up in private pockets. At one of his meetings with the Estonian authorities, Vice President Bawumia reiterated his commitment and confidence in using technology to fight corruption in Ghana. "As you have rightly said, a computer cannot be bribed and that is where we are going. Digitalization is an effective tool to fight corruption. You put in place an effective system which automatically fights corruption . That is the goal and we are on track." Dr. Bawumia's delegation includes Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Mohammed Amin Adam as well as representatives from Ghana Revenue Authority, Volta River Authority, National Information and Technology Agency and the private sector; IT and Fintech companies. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Archbishop Kwaku Frimpong Manso Semanshya of Reconciliation International Community Foundation together with some apostles and in collaboration with the Local Council of Churches in Wiamoase has donated a variety of items to the All Nation Charity Home at Wiamoase in the Ashanti Region. The items included boxes of bottled water, assorted drinks, clothing, biscuits, boxes of chocolate and more. The founder and President of the foundation, Archbishop Kwaku Frimpong Manso Semanshya (BEM), delivering a speech during the event said; one of my desires in life is to support the vulnerable and underprivileged in society, especially women and children. The church is a charitable institution that should take care of the needy and the underprivileged in society, he added. This gesture is also to strengthen the relationship between the church and the orphanage. Archbishop Frimpong Manso Semanshya appealed to benevolent organizations and individuals to replicate their action. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video 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. Nollywood actress Destiny Etiko says she desires to be a white woman in her next life. She made the revelation in response to a video posted by Instagram blogger Tunde Ednut, featuring two Caucasian women expressing their financial independence. In the video, the Caucasian women asserted their self-sufficiency, expressing a preference for covering their luxury expenses like hair and nails independently and opting for personality-focused dates over extravagant outings. Reacting to this, Destiny Etiko shared her thoughts on social media, stating, In my next life, I will be a white girl. Cos Even as a Nigerian babe, I dont expect anything from anyone, but if it happens, then its fine. Etiko, known for her roles in various Nollywood productions, went on to explain her dislike for negative responses when making demands, expressing a preference for working tirelessly to achieve her life goals. I hate to hear No for an answer when I demand something, So I would rather work tirelessly to achieve my goals in life. I work for my money, she wrote. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Destiny Etiko (@destinyetikoofficial) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Destiny Etiko (@destinyetikoofficial) Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video In the vibrant landscape of the Ghanaian music industry, a new star is emerging, and his name is Sarfo Newman. Hailing from Sekyere Kwamang in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, this young artist has captured the hearts of most Ghanaian music lovers with his sensational music and lyrics, earning widespread acceptance from netizens. The stamp of approval came from none other than the famous rap artist Sarkodie, who took to Twitter to endorse Sarfo Newman signalilng that he is one to watch within the Ghanaian music landscape. Sarfo Newman's journey into the world of music is as diverse as his influences. He studied Construction Technology and Management at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). Currently, he serves as a teacher in Accra, showcasing the multifaceted nature of his talents. He has been officially making music for the past 5 years where he worked with some national institutions such as the Bureau of Ghana Languages and National Commission on Culture. Refusing to be confined to a specific genre, he proudly identifies as an alternative artist, embracing the freedom to explore various musical avenues. Sarfo Newman's latest single, "Akokoa," is making waves in the Ghanaian music scene. A captivating storytelling piece, the song has quickly ascended the charts, currently securing its spot as one of the top 5 most streamed songs on Apple Music Ghana. The track not only showcases Sarfo's lyrical finesse but also establishes him as a relatable storyteller. Beyond his musical talents, Sarfo Newman is described as a calm, quiet, yet highly intelligent individual. His entertaining and creative personality shines through in his work, drawing listeners into a world where emotions and stories are beautifully woven into every note. What sets Sarfo Newman apart is his unique inspiration drawn from classical music of the 1600s. Influenced by legendary composers such as Beethoven, Joseph Hayden, and Handel, he brings a classical touch to the contemporary Ghanaian music scene, creating a blend that resonates with a wide audience. When he's not busy creating music, Sarfo Newman enjoys watching detective movies and funny videos, showcasing a well-rounded personality that goes beyond the confines of the studio. As Sarfo Newman continues to make his mark, we eagerly anticipate the musical journey that lies ahead for this rising artiste. With a unique blend of classical inspiration, and relatable storytelling, Sarfo Newman is undoubtedly a rising star to watch out for. Source: Benjamin Koomson Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video FILE - A cargo ship sails through the town of Ismailia, Egypt, March 30, 2021. Houthi rebels in Yemen are attacking cargo ships plying the waters connecting Asia with Europe and the United States, forcing traffic away from the Suez Canal and around the tip of Africa. (AP Photo/Ayman Aref, File)AP PHILADELPHIA (AP) Authorities say a police officer was shot and wounded in a corner store in north Philadelphia and the shooter was then shot and killed by another officer. Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said two officers were on patrol in the Fairhill section shortly before 9 p.m. Friday when they entered the store as part of an investigation. A confrontation ensued after they saw the individual with a gun, Bethel said. Bethel said one officer scuffled with the person, who fired at least twice, hitting the officer twice in the thigh. The other officer then shot the person. By Logan Seacrest Near the end of last year, disturbing photos emerged from the Juvenile Justice Services Center in West Philadelphia. The photos show youth sleeping on floors in crowded, windowless rooms, where they are reportedly held the majority of the day, sometimes without schooling. The images are the latest evidence of chronic problems that have long plagued Pennsylvanias juvenile justice system, including overcrowding, understaffing and allegations of abuse. Penn States top-ranked wrestling team will make the trip south on Sunday for College Park, Md., and a noon ET matchup against the Maryland Terrapins. That match will air live on Big Ten Network and will be followed by No. 6 Nebraska battling No. 17 Wisconsin at 2 p.m. The doubleheader is part of a growing number of big wrestling broadcasts on BTN. Both Sunday matchups can also be streamed live with introductory offers from FuboTV (free trial), as well as DirecTV Stream (free trial) and SlingTV (low intro rate). ISTANBUL, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- One person was killed on Sunday in an armed attack on an Italian church in Turkiye's largest city Istanbul, said Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya. Yerlikaya said on social media platform X that two masked people organized the attack at the Santa Maria Church in the Sariyer district on the European side of the city at around 11:40 a.m. local time (0840 GMT). "A large-scale investigation into the incident and efforts to apprehend the attackers have been initiated," Yerlikaya noted, adding that Turkiye strongly condemns the "vile" attack. Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said that a deputy chief public prosecutor and two public prosecutors have been assigned to investigate the incident. "The investigation is being carried out in a multifaceted and meticulous manner," Tunc said on X. Omer Celik, the ruling Justice and Development Party deputy chairman, strongly condemned the armed attack. "Those who aim at the peace and security of our citizens will never achieve their ambitions," Celik said on X. Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu also announced on X that "we will never allow those who try to disrupt our unity and peace by attacking the places of faith in our city." TikTok Star Griffin Johnson Gearing Up for Celebrity Poker Tour During Super Bowl Week January 27, 2024 Chad Holloway Executive Editor U.S. Las Vegas is preparing for a busy Super Bowl weekend, and a part of that will be plenty of celebrities coming into town. Thatll be especially true on Thursday, February 8th when the Celebrity Poker Tour host their second invitational at PokerGO Studio with a livestream starting at 6 p.m. PST. The Celebrity Poker Tour Invitational II, which is expected to last 4-5 hours, will be a 72-invite-only field that starts players with 100,000 in chips and play 15-minute levels. There will be a total of $50,000 in prize money awarded to the top nine finishers, with the winner capturing a $20,000 first-place prize. The event will be comprised of celebrities, pro athletes, content creators, and business leaders including the likes of Perez Hilton, Aljamain Sterling, Will Levis, Austin Ekeler, Bryce Hall, Marc D'Amelio, Pierson Wodzynski, Tana Mongeau, and several dozen more. That includes internet personality and actor Griffin Johnson, who rose to fame on TikTok thanks to his comedic skits, challenges, and a mastery of the slow-motion technique. The former member of the Sway House has more than 10.3 million followers on TikTok, 1.7 million followers on X, 3.1 million on Instagram, and nearly a million subscribers on YouTube. (Top) From Left to Right; Josie Canseco, Austin Ekeler, Nemo Zhou, Aljamain Sterling, Will Levis (Bottom) From Left to Right: Bryce Hall, Tana Mongeau, Shane Victorino, Alex Botez, Rampage Poker Actor Neil Patrick Harris Takes Brutal Cooler in WPT Celebrity Poker Tournament Q&A with Griffin Johnson "The winner will receive a custom engraved bottle of LOUIS XIII cognac alongside two engraved Baccarat crystal glasses." PokerNews recently chatted with Johnson to get his thoughts on the upcoming Celebrity Poker Tour Invitational II. This will be my third-ever, in-person game, Johnson admitted. I actually learned from Blake Wynn [the owner of the Celebrity Poker Tour] through friendly games together and I also downloaded the app Pokerist as it was recommended by a friend and I've been playing ever since. Griffin Johnson He continued: My favorite part is most card games are all luck-based and while there's luck involved, there's a lot of strategy, intelligence, and thought behind it so that's what sets it apart for me. It's like the difference between chess and Monopoly for example. While he didnt participate back then, Johnson shared that there used to be some poker games played at the famous Sway House. There definitely has been poker played at the house. Although, it's difficult for me to recall specific stories as I always just watched if there ever was a game. I've watched Bryce [Hall] play too much poker I think, as well as Josh [Richards]. I would love to play against Bryce and win just one good hand. That way, when he tries to win it back, there would be no chance as I would just get up from the table and go! As for the Super Bowl, Johnson is looking forward to the big game, though the two teams he was rooting for the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills have already been eliminated from Playoff contention. PokerNews will be on-hand for the Celebrity Poker Tour Invitational II and offering social media throughout. While there, well be sure to catch up with Johnson to see if he can manage to come away with all the chips! Sharelines The @celebpokertour Invitational II will take place on Thurs. Feb. 8 at PokerGO Studio. Failed gubernatorial candidate/Senate candidate Kari Lake was booed at the Arizona Republican convention when she claimed Arizona elections are corrupt. Lake said, We dont agree on everything. But one thing we can agree on is the elections in Arizona are a corrupt mess. Can we agree that the elections in Arizona are a corrupt mess? (Crowd boos) Lake continues, No? I know that more than anybody, and President Trump knows that more than everybody, this election is about making sure that our elections in 2024 are run fairly. To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily. Video: Interesting reaction by AZGOP to Kari Lake. https://t.co/yW26nyUBVK pic.twitter.com/36U4G0tPRA Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (@yvonnewingett) January 27, 2024 There are a lot of Republicans, especially in swing states, who realize that the stolen election nonsense that is being pushed by Trump and Lake is costing the GOP elections. It is very possible that Kari Lake will finish third in the likely three way Senate race in Arizona. Lake cant even make it through the Arizona Republican convention without getting booed. It is difficult to see how she is going to be able to get enough support to be the next senator from Arizona. The polling in both Iowa and New Hampshire suggests that there a sizable number of Republicans who are tired of the Trump show and want to move on. Kari Lake getting booed is just another sign that Trump and his crew are reaching the end of the line. A Special Message From PoliticusUSA If you are in a position to donate purely to help us keep the doors open on PoliticusUSA during what is a critical election year, please do so here. We have been honored to be able to put your interests first for 14 years as we only answer to our readers and we will not compromise on that fundamental, core PoliticusUSA value. If you are wondering why E. Jean Carroll hasnt been doing cable news interviews, shell be sitting down with Rachel Maddow on Monday at 9 PM ET. MSNBC announced the interview in a press release provided to PoliticusUSA: On Monday, MSNBC host Rachel Maddow will sit down with E. Jean Carroll for her first interview since a jury ordered former President Donald Trump to pay over $83 million in damages for defaming Carroll. Carroll will be joined by her attorneys Robbie Kaplan and Shawn Crowley for the interview to discuss the case and a potential appeal from Trump. The exclusive interview will air on The Rachel Maddow Show on Monday at 9pm ET on MSNBC. To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily. The Carroll interview is a huge get for Maddow and MSNBC. E. Jean Carroll was last interviewed by Maddow eight months ago after the first defamation trial verdict: Fox News is pretending like the Carroll verdict doesnt exist and the only story that matters is the crisis on the border that Fox always happens to forget to mention that Republicans are refusing to do anything about. The E. Jean Carroll interview should be important viewing for Americans who care about holding Trump accountable. Rachel Maddow is one of the few hosts on cable news who is willing to discuss democracy, Trump, and accountability without overly engaging in horserace coverage. Her interview with E. Jean Carroll should be worth watching. A Special Message From PoliticusUSA If you are in a position to donate purely to help us keep the doors open on PoliticusUSA during what is a critical election year, please do so here. We have been honored to be able to put your interests first for 14 years as we only answer to our readers and we will not compromise on that fundamental, core PoliticusUSA value. Former president and current Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump excels at self-pity, and nothing demonstrated that more than when he announced that he had been treated worse than Abraham Lincoln, who was assassinated. You know, in history, they say the president that was treated the worst was Abraham Lincoln. But he had thelittle Civil War goingI havent seen the new list. But if Im not number one over Abraham Lincoln I will be very disappointed. Donald Trump: you know, in history, they say the president that was treated the worst was Abraham Lincoln. But he had thelittle Civil War goingI havent seen the new list. But if Im not number one over Abraham Lincoln I will be very disappointed. To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily. Dear Republicans, it's pic.twitter.com/LKpTDLDN0a Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) January 28, 2024 The 16th president of the United States, President Lincoln, was shot in the head by a Confederate sympathizer while at Fords Theater in Washington, D.C., on the evening of April 14, 1865. That is almost like being found liable for sexual assault and fraud and facing 91 felony charges and inciting an insurrection against your own country, except NOT. Donald Trump works against the United States, whereas Lincoln worked for it. Lincoln was murdered for his efforts to fight off people like Trump, who wanted a Civil War over their belief that they were entitled to keep human beings as slaves. Nothing demonstrates Trumps lack of genuine care for the U.S. more than his attacks about the border, as he strong-armed Republicans into scuttling an actual policy to deal with the border. Donald Trump didnt even have success with the border while president, other than the help he got from the Covid pandemic shutting down the border. When that temporary measure expired in May of 2023, the Biden administration warned that they needed more funds to deal with the expected surge. Guess who refused to give them that money? Thats right. Republicans. The border problems stem from factors completely unrelated to willingness to deal with it. President Biden wants to deal with it, he just wants to deal with it humanely and it costs money to vet people, to send people who crossed illegally back, to process people it all costs money. Republicans would rather shoot migrants, put up inhumane razor wire that has sliced and or ensnared a pregnant woman and children, and separate families as a matter of policy all measures they claim will punish and deter migrants trying to cross into the U.S. Of course, those things do not work, because the people coming here are fleeing conditions unfathomable to uneducated Americans. Donald Trump has not been assassinated for being a good president, like Lincoln was. Donald Trump is not president right now. Donald Trump is finally being held accountable for a scant few of his actions and he is hollering like a guilty person who feels they are above the law. Donald Trump is a man comprised of self-pity and ego fragility. He simply cant handle being challenged and he cant handle losing. He is so incapable of handling losing like a grown up that he incited what FBI Director Wray called an act of domestic terrorism against his own country in an effort to stop the certification of the 2020 election that he lost. Now hes publicly moaning that he should get the Biggest Victim prize and his supporters cheered and laughed, even though theyve spent years mocking anyone with feelings and compassion as snowflakes. Donald Trump is no victim. He just doesnt like being treated like a grown man who is expected to follow the law. A Special Message From PoliticusUSA If you are in a position to donate purely to help us keep the doors open on PoliticusUSA during what is a critical election year, please do so here. We have been honored to be able to put your interests first for 14 years as we only answer to our readers and we will not compromise on that fundamental, core PoliticusUSA value. Another red flag for Republicans is that on the first day of early voting in the Nevada primary, more Democrats voted than Republicans. Jon Ralston tweeted: Lots more mail ballots have been returned and accepted: 84,000 49K, Dems; 35K, Repubs To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily. About 8 percent of registered major party voters. Jon Ralston (@RalstonReports) January 28, 2024 Trump has been urging his supporters to show up and caucus in Nevada, because Nikki Haley is not participating. It is unknown who these Democrats are voting for, but it is likely that they are showing up to vote for Joe Biden even though he has no serious primary opposition. It was visible in Iowa and New Hampshire. Republicans appear to have a serious enthusiasm problem. Donald Trump might be rolling his way to the Republican presidential nomination, but there are a lot of Republicans who arent happy or seem excited to support him. The media can talk about Biden as a struggling candidate, but Trump fatigue appears to be a very real problem in the Republican Party. The numbers in Nevada are not good for Republicans and they indicate that Trumps efforts to kill the Republican primary may have also killed the enthusiasm of the party for the 2024 election. A Special Message From PoliticusUSA If you are in a position to donate purely to help us keep the doors open on PoliticusUSA during what is a critical election year, please do so here. We have been honored to be able to put your interests first for 14 years as we only answer to our readers and we will not compromise on that fundamental, core PoliticusUSA value. PARIS, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Business and cultural leaders in France expressed approval in further developing China-France ties in recent interviews with Xinhua. The strategic partnership between the two countries, featuring independence, mutual understanding, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation and thus yielding great achievements in the past, will break new ground with refreshed vitality, they said upon the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations. ICE-BREAKER "When General de Gaulle recognized the People's Republic of China on January 27, 1964, he crossed the divide between blocs and affirmed France's independence. He also paid tribute to China, her past, her culture and her potential. Since then, relations between the two countries have been marked by mutual respect," said Bruno Guigue, a French geopolitical analyst. This historical event has pushed the global landscape to evolve in the right direction of dialogue and cooperation, which still offers inspiration for today, as Chinese President Xi Jinping put it when he exchanged congratulations with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Saturday. What happened the same day 60 years ago amid the Cold War "proves that at that time both countries were already rejecting the divide of East-West blocs," said Lyazid Benhami, vice president of the Paris Association of French-Chinese Friendship. "Nowadays, the relations between France and China are still outstanding," said French writer and sinologist Lea Bessis. She said that "important exchanges in culture and education" create mutual understanding between the two people. She added that France is a major European trade partner for China, with significant volume in crucial sectors such as aeronautics and energy. The two share common interests, especially in defending multilateralism, fighting climate change, and cooperating in innovation and technology. "These relations, complex and multidimensional, evidently covering both achievements and challenges, contribute significantly to world peace and stability," she said. BIGGER "PIE" FOR MUTUAL BENEFIT The two partners step into the 7th decade of their relationship. Today, France is the third-largest trading partner and the third-biggest investor in the European Union for China. China is France's top trading partner in Asia and the seventh-largest trading partner globally. "Across the past three decades, as a pioneering company in the China market, Danone has thrived in the flourishing relation between China and France, while actively contributing to its development," said Bruno Chevot, president of Danone China, North Asia and Oceania. "This partnership between our nations hasn't just facilitated the entry of Danone's products into China. It has also strengthened our determination to deepen our footprint and make China one of Danone's largest markets in the world. In recent years, our commitment to 'innovate in China, produce in China' has accelerated, harmonizing seamlessly with China's quest for quality-driven development." he said. Celebrating the significant milestone in the Sino-French diplomatic ties, Chevot told Xinhua that Danone "steadfastly believes that the everlasting friendship between China and France will continue to unlock growth opportunities for enterprises in both countries." When delivering a video speech to a reception in Beijing celebrating the anniversary on Thursday, President Xi announced that the two countries need to "make the 'pie' bigger for mutual benefit, and pool cooperation forces and share development opportunities through openness." For Electricite de France (EDF), the first foreign company to support the development of nuclear power in China, a bigger "pie" is already in sight. "We were pioneers in nuclear cooperation with China, and this pioneering spirit continues with offshore wind power," Fabrice Foucade, the French power giant's chief representative in China, told Xinhua. In March 2019, during Xi's visit to France, EDF and the Chinese power utility China Energy Investment Corporation signed an agreement to jointly deliver two offshore wind power projects in China. It was the first Sino-foreign offshore project in China. "We'll continue to be a pioneer, making fine projects and fine investments in renewable energies and energy services," said Fourcade. "I see two characteristics of our commitment in China: a pioneering spirit and consistency. The pioneering spirit isn't there to make a splash; it's there to be present over the long term, to build trust and a shared, reciprocal commitment." YEAR OF CULTURE AND TOURISM The year 2024 also marks the France-China Year of Culture and Tourism, and the two sides are expected to hold various activities. "It's an outstretching hand, a bridge between the populations of our two countries, a call to get to know each other," said Catherine Ruggeri, inspector general of Cultural Affairs at the French Ministry of Culture. "Relations are founded on a genuine knowledge of and respect for each other's cultures. Obviously, China is a huge country compared to France, but France has a very lively, deeply-rooted culture. I'm often amazed by my Chinese friends when I've noticed how much they know about French literature and science, and the French who love China also love its immense cultural heritage," she told Xinhua. "It's very interesting to deepen cultural relations and discover a whole side of a civilization that we don't know very well," said Catherine Pegard, president of the Versailles Palace, whose Royal Opera theatre will stage a gala next Wednesday to celebrate bilateral ties. "There is a mutual fascination between the two countries, two very ancient civilizations, a central place occupied by culture and heritage, a common taste and great achievements in the fields of art, fashion and gastronomy," said Olivier Bosc, director of the Bibliotheque de l'Arsenal. "It is only natural that our diplomatic relations should reflect a long-standing and living affinity in these fields," he added. Aiken Standard Reporter Erin Weeks is a reporter with the Aiken Standard. She covers education in Aiken County. Erin is a graduate of the University of South Carolina Aiken. Her first poetry book, "Origins of My Love," was published by Bottlecap Press in 2022. To support local journalism, sign up for a subscription. See our current offers One of the first signs of spring is related to the seasonal activity of our avian friends. Here in Aiken, birds are actively building their nests. Read moreMEDICAL INSIGHTS: Spring is a prime time for birdwatching As 2023 wrapped up for the hospitality industry, downtown Charleston's biggest hotel nabbed one more recognition as it prepares to undergo a major overhaul. The Charleston Place made Conde Nast Travelers worldwide "Gold List," which identified 75 properties as getaway destinations for 2024. They were handpicked by the magazines editors. The 434-room hotel and retail complex at King, Market, Meeting and Hasell streets is the only South Carolina lodging to make the cut and one of 13 in U.S. The international hotels Conde Nast singled out included The Ritz Paris and The Four Seasons Hotel Greshum Palace in Budapest. According to the accompanying review, The Charleston Place had a stately European elegance with a heap of Southern charm. It gave high remarks to the dining and retail scene at the hotel, the lobbys welcome atmosphere and accessibility to locals and added amenities like childcare and dog sitters on site. Becky Hubbard, managing director of The Charleston Place, said being recognized by major travel media outlet helps keep the city on the map and that its indicative of the local industry's success. When were creating these experiences, were always thinking about the kind of memories that people are going to take away once they leave, Hubbard said. Charleston's hotels elevate tourism and travel as a whole." Last year, Conde Nast readers named Charleston as the most popular for the second year in a row. The streak follows a brief dethroning in 2021 after the city's decade-long stay in the top spot. Rival publication Travel + Leisure ranked Charleston as the Best City in the U.S to visit for the 11th consecutive year. The Charleston Place owner Beemok Hospitality Collection has a $150 million renovation starting this year. The locally based company owned by Ben Navarro and his family will kick off the overhaul with improvements to the exterior facade and the second-floor banquet spaces, according to management. The bills have been piling up at Santee Cooper for several years. Theyre about to come due. And the numbers are eye-opening. The state-owned utility said last week that it will seek to pass along to customers a significant portion of $680 million in unbudgeted expenses it has amassed since an ill-timed rate freeze kicked in nearly three-and-a-half years ago. Much of the mounting debt is tied to high-priced fuel Santee Cooper has had to purchase to run its generating plants. Now, the public power provider is proposing a wonky-sounding financing plan known as securitization to pay it off and to minimize an otherwise severe case of sticker shock for the roughly 1 million South Carolina households it serves, either directly or indirectly. Its a tool that utilities for many years have used to manage extraordinary costs, Pamela Williams, Santee Coopers general counsel and chief public affairs officer, told the board of directors Monday. But its far from a done deal. Its a long process to get from here to where we want to be, Williams said. For starters, Santee Cooper will need state lawmakers and Gov. Henry McMaster to get behind the plan and then pass special legislation if they decide its feasible. That's the first step, to make sure our elected officials are on board with us proceeding with this," Williams said. The proposal calls for the creation of a standalone special purpose entity that would issue high-grade bonds and hand over the proceeds to the utility to cover the expenses. Ratepayers, including the customers of the small cooperatives around South Carolina that buy power from Santee Cooper, would then pay off the debt and the interest. The state won't be on the hook for the money, Williams stressed. Its a charge on the customers bill that goes to pay that debt, she said. The monthly increases for ratepayers havent been determined, but the compressed price-setting process will include public meetings. Gov. Henry McMaster has vowed to fight the presence of labor unions in South Carolina "all the way to the gates of hell," but a new report shows that battle has largely been won. The Palmetto State again has the nation's lowest percentage of workers who are members of a union, at 2.3 percent in 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. It's a long-running title for South Carolina, where right-to-work laws and political activism have tamped down collective bargaining efforts. North Carolina had the second-lowest percentage of unionized workers at 2.7 percent. Hawaii and New York had the most, at 24.1 percent and 20.6 percent, respectively. McMaster's vitriol during last week's "State of the State" speech was aimed at the International Longshoremen's Association, which is battling the State Ports Authority over who will operate ship-to-shore cranes at the maritime agency's Leatherman Terminal. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule soon, perhaps next month, on whether it will hear the dispute between the SPA and National Labor Relations Board. If it declines to take the case, a previous appeals court ruling will let the dockworkers' union run the cranes. That would upend decades of a so-called "hybrid" workforce at Southeast ports, where state employees operate the heavy-lift equipment and ILA members move cargo through the terminal yards. "We will not let our states economy suffer or become collateral damage as labor unions seek to consume new jobs and conscript new dues-paying members," McMaster said during his annual speech. "And we will not allow the Biden administrations pro-union policies to chip away at South Carolinas sovereign interests." State Rep. Wendell Gilliard, a Charleston Democrat and former union leader, called McMaster's remarks "a freakin' insult," adding the governor "needs to apologize to all union members in the state of South Carolina. 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 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 enslaved people "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. The prospective national anthem singers worked in a dental office, sold mattresses, sang in their church or served in the military. But, they all shared a love for singing one song in particular. Read moreOh say can you sing? Look who's auditioning for national anthem at RiverDogs MAULDIN Nikki Haley's return to a likely stronghold for Donald Trump in Upstate South Carolina was met with a filled gymnasium, an amped crowd and new jabs against his campaign. The former South Carolina governor did not hesitate from making more direct digs on the former president, nor did she avoid addressing why a vast majority of the state's politicians have sided with him. After more than two dozen new endorsements from South Carolina lawmakers, Trump now has the support of 66 state legislators, while Haley only has nine. Haley shrugged it off, saying her work as governor upset the Palmetto State's political status quo, particularly lawmakers who disagreed with her ethics reforms, a bill to record legislative votes in the Statehouse and millions of dollars in line-item vetos from the state's budget. Speaking to Trump's campaign about the lawmakers, Haley said, "You can have them." Haley seemed unimpressed by Gov. Henry McMaster's support for Trump, reminding the crowd that she beat McMaster in the gubernatorial primary back in 2010. She also played off U.S. Sen. Tim Scott's endorsement of Trump earlier this month with a snicker. "I'll let y'all deal with Tim Scott. Im not going to say anything," Haley said. Throughout the rally, Haley was not afraid of painting herself as the underdog. She looks at Iowa and New Hampshire as success stories of a campaign that repelled predictions of Trump clearing the field from the get-go or Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis being the only Trump alternative. Visitors pose for photos with traditional Chinese oil-paper umbrellas at the 2024 New York Travel & Adventure Show in New York, the United States, Jan. 27, 2024. Chinese culture shone brightly at the 2024 New York Travel & Adventure Show Saturday, captivating visitors with a vibrant display of tradition and artistry. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan) NEW YORK, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese culture shone brightly at the 2024 New York Travel & Adventure Show Saturday, captivating visitors with a vibrant display of tradition and artistry. Chinese artists demonstrated woodblock printing and played the musical instrument Guzheng at a booth showcasing the cultural heritage of southeast China's Zhejiang province and its capital city, Hangzhou. Wei Lizhong, curator of Hangzhou Ten Bamboo Studio Art Museum, invited visitors to make their own woodblock printings. Several visitors eagerly lined up, wielding engraved woodblocks, ink, brushes and Xuan paper to craft their own unique prints. Daisy Arroyo, a New Yorker from the garment industry, expressed her appreciation for Chinese culture, food and traditional Chinese medicine after finishing her piece of woodblock printing. Having longed to visit China for years, Arroyo said she embraced the opportunity to immerse herself in Chinese culture. Some visitors on the show posed for pictures with traditional Chinese oil-paper umbrellas, listed as a type of intangible culture in China. Visitors are also fond of paper-cutting masterpieces and DIY paper-cutting kits at a booth promoting tourism in southeast China's Jiangsu province and its capital, Nanjing. China National Tourist Office also set up a booth featuring brochures about China's tourist sites. The two-day show ends on Sunday. Visitors are seen at the 2024 New York Travel & Adventure Show in New York, the United States, Jan. 27, 2024. Chinese culture shone brightly at the 2024 New York Travel & Adventure Show Saturday, captivating visitors with a vibrant display of tradition and artistry. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan) Daisy Arroyo (L), a New Yorker from the garment industry, makes woodblock printings at the 2024 New York Travel & Adventure Show in New York, the United States, Jan. 27, 2024. Chinese culture shone brightly at the 2024 New York Travel & Adventure Show Saturday, captivating visitors with a vibrant display of tradition and artistry. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan) Wei Lizhong (L), curator of Hangzhou Ten Bamboo Studio Art Museum, presents a woodblock printing to Daisy Arroyo (R), a New Yorker from the garment industry, at the 2024 New York Travel & Adventure Show in New York, the United States, Jan. 27, 2024. Chinese culture shone brightly at the 2024 New York Travel & Adventure Show Saturday, captivating visitors with a vibrant display of tradition and artistry. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan) Visitors watch Guzheng performance at the 2024 New York Travel & Adventure Show in New York, the United States, Jan. 27, 2024. Chinese culture shone brightly at the 2024 New York Travel & Adventure Show Saturday, captivating visitors with a vibrant display of tradition and artistry. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan) Fresh off his March 16 sheriff candidacy filing in North Charleston, Councilmember Carl Ritchie stated his designs on increasing services to the unincorporated areas of Charleston County if he gets voted into office in November. Read moreAspiring sheriff calls for more cops, coverage COLUMBIA Seven years ago, the foreperson of a jury considering a gruesome killing in Laurens County asked a bailiff a question, inadvertently setting in motion a series of events that now weigh on the disbarred lawyer Alex Murdaughs efforts to get a new murder trial. The question was innocuous enough: What would happen if the jury couldnt come to a consensus? The answer was straightforward, too: The judge would probably issue jurors a new charge, the bailiff said, and he might ask them to stay longer. The courts hold the jury room sacrosanct, so word of the bailiffs comments during deliberations caused a stir in the courtroom. After learning what had happened, the judge admonished the bailiff. Later, the S.C. Court of Appeals described his conduct as astonishingly inappropriate. But the S.C. Supreme Court ultimately ruled that the bailiffs comments werent so egregious they warranted a new trial for Fabian Lamichael Green, who was found guilty of murder and desecration of human remains. He'd been charged in the death of a 17-year-old who was struck in the head with a hammer and later set on fire. The court found that because the bailiff didnt talk about the merits of Greens case, he didnt violate the teenagers Sixth Amendment right to an impartial jury. The court's decision in Greens case is now shaping Murdaugh's efforts to secure a new trial on charges he killed his wife, Maggie, and son Paul in June 2021 at the family's Colleton County hunting estate. Murdaugh, however, has leveled accusations that go far beyond a one-off speculative comment: He has accused Colleton Countys clerk of court, Becky Hill, of a concerted effort to steer his jury toward a guilty verdict. Renourishing oyster beds is vital to the state because oysters are vital to ecology. Oyster beds are a habit for fish, crabs, birds and 75% of the species we eat rely on oyster beds at some point in their lives. Read moreFrom recycling shells to building reefs, inside the effort to renourish SC's oyster beds Youve probably heard about the ridiculous gates of hell rhetoric S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster dragged back out Wednesday in his annual State of the State address. What you might have missed were the important policy changes he got behind. There may have been none more important than an emerging legislative plan that could transform the way our state delivers health care to our most vulnerable citizens. As the governor noted, an independent analysis ordered last year by the Legislature found that with eight separate agencies, our system of delivering health and human services is "the most fragmented of any state in the United States." The results are devastating, particularly to the growing number of people caught up in what Mr. McMaster accurately termed a mental health crisis 77% of S.C. youths with major depressive episodes receive no mental health treatment but also to the elderly and people with disabilities. "With little to no coordination between the relevant agencies, South Carolinians seeking assistance are forced to navigate through a confusing landscape of offices, agencies and officials as they seek help for a loved one or dependent," Mr. McMaster said. "Too often they fall through the cracks of a system that does not coordinate, communicate or collaborate." He rightly called on lawmakers to "reimagine how the state provides access to crisis mental health care, physical health care, substance abuse services, disability and special needs services and assistance to the elderly and at-risk" by passing legislation to merge six of those eight agencies into one. For months, Nikki Haley has wanted to take on Donald Trump in her home state of South Carolina. She may come to regret it. The former president's campaign is eager to lambast Haley on her home turf or at least deliver a humiliating embarrassment in her own backyard. And that's just the start. "Nikki Haley is like the proverbial fly at the picnic, and we are holding the fly swatter," said senior Trump adviser Chris LaCivita. Already, plans are underway in the Trump campaign to deploy what LaCivita described as an "aggressive operation" to electrify the state's Republican base ahead of the Feb. 24 GOP primary. The Trump campaign views South Carolina as a turnout operation and a stress test for the general election rather than an exercise in political persuasion. "This is Trump country," LaCivita said. "The state is fundamentally different than when she left, and everybody seems to know that but Nikki." A victory in South Carolina comes with extra bite, history and symbolism. Since 1980, the winner of the South Carolina GOP primary has gone on to win the Republican Party's presidential nomination every time except for 2012. Looking ahead to this year's contest, S.C. GOP Chairman Drew McKissick said he is expecting high interest, sharp elbows and record-breaking turnout. In 2016, the last time the state held a GOP presidential primary, some 740,000 participated. hola.com La ultima imagen que se ha captado de los principes de Gales juntos se hacia el 11 de marzo, tan solo un dia despues del revuelo ocasionado por la fotografia retocada que compartieron en sus perfiles publicos con motivo del Dia de la Madre en Reino Unido. El principe Guillermo y Kate Middleton fueron captados saliendo del Castillo de Windsor, aunque sus destinos eran muy diferentes porque el se dirigia a la Abadia de Westminster para asistir a los actos en honor al Dia de la Commonwealth mientra PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-28 15:00:33 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 459 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 CLAYMONT, DE / ACCESSWIRE / January 28, 2024 / After months of extensive research, Ralph S. Albert, food and nutrition professional, released his latest ebook unveiling the secrets of Shilajit, an ancient superfood known for its rejuvenating effects.Ebook: Natural Remedies Unveiled: A Comprehensive Guide to Shilajit The cover page of Ralph S. Albert's Shilajit Ebook Ralph S. Albert's Shilajit ebook, Natural Remedies Unveiled: A Comprehensive Guide to Shilajit, explores the fascinating history and modern applications of this prized health remedy used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine.Ralph explains, "Shilajit has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine for its numerous health benefits. With a history deeply intertwined with the Indian subcontinent, this remedy has been long celebrated in traditional medicine for its potential contributions to vitality, brain functioning, and altitude sickness relief, among other benefits." Readers will discover how Shilajit can help boost energy levels, support healthy aging, enhance memory and cognition, strengthen immunity, and improve endurance. Ralph outlines the key characteristics and health benefits of Shilajit, including recommended dosages and the best ways to incorporate it into your daily routine.But the ebook doesn't stop there; it also delves into practical tips for purchasing authentic Shilajit and how to avoid counterfeit products that are flooding the market. Ralph's ebook aims to educate readers on how to make informed decisions when buying Shilajit, ensuring they get the best quality product for their health needs.In addition, Natural Remedies Unveiled includes a section on frequently asked questions about Shilajit, addressing common concerns and misconceptions surrounding this potent health supplement. Ralph also provides additional resources for readers who want to further explore the world of Shilajit and its benefits.The release of this ebook marks an essential contribution to the growing body of knowledge on traditional remedies and their modern applications. As more people turn towards natural and holistic approaches to health and wellness, Ralph hopes his ebook will serve as a valuable resource for those looking to incorporate Shilajit into their wellness routines.About Ralph S. Albert author:With over 15 years of experience in nutritional science, Ralph S. Albert has dedicated his career to providing consumers with practical solutions supported by scientific evidence. He is committed to innovating, complying, and making complex research accessible to the public.As a nutrition and food professional, he leads initiatives to develop innovative nutraceutical solutions based on ancient wisdom and cutting-edge science.With the release of The Definitive Guide to Shilajit, Ralph continues his mission to provide knowledge about herbs, remedies, supplements and the education to use them effectively. The ebook is available as a pdf download to provide free access to the audience.Contact InformationRalph S. AlbertFood and Nutrition Professionalsalbertralph@ gmail.com SOURCE: Ralph S. AlbertView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-28 13:30:48 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 440 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Dr. John Ainsworth's Visionary Approach Transforms Patient Care, Uniting Cardiology Excellence and Administrative InnovationNEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / January 28, 2024 / In an exceptional role that intersects cardiology and administrative expertise, Dr. Ainsworth spotlights the critical importance of heart health. Highlighting his extensive career, he emphasizes the seamless integration of medical expertise with billing and coding proficiency, distinguishing himself in the medical field.Expressing a lifelong devotion to cardiovascular health, Dr. Ainsworth shares, "I have dedicated my life to addressing diseases and conditions related to the heart and blood vessels, recognizing the intricacies of this vital organ as paramount for sustaining overall health." Dr. Ainsworth's educational journey includes a Bachelor's degree in Cardiology from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and advanced studies culminating in an M.D.C.M degree from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.Having made a global impact, Dr. Ainsworth has contributed to prestigious institutions worldwide, including Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City and Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, Scotland. Reflecting on his experiences, he notes, "My time at Mount Sinai Hospital and Western General Hospital in Edinburgh was transformative." Exposure to a major cancer research center at Western General Hospital broadened Dr. Ainsworth's perspective and fueled his interest in medical billing and coding.Highlighting his certification in Medical Billing and Coding from the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA), Dr. Ainsworth emphasizes how it has bolstered his ability to navigate the administrative aspects of healthcare.Explaining the integral role of medical billing and coding, Dr. Ainsworth says, "They play a pivotal role in the healthcare system, ensuring accurate reimbursement for services while adhering to regulatory compliance. A robust foundation in both cardiology and medical billing allows me to contribute comprehensively to patient care and enhance the operational efficiency of healthcare facilities." As a seasoned cardiologist, Dr. Ainsworth emphasizes his unwavering commitment to patient care, incorporating state-of-the-art equipment, round-the-clock support, and a highly qualified professional team. "For me, patient care extends beyond diagnosis and treatment; it involves continuous support and a holistic approach to well-being," he states.Dr. John Ainsworth's journey illustrates the convergence of medical proficiency and administrative acumen in the dynamic landscape of healthcare. For those seeking excellence in cardiology and medical billing, explore Dr. Ainsworth's expertise and commitment by visiting his website at https://www.drjohnainsworth.com/ Explore a history characterized by excellence, a commitment to holistic patient care, and the seamless integration of medical and administrative expertise. The path to comprehensive healthcare solutions is available for exploration.Media Contact Name: Dr. John Ainsworth Media Contact Number: +1 720 798-8712Media Contact Email: info@ drjohnainsworth.com SOURCE: Dr. John Ainsworth PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-28 20:31:24 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1055 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 LONDON, UK /ACCESSWIRE / January 28, 2024 / With an excellent record-breaking performance in UK-based essay services, The Academic Papers UK is very excited to announce the launch of its reliable essay writer services in the United States as well. It's great news for US students, as now they can avail of the best essay help for their projects. 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She delivered a baby girl safely but Ms Mahmud continued to bleed for several weeks until her death in February 2022. Doctors said she suffered Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), one of the largest causes of maternal mortality in the world. PPH and several diseases are taking a toll on the lives of Nigerians. It is among the reasons the countrys life expectancy is abysmal compared to its peers, according to Francis Faduyile, a pathologist at the Lagos State University College of Medicine. Life expectancy is defined as the number of years that someone could be expected to live after they are born. In Nigeria, life expectancy has climbed, but at a slower rate over the past 16 years, according to data from the National Population Commission (NPC). For men, the expected years of living is 54.9 in 2022 compared with 49.6 in 2006 (a difference of 5.3 years). For women, the average life expectancy at birth is 59.6 in 2022, an increase from 53.8 years in 2006. Also, large differences exist within the country, ranging from 60 years in parts of Southern Nigeria to 50 years in Northern Nigeria. Mr Faduyile, a professor, said, Nigeria has one of the worst maternal mortality rates in the world. And that means a lot of our women during childbirth are dying in large numbers and that also has a deep contribution to the life expectancy of Nigerians. Today, our life expectancy is very low and we have all these things as a contributing factor. Analysis of the NPC data shows that the number of years that a person can expect to live varies across the country. Men and women living in the South-west tend to live longer than people in other parts of the country, data shows. For men, the average life expectancy at birth in the South-west is 58.2 years, followed by South-east (56.8 years), South-south (56.2 years), North-central (54.4 years), North-west (54.2 years), and North-east (50.8 years). Meanwhile, for women, the expected years of living in the South-west is 62.5 years. In the South-east, women will possibly live for 61.2 years, South-south (60.5 years), North-central (59.9 years), North-west (58.6 years), and North-east (55.5 years). This means that while the life expectancy for a man is estimated at 58.2 years in the South-west, it is 50.8 years in the North-east. In the same vein, the life expectancy of a woman in the South-west is 62.5 years while it is 55.5 years in the North-east. Still, the NPC said, this latest data indicates some improvements in mortality conditions in the country during the last decade. However, the agency conceded that prevailing socio-economic factors may not facilitate rapid and continuous mortality decline in Nigeria. Commenting on this report, Tunji Omotayo, a medical provider at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital said the role of healthcare facilities and infrastructure is critical in determining life expectancy. He believes several deaths could be prevented with timely and effective health care, alongside preventative services. Looking at the healthcare delivery in a society like ours, it can be seen that healthcare facilities and poor infrastructure are also responsible for low life expectancy, Mr Omotayo told PREMIUM TIMES. The more advanced a nation is, the better it will become in providing all these services. Relatively, in poor societies, access to health care facilities will also be compromised which in such a way also contributes to low life expectancy, he added. Mr Omotayo further explained that figures on healthcare delivery around the world clearly show that in poor nations, life expectancy is relatively short compared to more prosperous nations. It is a challenge to society at large which means, for us to achieve a better life expectancy, there is a need for institutions to create better healthcare delivery services and infrastructure. PREMIUM TIMES reported how for years Nigeria has failed to revitalise its health sector despite federal and state government promises. Most Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in the country cannot provide essential healthcare services. The hospitals face problems including shortage of staff, poor water supply, poor power supply, inadequate equipment, and poor distribution of health workers. Despite the obvious decay in the healthcare system in Nigeria, the government has barely done enough over the years and the situation has not improved, especially concerning effective funding and staff strength. How states stand on life expectancy for men None of Nigerias 35 states have a life expectancy above 60 years for men. The quartet of Cross River, Ekiti, Imo, and Ogun states have the highest life expectancy at 59.6 years, followed by the trio of Ondo, Osun, and FCT at 58.4 years. Meanwhile, the sextuples of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Kebbi, Kwara, and Oyo all have a life expectancy of 57.3 years. The expected years of living in the quinary states Delta, Edo, Lagos, Sokoto, and Zamfara is 56.1 years. In Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Katsina, and Niger, men are expected to live for 54.9 years. But in Benue, Kano, Nasarawa, Rivers, and Taraba, the estimated life expectancy for men is 53.7 years. In Gombe and Kogi states, male life expectancy is 52.6 years. This is followed by the duo of Bauchi and Jigawa with 51.4 estimated years of living. For men in Kaduna and Plateau, the life expectancy at birth is 50.2 years. NPC data shows that men in the far northern states of Adamawa, Borno, and Yobes average years of living is 49.1 years. Life expectancy for women by states Just like the data for men, Cross Rivers topped the states with the highest life expectancy for women, at 65.4 years. The trio of Ekiti, Ogun, and FCT, followed closely with 64.3 years. The number of years that a woman can expect to live in Imo, Kwara, Ondo, and Osun is 63.1 years. Elsewhere in Abia, Bayelsa, Enugu, Kebbi, and Niger, the life expectancy for women is 61.9 years. For women in Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Nasarawa, and Oyo states, the NPC report shows that the expected years of living for women is 60.8 years. In the quinary states of Edo, Katsina, Lagos, Sokoto and Zamfara, life expectancy for women is 59.6 years. This was followed by the quadruple of Anambra, Benue, Delta, and Taraba where life expectancy is 58.4 years. In Gombe, Kano, and Rivers, women can expect to live 57.3 years. However, data shows that the expected years of living for women in Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kaduna, and Kogi is 56.1 years. Sitting afoot the log, Plateau women have 54.9 years of life expectancy, followed by Yobe 53.7 years, and Adamawa 51.4 years. Nigeria lags behind African countries Nigerian life expectancy is slipping down the global ranks, according to a UNICEF analysis, with the country performing poorly among African countries. In Africa, Algeria had the highest life expectancy as of 2023. A newborn infant was expected to live 77.3 years in the country. Cabo Verde, Tunisia, Mauritius, Morocco, and Seychelles followed, with a life expectancy between 76.9 and 75 years. On the other hand, Chad registered the lowest average, at nearly 53.7 years while Nigeria has 54 years. Overall, the life expectancy in Africa was 63 years, according to UNICEF. The global childrens protection body said Africas life expectancy is 10 years lower than the global average (63 vs. 73 years). Large differences exist within the continent, ranging from 74 years in Northern Africa to 58 years in Western Africa, UNICEF added. It, however, said life expectancy at birth in Africa is projected to increase over the next 30 years by seven years, reaching 70 years by 2050. In many countries in Africa, particularly sub-Saharan Africa, children under age 5 still face a high risk of dying. In sub-Saharan Africa alone, as many as about 2.8 million children under age 5 died 52 per cent of all under-five deaths. Sub-Saharan Africa, together with Central and Southern Asia (1.5 million), account for more than 80 per cent of the 5.3 million under-five deaths in 2018 while they only account for 52 per cent of the global under-five population, UNICEF said. Mr Omotayo, the pathologist, also noted that the economic situation of people inadvertently influences their way of living and life expectancy in this part of the world. The provision of work and resources for both immediate and extended family members is intricately tied to economic conditions. Higher economic prosperity facilitates better provision of healthcare needs for the family, positively impacting life expectancy, he said. Poverty, as a consequence of low standards of living, poses challenges that diminish life expectancy significantly. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Former BBNaija housemate Anita Akide, popularly known as Tacha, is facing charges of disorderly behaviour and turning the Murtala Muhammed International Airport into a public nuisance. Tacha appeared before the trial court, a magistrates court in the Ogba area of Lagos, on Friday, in a trial that only came to the attention of the press on Friday after over two years of quiet criminal proceedings instituted against the TV reality show star by the Lagos State Government. The charges accused her of creating chaos during her encounter with health officials and of leading other passengers to resist the officials at the airport in May 2021. The Lagos State Government charged the 2019 BBNaija Season 4 housemate on 3 August 2021, accusing her of violating the states public health and broader criminal laws. She was arraigned in August 2021 but she deny wrongdoing by pleading not guilty to the two counts filed against her. The trial started on 18 November 2021, and the prosecution called its witnesses against her, PREMIUM TIMES learnt. After the prosecution closed its case, Tachas legal team filed a no-case submission urging the magistrate to dismiss the charges on the grounds of the alleged failure of the prosecution to present any credible evidence to support its case. Her lawyers argued that it would be pointless for the court to direct her to enter defence when the prosecution had failed to establish any wrongdoing against her during the presentation of its case. The defence filed the no-case submission which was opposed by the prosecution. The magistrate, Folashade Hughes, in a subsequent ruling, dismissed the no-case submission and ordered the defendant to enter her defence. She has since opened and closed her defence, and parties were subsequently directed by the court to file and exchange their final written addresses. Friday was fixed for a hearing, where parties were to make their closing submissions in the case. But at Fridays proceeding, the prosecutor, Dare Dada, pleaded with the court to adjourn the hearing. He said he only received a filing from Tachas legal team that morning and would need time to file his response. He requested that the matter be adjourned till 4 March to afford him enough time to file a robust response. However, the magistrate expressed concerns over the length of time the prosecutor requested to file his response. She said the two-month period requested for such a filing was unnecessarily too long. But she bent backwards to adjourn hearing until 14 March as requested by the prosecution. It is expected that the magistrate will, on 14 March, adjourn for judgement after parties adoption of their final written addresses. Charges against Tacha Tacha is facing two counts in the trial that stemmed from a likely rough encounter she had with health officials at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, in May 2021. The charges captured on one page seen by PREMIUM TIMES do not have the details of the circumstances leading to the situation alleged in the case. But the prosecutor said it took place at about 5 a.m. on 27 May 2021 at the Port Health Official Desk of the international airport. The government alleged in one of the charges that she conducted herself in a manner injurious to the health of the citizens of Lagos State, thereby committing a Nuisance. By doing so, the prosecution alleged that she committed an offence contrary to Section 6(m) of the Public Health Law, 2015, and punishable under Section 58 of the same law. In the second count, she was accused of conducting herself in a disorderly manner by forcefully snatching her passport and leading some other passengers to resist the team of Health Officials led by Dr Abimbola Bowale, Officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Health in the discharge of their lawful duties. The charge described the alleged conduct as unruly and likely to cause a breach of public peace, a conduct the prosecution said was contrary to Section 168(1)(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015 and punishable under section 168(2) of the law. Possible punishments The provisions under which the two offences were charged are not strict about imprisonment as punishment. They give the trial judge or magistrate the discretion to decide to imprison the offender on conviction as an option. Tacha was charged under section 6(m) of the Public Health Law of Lagos State, 2015, which stipulates one of the ways a place can be deemed to have become a nuisance. This provision says any premise certified by the health officer to be overcrowded and injurious or dangerous to the health of the occupier is deemed to be a nuisance. The prosecution alleged in the first count against the celebrity that she committed a Nuisance contrary to the cited law and that the offence is punishable under section 58 of the same law. Section 58 of the law cited by the prosecution as the punishment provision, which provides for general penalties. It stipulates N100,000 fine or any other custodial sentence as punishment for a convicted offender and NN500,000 for a convicted corporate body. The second count against Tacha, which accused her of snatching her passport from a Lagos State health official, a conduct the prosecution said was unruly and likely to cause a breach of public peace, was charged under section 168(1)(d) the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. The provision says, Every person in any public place conducts himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace. Section 168(2) of the law was cited in the charge as the punishment provision. It provides for a fine of fifteen thousand Naira (N15,000) for the first offence, and for subsequent offences , a fine of forty-five thousand Naira (N45,000) or imprisonment for three months or both. Tacha was disqualified from the BBNaija reality show in September 2021 for assaulting her housemate, Mercy. She would later represent Nigeria and Africa in MTVs The Challenge: Spies, Lies & Allies reality show in the same year. Editors Note: This article has been updated to reflect that the case was adjourned for adoption of final written addresses and not for adoption of no-case submission as contained in the earlier version. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In January, a network of X (Twitter) accounts carried out what appears to be a coordinated influence operation for Erisco Foods Limited and violated the social media platforms policies in the process. Erisco Foods Limited is the Nigerian food product manufacturer that faced backlash following the arrest of a customer, Chioma Okoli, who criticised one of its products on social media last year. PREMIUM TIMES found more than a dozen X accounts many of them faceless and parody accounts of influential social media users drumming support for Erisco Foods on 19 January. They authored a series of posts on X, using the hashtag #Eriscofood, to drive a campaign to launder the image of the corporate brand over accusations of human rights violation against Mrs Okoli, the customer arrested for critiquing the brands product. One of the genuine pages that took part in this campaign belongs to a social media influencer and internet celebrity, Chibuike Gabriel, popularly known as Untouchable Comedy. Untouchable Comedy specifically asked social media users to follow Eriscos X handle for a spot in his numerous cash giveaways. The giveaway culture is a popular tactic used by social media influencers to drive engagement for their posts. Parody accounts of social media influencers including that of the popular crossdresser, Bobrisky; Comedian Brainjotter and MummyZee, the internet sensation that got gifts following her post of waking up early to cook for her husband, also asked people to use the hashtag #Eriscofood in their replies to win cash giveaways. These accounts attempted to create false support for the brand and instigate virality for the products and followers for Eriscos X handle. These activities pass for an Influence Operation, which violates Xs manipulation and spam policy. Influence Operation is any organised attempt to skew how people see an idea or in this case, a brand. Influence Operation can take the form of spreading misinformation, but could also mean boosting something true but relatively minor to take a disproportionate size in online conversations. PREMIUM TIMES could, however, not find any evidence that Erisco Foods funded or instigated the campaign although critics and observers believe so. Erisco Foods Vs Chioma Okoli Last September, Chioma Okoli, (Chioma Egodi Jnr on Facebook) found herself in trouble for posting a review of Nagiko, a tomato mix manufactured by Erisco Foods Limited, on her Facebook page. In the review that went viral and elicited a response from the company, Mrs Okoli said the tomato paste tasted sugary. She posted that she had intended to buy a different product but settled for Nagiko when she could not find the product of her choice at a store on 16 September. When I opened it, I decided to taste it, Omo! Sugar is just too much! she wrote in the Facebook post. In its official reaction, Erisco Foods Limited described as untrue and unfounded, that its tomato paste tastes sugary. The company claimed that the post was obviously intended to mislead our esteemed customers and discredit the image of Erisco Foods Limited. It also vowed to take all necessary actions against any malicious attack on its reputation. Days later, Mrs Okoli was arrested by the police in Lagos and transferred to Abuja following a petition by Eric Umeofia, the president and CEO of Erisco Foods. Both parties have been in court since then. In November, the Federal High Court in Lagos barred the police from arresting or detaining Mrs Okoli while her case with Erisco Foods is ongoing. But in violation of this court order, the police, said to be acting on the orders of the Inspector General of Police, laid siege to Mrs Okolis home in Lagos on 10th January, her counsel and human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, raised alarm on social media. The police officers eventually vacated Mrs Okolis home after Mr Effiongs post about the siege attracted a public outcry. As all of these happened, Nigerians on social media criticised Erisco Foods and its president, accusing them of using the police to harass and violate the rights of Mrs Okoli. Giveaway and more Giveaways Around 9 a.m. on 19 January, Erisco Foods made a lengthy post on X, denying orchestrating Mrs Okolis rearrest by the police and explaining all that had happened between the organisation and Mrs Okoli. The organisation said Mrs Okoli has failed to meet her bail conditions which include deleting the initial post and publishing an apology letter for the brand on the same Facebook page. Erisco Foods did not initiate Chiomas supposed rearrest. However, we have filed a N5 billion lawsuit against her, which is yet to take effect primarily due to challenges in serving her with the required legal documents, exacerbated by her consistent evasion of court service, the company wrote. A few hours before this post, around 12:54 a.m. on the same day, @untouchablecmdy made a post on his verified X handle asking social media users to follow Eriscos X page to stand a chance to win N100,000 giveaway. The giveaway culture is a popular tactic used by social media influencers to artificially drive engagement for their posts. 100k for few actives more online. Follow @EriscoOfficial and drop your details. Picking as many again (sic), he posted. Between 16 and 19 January, PREMIUM TIMES found that @untouchablecmdy made posts about Erisco and tagged @EriscoOfficial at least once a day. Except for the last one he made on 19 January, he has deleted the rest from his page. Later that day, parody accounts posing as popular celebrities asked social media users to use the hashtag #Eriscofood in comments to their posts for a chance to win cash giveaway prizes. The more people use the hashtag, the more they artificially increase the number of posts, making it appear like more people are posting about it. What business can you start with 100k? Reply using #Eriscofood, posted @bobrisky222_, a parody account of the popular Nigerian Internet personality, Bobrisky. Another Parody account of a woman who recently went viral in Nigeria, MummyZee, @_Dabbie_PA posted: Im giving another set of people N50,000 each. Just tell me if Ive not picked you today and add #Eriscofood to your replies. Quickly Reply to times to win. Parody accounts infuriate Nigerians Meanwhile, when this campaign started gaining traction on social media, many Nigerians with the knowledge of the saga between Erisco and Mrs Okoli were infuriated and lashed at Nigerian internet celebrities. They accused the celebrities of having accepted money from the brand to promote them at the expense of the rights of a citizen. I am not surprised that influencers are collecting money to trend this brand in a desperate attempt to undo the damage (self-inflicted) suffered by the arrogant company, Mr Effiiong, Mrs Okolis attorney, wrote in a quote to @brainjotter__, one of the accounts participating in the campaign. Another X user, @Adextun_2177 also took a swipe at @brainjotter__: This is really not encouraging from you The same #Eriscofood who intimidates a vibrant young lady because of customers review? #Shameless. PREMIUM TIMES could, however, not find any evidence that Erisco Foods funded or instigated the campaign although critics and observers believe so. What many of the critics did not know at the time was that those they were lashing at were not the actual celebrities but unidentified people behind parody accounts. On 11 January, a week before this coordinated social media campaign, the comedian posted a disclaimer on his Instagram page that he doesnt own an X account, asking social media users to report any X account in his name. PREMIUM TIMES checked old videos of Brainjotter on his YouTube page to see the X account he had used there before. It showed that the comedian had previously used @brainjotter_ and not @brainjotter__ (with a double underscore). Meanwhile, the real account of Mummy Zee is verified and was created in October 2021. The parody account has the parody written in the profile and is unverified. The account was also created in June 2023. Then Coordinated, Inauthentic posts Between 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on 19 January, at least 10 other X handles started making posts in support of Erisco in the saga involving the brand and Mrs Okoli. These handles like, repost and quote each others tweets, apparently to drive engagement and increase traction for their posts. PREMIUM TIMES analysed some of the posts and the handles and found that they engage in a lot of promotional coordinated campaigns. Most of the accounts were created in the last quarter of 2022. Only a handful were created at other times between 2021 and 2023. They all have large followings between 5,000 and 16,000 followers. However, the engagements on the accounts are low, suggesting that the followers may have been inflated or that they are being followed by bot accounts. In this case, they all published similar content, using the same screenshots, pictures and videos in a manner that looks nothing short of a coordinated activity. Meanwhile, none of the handles had posted about the saga before 19 January or after that day. But they all reposted Eriscos post that day. For instance, at exactly 3:52 p.m. that day @Fabulous__Jr posted: Erisco did not order the arrest of Chioma, I feel like this should trend cos this company has been receiving heat over this issue. Sad Sad Sad country. #Eriscofood. It was reposted by @PAmirrah, @okoyepaul22, @HorllyL, @PriscyWalker, @_Yusrah_yusuf and @NaNer_Fareehert. All of them would also make similar posts to be engaged by the same set of handles. That same post was also made by five other accounts; @HorllyL, @princious817, @janny_V and @pherhonicha. Bot or real accounts It was difficult to know for certain if these accounts were operated by bots or real people. Previously, researchers and OSINT Investigators used Botometer and other tools to analyse the activity of X accounts and determine if they passed for a real or bot account. But Twitter (now X) has limited access to the API that most of these tools rely on to pull this data. However, @Fabulous__ one of the accounts was rated a problematic 82 per cent in rating to determine Bot accounts using Bot Sentinel, one of the few remaining tools that still work. The ranking is between 1 and 100, and the higher the number, the higher the likelihood of an account being operated by a Bot or engaging in nefarious activities. Violating Social Media Policy Meanwhile, PREMIUM TIMES review of X usage policy revealed that the X handles that took part in the campaign have violated some of the platforms policies. For instance, Untouchable Comedys giveaway to drive traffic and followership for Erisco Foods is frowned upon in Xs platforms policy updated in March 2023. You cant artificially inflate your own or others followers or engagement, part of the platforms policy reads. The platform also prohibits users from trading or coordinating to exchange follows or post engagements including participation in follow trains. It also prohibits using its services in a manner intended to artificially amplify or suppress information or engage in behaviour that manipulates or disrupts peoples experience or platform manipulation defences. The policy went further to list the forms of platform manipulation to include inauthentic engagements that attempt to make accounts or content appear more popular or active than they are. It also includes coordinated activity that attempts to artificially influence conversations through the use of multiple accounts, fake accounts, automation and scripting. It is a terrible practice, especially in marketing and sales, said Silas Jonathan, head of Digital Investigations at the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID). He said such campaigns are usually used on social media to drive marketing and create an exaggerated perception of a product and ultimately mislead the consumer. These coordinated accounts, in such cases, act like agents of public manipulation, compelling users on the platform to see what they naturally wouldnt, he said. This is why social media platforms clearly outline when a post is an ad. Its not just for aesthetics; its for clarity and transparency. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted about 12 cartons of tramadol 225mg, containing 599,900 pills weighing 385.40kg. This is contained in a statement by the NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja. Mr Babafemi said the recovery was made by NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja, Lagos on Tuesday, 23 January. He said the cartons from an overstayed cargo at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) import shed of the Lagos airport were seized after a joint examination with other agencies. According to him, the tramadol consignment had come into the country in two batches on KLM Royal Dutch Airline flights from Karachi, Pakistan between 27 July and 1 August 2023. They were, however, placed under watch by NDLEA operatives since then. Meanwhile, not less than 822 kilograms of cannabis sativa hidden in a fuel station located at Ashipa community along Badagry-Seme road were recovered by operatives of the Seme Special Area Command of NDLEA. Mr Babafemi said that a suspect, Sani Audu, 35, was arrested with 111.3kg of the same substance at Maigatari town in Jigawa on Tuesday, 23 January. Also, in Yobe, two suspects, Mohammed Usman and Adamu Maazu, were arrested on Saturday, 27 January with 49 blocks of cannabis sativa, weighing 50kg at Damaturu motor park, Damaturu. Mr Babafemi said the duo of Paul Obor, 38, and Dennis Fuokorighe, 48, were arrested on Wednesday, 24 January at a Navy checkpoint, Itobe, Ofu local government area of Kogi, with 318 compressed blocks of Indian hemp. He said the drug weighing 190.8kg was concealed in a gold colour Honda Accord Car marked RBC 449AE. He added that they were handed over to the agencys command in Kogi on Friday 26 January by officials of the Nigeria Navy Ship, Lugard, Lokoja. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Ademola Adeleke has ordered an investigation into the killings that occurred during the 50th-year coronation celebration of the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyeyode Oyeyosin, in Ejigbo, Osun State He urged law enforcement agencies to establish the remote and immediate causes of the incident and ensure the law takes its course. According to Opalola Yemisi, the state police spokesperson, Richard Adeoriokin, a United States professor and politician, was accidentally killed by a security guard after the celebration on Saturday night. In a statement by the governors spokesman, Olawale Rasheed, Mr Adeleke called for pre-emptive action by the security agencies to prevent possible counter-attacks or eruption of violence in Ejigbo town following the sad incident. He commiserated with the people and appealed to the families of the deceased not to take laws into their hands. Meanwhile, to ensure the restoration of calm while the investigation continues, he also dispatched a government delegation to the town. According to the statement, members of the delegation include the state Commissioner of Police, the Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Local Government Affairs, the Commissioner for Information and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security. What happened today at Ejigbo is really sad. I extend my condolences to the families of the deceased. I have directed an immediate investigation into the killing of Richard Adeoriokin and the subsequent killing of his killer. ALSO READ: Osun APC crisis deepens as party sues Aregbesola over factionalisation I have also instructed the State Police Command to issue guidelines on usage of local guns. Such regulations will enhance the safety and protection of the citizens, especially at public functions, Mr Adeleke said. The PUNCH reports that the late Adeoriokin was part of the coronation anniversary, from where he was summoned to a meeting along Inisa Road in Ejigbo. Investigations indicated that the incident occurred in a private residence of Eniola Oyeyode, a son to the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Oyeyode, who was marking his 50th anniversary on the throne. It was gathered that after the meeting had ended and the attendees were leaving the premises, gunshots were heard, and the deceased was hit on the leg, which led to his death while being treated in a private hospital. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The All Progress Congress (APC) candidate for Benue South Senatorial District in the 2023 General Elections, Daniel Onjeh, has petitioned the partys national headquarters accusing its state chairman, Austin Agada, of anti-party activities. In the 13-page petition dated 22 January to the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, Mr Onjeh demanded urgent action against Mr Agada for alleged gross misconduct. The petition was titled Petition Against Anti-party Activities by the Benue State APC Chairman and Others, Targeted at my Candidature. Mr Onjeh, a former chairman of Project Development Institute (PRODA), made several accusations including the alleged mishandling of party agents to orchestrate electoral rigging in favour of opposition candidate Abba Moro, the sitting senator for the district. According to him, the actions of Mr Agada and his cohorts thwarted the democratic process and undermined the integrity of the party. He alleged that the state APC chairman made copious cash contributions to the campaign of Mr Moro of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 25 February 2023 election through a proxy, Helen Etu. He accompanied the petition with what he said was evidence to support his claim. On the 5th of December, 2022, at 9:19 am, in the heat of the electioneering campaign for the 2023 polls, Mr Agada transferred the sum of Five Million Naira (N5,000,000.00) only to a third party, one Helen Etu, and via an SMS, instructed her to transfer the same to Sen. Moros Fidelity Bank Account with account details; 5010191996. The lady transferred the aforementioned amount to the senators bank account immediately after she received the instruction from Mr. Agada. Proof of this transaction is presented in Exhibit A, attached to this petition. Furthermore, on 8th December 2022, at 3:48 pm, Mr Agada transferred another sum of Four Million Naira (N4,000,000.00) only to the same Helen Etu; and via SMS, directed her to transfer the same to Sen. Moros GTB Account with account details; 0027873390. Proof of this transaction is displayed as Exhibit B, attached to this petition, he stated. Mr Onjeh, a former president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), explained that Mr Agada and his associates committed electoral fraud against him in the elections by employing compromised agents in Benue South, which ultimately contributed to the APCs loss in the presidential election in the senatorial district. In my honest opinion, the success of election-day activity relies heavily on the party agents, especially in the rural areas where a lot of the electorate are illiterate and cannot readily identify relevant words and symbols on the ballot papers, hence they rely a lot on the party agents to guide them in casting their votes appropriately for the candidates of their choice. Therefore, the partys agents can easily frustrate any candidate at the polls, if they wished to, he said. He also lamented that the Organising Secretary of the APC in Benue State, James Ornguga, initially assured him at a national retreat that the party had directed senatorial candidates to provide party agents for the 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections. He explained that this assurance led him to transfer N700,000 to Mr Orngugas account on 5 January 2023, to cover the registration fees for all the partys agents participating in the polls in Benue South on 25 February 2023. In the firm belief that I was going to have my agents at the Polling Units, I proceeded to draft my volunteers and deployed enormous resources to organise them. Even though it was relatively easier and cheaper for me to bring my volunteers on board because I had already trained most of them during the 2015 general elections, it still involved huge logistics for me to mobilise and re-orientate them for the 2023 General Elections, noted Mr Onjeh in the petition, adding that on the eve of the election, Mr Ornguga revealed that Mr Agada and his allies had overridden his list of agents. Mr Onjeh added, Usually, when I am contesting in an election, I would set up an efficient election situation room, from where I receive regular updates on the goings-on at each polling unit. But during the last general election, the State Party Chairman and his cohorts successfully cut me off completely from the scheme of events, such that aside from my polling unit, I had no idea of what was going on in any other polling unit in Benue South. Alleged Collusion Between INEC, Opposition The petitioner shed light on the alleged collusion between certain Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials and opposition members, painting a picture of systemic corruption that extended beyond party lines in the elections. He said he was convinced beyond doubt that some INEC staff at Makurdi were working in cahoots with Sen. Moro. We resorted to writing a protest letter to the National Chairman of INEC before he compelled the Commissions Makurdi office to grant us access to the ballot papers, albeit belated. Mr Onjeh also said after the election, he called Mr Agada to request the list of party agents for filing a petition at the Tribunal, but that the chairman refused. He further alleged that before the general election, the state PDP chairman visited the Deputy Governor of Benue State, Sam Ode, at his house in the Utako area of Abuja, pleading on his knees to work together to secure Mr Moros victory at the polls. Dr Ode said he was shocked to his marrow at Agadas rather strange proposal, as he found it difficult to believe that a partys state chairman could conspire to trade off his partys senatorial candidate to the opposition. I am a man of honour, and I strongly believe that Dr Ode is equally a man of honour; therefore if called upon, he cannot deny my claim, he said. Mr Onjeh claimed that all the crises in the party in the Benue APC were traceable to the anti-party activities of the partys leadership. Allegations are baseless APC chair In an exclusive phone interview with PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Agada denied all the allegations levelled against him by Mr Onjeh. He said he committed no wrong against his party or petitioner. He expressed frustration at the circulating negative narratives aimed at tarnishing his reputation, particularly allegations of financial support to an opposition candidate who held various prestigious positions. He emphasised that these claims were baseless and aimed at discrediting him unfairly. He said, Abba (Moro) has been a local government chairman, minister, board chairman of different parastatals, and also a serving senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Who is to give each other money? If I agree with what hes saying that I worked against him and all of that, there should be proof where Abba paid me money. A serving senator in a regime where the state was in a ruling party, their party was the ruling party under Ortom government, is he not the one that should give me money that is in opposition member to work against my party? Mr Agada pointed out that Mr Onjehs failure to secure votes across his hometown of Orokam and his lack of campaigning across the entire senatorial district were significant factors in his electoral defeat. One thing that you can never change is truth. Mr Onjeh lost the election across Orokam where he is from, is it Austin? You have 102 wards, but you only went to 2 wards to campaign, is it me again? He added Even if he doesnt love me, everybody has his time. He fought me not to be chairman, I became chairman, he fought me not to be successful, I became successful by the fact that two out of three Senate seats were won under my reign, 10 out of 11 House of Representatives seats were won under my reign, 21 House of Assembly seats, governorship, and presidential that ran under Muslim-Muslim ticket in a Christian state. Mr Agada did not mince words in his criticism of Mr Onjeh, particularly regarding the latters alleged lack of support for the APCs gubernatorial candidate despite being the partys senatorial flag bearer in one of the districts. Onjeh who was holding our ticket that we gave him, performed abysmally poor should be held accountable to give an account of why the party performed badly. We went on a campaign with the governorship candidate round, where did we see Onjeh? Only one or two places. He didnt sell himself. You are running against someone, and you are taking it lightly, he added. Im ready to face a panel Organising Secretary On his part, Mr Orgunga stated that party leadership in the state had cooperated with Mr Onjeh, ensuring his list of agents was uploaded to the APC portal and forwarded to INEC as required. He explained that complications arose when three House of Representatives candidates from Mr Onjehs zone, namely Blessing Onuh, David Ogewu, and Samuel Godday, expressed reluctance to rely on Mr Onjehs agents, citing a perceived lack of collaboration. According to the organising secretary, the trio subsequently approached the then National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, who intervened by writing another letter to INEC, forwarding a fresh list of agents for the three candidates. Consequently, INEC dropped all of Mr Onjehs agents from the list. He explained that the party leadership under Mr Agada was not informed of this change until the day he went to INEC to collect agent tags, only to discover that tags for Zones A and B were allocated to him. He said that the agent tags for Zone C were directly handed over to Messrs Onuh, Ogewu, and Godday, with no involvement of Mr Agada. Mr Orgunga said Mr Onjeh was supposed to pay a considerable sum for the upload of his agents, but due to their cooperation with the leadership, he paid only N700,000 to Mr Agadas team for the task. He welcomed Mr Onjehs petition to the national chairman and offered his readiness to appear before any panel to provide clarifications that could benefit the party in the future. I will be happy to appear before any panel for clarifications which may save the party next time, he said. Benue APC speaks In response to recent allegations made against Mr Agada, the Benue South APC chapter in a statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday, described them as baseless. The zonal chapter said Mr Agada is committed to the values and principles of the APC, stating that the allegations of anti-party activities, rigging, and financial misconduct levelled against the chairman are entirely false and lacking in substance. It urged all members and stakeholders of the APC in Benue State to dismiss the spurious allegations against Mr Agada. The statement was signed by the APC Zonal Chairman, Zone C, Bishop Ogbaji and other members of the executive. The crisis between Mr Onjeh and the Benue party leaders adds to an existing crisis between Governor Hyacinth Alia and some Benue APC leaders that has ensured that the APC in Benue remains divided. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Several countries temporarily halted their funding of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) on Saturday due to allegations that 12 employees were involved in the Hamas massacre in Israel. Nine countries have as of today temporarily suspended their funding to UNRWA. These decisions threaten our ongoing humanitarian work across the region including and especially in the Gaza Strip, Philippe Lazzarini said in a statement on the UNRWA website. The aid organisation runs shelters for more than one million internally displaced people and provides food and basic medical care to most of the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip. Our humanitarian operation, on which two million people depend as a lifeline in Gaza, is collapsing, he wrote on Saturday evening on the online platform X, formerly Twitter. He said he was shocked that such decisions were being made based on the presumed behaviour of a few people. Palestinians in Gaza did not need this additional collective punishment. This stains all of us, Mr Lazzarini added. Important donors such as the US, Great Britain, and Germany decided to temporarily halt funding because 12 of the organisations several thousand employees in the Gaza Strip were allegedly involved in the 7 October attacks. They were dismissed immediately. Mr Lazzarini had announced that Israel had provided the aid organisation with information implicating UNRWA employees in the attacks. He and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed horror at the allegations, saying if proven, those involved would face criminal prosecution. Israels foreign minister has called for Mr Lazzarinis resignation. Mr Lazzarini, please resign, wrote Israel Katz on Saturday night on the online platform X, formerly Twitter. Also on social media platform X, Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy accused UNRWA of being a front for Hamas. It literally covers up for Hamas, he wrote on X. Neither the UN nor Israel have detailed how the employees may have been involved in the Hamas attacks. The UN agency did not initially say how the employees could have been involved in the massacre in Israel border communities that triggered the war in Gaza. On 7 October, more than 1,200 people in Israel were killed in terrorist attacks by Hamas militants and other extremist groups, and more than 250 were kidnapped. In response, Israels offensive has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians in Gaza and injured more than 64,400, the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry says. The US, Canada, Australia, Britain, Finland, Italy, and other countries all called for investigations as they temporarily halted support for the agency founded in 1949 to help Palestinian refugees. Germany will also temporarily not authorise any new funding for UNRWA in Gaza, the Foreign Office said on Saturday evening. UNRWA has 13,000 staff in Gaza, most of them Palestinians, providing medical, education, relief and social services. Its remit spans some 5.9 million people, including Palestinians who fled or were expelled in 1948 and their descendants. The agency is active in Jordan, Lebanon and the Palestinian Territories. Germanys Foreign Office said it was deeply concerned about the reports, the ministry said in a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. Italy also halted financial support but Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani added that Rome is committed to providing humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people and protecting Israels security. The British government said it was appalled by allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the Oct. 7 attack against Israel. We remain committed to getting humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza who desperately need it, London added. More than 2 million people in Gaza have depended on aid since the war began and international pressure is mounting on Israel given the catastrophic conditions in the narrow strip and soaring death toll. Lazzarini has described the October attacks as heinous. At the time, there were unconfirmed reports that UNRWA teachers had celebrated the massacre. A likewise unconfirmed Israeli media report said a hostage had been held by one of the organizations employees. Neither claim could be independently verified. Hamas condemned UNRWA for its allegations and for demanding the release of the hostages kidnapped from Israel, saying it is not the agencys job to express political positions in the conflict. Earlier on Saturday, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused the UN organization of having many employees who are Hamas members and supporting terrorism. He demanded the organization should no longer play a role in Gaza after the end of the war. UNRWA is not the solution, he said in a post on X. Hamas said the allegations were an Israeli smear campaign against international organizations that help Palestinians. The unscrupulous Nazi entity is trying to cut off all the lifelines of our people, it said. On the ground, fighting raged on in Gaza in the city of Khan Younis in the south, with further casualties inflicted on Palestinian forces, according to the Israeli military on Saturday. Three Palestinians who had planted explosives near Israeli troops were killed in an airstrike, while soldiers killed numerous armed terrorists at close range, officials said. In another incident in the city, seven people were reportedly killed after firing rocket-propelled grenades at the army. According to eyewitnesses, thousands of people have fled Khan Younis in recent days due to the fierce fighting in the city, the largest in the south of Gaza and a reputed stronghold of the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement. Israel suspects the leadership of the militant organisation and Israeli hostages to be concealed in the network of tunnels under the area. There are also repeated exchanges on the border between Israel and Lebanon, and Israel unleashed missile strikes in the volatile border area with Lebanon. Israeli warplanes raided the edges of the town of Marwahin in southern Lebanon, firing two air-to-surface missiles, amid an escalation between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah movement. Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran and is an ally of Hamas, has a heavy presence in the southern Lebanese villages close to the border with Israel. Hezbollah claimed that its fighters launched three missile attacks on the posts of Israeli forces near the border and caused direct hits. There has been an uptick in confrontations between Hezbollah and Israeli forces on the border since the eruption of the Gaza war on Oct. 7, leading to casualties on both sides. The violence has forced tens of thousands of residents in both countries to leave their homes. (dpa/NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In this article, we will take a look at the 15 biggest US cities facing depopulation by 2100. If you want to skip our discussion on the population trends, you can go directly to the 5 Biggest US Cities Facing Depopulation by 2100. According to the Census Bureau, the number of US inhabitants is likely to increase to about 366 million by 2100, which implies decelerating growth compared with previous decades. In fact, almost half of the 30,000 US cities are projected to experience population loss by 2100. Moreover, the distribution of population within the country is likely to change, with an increase in population in suburban and rural areas and a decline in urban centers, some shrinking by as much as 25%. The Midwest and Northeast regions are slated for the harshest declines, with urban centers and low-income communities bearing the brunt. Furthermore, the baby boomer generation, born between 1946 and 1964, is entering old age and leading to a rise in the retiree population. The number of citizens over the age of 65 is expected to rise by 24% by 2040. The aging trend contributes to individuals moving away from cities for a quieter and more affordable lifestyle into suburban areas, causing a significant population decline in US cities. As per a survey by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), 63% of retirees prioritize affordability when choosing where to live, while 58% value healthcare accessibility. Projections indicate that by 2029, retirees will outnumber children under the age of eighteen, resulting in more deaths than births in the coming years. In addition, economic factors also contribute to depopulation in US cities. A 2023 report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition revealed that affording a two-bedroom apartment in San Francisco requires a median income of $99,190, while the city's median household income sits at $92,800. This inequality of income and cost of living is also seen in other major cities like Los Angeles, where the median home price reached a record $988,000 in 2023. These factors are pushing young professionals and families to seek more affordable living options elsewhere. Furthermore, Labor Statistics data highlighted that middle-wage jobs declined by 3.4 million between 2001 and 2022, while low-wage jobs increased by 3.7 million during the same period. This widening gap between job availability and income needs is driving residents to seek opportunities in areas with better employment prospects. Consequently, cities like San Francisco and New York are witnessing population decline, with a decrease of 5.3% and 7.5%, respectively, between 2020 and 2022. Story continues With major US cities losing population, there will be negative implications for the US economy. Firstly, a smaller population will mean a smaller consumer base, impacting businesses across sectors. This could impact economic growth, given that consumer spending accounts for about 70% of the US GDP. A shrinking population in US cities will particularly affect the real estate market of cities. Reduced demand for housing, particularly in depopulating regions, could lead to vacant properties and declining property values. A Freddie Mac study revealed that home values in shrinking cities depreciated by an average of 2.7% annually, compared to a 3.8% appreciation in growing cities. You can also check out the 25 Cities Where Home Prices Are Falling Now here. The slowdown in the real estate market could also pose challenges for popular companies like American Tower Corporation (NYSE:AMT), Prologis Inc. (NYSE:PLD), and Lennar Corp (NYSE:LEN). Heres what Baron Funds said about American Tower Corporation (NYSE:AMT) in its Q4 2023 investor letter: Early in 2023, we sold the majority of our position in American Tower Corporation (NYSE:AMT), a global operator of over 200,000 wireless towers, and even further reduced our modest position in the third quarter of 2023. We had concluded in late 2022 and early 2023 that growth expectations were too high given forthcoming headwinds from significantly higher financing costs (20%-plus exposure to floating rate debt), upcoming debt maturities, continued payment shortfalls from a key tenant in India, foreign exchange headwinds, and a reduction in mobile carrier capital expenditures. Following a sharp decline in American Towers shares in the first nine months of 2023, we began rebuilding our position because we believed that the companys shares had become more attractively valued, growth headwinds were better understood, and the potential monetization event of its India business would ultimately be value accretive to its business. Further, we believe that 2023 will mark the trough in earnings growth for American Tower and growth should reaccelerate in the next few years. 15 Biggest US Cities Facing Depopulation by 2100 A crowded Wall Street plaza, bustling with people carrying briefcases. Our Methodology To shortlist the 15 biggest US cities facing depopulation by 2100, we referred to a study conducted by researchers affiliated with the University of Chicago, Illinois, who employed US Census Data to project the potential shifts in city populations by 2100. Their analysis incorporated mathematical models to account for the influences of various scenarios. We also did a comparative analysis of the biggest cities' populations over both a five-year and a decade-long timespan. The average annual loss rate for the preceding years has also been included to provide a more comprehensive view of the overall trend. The cities have been ranked in ascending order of the percentage decline in their populations over the five-year period. By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders. Biggest US Cities Facing Depopulation by 2100 15. Buffalo, NY Five-Year Change: 6.92% Annual Loss Rate: -1.356% Since its peak in 1950, Buffalo has lost over half its population, shrinking from 573,076 to around 270,000 in 2023. Several factors have contributed to Buffalo's population loss, including deindustrialization, shifting transport problems, flight of middle-class residents from the city center to the suburbs, and high levels of poverty and unemployment. 14. Columbus, GA Five-Year Change: 4.41% Annual Loss Rate: -0.65% While Columbus, Georgia, has recorded stable population growth over the past five years, it has witnessed a decline over the last couple of years, primarily due to the increasing poverty rate and contracting manufacturing industry, leading to unemployment. The city was also named one of the fastest-shrinking metropolises in 2015. 13. Cincinnati, OH Five-Year Change: 2.73% Annual Loss Rate: -0.837% Cincinnati reached its peak population of 503,998 in 1950. Since then, the city has steadily lost residents, shrinking by 43% or 205,000 people as of the last census. The major reason for the decreasing population in Cincinnati, Ohio, was the decline in manufacturing jobs in the city and the rise of affordable housing in the suburbs. 12. Pittsburgh, PA Five-Year Change: 0.16% Annual Loss Rate: -1.397% One of the major factors that have contributed to population loss in Pittsburgh is the city's high dependence on the steel industry, which declined during the late twentieth century. Moreover, rising death rates and outmigration due to better economic opportunities led to a further decline in population. However, there is hope ahead as the pace of population decline in Pittsburgh has slowed down. 11. Baton Rouge, LA Five-Year Change: -1.74% Annual Loss Rate: -1.2% As of 2024, Baton Rouge's population is estimated to be around 215,440. This reflects a decrease of 4.03% since the 2020 census. The population decline in the city is steeper than the national average. These figures have placed Baton Rouge among the fastest-shrinking cities in the US, with populations under a million. Factors contributing to the population decline include suburbanization, economic challenges, natural disasters, high poverty, and crime rates. Baton Rouge is at the eleventh position on our list of the 15 biggest US cities facing depopulation by 2100. 10. Lansing, MI Five-Year Change: -2.16% Annual Loss Rate: -0.1% Although the rate of depopulation in Lansing is not as alarming as that in many other parts of the country, there has been a decline in the citys population over the past decade. The decline in population has most probably been caused by job losses, rising cost of living, and harsh climate. 9. Hartford, CT Five-Year Change: -2.22% Annual Loss Rate: -0.31% Hartford has experienced significant depopulation in recent decades, particularly compared to its peak population in the mid-20th century. During the 1940s and 1950s, the citys population exceeded 160,000 residents. However, by 2020, the population of Harford, CT had dropped to approximately 122,000. The major reasons behind this decline are the economic hardships faced by the city, suburbanization, outmigration of the middle class, and lack of investment in infrastructure. 8. Toledo, OH Five-Year Change: -3.69% Annual Loss Rate: -0.57% The trend of population decline in Toledo, Ohio, is complex and has a long history. The citys population peaked during the 1970s but has been declining since then. As a matter of fact, there has been about a 25% decline in the population of Toledo over the last five decades. This can be attributed to deindustrialization, suburbanization, and economic challenges faced by the city, causing people to migrate to other areas. The aging population within the city further adds to the demographic challenges. 7. Memphis, TN Five-Year Change: -4.78% Annual Loss Rate: -0.51% Memphis, Tennessee, has been facing a population decline in recent years. As of January 2024, Memphis' estimated population is 618,626, showing a decline of over 2% compared to the 2020 census count of 631,326. The main causes of this decrease in the citys population are the high rates of poverty and crime as well as a tough job market. This has resulted in many people moving to other cities. Moreover, over the past few decades, residents have been moving from the city center toward suburban areas. Memphis is at the seventh position on our list of the 15 biggest US cities facing depopulation by 2100. 6. Milwaukee, WI Five-Year Change: -5.38% Annual Loss Rate: -0.539% Milwaukee has witnessed a steady decline in its population for many decades now. As per the 2020 census, the citys population dropped to 577,222, the lowest since 1930. Within the city, some neighborhoods like Bay View and the west side are showing a stable decline, while others near downtown are observing modest growth. Loss of manufacturing jobs, preference for smaller families, and migration to suburban areas have led to a decrease in Milwaukees population. The decline in population in major cities is also likely to impact the business of popular real estate companies like American Tower Corporation (NYSE:AMT), Prologis Inc. (NYSE:PLD), and Lennar Corp (NYSE:LEN). Click to continue reading and see the 5 Biggest US Cities Facing Depopulation by 2100. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: None. 15 Biggest US Cities Facing Depopulation by 2100 is published on Insider Monkey. The Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC) in Lagos State has urged Governors Seyi Makinde, Dapo Abiodun and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Oyo, Ogun and Lagos States respectively, to ensure the release of the abducted Lagos PDP Chairman, Philip Aivoji. The IPAC Chairman, Olusegun Mobolaji, on Sunday, in Lagos, said the governors and security apparatuses should do everything possible to ensure the release of the kidnapped the party chieftain and others in their custody. Me Mobolaji, who condemned the kidnap of Mr Aivoji Thursday on his way back to Lagos from a stakeholders meeting in Oyo State along Lagos- Ibadan Expressway, urged the government to bring the criminals to book. READ ALSO: We demand the immediate release of Aivoji considering his age and health status. We want to commend the police in Ogun for the effort made so far to secure the release of some kidnapped persons, he said. Mr Aivoji was abducted by gunmen while returning to Lagos from the PDP South-West stakeholders meeting held on Thursday in Ibadan. The abductors are demanding N200 million ransom but the police said that the security operatives were trailing the kidnappers. (NAN)(www nannews.ng) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The NDLEA has declared Miss Commonwealth Nigeria Culture 2015/2016, Oluwadamilola Aderinoye, wanted for allegedly dealing in illicit drugs. Ms Aderinoye is the founder of the Queen Christmas Foundation, a non-governmental organisation. NDLEAs spokesman, Femi Babafemi, stated in Abuja that the former beauty queen escaped from her Lekki, Lagos residence as operatives were closing in on her. He stated that NDLEA operatives raided her apartment at Oral Estate, Lekki on 24 January following credible intelligence that she was dealing in illicit substances. Recovered from her home during the search witnessed by the estate officials were 606gm of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of Indian hemp. Also recovered from her residence was an electronic weighing scale, large quantities of drugs packing plastics, a black RAV 4 SUV and her photographs, he added. Mr Babafemi stated also that two members of an international drug trafficking syndicate were arrested on 25 January at Edu Orita in Ogun. One of the suspects was being prepared to travel through Lagos to Qatar with some hard drugs on the day of arrest, he explained. At the time of the arrest, 1.8kg of Indian hemp, electronic weighing scale and other illicit substances were found on the suspects, he stated. Mr Babafemi added that a 50-year-old man was also arrested on 24 January when 20kg of Indian hemp was found in one of the rooms in his house at Mushin Olosa, Lagos. He stated also that NDLEA recovered 87 compressed blocks of Indian hemp weighing 73kg; 21,346 pills of tramadol and 3,800 tablets of diazepam from another suspect on Jan. 26. The NDLEA spokesman explained that the drugs were recovered when the suspects truck was intercepted at Lafiyawo, on Gombe-Bauchi Road. In Plateau, a 35-year-old male was nabbed on Jan. 27 with 5.355kg of Indian hemp at Layin Zana area of Jos, Mr Babafemi stated. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A former governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Lagos State, Funso Doherty, has called on the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to clarify how his recent trip to Grenada was financed. In the event that the trip was funded from the state purse, Mr Doherty urged the governor to consider making a refund of the cost. According to him, this is because the expenditure the governor might have spent on the trip could not be justified. Mr Doherty made the call in an open letter to Mr Sanwo-Olu, in reaction to a PREMIUM TIMES expose on Mr Sanwo-Olus abandonment of work for a fun trip to Grenada for days. Mr Doherty expressed the opinion that answering the many questions that have been raised as a result of the trip will set the right example and demonstrate the transparency that the people of Lagos State deserve and expect from their government. In his letter, Mr Doherty admitted that the Lagos state governor has the right to travel to any choice destination, so long as the trip is privately funded. However, he noted that in the case of official trips funded by taxpayers, a different standard applies. All such official trips should be undertaken only if they are legitimately and demonstrably in the public interest, he noted. Mr Doherty queried how bilateral talks with Grenada could possibly be of economic gain to Lagos state, noting that its economy is primarily tourism-based and has little complementarity, trade volume and potential with Lagos. Grenada is a distant Island nation with a very small population of approximately 130,000 people and a National GDP of just over $1 billion, both of which are a small fraction of those of Lagos State, the statement read. Mr Doherty further stressed that considering Lagos current budget deficit of N400 billion naira, the governors trip only adds to the states financial burden. As you are aware, despite concerns we raised, the State House of Assembly has passed, and you have signed into law, a greatly increased expenditure budget of N2.27 trillion for 2024 with a projected budget deficit of over N400 billion, which the already over-stretched average Lagosian will ultimately bear, he said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of a former Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Alex Okoh, for contempt. In its judgement on Friday, the Supreme Court affirmed Mr Okohs one-month imprisonment for contempt of court. A five-member panel of the court said there was incontrovertible evidence that the BPE and Mr Okoh disobeyed an earlier order of the Supreme Court stopping the agency from selling the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON) Ltd to any other person or group except the BFI Group Corporation that won the first bid advertised in 2004. Tijjani Abubakar, in the lead verdict, criticised the conduct of the BPE and its CEO for treating the courts order with disdain. Reviewing arguments in the appeal, the judge rejected BPEs contention that Mr Okoh was not personally served court papers (Forms 48 and 49) in relation to the contempt proceedings. Forms 48 and 49 lay the foundation for contempt proceedings. Mr Abubakar noted that the service of the documents on the Secretary of the BPE was sufficient service on Mr Okoh. He said BPEs decision to further re-offer ALSCON for sale after the Supreme Court judgment was a flagrant disregard for the court, a contemptuous act. According to Mr Abubakar, BPEs invitation for fresh bids after the courts order leaves no one in doubt that the appellants indeed flouted the order of the court as handed down in SC/12/2008, particularly the third leg of the order, which perpetually restrained the first appellant (BPE), servants, agents, privies, management or howsoever called from negotiating the sale, selling, transferring or otherwise handing over ALSCON to any other person or persons, in violation of the contract between the BPE and the BFI Group. BPEs contention The appellants lawyer, Chris Uche, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), had argued that his client did not flout the court order. But, Mr Abubakar rejected Mr Uches contention, insisting that court orders are meant to be complied with. It does not lie in the mouth of the appellant to assert that they have complied with the order of this court when it is evident from the record (of the court) that they acted in utter disregard of the order. They treated the order of this court with utter disdain and flagrant disrespect. The conduct of the appellants constitutes blatant disrespect and it is therefore scandalous and shameful. It is disgraceful that an agency of government decided to hold the economy of the country hostage. Agencies of government must respect the rules. Nobody in this country is above the law. Both the government and the governed are subject to the rule of law. The appellants are not at liberty to choose which of the orders of this court to obey and which one to ignore. I must say the conduct of the appellants in this case offends the majesty of the law and undermines the dignity of the court. By acting in defiance of the order of perpetual injunction handed down by this court, the stage was obviously set for the second appellants (Okohs) committal to prison, the judge said. He said the appeal was unmeritorious before dismissing it. Subsequently, Mr Abubakar upheld the judgement of the Court of Appeal delivered in January 2022 affirming Mr Okohs conviction for contempt. Also, the court upheld the award of a N10 million cost against the appellants in favour of the respondent (BFI Group). He ordered that the N10 million cost should be paid personally by Mr Okoh, in addition to going to prison for contempt. Background PREMIUM TIMES reported that in 2004, the BPE advertised for expression of interest for the privatisation of ALSCON. At the end of bidding the exercise, BFI Group Corporation emerged the preferred bidder, which the BPE communicated to it via a letter dated 17 June, 2006, with a demand that it must pay 10 per cent of the bid price within 15 days of the receipt of the letter. But the BFI Group faulted the 15-day deadline for payment of the bid price. In its argument, the BFI Group insisted that the terms of the memorandum of understanding in May 2004 which was executed by parties, said the only condition was for the preferred bidder to pay 10 per cent of the accepted bid price within 15 days from the date of the execution of the Share Purchase Agreement (SPA). Owing to BFI Group failure to pay the 10 per cent of the accepted bid price within 15 days, the BPE terminated the contract, and re-offered ALSCON for sale. Determined to reverse BPEs termination of the contract, the BFI Group lodged the suit. In resolving the dispute, the Supreme Court, in a judgment in 2012, held in favour of BFI Group that a valid contract of sale, in respect of ALSCON exists between the BPE and BFI Group. The Supreme Court, among others, restrained BPE and its agents from further offering ALSCON for sale to any other person, persons or entity outside BFI Group. Bid to enforce the judgement In its determination to execute the Supreme Court judgment, the BFI Group filed a judgment enforcement suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja. In a decision on 30 September, 2014, the Federal High Court in Abuja handed down an enforcement order, which BPE objected to and appealed. On its part, the appellate court, varied the enforcement order issued by the Federal High Court, but insisted that the judgment of the Supreme Court must be enforced. It ordered the BPE to provide the mutually agreed Share Purchase Agreement for execution. But, the BPE and the BFI Group could not find a middle ground on how to execute the SPA, with the BPE objecting to some documents annexed to the SPA. The BFI Group subsequently initiated contempt proceedings against the BPE and Mr Okoh at the Federal High Court in Abuja. In December 2019, the Federal High Court found the BPE and Mr Okoh guilty of contempt of court, and sentenced Mr Okoh to imprisonment for one month until he purged himself of the act of contempt. The convict and the BPE challenged the decision at the Supreme Court, which led to Fridays verdict affirming the conviction and sentence. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print From the arraignment of former Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State to the kidnap of a deputy vice-chancellor of the Abia State University, the past week the fourth week of January 2024 was full of events in Nigerias southeast. Here are the highlights of the top stories that made headlines in the region in the week under review: Demolition in Enugus estate The week began with a controversy in Enugu State over the reported demolition of some properties by the state government in Centenary Estate in the state. A popular Nigerian skit maker, Chibuike Ugwu, otherwise known as Untouchable, had, on 19 January in a video clip, raised an alarm that his mansion was on the verge of being demolished by the states urban development agency, Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority Mr Ugwu appealed to Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State to intervene. The clip showing the skit maker raising the alarm elicited reactions from several persons within and outside the state. However, the state government would later deny carrying out demolitions of unapproved structures at the estate. They explained that the affected buildings were demolished because they served as kidnappers hideout, stressing that it was yet to demolish any of the unapproved structures in the area. However, in another video clip on Sunday apparently shot at the estate, Mr Ugwu said, unlike when he made the first video clip, he had now gotten the full details of what was happening at the estate. The skit maker said, that in order not to provoke the governor, he has decided to apologise to him for making the first video, although he did not deny saying there were demolitions at the estate. Nnamdi Kanus request to UK government Nnamdi Kanu, Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), continued his search for help by asking the UK authorities to intervene in his trial and continued detention at the facility of Nigerias State Security Service (SSS). Since his re-arrest in July 2021, Mr Kanu, a British-Nigerian citizen, has been detained at the SSS facility. He is facing trial on terrorism charges at a Federal High Court, Abuja. Apparently feeling helpless in his predicament in Nigeria, the IPOB leader, in a letter addressed to the House of Commons, the lower chamber of the UK parliament, appealed to the lawmakers to prevail on the UK Government to intervene in his matter. Aloy Ejimakor, Mr Kanus special counsel, who signed the letter, said he had the instruction of the IPOB leader to do so. The IPOB leader requested the UK authorities, among other things, to secure his unconditional release from SSS detention and repatriation to the UK. He further requested that in the alternative the UK authorities should make a binding proposal to the Nigerian government to agree to conduct his trial in the UK or in a mutually agreed neutral third country, other than Nigeria and the UK. Mr Kanus request highlights his increasing frustration with his continued detention and trial in Nigeria as well as the UK governments alleged silence in the matter. Widows victory against witchcraft allegation It was a historic day in Umunankwo Community in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State when a widow, who was banished for allegedly being a witch, was reunited with her community. The widow, Nneka Uzor, a 54-year-old mother of two, was banished by her three brothers from the community on 30 April 2023. The three brothers Lazarus Uzor, Anozie Uzor and Valentine Okwuosa were later arrested and arraigned before the Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court in Awka. The arrest and arraignment of the suspects were facilitated by the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare in the state, Ify Obinabo, who promised to ensure that the woman was reunited with the community Mrs Obinabos media aide announced in a statement on Monday that the commissioner had finally facilitated the return of the widow to the community and her reconciliation with the community members. The statement indicated that the reconciliation took place at the palace of the traditional ruler of Umunankwo, Fidelis Nsofor, and that following the traditional rulers directive, the community members gathered at a junction, where they had earlier banished the widow, to bring her back. The statement added that when the widow was brought back, traditional rites were performed to purify her and make her fit to participate in the communitys activities. The monarch later declared as illegal the banishment of anyone in the community. Soludo still in the news for controversies The incident at Umunankwo Community was not Mrs Obinabos first time in such work. The commissioner has intervened in several similar cases in the state such as child abuse, child theft and trafficking, rape, and gender-based violence. Unlike the commissioner who has continued to be in the news for some good reasons, Governor Charles Soludo has been involved in many controversies since he assumed office on 17 March 2022. From the imposition of taxes on entrepreneurs, and even barrow pushers, to his handling of touts, and recently, the suspension of a traditional ruler, the list appears endless. Apparently due to criticisms, Mr Soludo made a U-turn, on Tuesday, by reinstating a traditional ruler who was suspended in the state for conferring a chieftaincy title on a Nigerian senator. Damian Ezeani, the traditional ruler of the Neni Community had, during the Yuletide, conferred the chieftaincy title of Odenjiji of Neni on Ifeanyi Ubah, who represents Anambra South District at the Senate. Governor Soludos administration, which suspended the traditional ruler, accused him of conferring the chieftaincy title on the senator without authorisation from the state government and the traditional ruler of the senators community, as required by law. While Mr Ezeani apologised for his action, the senator slammed the governor for the suspension. There were speculations that Mr Soludos discomfort with the chieftaincy title on Mr Ubah was due to the senators reported interest in contesting in the next governorship election in the state under the platform of the APC. Governor Soludo, within the week under review, courted yet another controversy when he announced the dissolution of the Anambra Traditional Rulers Council. The governor claimed that the composition of the council violated the law establishing it, citing the terms of office of the councils leaders and number of members. The development came days after the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, attacked Governor Soludo for suspending Mr Ezeani, the traditional ruler of Neni Community. Man allegedly rapes, impregnates 14-year-old niece Here is a heartbreaking story of a 14-year-old girl in Anambra State, who was allegedly raped and impregnated by her uncle in the state. The survivor is said to be a junior secondary school student in the state while the man who allegedly raped her has been identified simply as Simon. A human rights activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, in a post on his X handle on Tuesday said the girl began staying with the suspect after she lost her father. Mr Gwamnishu said the situation got worse when her mother suffered mental illness and was unable to care for her. The rights activist said the frustrated girl began to stay with the suspect after relatives asked her to do so, but the uncle later took advantage of her and on several occasions raped and threatened her never to disclose her predicament to anyone. He said the girl was now eight months pregnant, for the uncle. The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday that the agency had taken over the case, following the activist alarm on X. They were, however, unable to confirm to this newspaper if the man who raped the girl had been arrested. The incident highlights the growing incidence of rape in Nigeria even at the family level despite laws against it. Gunmen kill couple, dump bodies in car boot It was a horrible week in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State where gunmen, last Tuesday, killed a yet-to-be-identified couple and dumped their bodies in a car boot. Residents of the area only woke up on Wednesday and saw the couples bodies dumped in the boot of a Toyota Corolla car. The vehicle was parked at a lonely place along a junction near Umunya Axis of Enugu-Onitsha Express Road in the state. The police in the state would later confirm that the couple was murdered and abandoned in the vehicle by the hoodlums. The attack is another painful reminder of the insecurity in Nigerias South-east. Willie Obianos arraignment over alleged N4 Billon fraud On Wednesday, a former governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) The EFCC is prosecuting Mr Obiano for allegedly laundering over N4 billion from the states security vote account. He faces nine counts of money laundering, and bypassing financial institutions in several unlawful cash transactions involving money allegedly stolen from the states account. READ ALSO: 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. Governor Soludo visited Mr Obiano a day later and expressed hope that the former governors predicament would pass away. Gunmen abduct deputy vice-chancellor of Nigerian university It was another painful week in Abia State where gunmen abducted the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Abia State University, Uturu, Godwin Emezue. Mr Emezue, a professor, was abducted from a petrol station at Umuekwule, Amachara, a community in Umuahia South Local Government Area of the south-eastern state. The deputy vice-chancellor was said to have driven into the station alongside his wife to buy fuel for their vehicle on Friday night when the gunmen attacked them. Burnt corpses of police operatives discovered in IPOB camp The Nigerian Army made a shocking and worrisome revelation when it said its troops from the 82 Division discovered burnt corpses of police operatives in a camp belonging to suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed militant wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN). Jonah Unuakhalu, the spokesperson of the 82 Division of the army, in a statement on Thursday, said the troops made the discovery when they raided the camp and other nearby IPOB/ESN camps. Mr Unuakhalu, a lieutenant colonel, said the camps are located along Umulolo-Umukele-Amousu and Agbobu in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigerias South-east. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso on Sunday announced their withdrawal from the West African subregional bloc, ECOWAS. The West African countries are currently led by soldiers following coups that ousted the civilian leadership in the countries with Niger being the latest. According to an Associated Press report, the juntas in the three countries accused ECOWAS of inhumane sanctions imposed on them to reverse the coups. In a joint statement read on state television, they said they have decided in complete sovereignty on the immediate withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), alleging that the bloc has moved away from the ideals of its founding fathers and pan-Africanism after nearly 50 years of its establishment. Furthermore, ECOWAS, under the influence of foreign powers, betraying its founding principles, has become a threat to its member states and its populations whose happiness it is supposed to ensure, AP quoted their statements as saying. The announcement is the latest development following a series of efforts by the regional bloc to return the countries to civilian rule. ECOWAS imposed sanctions on the countries following the coups there but has sustained negotiations and demanded transitions to civilian rule. An ECOWAS ministerial mission was due to visit Niamey on 25 January but that did not happen. READ ALSO: The Community delegation waited the whole of Thursday at the Abuja airport, in readiness to fly to Niamey. Unfortunately, owing to technical issues with the aircraft chartered by the Commission, the special flight scheduled to convey the ECOWAS delegation could not depart Abuja for Niamey, ECOWAS explained in a statement. The bloc said it regretted the meeting could not happen but was ready to find a new date to field the mission as soon as possible. ECOWAS remains committed to finding a negotiated settlement to the political challenges in the sub-region, it added. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the handover of a suspect arrested in Kaduna State for kidnapping victims in the Bwari area of Abuja, to the Department of Force Intelligence (DFI) Abuja. The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja. Mr Adejobi said the order was to ensure a discreet investigation into the case and arrest of other culprits involved in the kidnap. He said the suspect had confessed to being a member of a bandit gang in Kaduna State where five of its members had been neutralised and their camp destroyed by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT). Mr Adejobi said the suspect is currently helping the police in their investigations and was arrested on 20 January by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Kaduna State. He said the arrest followed intelligence and a raid of a hotel in the Tafa area of Kaduna by operatives of Tafa Divisional Police Headquarters. The police spokesman said the suspect was arrested with the sum of N2.25 million suspected to be proceeds of ransoms collected from kidnapped victims. According to him, during interrogation, the suspect confessed to being part of the gang that kidnapped members of a family in the Bwari area of Abuja. READ ALSO: Police confirm kidnap incident at Unilorin The suspect, in a dramatic situation, offered N1 million to induce the Tafa Divisional Police Officer (DPO) SP Idris Ibrahim, who rejected the offer and carried out his duty diligently, he said. Mr Adejobi said the I-G had commended the DPO for commitment and professionalism. He said the Nigerian police would leave no stone unturned in decimating criminally minded individuals and bequeathing Nigerians a more secure society. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Nigerias federal tax agency, FIRS, continued with the reforms under its new chairman, Zacch Adedeji. The agency also announced its revenue target for 2024. The FIRS was one of the entities that announced its activities on PREMIUM TIMES last week. Others include phone maker Xiaomi and the Kaduna and Zamfara state governments. See the announcements below. TAXATION Finance Minister Wale Edun inaugurated a two-day strategic management retreat for the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, focusing on Reimagining Tax Administration for Equity and Economic Growth. Under FIRS Chairman Zacch Adedeji, the agency underwent a significant transformation to enhance taxpayer-centric services and revenue collection. The retreat aims to align directors with the FIRSs strategic direction and engage key stakeholders in the renewed strategy for modernized, equitable, and growth-oriented tax administration. The FIRS achieved a record tax collection of N12.374 trillion in 2023, surpassing the target of N10.7 trillion. The Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, announced a 2024 target of N19.4 trillion. The Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, commended the surpassing of the 2023 target and emphasised the need for higher tax revenue. Mr Adedeji outlined a customer-centric organisational structure to enhance efficiency in tax operations and called for a modernized and digitised tax administration landscape in Nigeria during a strategic management retreat. MOBILE TELEPHONY Xiaomi launched the Redmi Note 13 Series in Nigeria, featuring three models: Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G, Redmi Note 13 Pro, and Redmi Note 13. The series offers upgraded cameras, AMOLED displays with up to 120Hz refresh rate, and advanced processors for enhanced performance. Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G stands out with a 200MP camera, 1.5K AMOLED display, and 120W HyperCharge. Additionally, Xiaomi introduces new wearables: Redmi Watch 4, Redmi Buds 5 Pro, and Redmi Buds 5. Xiaomis Redmi Note 13 series launch event impressed influencers and tech enthusiasts worldwide, unveiling three models Redmi Note 13, Redmi Note 13 Pro, and Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G. Highlight features include 108MP/200MP cameras, 120Hz AMOLED displays, and innovative charging technologies. Xiaomis dominance in the smartphone market was underscored, generating significant social media buzz and anticipation for the series impact on the industry. OTHERS Ronchess Global Resources PLC, under the leadership of Board Chair Adeolu Adeboye, has made key leadership changes. The Board re-appointed Temitope Adebosin as Executive Director and appointed two independent non-executive directors Yusuf Tafida and Habibah Waziri bringing extensive industry experience. The construction company, led by CEO Jackson Ukuevo, aims to excel in African infrastructure management, focusing on road, rail, airport, and waste management services. The appointments signify a commitment to growth, innovation, and diversity in achieving Ronchesss goals. Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State emphasised the importance of education during Ahmadu Bello University Zarias 43rd Convocation. An alumnus of the university, Governor Lawal reaffirmed his commitment to education by contributing to various learning institutions and making philanthropic contributions. He has previously declared a state of emergency on education in Zamfara, initiating projects such as school construction, renovations, and provision of desks and furniture. Governor Lawal also called for a multi-dimensional regional approach and synergy among Northern Nigeria governors to address insecurity. He reiterated the importance of community engagement in combating banditry and related crimes during a two-day roundtable discussion organised by the Coalition of Northern Groups in Abuja. The event aimed to develop a comprehensive framework for tackling insecurity, focusing on both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches. Governor Lawal highlighted the need for joint operations, intelligence sharing, and a regional approach to enhance synergy among affected states. Dettol, a leading hygiene brand in Nigeria, has appointed actress Ini Dima-Okojie as the brand ambassador for its newly relaunched Dettol Skincare soap. The soap features a unique formulation with 2X glycerin dosage and argan oil, providing moisturisation and protecting against 99.9 per cent germs. Ini Dima-Okojie expressed excitement about the soaps gentleness and effectiveness, while Dettol aims to raise awareness about hygiene and skincare practices through this partnership. Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani received a warm welcome from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, students during the 43rd convocation ceremony. The students expressed gratitude for the governors decision to reduce fees, making education more accessible. They applauded his efforts in prioritising education and urged him to continue enhancing the education sector, demonstrating solidarity and support. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The police have announced the arrest of a suspect in the 2 January kidnappings in Abuja that involved the murder of some of the victims by the kidnappers over delay in payment of ransom. The arrest was disclosed on Sunday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyuwa Adejobi, through a statement in Abuja. According to Mr Adejobi, a police raid last Sunday on a hotel in Kaduna resulted in the capture of the 28-year-old suspect, Bello Mohammed. He said Mr Mohammed has admitted to being a member of the group that carried out the abductions, during which a police officer was killed on 2 January. A cash of N2.25 million was found in the possession of the suspect, the statement said. The operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, on 20th January 2024, have arrested one Bello Mohammed, 28, of Zamfara state, in Kaduna. The Divisional Police Officer, Tafa Division, acting on intelligence, raided one hotel in Tafa Area, Kaduna, where he arrested Bello, with the sum of #2.25m (Two Million, two hundred and fifty million naira) only, suspected to be proceeds of ransoms collected from kidnapped victims within the area, Mr Adejobi said. He said the suspect confessed that on 13 January, the gang murdered some of its abducted captives, including Nabeeha, at its camp in Kaduna State. The suspect, during interrogation, confessed to being part of the gang that kidnapped the family members of one Barrister Ariyo in Bwari, FCT, on 2nd January 2024, and killed some kidnapped victims, including Nabeeha, f, daughter of the legal practitioner, on 13th January 2024, in a kidnappers camp, in Kaduna State. The suspect, in a dramatic situation, offered #1,000,000 (one million naira only) to induce the DPO, who rejected the offer and carried out his duty diligently. Mr Mohammed further admitted to being involved with five bandits that Kaduna police had already neutralised. And their lethal camp was eliminated. The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, has ordered that the suspect, who also confessed to the involvement of the already five (5) neutralised bandits in Kaduna by the IRT, headed by one Mai Gemu (aka Godara), whose deadly camp has also been destroyed, be handed over to the DFI-IRT in Abuja for discreet investigations into the matter and arrest of all other culprits responsible for the dastardly act. The suspect is currently helping the police in their investigations, the statement noted. Abuja under siege PREMIUM TIMES reported how armed men in military uniform invaded Sagwari Layout Estate in Dutse, also in Bwari Area Council, at about 7.30 p.m. on 7 January and abducted nine persons, including a mother and her four children. The kidnappers thereafter proceeded to a nearby hotel and kidnapped a receptionist and a barman. They later killed one Folorunsho Ariyo and Nabeeha Al-Kadriyah and dumped their bodies and two others near a former military roadblock behind Idah Junction on the Bwari-Jere SCC Road in Kagarko Local Government Area, Kaduna State. At least 85 people have been reported kidnapped over three days in Abuja, between 4 and 7 January. In Kawu, a village in the Bwari Area Council of the FCT, 22 persons were reportedly abducted on a single day. Last week, gunmen shot a man in his house at the Nigerian Army Post Retirement Estate in Kurudu, Abuja, and kidnapped his wife and their housekeeper. The political and security authorities have been under pressure to curb the kidnappings, which have been rife especially in the North-west and North-central regions of the country for a few years now. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said on Sunday that the three countries that announced their withdrawal from the sub-regional group have yet to inform it of their decision. The ECOWAS Commission is yet to receive any direct formal notification from the three Member States about their intention to withdraw from the Community, ECOWAS said in a press release on Sunday. PREMIUM TIMES reported that Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, on Sunday, announced their withdrawal from the West African sub-regional bloc. The West African countries are currently led by soldiers following coups that ousted the civilian leadership in the countries with Niger being the latest. In a statement announcing their withdrawal from the bloc, they accused ECOWAS of inhumane sanctions imposed on them to reverse the coups. They said ECOWAS has moved away from the founding ideals of the bloc. ECOWAS in its statement said it has been working assiduously with these countries for the restoration of constitutional order. Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali remain important members of the Community and the Authority remains committed to finding a negotiated solution to the political impasse, the statement read. The ECOWAS Commission remains seized with the development and shall make further pronouncements as the situation evolves. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In this article, we look at the 15 most powerful countries in Africa in 2024. You can skip our detailed analysis on the economic potential and the race for power in this critical resource-rich region and head over directly to the 5 Most Powerful Countries in Africa in 2024. Africa is the second fastest growing region in the world after Asia. Nine of the top 20 countries that experienced the highest rate of economic growth between 2018-2022 were African. Despite facing challenges associated with the coronavirus pandemic first, and later the disruption of global supply chains with Russias invasion of Ukraine, the continent remains resilient and recorded a growth of 3.4% in 2023, which is set to rise to 3.8% in 2024, according to the African Development Bank. This region of immense cultural heritage and diversity is home to several countries that wield significant influence on the global stage due to their wealth of natural resources, economic prowess, political soft power, and military strength all key factors that have an impact on the regions socio-political landscape. Africas Riches According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Africa is home to 30% of the worlds mineral reserves, 12% of all oil reserves, and 8% of the worlds natural gas deposits. The continent also has 40% of the worlds gold. Therefore, given the wealth of natural resources present in Africa, it is no surprise that several of the worlds largest mining companies such as AngloGold Ashanti plc (NYSE:AU) and Gold Fields Limited (NYSE:GFI) operate in the region. AngloGold Ashanti plc (NYSE:AU) has operations in five mines across Africa. These are in Congo at Kibali, Geita in Tanzania, Iduapriem and Obuasi in Ghana, and at Siguiri in Guinea. According to the companys financials released in November, the total production of gold at AngloGold Ashanti plc (NYSE:AU)s mines across Africa was 397,000oz for the quarter ended September 2023 which accounted for 60% of its overall production worldwide. Story continues Gold Fields Limited (NYSE:GFI), which is headquartered in Johannesburg has operations across South Africa and Ghana. In November last year, the company was ranked first among the Top 100 corporations of 2023 list released by the Sunday Times. The company delivered returns of 668% to its shareholders over the last five years, between September 2018 and August 2023. The award is a recognition of Gold Fields Limited (NYSE:GFI)s financial performance and operational sustainability in Africas gold industry. Regional Power Ambitions If Africas richness of natural resources was not enough, another reason why the continent holds significance is that it is home to several key allies of the western world, some with regional power ambitions. Egypt for instance is an important strategic partner of the United States in ensuring peace and security across the region, and especially in the war against militant groups. The country spends heavily on defense expenditure, in line with President Sisis posturing of Egypt as a powerful state in the global stage. In January 2022, the US government approved the sale of three SPS-48 land-based radars to strengthen Egypts air defense systems. These radars, which are to be produced by L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:LHX) for a contract valued at $355 million, will provide the Egyptians with jamming immunity and capabilities to detect even extremely small targets. A year earlier in February 2021, Egypt received RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX)s Rolling Airframe Missiles for a deal worth $197 million. Defense manufacturers in the United States also have an eye on the ongoing arms race between Algeria and Morocco. While Algiers has bolstered its air capabilities by acquiring Russian fighter jets like Su-30 and entered into a fresh deal with Moscow in 2020 for 14 Su-57 stealth fighters, Rabat is scrambling to secure Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT)s F-35 fighter jets from the US. Morocco believes its strong ties with Israel will help secure a deal with the United States for Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT)s fifth-generation fighters. Last year in April, the US announced to provide Morocco with HIMARS artillery rocket systems for a deal worth $524 million, with Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) as the primary contractor. Moreover, the Pentagon also announced to sell RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX)s Joint StandOff Weapons to Morocco as part of a $250 million deal. 15 Most Powerful Countries in Africa in 2024 15 Most Powerful Countries in Africa in 2024 Methodology The most powerful countries in Africa in 2024 are ranked based on four areas of strength military, economic, political, and cultural. How well each country did on these metrics was determined by seeing where they ranked on each metric in the continent. Their rankings on each metric were aggregated and then divided by the total number of metrics. For instance, if a country ranked second on military strength, third on economic strength, fifth on political soft power, and tenth on cultural influence, it received an average rank of five (2+3+5+10) divided by 4). Countries are ranked in descending order of their scores in this article. Rankings on military strength have been sourced from 15 Most Powerful Militaries in Africa, while for economic-strength rankings, we referred to the 20 Largest Economies in Africa Ranked by PPP. Brand Finances Global Soft Power Index 2023 was considered for political power rankings, whereas CEO Worlds list of the Worlds Best Countries For Cultural Heritage Influence was analyzed to determine cultural-influence rankings By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders. Lets now head over to the list of the most powerful countries in Africa in 2024. 15. Ghana Military Strength Rank: 15 Economic Strength Rank: 10 Political Soft Power Rank: 7 Cultural Influence Rank: 21 Average Rank: 13.3 We begin our list with Ghana, which is the tenth largest economy in the continent with a GDP of $227 billion in terms of purchasing power parity in 2023. Economic strength has granted the country significant political clout in Africa. Ghana is a regional military force as well, particularly due to its naval and aerial capabilities. 14. Angola Military Strength Rank: 6 Economic Strength Rank: 8 Political Soft Power Rank: 15 Cultural Influence Rank: 22 Average Rank 12.8 Angola is an important country in central Africa, especially because of its military strength. The Angolan armed forces has a manpower of over 107,000 troops, and is equipped with fighter jets like the Su-30 and Su-35. Moreover, Angolas military is battle-hardened due to its regional conflicts with Congo, as well as insurgency at home. 13. Ivory Coast Military Strength Rank: 21 Economic Strength Rank: 11 Political Soft Power Rank: 6 Cultural Influence Rank: 12 Average Rank 12.5 While it may not be known for its military prowess, the Ivory Coast still manages to be one of the most powerful countries in Africa due to its economic strength, as well as the political and cultural influence it holds in the region. The country was ranked 87th on the Global Soft Power Index 2023 which is the sixth highest for African countries. 12. Congo DR Military Strength Rank: 12 Economic Strength Rank: 15 Political Soft Power Rank: 12 Cultural Influence Rank: 9 Average Rank: 12.0 The Democratic Republic of the Congo had an average real GDP growth of 4.76% between 2018 and 2022, which helped it rank among countries with the highest economic growth during this period. Much of this was driven by exports and investments in the countrys strong mining sector. Congo also has an able military, which can further be bolstered by leveraging the countrys steady economic growth. 11. Sudan Military Strength Rank: 10 Economic Strength Rank: 12 Political Soft Power Rank: 9 Cultural Influence Rank: 17 Average Rank: 12.0 Sudan has a nominal GDP of $49 billion, and spent $287 million on defense expenditure last year. It has the tenth strongest military in the continent. According to the Global Soft Power Index, the country is the ninth most politically influential nation in the continent. 10. Libya Military Strength Rank: 9 Economic Strength Rank: 13 Political Soft Power Rank: N/A Cultural Influence Rank: 10 Average Rank: 10.7 Despite descending into chaos since the fall of Gaddafis regime in 2011, after which several militias seized power in different parts of the country, Libya continues to be one of the most powerful nations in Africa. Last year, it had the fourth largest defense budget in Africa and spent over $3.5 billion on military expenditure. Libya also has sufficient cultural influence in the region due to its rich history and heritage. 9. Tanzania Military Strength Rank: 14 Economic Strength Rank: 9 Political Soft Power Rank: 10 Cultural Influence Rank: 8 Average Rank: 10.3 Tanzania has a nominal GDP of $77 billion, and recorded a real GDP growth rate of 5.68% between 2018 and 2022. Dar es Salaam in Tanzania is a prominent tourist destination and has a commercial port, which drives the countrys economy. Tanzania has lately been using its economic strength to uplift its military as well, and spent $749 million on defense expenditure in 2022. 8. Ethiopia Military Strength Rank: 11 Economic Strength Rank: 5 Political Soft Power Rank: 14 Cultural Influence Rank: 3 Average Rank: 8.3 Ethiopia is emerging as one of the most powerful countries in Africa at the back of its economic potential. The countrys economy has grown at an average of over 7% for the last five years. Diplomatically, Ethiopia has forged cordial relations with Russia and China, which are two of its main arms suppliers. Its air force is equipped with 23 Russian fighter jets Mig-23 and Su-27. In January 2023, it purchased 32 SH15 wheeled self-propelled howitzers (SPH) from China to strengthen its ground defense. 7. Kenya Military Strength Rank: 7 Economic Strength Rank: 7 Political Soft Power Rank: 11 Cultural Influence Rank: 7 Average Rank: 8.0 Kenya has a strong military that is equipped with modern weapons. The country is also partly self-sufficient when it comes to arms procurement as it relies on the defense industry at home for much of its submachine guns and ammunition. Politically, Nairobi enjoys significant influence in the region as it hosts the UN Headquarters for Africa. Kenyan troops are also deployed in peacekeeping missions in Somalia and South Sudan. 6. Tunisia Military Strength Rank: 8 Economic Strength Rank: 14 Political Soft Power Rank: 4 Cultural Influence Rank: 5 Average Rank: 7.8 Tunisia is among the strongest countries in Africa with a powerful military, whose air force is equipped with a fleet of over 150 aircraft and fighter jets. Moreover, its navy comprises 4,800 personnel and four critical bases at Kelibia, Sfax, Bizerte, and La Goulette. When it comes to economic potential, the countrys GDP was measured at $47 billion by the IMF in 2022 and has a per capita GDP of nearly $4,000. Tunisia ranks 83rd in the world for political soft power, which is the fourth highest position in Africa. Click to continue reading and see the 5 Most Powerful Countries in Africa in 2024. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: None. 15 Most Powerful Countries in Africa in 2024 is originally published on Insider Monkey. UN Chief Antonio Guterres has appealed to 10 Western countries to reconsider their decision to stop funding the UNs agency in Gaza, UNRWA. I strongly appeal to the governments that have suspended their contributions to, at least, guarantee the continuity of UNRWAs operations, he said in a statement on Sunday. Mr Guterres explained that two million civilians in Gaza depend on critical aid from UNRWA for daily survival but the agencys current funding will not allow it to meet all requirements to support them in February. Following allegations by Israel that some UNRWA staff were involved in the 7 October 2023 attack that led to the death of over 1,000 people in Israel and kidnap of about 250 hostages, 10 Western countries including the US and UK said they would suspend funding to the agency. Other countries include Australia, Canada, Italy, Germany, Finland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Scotland. Mr Guterres said the UN is taking swift action following the extremely serious allegations against several UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) staff members. The statement said an investigation by the UNs Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) was immediately activated. Similarly, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said he has fired several employees and opened an investigation into the allegations. 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, he said in a separate statement on Saturday. Mr Lazzarini did not give the exact number of employees indicted or whose contracts were terminated. Mr Guterres statement gave the number of indicted employees as 12. Of the 12 people implicated, nine were immediately identified and terminated by the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini; one is confirmed dead, and the identity of the two others is being clarified, he said. He assured that any UN employee involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution, adding that the Secretariat is ready to cooperate with a competent authority able to prosecute the individuals in line with the Secretariats normal procedures for such cooperation. Mr Guterres noted that the abhorrent alleged acts of indicted staff members must have consequences, however, other staff should not be penalised. The dire needs of the desperate populations they serve must be met, he added. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print As part of efforts to transform Nigerias health sector, the Minister of Health, Muhammad Pate, is building international support and collaborations. The minister said the efforts are geared towards achieving the campaign promises under the renewed hope initiative of President Bola Tinubu. Mr Pate recently led a delegation to Brussels to explore mutually beneficial collaboration opportunities between the key European public and private sector entities. The minister who revealed this in a long post on X on Sunday noted that the dialogue was also aimed at advancing Nigeria or Africas aspiration to optimise the healthcare value chain and improve health security. He noted that partners like the European Commission, European Investment Bank, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation European Office, and several global and regional private sector investors and industry leaders, are key to driving the transformation alongside Nigerian and African startups, businesses, and leaders. Healthcare value chain initiative According to Mr Pate, as part of the C , Nigeria will soon announce key steps towards a major venture and equity fund. This will come as a strategic structural intervention to shape the biomedical entrepreneurship space in Nigeria looking towards the promising pan-African landscape, he noted And this will be something the European, and indeed other investors, will find very exciting. To quote our President, and the health sector has an important part to play. He added that the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, committed to supporting the initiative via enabling policies. This will enable Nigerian manufacturers to thrive and, importantly, spur the flow of foreign direct investments in health, he noted. Mr Pate also admitted that the delegation learnt from key private sector actors and university players on the evolution of the Belgian biotechnology ecosystem. Opportunities He further highlighted the opportunities and plans for the health sector. The minister said: As we leave Brussels, Belgium, capital of the European Union, to head home to Abuja, we have a strong sense of fulfilment and appreciation for the great support and encouragement we received all around. Impressive initial pipeline of potential invisible opportunities, ranging from diagnostics and biopharmaceutical manufacturing, creation of an Abuja biomedical campus and ecosystem, and network of private sector managed world-class CEOs. Also, were targeting the training of health talent and EU-Africa explore managed migration in the health sector. Theres a strong potential to advance medical textiles manufacturing, malaria, #RMNCH, and a closed franchise on cardiovascular and breast cancer diagnostics. Mr Pate noted that apart from his industry, trade and investment ministry counterpart, the delegation also comprised the Minister of State for the FCT, Mariya Bunkure; the National Coordinator of the Health Care Value Chain Initiative, ; DG, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Obi Adigwe, and FCT Mandate Secretary for Health, Dolapo Fasawe. Priority areas The Minister of Health had in 2022 noted that building a resilient, equitable, affordable, and quality health system is one of his major priorities for the countrys health sector. Mr Pate listed his priority areas in a series of messages posted on the X platform. ALSO READ: The potential of collaborative leadership to transform healthcare He said one of his major priorities for the sector is to strengthen governance and institutions under the sector. He noted under his leadership, there will be smart and effective regulations and digitalisation of the health system. Mr Pate said his focus will include strengthening health sector governance and institutions, smart and effective regulations, digitisation, enhancing citizen voices and our responsiveness, and making sure no one is left behind. He said his leadership would ensure an affordable and quality health system to improve health outcomes by delivering preventive, promotive, and curative services, at primary healthcare and hospitals. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Apart from exploring the potentials of new technological tools, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Data Analytics for PSYOPS and STRATCOMM by relevant bodies, the participants emphasised the need for national policy backed by legal frameworks to regulate the activities on digital and social media to guard against fake news and hate speech. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme skill. Sun Tzu, 4th Century BC. The above quote was coined by a famous Chinese general, military strategist, and philosopher from ancient China while buttressing the idea of applying a soft approach to defeat adversaries. Until I recently attended a maiden National Security Course on Psychological Operations and Strategic Communication I (NSCPOSC-1), organised by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), I would not have succinctly understood the role of psychological operations (PSYOPS) and strategic communication (STRATCOMM) in achieving security objectives and national interests. While STRATCOMM deals with effective information sharing using appropriate channels to influence decision-making and shape individuals attitudes towards achieving particular objectives, PSYOPS, on the other hand, involves a series of planned political, economic, and social activities in order to influence and shape the opinions, attitudes, behaviours, and perceptions of target groups with the intent of achieving national interests, including military objectives. Therefore, it is against this background that the DIA hosted a training programme for government officials, members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), intelligence communities, security services, communication specialists, community leaders, and civil society advocates and the media, in order to equip them with the requisite skills for surmounting security challenges using non-kinetic approaches. The workshop, with the theme Winning Hearts and Minds for National Cohesion and Development, engaged participants in a five-day intensive training between 22 and 26 January to acquaint them and, by extension, the general public with the soft approaches to solving insecurity, while at the same time promoting social cohesion. Central to the conduct of the workshop was a series of paper presentations by security experts, military officers, media practitioners, and members of academia that were relevant to the context of the subject matter under discussion. Apart from the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, who was the keynote speaker, other notable presenters included the Information Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi; Communication Minister, Dr Bosun Tijani; Chairperson Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (DIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Isa Onilu In his keynote address, General Christopher Musa emphasised that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is currently reviewing its operational plans in tandem with the current realities to utilise both military force and non-military tactics to tackle insecurity. The CDI pointed out that the intent of the course was to reconnect with communities and enlighten them on the importance of lawful conduct, as against the activities of criminals, insurgents, and other deviants. He added that there is need for the government to harmonise processes and procedures for collaboration with communities, which are most impacted by security challenges. Represented by Rear Admiral Daupreye Matthew, director of Training at the Defence Headquarters, the CDS emphasised the need for a dual-pronged approach to contain the dynamic nature of current adversaries in Nigeria. In his welcome address, the convener and Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), Major-General Emmanuel Undiandeye, said that the five-day programme was to boost security experts understanding of the dynamics of PSYOPS and STRATCOMM. The CDI pointed out that the intent of the course was to reconnect with communities and enlighten them on the importance of lawful conduct, as against the activities of criminals, insurgents, and other deviants. He added that there is need for the government to harmonise processes and procedures for collaboration with communities, which are most impacted by security challenges. Speaking on the objective of course, the Director Psychological Operation at DIA, Mrs CA Usman said it was to allow for cross-fertilisation of ideas among stakeholders on the application of PSYOPS and Strategic Communication STRATCOMM to achieve overall national cohesion and development. The NSCPOSC-1 is part of the strategic function of the DIA, to support Armed Forces operations and national security objectives in line with creating awareness on the application of STRATCOMM and PSYOPS instruments in the attainment of national cohesion and development. Over the years, the Nigerian military has made significant strides in its relentless efforts to contain the activities of non-state actors through PSYOPS and STRATCOMM Reports show that no fewer than 51,828 terrorists and their family members laid down their weapons and surrendered in just one year between July 2021 and 4 May, 2022. Similarly, about 106,000 terrorists and their family members have so far surrendered to the troops in the northeastern part of the country. I wonder if tools of psychological operations and strategic communication are not similar to basic elements of Public Relations. However, I believe policymakers and relevant authorities should note that the overall success of PSYOPS and STRATCOMM depend on sincerity of purpose and process that must be built on trust with well-crafted messages that could have the desired impacts on the targeted audiences. The successes can be attributed to the concerted series of efforts of non-kinetic approaches introduced by the military as part of counter-insurgency measures in the region. Meanwhile, in their communique, the 87 participants commended the DIA for organising the course and urged that it should be sustained in order to upscale the skills of relevant organisations with the latest thinkings and techniques of PSYOPS and STRACOMM in addressing societal challenges. While urging government at all levels to invest in community initiatives, education, job creation and public awareness on security consciousness, they also noted that sustained inter-agency collaborations, especially among security services are essential for coordinated activities for national safety and security. The participants also called on the media, religious leaders and the traditional institutions to be in the forefront in shaping public attitudes through their respected channels of communication. Apart from exploring the potentials of new technological tools, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Data Analytics for PSYOPS and STRATCOMM by relevant bodies, the participants emphasised the need for national policy backed by legal frameworks to regulate the activities on digital and social media to guard against fake news and hate speech. In ensuring effective communication, the PSYOP course participants emphasised the need for adequate funding of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to effectively discharge its statutory responsibilities of pursuing value reorientation, promoting unity and cohesion for national development. I wonder if tools of psychological operations and strategic communication are not similar to basic elements of Public Relations. However, I believe policymakers and relevant authorities should note that the overall success of PSYOPS and STRATCOMM depend on sincerity of purpose and process that must be built on trust with well-crafted messages that could have the desired impacts on the targeted audiences. Mukhtar Madobi is NDA research student and the author of National Security Strategies: A Young Writers Perspective. Email: Ymukhtar1994@gmail.com Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print So, the North is annoyed. This time, the North that is annoyed is represented by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF). A few other voices have spat into the void and lapped the sky-spiraling spittle with their faces. One of them was Ali Ndume, the senator representing Borno South in the National Assembly. While the NEF, through its Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, said that the relocation of the CBN departments would lead to brain drain, Ndume delivered his in the form of a subtle threat. Northern Nigeria used to have a cult of power called the Kaduna Mafia. This Mafia decided who would become the Nigerian president, which road to build or to abandon, which industries to be sited and where. When it couldnt help but hand the reins of power to the South, it determined which weakest link to exploit. The 1976 assassination of Murtala Muhammed and the handing over of power to Olusegun Obasanjo explains this. If the Kaduna Mafia was bothered about the north-centric disposition of Obasanjo, it could have defiantly handed over the reins of the military government to Shehu Musa YarAdua, at that time a lieutenant colonel in the army. Nothing would have happened. When it handed power to Obasanjo, it had to ensure a triple promotion for YarAdua, the Fulani scion whose stock needed placation. He was named Chief of Staff, Supreme Military Headquarters, with the brief to curtail Obasanjos probable excesses against the north. Though the Kaduna Mafia seemed to have hit its expiry at the time Muhammadu Buhari came into office, the northern oligarchy was resolute about the Daura Generals emergence. And Buhari didnt disappoint. His administration inflicted one of the most atrocious ethnic and cronyistic governments on Nigeria. But today, the North is angry. This time, the subject of its annoyance is the planned relocation of some key departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) from Abuja to Lagos State. In time past, when the north got annoyed, it was akin to the shrill cry of the pied crow. The crow is a bird the Yoruba call the Kannakanna. So many myths surround this strange bird. The most outstanding of its mysterious features is its queer and unusual cries. These, the Yoruba, in their deep into mystical beliefs, associate with calamities. Yet, the Kannakanna has other features, one of which is that it does not lay its own eggs but rather chooses to harry other birds off their egg nests, which seems to be true. It, however, has no known explicable biological reasons for this. Yet, the myth that the Kannakanna does not lay its own eggs, has been disproved by ornithologists. When you compare the ancientness of the northern elders cries in Nigeria, whenever they feel things are not going their way, with this strange bird, you will find out that the Kannakanna has a lot in common with the elders of the north. This mysterious bird is known among the Yoruba to be the bird of the elders; elders in this wise being witches and wizards. In some other instances, obeisance is paid to witches through the chanting of their cognomen. One of these chants is that the witch is the owl with copper-like eyes owiwi oloju ide. Witches are also simultaneously reputed to have their legs bespattered with camwood osun. Beliefs in witches say that the crow is a messenger of these unique beings of African women. It is the animal they send on their mysterious, most times destructive assignments. Always decked in black apparel its quills a few other species of the crow have white apron-like quills on their chests. Though it feeds mostly on ants, the Kannakannas most cherished meal is the hatchling of a sparrow (eye ega). The sparrow itself is a social, homely, very small, seed-eating bird with conical bills. It will fight its assailant to a standstill if annoyed. That is why when a spat is in the offing between two groups or individuals, the Yoruba will say that they smell a fight in the proportion of what happens when the crow attempts to beat the hatchling of a sparrow Kannakanna na omo ega So, the North is annoyed. This time, the North that is annoyed is represented by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF). A few other voices have spat into the void and lapped the sky-spiraling spittle with their faces. One of them was Ali Ndume, the senator representing Borno South in the National Assembly. While the NEF, through its Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, said that the relocation of the CBN departments would lead to brain drain, Ndume delivered his in the form of a subtle threat. He said, if the Yoruba-born president of Nigeria goes ahead with the relocation of those departments, this move would have consequences. For Ndume, who is today the self-appointed one-man squad spearheading the Norths dissonance with governments policies, the president is being ill-advised by the people he derogatorily labeled Lagos boys in the corridors of power. Hear him: All these Lagos boys who are thinking that Lagos is Nigeria are just misinforming and advising the President wrongly. Those political cartels that are in the corridors of power are trying to misinform the President and we will tell the President. The President will take action. They are not doing any favour to Mr President because this will have political consequences. So, when Ndume and the NEF began the resurgence of their crow cry about a North under siege, what came to the minds of other parts of Nigeria was similar to the cry of a butcher who is being stalked by the threat of death. When the butcher screams that death is about to take hold of him, the question people ask is, didnt the animals he had mercilessly butchered too have blood flowing in their veins? Yorubas render this as, Iku fe pa alapata, o nkigbe; omo eranko to ti da loro nko? If you are imbued with the steady eyes to see the unseen, ears to hear the unsaid and ability to penetrate the thin veneer of today to arrive at Nigerias atrocious past, Ndume will remind you of the ubiquitous Kaduna Mafia. The only difference is that the Kaduna Mafia was not as loquacious, nor visible as the Borno senator. In Bala Takaya and Sonni Gwanle Tyoden (eds) book, The Kaduna Mafia: A Study of the Rise, Development and Consolidation of a Nigerian Power Elite, (1987) this mythical, sect-like Northern Nigeria powerful forces role in the countrys political economy was rightly dissected. Operating under a similar historical evolution and characteristics as the Mafia in Italy, Spain and the United States of America, the book used the septic-tank darkness nature of the Italian Mafia to explain the Kaduna Mafia. It said it is such that for (the Kaduna Mafia) to continue its existence and pursue its objectives with the required effectiveness, it cannot but subject its identity, nature and activities to obscurity. (Secrecy) is one of the hallmarks of a successful mafia set-up. The Kaduna Mafia, a faction of the Nigerian bourgeois class and northern oligarchy, escalated the ethnic politics between the North and the South in the 1970s to the 1990s. The Mafia was a set of amorphous but lethal power-baiting individuals. Within that period in the life of Nigeria, this narrow groups interest held the rest of Nigeria to ransom. It dictated the political and economic barometer of the country and blithely decreed the future of the country. It perfected underdevelopment, focusing solely on the development of the North and like godfathers in todays politics, was narrow-minded and self-centered. Like the roach, the Kaduna Mafia had very sensitive political antennae with which it sniffed the pendulum of power and ethnic gains. Realising that the best place to manipulate power was outside its locus, the Mafia fiddled with policies in such a way as to ensure that the north made maximum benefits through the strategic positioning of policies and structures. Deploying the facade of the Islamic puritanical posture, the Kaduna Mafia was be able to conceal its selfish political and economic interests before the overall intent got exposed to a larger Nigeria. The overall effects of the Kaduna Mafias ethnic politics were negatively consequential for Nigeria. In the military, for instance, the first and only Premier of the Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello, was clairvoyant about the future hegemonic hold of uniformed men on the running and ruining of Nigeria. Thus, he had ensured that a number of qualifications for entrance into the military were waived for northern boys enlisting in the military in 1959 to the 1960s. In the height, education and mental acuity criteria, many northern boys who didnt measure up became soldiers, rising to become military governors and even Heads of State. This ultimately inflicted colossal damage on the future of the country. One of such boys was Muhammadu Buhari. In terms of academic qualifications, he obviously didnt have the school certificate requirement to gain entrance into the military. He also ranked very low in terms of intellectual depth. How was anyone, even Bello, who had much charisma and depth, to imagine that someday Nigeria would be in the hands of a Buhari? The rest, as they say, is history. So, when Ndume and the NEF began the resurgence of their crow cry about a North under siege, what came to the minds of other parts of Nigeria was similar to the cry of a butcher who is being stalked by the threat of death. When the butcher screams that death is about to take hold of him, the question people ask is, didnt the animals he had mercilessly butchered too have blood flowing in their veins? Yorubas render this as, Iku fe pa alapata, o nkigbe; omo eranko to ti da loro nko? What this pithy saying advocates is the need for fairness at all times as whatever one is unwilling to stomach, they should refrain from imposing it on others. The current Federal Government is trying to relocate CBN departments like Banking Supervision, Other Financial Institutions Supervision, Consumer Protection, Payment System Management, and Financial Policy Regulations from Abuja to Lagos. Ex-CBN Deputy Governor, Kingsley Moghalu, was the first to thaw the ice by labeling it an unnecessary wolf cry. In a tweet on X, he claimed the Lagos office, which had been completed and inaugurated approximately 12 years back, was underutilised, while the staff of the CBN at the Abuja headquarters exceed the health and safety limits of the building, hence the need to relocate. He said the relocation was rational, given that the market entities supervised by these departments are predominantly located in Lagos. While corroborating Moghalu, former CBN governor and ex-emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi said, Northern politicians will shout that this is moving from Abuja to Lagos. Abuja is a federal capital not a northern issue. So long as this is a principled decision, the noise should be ignored. According to him, All this noise is absolutely unnecessary. The CBN has staff manning its branches and cash offices across the federation. Moving staff to the Lagos office to streamline operations and make them more effective and reduce cost is a normal prerogative of management. Should Abuja ever be an issue for ethno-religious claim? It was conceived to be a city of love and not hate. It was conceived as a city of equality and not of superiority of one part over another. That was why the Federal Government paid off the original owners of the land and created Suleja for them. As Nigerians, we owe one another that duty of respect and love and Nigerians can love! Now, why does the NEF relish this idea of northernising Abuja? Does this Kaduna Mafia-incarnate think that localisation means ownership? Countless times, the South-South people have cautioned those who see the FCT as their patrimony, reminding them that the glittering roads of Abuja were paved with oil money from their soil. It was this same northernisation of Abuja reasoning that bred the vacuous clamour for a northerner to be FCT Minister at the beginning of this present government and the gas-lighting of the incumbent. Before the 4 February, 1976 promulgation of Decree No 6 by the Federal Military Government of Nigeria, which initiated the removal of the national capital from Lagos to Abuja, there had been previous advocacy for its relocation. One of such was made by Chief Obafemi Awolowo at the 1953 constitutional conference held in London. It was Awolowo and his Action Groups contention that Lagos must be merged with the Western Region, while a new federal capital should be built in central Nigeria. Following this up, the Action Group published a pamphlet in 1953 with the title Lagos Belongs to the West, where it articulated that (Lagos) is strategically highly vulnerable. Geographically, it is not by any means properly suited to serve as the headquarters of the Central or Federal Government. Lagos is to Nigeria what Calcutta is to India. What we need now, to pursue this analogy, is a New Delhi. The party then made this proposal: A large area of land should be acquired by the Federal Government near Kafanchan, which is almost central geographically, and strategically safe comparatively, for the purpose of building a new and neutral capital. The new capital should be built on a site entirely separate from an existing town, so that its absolute neutrality may be assured. Being the property of the Federal Government, it would automatically be administered by it in the same way as Washington, D.C. in USA or Canberra in Australia. Such a capital would be a neutral place indeed. In August I975, the Supreme Military Council formed a Committee on the Location of the Federal Capital, one of whose members was Dr Tai Solarin, headmaster of Mayfair College, Ikenne, who had written many articles in the Tribune newspapers advocating relocation of the capital from Lagos to the north. One of such was a 197I article he wrote with the title Lagos should go. Other members of the committee were Dr Ajato Gando, the only member with a background in geography and urban planning; Reverend Colonel Pedro Martins from Lagos; while Justice T. Akinola Aguda as chairman. The Aguda committee, made up mostly of westerners, recommended Abuja as the FCT. If the SMC had northernisation of Abuja in mind, it probably would have made the committee an all-north affair. While its initial planning and implementation were undertaken by the Military Government of Generals Murtala Muhammed and Obasanjo, Gen Ibrahim Babangida eventually relocated Nigerias capital to Abuja. One of the terms of reference for the establishment of the new capital was to ensure that it was a truly neutral city, which would accommodate Northern, Eastern, and Western peoples and where these peoples would co-exist in harmony. The SMC was wary of the new capital not being free from the rancorous historical legacies of state capitals where dominant groups imposed themselves on previous urban centres. Today, with the nauseating ethnicisation of Abuja and an opaque reading of sentiments into national policy matters like the FAAN and CBN relocation by Northern crows, the fact that there was a predominant Northern influence in the process of construction of Abuja has made the noxious perception rife today that the FCT is a northern bequeathal. What NEF, Ndume and others are doing by locating ulterior motives in the relocations from Abuja to Lagos is northernising the ownership of the FCT. Otherwise, the president should be left with the prerogative to decide what policies best suits its administration. What Nigeria needs now is healing. What the framers of the FCT establishment and Awolowos Action Group envisaged was a neutral capital, which it no longer is. NEF, Ndume and the likes are curating an Abuja that is a threat to unity and indeed a potential symbol of the escalation of the North-South discord. Should Abuja ever be an issue for ethno-religious claim? It was conceived to be a city of love and not hate. It was conceived as a city of equality and not of superiority of one part over another. That was why the Federal Government paid off the original owners of the land and created Suleja for them. As Nigerians, we owe one another that duty of respect and love and Nigerians can love! I experienced it last Friday during the burial of my mother. Nigerians of all classes and ethnicities, public figures, private figures helped me in seeing my mother off to eternity. Governors who I, at one time or the other, wrote against; senators I once queried their patriotism to Nigeria; captains of industry, North and South; farmers, artisans, white collar, blue collar people everybody from everywhere gave my mother a state burial. I thank them immensely. The lesson for me there is that I should stay on the track I have chosen for myself, while I plead that we work harder to make Nigeria a haven for all Nigerians who are still alive. Enough of bickering over nothing not over Abuja, especially! Festus Adedayo is an Ibadan-based journalist. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, has restated the place of education as a top top priority for building a prosperous and sustainable society. Governor Lawal highlighted the significance of education while briefing journalists during the 43rd Convocation of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. At the ceremony on Saturday, 25,432 graduates were awarded various degrees. A statement by the Governors spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, disclosed that Mr Lawal is an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University and has made significant philanthropic contributions to the university. He said the governor contributed to various learning institutions within and outside Zamfara State due to his passion for education development. He added: Today, Governor Dauda Lawal attended the 43rd convocation ceremony of his alma mater, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. Since his days in the banking sector, he has been passionate about education development and has always considered giving back to society. Governor Lawal constructed a three-storey building comprising lecture halls and offices. Additionally, he donated a new Costa bus to the Department of Political Science, where he graduated. In November last year, Governor Dauda Lawal declared a state of emergency on education in Zamfara State. In line with the declaration, Governor Lawals administration has commenced the construction and renovation of 245 schools across the 14 local government areas of Zamfara; provision of two-seater desks for pupils and students, totalling 9,542 across schools in the 14 local government areas; equipping the constructed and renovated 245 schools with 619 tables and 926 chairs for teachers. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Malam Aminu Idris, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of INEC in Kaduna by Moses Kolo The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will deploy no fewer than 4,000 personnel for the conduct of Saturdays re-run polls and by-election for the State and Federal Constituencies in Kaduna State. The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of INEC in Kaduna State, Aminu Idris, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Kaduna. Mr Idris said the personnel would include 3,000 drawn from members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and 1,000 INEC members of staff. He said, The commission projects to have about a total of 4,000 staff including about 3,000 ad-hoc staff with the categories drawn from members of the NYSC as Presiding Officers and institutions like the Kaduna Polytechnic while others would include NYSC and INEC staff. So far, we have started with the recruitment and training of ad hoc staff especially those of Supervisory Presiding Officers then to those of Presiding Officers officers and Assistant Presiding Officers. Mr Idris said that strict supervision has been put in place with the presence of the stakeholders including personnel from EFCC, ICPC and other relevant agencies to ensure transparency during the exercise. They will work against incidences of vote buying and other malpractices at the polling units and in terms of being accountable to the law as nobody is immune including INEC staff and corps members. Anyone that contravenes the electoral law in terms of distorting the elections would face the wrath of the law whether you are an INEC staff, NYSC or even security agent, he said. Mr Idris urged the stakeholders to collaborate to ensure that a conducive environment was provided for the smooth running of the elections and for the voters to be vigilant so that troublemakers would not be allowed to disrupt the process. He said, Party agents should equally take the responsibility as their job should not be left for INEC alone to do so that they report to their respective parties because that is the way to prepare for litigation if there is any need for it. Mr Idris said elections would take place in six constituencies covering seven local government areas including; Chikun, Igabi, Kaduna South, Kudan, Kachia, Kagarko and Kauru. Total polling units in the six constituencies are 1,114, with the number of registered voters that have collected PVCs of about 639,914, he said. NAN reports that INEC has fixed Saturday for the conduct of supplementary polls in 44 constituencies across the county. Sam Olumekun, the national commissioner and chairman Information Voter Education Committee (IVEC) of INEC said this in a statement tagged timetable and schedule of activities for bye-elections and court-ordered re-run elections. He said, The commission has approved the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for conducting bye-elections resulting from the resignation or demise of Members of the National and State Houses of Assembly. READ ALSO: Police arrest EFCC impersonators robbing varsity students These vacancies were declared by the Presiding Officers that is the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Speakers of State Houses of Assembly. The vacancies occurred across two Senatorial Districts, four Federal Constituencies, and three State Constituencies spanning nine states of the federation. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print NEW YORK, Jan. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Electrical Conductors Market for the Power Industry is set for substantial growth with a robust USD 13.8 billion surge at an impressive CAGR of 6.78% between 2023 and 2028, as forecasted by Technavio. The report highlights increasing investments in renewable energy projects, the growing capacity of wind power generation, and challenges related to the volatility in raw material prices, particularly aluminium, and copper. While continuous technological advancements bring about improvements in efficiency, miniaturization, and data transmission capabilities, they also create challenges regarding adaptability and compatibility. Market participants need to stay at the forefront of innovation to capitalize on emerging opportunities. Download the Free Sample Report within minutes for an overview of the market trends. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Electrical Conductors Market for the Power Industry Market 2024-2028 Market Segmentation and Challenges: The power transmission segment is forecasted to play a major role in the market's growth, accounting for a significant share. Selecting appropriate electrical conductors can be challenging due to factors such as voltage requirements, transmission distances, environmental conditions, and cost considerations. Market players must navigate this complexity to meet the specific needs of varied applications. The report provides a detailed perspective on the Electrical Conductors Market, segmenting it based on application and types. Application Segment: Power Transmission, Power Distribution, and Power Generation and others Type Segment: Power cables, Transformers, Busbars, and Submarine power cables Regional Analysis: North America is projected to contribute 32% to market growth by 2027 Initiatives like China's investment in ultra-high-voltage power cables and India's focus on expanding transmission and distribution networks contribute significantly to the demand for electrical conductors."- Technavio Learn more about market trends, challenges, and opportunities by viewing the free sample report Some companies such as 3M Co., Apar Industries Ltd., Prysmian Spa, Nexans SA, and others are implementing strategic initiatives like alliances, partnerships, and product launches to strengthen their market presence. The report provides detailed analyses of 20 market companies, offering insights into their strategies, market positioning, and competitive landscape. For a detailed overview of the competitive landscape, buy the report now. Electrical Conductors Market For The Power Industry Application Outlook (Revenue, USD bn, 2023-2028) Power transmission - size and forecast 2023-2028 Power distribution - size and forecast 2023-2028 Power generation and others - size and forecast 2023-2028 Electrical Conductors Market For The Power Industry Type Outlook (Revenue, USD bn, 2023-2028) Power cables - size and forecast 2023-2028 Transformer - size and forecast 2023-2028 Busbar - size and forecast 2023-2028 Submarine power cables - size and forecast 2023-2028 Electrical Conductors Market For The Power Industry Geography Outlook (Revenue, USD bn, 2023-2028) APAC - size and forecast 2023-2028 Europe - size and forecast 2023-2028 - size and forecast 2023-2028 North America - size and forecast 2023-2028 - size and forecast 2023-2028 South America - size and forecast 2023-2028 - size and forecast 2023-2028 Middle East and Africa - size and forecast 2023-2028 Related Reports: The Europe - Aluminium Wire Rods Market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.54% between 2023 and 2028, with the market size forecast to increase by USD 1.17 billion. The US - semiconductor capital spending market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.31% between 2023 and 2028. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 10.6 billion. About Technavio 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. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio NEW YORK, Jan. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Electronic Insect Killer Market is set for substantial growth, projecting a robust USD 49.73 million increase at a noteworthy CAGR of 7.08% between 2023 and 2028, according to the latest report by Technavio. The report provides detailed insights into market dynamics, emphasizing the crucial role of global warming in triggering insect population growth. The rise in temperatures expands habitable areas for mosquitoes, contributing to the demand for electronic insect killers. Additionally, rising investments in R&D by market players and the focus on developing sustainable, eco-friendly products are identified as key trends shaping market growth. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Electronic Insect Killer Market 2024-2028 For a better understanding of market dynamics and trends, download a free sample report. Market Segmentation and Challenges: The report highlights a challenge faced by electronic insect killers in terms of their inefficacy against mosquitoes. While these devices attract insects via ultraviolet lights, mosquitoes, which follow carbon dioxide trails, are not effectively drawn to these lights. This limitation impacts the devices' efficacy in controlling mosquito populations. The report scrutinizes the Electronic Insect Killer Market, segmenting it based on distribution channels, product types, and geography. Distribution: Online and Offline Product Types: indoor insect killers, rackets, and lanterns Regional Analysis: North America is forecasted to contribute 46% to the global market growth during the forecast period "Factors such as increasing temperatures, the prevalence of insects during the summer, and the region's focus on solutions for insect relief contribute to the high potential for growth in the market." - Technavio Explore the market contribution of different segment by downloading the Free PDF Sample report Electronic Insect Killer Market 2024-2028 : Companies Analysis We provide a detailed analysis of around 20 vendors operating in the Electronic Insect Killer Market, including some of the vendors such as vendors Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the Electronic Insect Killer Market are designed to provide entry support, customer profile and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support. Explore the market contribution of different segments by downloading the free PDF sample report. A few leading companies in the Electronic Insect Killer Market, including FUTURA DIRECT LTD, GreenYellow Electric Technology Co. Ltd., Koolatron, Armatron Co., Aspectek, Livin Well, Pelsis Ltd., Rentokil Initial plc, and SereneLife Home LLC, are actively implementing strategies such as alliances, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, geographical expansion, and product/service launches. For a comprehensive overview of the competitive landscape and detailed company analyses, buy the report now. Electronic Insect Killer Market 2024-2028 : Segmentation Distribution Channel Offline Online Product Indoor Insect Killers Rackets Lanterns Geography North America Europe APAC South America Middle East And Africa 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=IRTNTR43337 Electronic Insect Killer 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 electronic insect killer market report covers the following areas: Electronic Insect Killer Market size Electronic Insect Killer Market trends Electronic Insect Killer Market industry analysis This study identifies Rising investments in R and D by the vendors as one of the prime reasons driving the electronic insect killer market growth during the next few years. Related Reports: The Pest Control Services Market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.51% between 2022 and 2027 and the size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 8.78 billion. The biopesticides market size is forecast to increase by USD 5.66 billion between 2022 and 2027, accelerating at a CAGR of 16.27%. Table Of Contents : Executive Summary Market Landscape Market Sizing Historic Market Size Five Forces Analysis Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel Market Segmentation by Product Customer Landscape Geographic Landscape Drivers, Challenges, and Trends Vendor Landscape Vendor Analysis 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 There's one constant you can always rely on. Regardless of what's happening to the overall economy, people keep racking up higher healthcare bills as they get older. And nowadays there are more folks racking up those bills. From 1920 through 2020, America's over-65 population grew nearly five times faster than the total population. Aging baby boomers pushed older population growth into high gear during the decade between 2010 and 2020. In the latest U.S. Census, the number of over-65 adults rose 38% to 56 million. That was the fastest 10-year growth rate recorded since the 19th century. Expenses driven higher by growing populations of older adults give healthcare businesses a leg up, but that doesn't mean they're universally great investments. Here are two dividend-paying healthcare stocks with above-average dividend yields that look like smart buys this year, plus one that's best avoided for now. Healthcare dividend stock No. 1 to buy in 2024: Medtronic When it comes to heart valves, neurostimulators, insulin pumps, and more, Medtronic (NYSE: MDT) is the company to beat. Steadily growing sales of medical technology have allowed it to raise its dividend payout every year since 1978. At recent prices, Medtronic offers a 3% yield that investors can reasonably expect to continue rising in the years ahead. A large collection of related medical technology, and an experienced salesforce gives Medtronic's new product launches a better chance of success than they'd have if marketed by a smaller competitor. For example, the Food and Drug Administration approved the company's MiniMed 780G insulin pump last April, which helped total diabetes sales rise 9.7% year over year during its fiscal second quarter that ended Oct. 27, 2023. Altogether, Medtronic reported fiscal-second-quarter revenue that climbed 5.3% year over year and the company has what it needs to keep growing for years to come. Over the past year, Medtronic reported around 130 product approvals from regulators in four of the world's largest markets for medical technology. With an effective global salesforce already in place, investors can count on Medtronic to successfully market enough of those newly approved products to keep its bottom line moving forward at a steady pace and that spells good things for the dividend. Story continues High-yield healthcare stock No. 2 to buy in 2024: AbbVie Last year, AbbVie's (NYSE: ABBV) lead drug, an anti-inflammatory injection called Humira, lost patent-protected market exclusivity. Competition from heaps of lower-priced biosimilars pushed third-quarter sales of Humira 39% lower year over year. At an annualized $12 billion in the third quarter, U.S. sales of Humira could still fall a long way. The drug lost European market exclusivity in 2018 and all international sales have since dwindled to an annualized $2.1 billion. Fear of Humira's bottom falling out has pushed AbbVie's stock price down to just 11.8 times trailing free cash flow. At recent prices, the stock offers a juicy yield near 3.7%. Humira losses mean we're unlikely to see huge dividend bumps over the next couple of years. But wise investments made during Humira's heyday give investors a pretty good chance to realize market-beating gains over the long run. AbbVie has had remarkable success with two drugs it launched in 2019 that have been taken up by many former Humira patients. Combined sales of Rinvoq, a tablet for arthritis, and Skyrizi, an injection for psoriasis, shot up to an annualized $13 billion in the third quarter. With recently launched treatments rapidly offsetting Humira losses, investors can look forward to steady gains from this stock in the years ahead. The ultra-high-yield healthcare stock to avoid for now: Medical Properties Trust Shares of Medical Properties Trust (NYSE: MPW) offer an eye-popping 18.5% dividend yield using its recent quarterly payout of $0.15. Tempting as that may be, stocks don't offer double-digit yield percentages unless there's a problem. Medical Properties Trust is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns 441 hospitals and other acute care facilities spread throughout 31 states and nine other countries. At the end of September, its properties were being run by 55 different operators who signed long-term net leases. Net leases transfer all the variable costs of building ownership to the tenants. With rent escalators written into long-term leases and a diverse portfolio, this REIT's cash flows should be highly reliable, but this hasn't been the case recently. Multistate hospital operator Steward Health Care has been having a hard time making ends meet. This is a huge problem for Medical Properties Trust because Steward rents roughly 20% of the REIT's portfolio by asset value. Investors could reap market-beating gains if Steward gets back on its feet before Medical Properties Trust has to slash its dividend payout again. The July payment was $0.29; the October payment was $0.15. In light of recent warnings of potential Steward hospital closures in Massachusetts, it's best to keep this REIT stock on a watch list for now. Should you invest $1,000 in Medtronic right now? Before you buy stock in Medtronic, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now... and Medtronic wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than tripled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of January 22, 2024 Cory Renauer has positions in Medical Properties Trust. The Motley Fool recommends Medtronic. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 2 High-Yield Healthcare Stocks to Buy With Both Hands and 1 to Avoid for Now was originally published by The Motley Fool If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here London, Jan 28 : The UK is "temporarily pausing any future funding" for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the British government has said in a statement. It came after Israel accused some of the UN agency's employees of participating in the attack launched by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, Xinhua news agency reported. The country's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said in the statement on Saturday that the UK was "appalled" by the allegations, and the funding for the agency would be halted "whilst we review these concerning allegations". Prior to the UK's action, countries including the US, Canada, and Australia have also announced temporary suspension of their new funding for the UNRWA. Hussein Al-Sheikh, Secretary-General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, on Saturday urged countries that have announced the suspension of support for the UNRWA to reconsider their decisions to avoid political and humanitarian risks. He said on the social media platform X that "especially at this time, amid the ongoing (Israel's) aggression against the Palestinian people, we are in desperate need of support from this international organization". The UNRWA said on Friday that it had decided to "immediately terminate the contracts" of the staff members involved and "launch an investigation". The UNRWA, established as a subsidiary organ of the UN General Assembly in 1949, serves to support the relief and human development of Palestinian refugees and is entrusted with the mission of providing humanitarian assistance and protection to registered Palestinian refugees in the agency's operational areas until a just and lasting solution to their plight is achieved. Jerusalem, Jan 28 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Qatar should leverage its influence on Hamas to release hostages in Gaza. "Qatar hosts the leaders of Hamas, finances Hamas, and has leverage on Hamas," Netanyahu said at a press conference in Tel Aviv on Saturday. Qatar "said that it can help bring back (the hostages) -- therefore, let them apply their pressure. They put themselves as a mediator -- please prove it and return our hostages", Netanyahu was quoted by Xinhua news agency as saying. Qatar has played as the primary mediator in the indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas. It focuses its efforts on bringing an end to the ongoing conflict and securing the release of over 100 hostages still held in Gaza by Hamas and other militant groups. Last week, Israel's Channel 12 TV news released a recording of Netanyahu saying in a close meeting that Qatar's role as a mediator is "problematic". He told the families of the hostages "you don't hear me thanking Qatar". Qatar said it was "appalled" by the comments. Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesman Majed al-Ansari wrote in a post on the social media platform X on Wednesday that "these remarks, if validated, are irresponsible and destructive to the efforts to save innocent lives but are not surprising". Why Iran is feeling 'victorious' on its entry in the BRICS. Image Source: IANS News Tehran, Jan 28 : Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has highlighted the necessity of coordination with Pakistan to safeguard the two countries' shared border. Raisi made the remarks on Saturday when meeting with Pakistan's Ambassador to Iran Muhammad Mudassir Tipu to receive his credentials, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a statement published on the website of the President's Office. Tipu returned to his post in Tehran on Friday after being recalled by the Pakistani government earlier this month in the wake of a brief tension between the two neighbours. During the meeting, Raisi expressed hope that effective steps would be taken to develop all-out bilateral relations during Tipu's mission in Tehran. He called for boosting economic transactions across the common border while highlighting the necessity to protect it against any security threat. Raisi also urged regional cooperation to fight terrorism, saying the terrorist groups have posed a threat to all regional countries over the past years. Meanwhile, he called for the implementation of joint plans to fight drug trafficking and organized crimes in the border areas. Tipu, for his part, underlined his country's will to strengthen brotherly ties with Iran, stressing that Pakistan would never allow "enemies" to abuse its border with Iran. The Pakistani envoy said, despite attempts by "enemies and ill-wishers" to harm the relations between Iran and Pakistan, "the bilateral ties are historical and strategic," adding his country is ready to "open a new chapter" in relations with Iran. On January 16, Iran carried out a series of missile and drone strikes in Pakistan's Balochistan province, claiming to have targeted the terrorist group Jaish ul-Adl. Pakistan then denounced Iran's "violation of its airspace" and recalled its ambassador from Iran. On January 18, Pakistan, in response, launched a missile strike on a border village in Iran's southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan. On Friday, Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moqaddam also returned to Islamabad to resume his diplomatic duties, as the recent flare-up between the two countries eased. Ramallah, Jan 28 : A senior Palestinian official has urged countries that have announced the suspension of support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to reconsider their decisions to avoid political and humanitarian risks. Hussein Al-Sheikh, secretary-general of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, said on the social media platform X on Saturday that "especially at this time, amid the ongoing aggression against the Palestinian people, we are in desperate need of support from this international organization". The US and Canada on Friday announced a temporary suspension of their new funding for the UNRWA after Israel accused some of the UN agency's employees of participating in the attack launched by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, Xinhua news agency reported. In a statement posted on his X account, Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz praised the US and Canada's decisions to pause funding for the UN agency, saying, "We commend the US administration's decision to halt funding for the UNRWA after it became clear that some of its employees were involved in the heinous massacre (Hamas attack) that occurred on October 7 last year." On Saturday, Australia announced that it would join the US and Canada in pausing the funding for the UNRWA. Later in the day, UK also announced to pause its funding to the UN aid agency. The UNRWA, established as a subsidiary organ of the UN General Assembly in 1949, serves to support the relief and human development of Palestinian refugees and is entrusted with the mission of providing humanitarian assistance and protection to registered Palestinian refugees in the agency's operational areas until a just and lasting solution to their plight is achieved. Tokyo, Jan 28 : An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.8 jolted Tokyo, Kanagawa Prefecture and other surrounding areas in Japan on Sunday morning, the country's weather agency said. The quake occurred at 8:59 a.m. local time with the epicentre in Tokyo Bay at a depth of 80 km, measuring 4 on the country's seismic scale of 7 in central Tokyo and the eastern part of Kanagawa, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) was quoted by Xinhua news agency as saying. No tsunami warnings were issued, JMA added. According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, there have been no reports of damage so far, and they are confirming the details of the situation. Ayodhya: PM Narendra Modi offers prayers before the idol of Ram Lalla during the 'Pran Pratishtha' rituals at the Shri Ram Janmaboomi Temple. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, Jan 28 : On January 22, by participating in the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Narendra Modi became the first Prime Minister to not only play a key role in such a grand temple Pran Pratishtha ceremony but also actively engage in a 11-day special ritual, fasting, and austerity. It is evident that PM Modi, by undertaking this initiative, has endeavoured to establish Lord Ram in the minds of the people. While speaking during the Pran Pratishtha ceremony, PM Modi, BJP leaders and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat, emphasised the importance of achieving several years' agendas. The efforts of PM Modi and Mohan Bhagwat are crucial not only because the BJP aims to win over 400 seats with more than 50 per cent of the votes in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, but also because despite various efforts the opposition parties are failing to unite. Since the resolution to openly support the Ram Janmabhoomi movement was made at the 1989 Palampur Convention, the BJP has consistently benefited, except for the 2004 and 2009 Lok Sabha elections. Although the party's growth was largely limited to the northern states, this time the BJP has linked Lord Ram with the nation's pride, Hindutva, nationalism, a developed India, a vishwa guru, the anticipation of centuries, and the agenda for the next thousand years. The party initiated a cleanliness and voluntary service campaign in temples across the country, created a festive atmosphere similar to Diwali on January 22, and is now planning to take people to Ayodhya to visit Lord Ram, making it clear that the BJP's popularity is rapidly increasing. After the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, the BJP will now launch the 'Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Darshan' campaign for the next two months to bring people from all over the country to Ayodhya for the darshan of Ram Lalla. The party's preparation for this campaign is extensive, involving ministers, MPs, MLAs, senior leaders of the organisation, and even booth-level workers. Party leaders will connect with people in their respective areas who wish to visit Ayodhya, while leaders and workers deployed in Ayodhya will assist devotees in visiting the Ram Temple and Ram Lalla. The party's plan is to facilitate the darshan of Ram Lalla for more than 25,000 people every day, and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad is actively participating in this campaign. The party plans to take 6,000 Ram devotees from each Lok Sabha constituency to Ayodhya for the darshan of Ram Lalla. The impact of this campaign is expected to be felt throughout the country. The party believes that due to this campaign, they may gain advantage not only in Karnataka but also in states like Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The Chief Ministers of BJP-led states will also visit Ayodhya with their ministers to have darshan of Ram Lalla after January 31. While the BJP is determined not to leave any stone unturned in its preparations for the Lok Sabha elections, especially with regard to the Rath Yatra for Ram Lalla, the party is also making efforts to capitalise on the achievements of the Modi government, development, and welfare schemes, in order to fully benefit from the popularity of PM Modi. PM Modi is simultaneously engaging in social engineering by mentioning not only Lord Ram but also Shabri, Hanuman Ji, Jatayu, and Nishad. He is also connecting with more than 7 crore first-time voters who are going to vote for the first time in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He is explaining to them that their vote can stabilise India and create a government with a significant majority, enhancing India's prestige worldwide. Along with this, the Prime Minister is consistently discussing the development of his favourite four sections -- women, youth, farmers, and the poor. While the party has prepared a nationwide plan to facilitate the darshan of Ram Lalla for Ram devotees following PM Narendra Modi's instructions, it is also working on the 'Knowledge' formula to address the concerns of the four sections. The BJP is striving for a historic victory with the slogan 'Abki baar 400 paar', 'Teesri baar Modi Sarkar'. The party has also launched a campaign song 'Sapne Nahi Haqeeqat Bunte Hai, Tabhi Toh Sab Modi Ko Chunte hai (He weaves realities, not dreams; That is why people choose Modi), ientred around the popularity of Modi. Tel Aviv, Jan 28 : Israel Foreign Minister Israel Katz said that his country would seek removal of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in Near East (UNRWA ) after the alleged involvement of several of its staff members in the Hamas October 7 attack on southern Israel had come out in the open. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel Intelligence Agency, Shin Bet has given clear proof to the United Nations and member nations of the direct involvement of 12 of UNRWA staff members in the October 7 attack. In a social media post on Saturday, the Israel foreign minister said that his country aims to ensure "that UNRWA will not be a part of the day after," meaning the day after the war ends. Katz added that he would try to gather support for the move from the US, European Union and other major donors to the agency, several of whom have suspended funding in the wake of the revelations. The Israel foreign minister further said: "We have been warning for years: UNRWA perpetuates the refugee issue, obstructs peace, and serves as a civilian arm of Hamas in Gaza." He also said: "UNRWA was not the solution and added that many of its employees were Hamas affiliates with murderous ideologies, aiding in terror activities and preserving its authority." The Israel foreign minister also demanded the UN to take take immediate personal actions against the UNRWA leadership. UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarani in a statement on Saturday said that the agency had fired several staffers accused of involvement with Hamas. He added that the decision was taken to protect the agency's ability to deliver humanitarian assistance. Lazzarani also said: "Any UNRWA employee who was involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution." The UNRWA chief also said that Israeli authorities had provided information about the staff members' alleged involvement. Meanwhile, the spokesman of UN chief Antonio Guterres, Stephane Dujarric, in a statement said that the UN chief was "horrified" by the accusations and an urgent and comprehensive independent review of UNRWA will be conducted. The Social Security program is quickly burning money due to the rising cost of paying benefits, and the problem becomes more consequential with each passing year. Specifically, the long-term funding deficit exceeds $22 trillion, and Congress has about a decade to address the issue before benefits are cut automatically, according to the Board of Trustees. To that end, Social Security reform could be a major talking point for presidential candidates as the 2024 election draws nearer. But groundbreaking revelations are unlikely. The frontrunners of both major political parties have so far navigated the issue with virtually identical strategies, promising to protect Social Security while accusing members of the opposite party of supporting benefit cuts. In any case, voters should understand the problem and the potential fixes. Read on to see why benefit cuts could happen automatically in 2034 and to learn about two potential solutions most Americans support. Image source: Getty Images. Social Security benefits could be cut automatically in 2034 The six-member board of trustees oversees the financial operations of the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program, better known as Social Security. Among other duties, the board members make annual reports to Congress regarding the solvency of the OASDI trust fund -- the source of benefits for retired workers, spouses, survivors, and disabled workers. The 2023 report estimated that the OASDI trust fund would be depleted by 2034, at which point only 80% of scheduled Social Security benefits would be payable. That implies automatic benefit cuts of at least 20% unless lawmakers intervene before the trust fund becomes insolvent. To be clear, that does not mean Social Security is running out of money. Explaining the problem is simple. The number of beneficiaries is growing rapidly as the baby boomers retire, but the number of taxpayers is growing more slowly due to lower birth rates in subsequent generations. In other words, the cost of paying benefits is increasing faster than revenues from payroll taxes, so the Social Security program is losing money. Story continues Resolving the problem is more complicated. Social Security reform is a politically fraught topic with no obvious answer, so politicians often speak in platitudes that lack substance. Indeed, Biden and Trump have promised to protect Social Security, but neither has outlined a detailed plan to keep the trust fund solvent. Ultimately, there are only two possible solutions: Cut costs by reducing benefits or increase revenues by raising taxes. Yes, that is an oversimplification because there are many ways to reduce benefits and raise taxes, but the issue of Social Security reform effectively comes down to those options. Most Americans prefer higher taxes over benefit cuts A recent Gallup survey asked participants (adults aged 18 and older) to choose between tax hikes and benefit cuts as methods of protecting Social Security: 61% favored increasing taxes, 31% favored reducing benefits, and 8% had no opinion. Similarly, a University of Maryland survey asked participants (registered American voters) to evaluate several Social Security reform measures. The vast majority of respondents supported two specific tax increases, as discussed below: Apply the Social Security payroll tax to income over $400,000: The income subject to Social Security payroll tax is limited to $168,600 under current law, meaning income above the limit is not taxed by Social Security. However, the University of Maryland survey found that 81% of registered American voters supported taxing wages over $400,000 in addition to those taxed by current law. That proposal would eliminate 63% of the long-term funding deficit, according to the Social Security Administration. Increase the Social Security payroll tax to 6.5%: Current law stipulates that employees pay 6.2% of their income (up to $168,600) to Social Security, and employers must match that figure for a total of 12.4%. But the University of Maryland survey found that 73% of registered American voters supported a higher payroll tax rate of 6.5%. That proposal would eliminate 15% of the long-term funding deficit, according to the Social Security Administration. Here's the big picture: The Gallup survey suggests Americans prefer tax hikes to benefit cuts, and the University of Maryland survey identifies two specific tax hikes likely to win support among American voters. However, the proposed tax reforms would only eliminate about 78% of the funding deficit, meaning those solutions alone would not solve the problem. To that end, lawmakers will likely shore up Social Security with a combination of tax increases and benefit cuts, regardless of promises made by presidential candidates. But current beneficiaries need not worry. Benefit cuts would probably phase in gradually and likely spare current Social Security recipients and anyone nearing retirement age, as they have in the past. For instance, the amendments of 1983 simultaneously (1) increased taxes on self-employment income and (2) raised the full retirement age from 65 to 67 over several decades. That last change cut benefits by 13%, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, but it happened slowly and had no impact on current beneficiaries. Americans should keep that in mind as they listen to the presidential candidates discuss Social Security reform. 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. 2 Social Security Changes Most Americans Support Ahead of the 2024 Presidential Election was originally published by The Motley Fool Tel Aviv, Jan 28 : The Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) has appealed to the world nations to reconsider their decision to cut funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for the Palestine Refugees of the Near East (UNRWA). In a social media post, Secretary-General of Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), Hussein al-Sheikh, called upon countries that announced they would withdraw funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East to reverse their decision. Many countries, including the US, Italy, Australia and other countries have suspended funding for the UN agency that works in the Gaza region following reports on the agency firing some of its staff members for alleged involvement in the October 7 Hamas terror attack on communities in southern Israel. Al-Sheikh in the social media post called upon the countries to reconsider their decision to halt funding for UNRWA and cited of great political and humanitarian risks if funds be withdrawn from the agency. The Secretary General of the PLO further said: "In light of the continuing aggression against the Palestinian people, we need the maximum support for this international organisation and not stopping support and assistance to it." Israel has been accusing UNRWA as the front end of Hamas in Gaza and that many of its staffers were collaborating and working with the Hamas. Chennai, Jan 28 : A 45-year-old farmer has been arrested on the charges of assaulting a youth, who belongs to Arunthathiyar community, near his coconut grove at Athimagulapulli village in Tamil Nadu. The arrested farmer is identified as C.Ramesh Babu Police said that the incident took place on Wednesday when the victim, S. Rajesh (22) who lives in the Arunthathiyar colony in the village along with his friends, had partied on a coconut grove that belongs to Babu who is a farmer. Ramesh Babu had reached the grove to collect coconuts to transport them to the wholesale market in Vellore when he saw Rajesh and his friends on his farm. Finding Rajesh and his friends in his coconut grove, Ramesh Babu shouted at them and hurled abuses. This led to a heated argument that led to Ramesh Babu assaulting Rajesh. Police further said that on hearing the arguments, relatives and neighbours of Babu rushed in support of him and all of them attacked Rajesh. Based on the alert, Umarabad police came to the spot and took the injured Rajesh to the Government Taluk Hospital in Ambur town. Rajesh filed a complaint and police registered a case against Babu. Babu was arrested and lodged in the sub-jail in Tirupattur town. New Delhi: The extensive ceremony of the inauguration of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya on January 22, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the principal invitee performing all the religious duties pertaining to the installation of the deity of Ram Lalla, has proved to be a national event that electrified the belief system of Hindus across India - including those who were living abroad. This happened in a manner not seen in this country's history before. New Delhi: The extensive ceremony of the inauguration of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya on January 22, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the principal invitee performing all the religious duties pertaining to the installation of the deity of Ram Lalla, has proved to be a national event that electrified the belief system of Hindus across India - including those who were living abroad. This happened in a manner not seen in this countryas history before. The Prime Minister was at Ayodhya both as a Hindu and as the chief of the political executive governing the nation and this established, in the Indian context, the principle that holding a high political office did not mean that a leader should shy away from his or her religious commitments. Secularism means that India granted complete freedom of worship and did not put a denominational stamp on the national or state government - it also at the same time, did not deny people in power their right to publicly own their faith. Apart from the basic democratic concept of 'one man one vote' - that was in play regardless of caste, creed or gender - the only other secular requirement of governance would be that policy should not discriminate between sections of the citizenry. The address of Prime Minister Modi was free of any suggestion of religious aexclusivisma and it effectively countered the narrative of amajoritarianisma and allegation of any other form of bias and largely focused on the importance of socio-cultural unity as a powerful instrument of national advancement. The extraordinary turnout of people associating with the ceremony was no doubt driven by the historicity of the event - but they also had a clear perception that it is precisely the Hindu faith that alone had remained unacknowledged even after Independence. The fact that the temple construction was started only after the Supreme Court gave its judgement in its favour through a constitutional Bench - this was highlighted by the Prime Minister - freed the event of any communal projections. If the inauguration of Ram Temple at Ayodhya enhances the political status of Prime Minister Modi in the eyes of the people, nobody can grudge it - the voter it should be remembered is an astute judge of the merit of the rulers. In his scintillating address on the occasion, Prime Minister Modi declared that Lord Ram was the aspirit of the Constitutiona and Ram Temple a asymbol of national consciousnessa that liberated the people from aslaverya and a acolonial mindseta. This latter was a reference to the historical subjugation of the Hindu religion as also to the British game of dividing India into communities and creating a minority-majority issue in politics. He validated the place of glory that Hinduism enjoyed in Indiaas nationalism by affirming that "Ram is the faith of India, the foundation of India and the idea of India" and went on to add that "Ram was also the law of India, the leader of India as well as the policy of India". He put a stamp of eternity on it by saying that Ram was not only the present but also the future of India. The speech was remarkable for steering clear of any sectarian overtones and for emphasising how the story of Ram established that differences between ahigha and alowa did not exist for him. Prime Minister Modi emphasised that "there should be humility in victory", that Ram was "a solution, not a problem" and recalling how the opponents of Ayodhya temple warned of catastrophic consequences, asserted that "Ram was not a source of fire but of energy". Many leaders in India have misled the minorities into believing that giving respect to the religion of the majority amounted to encouraging amajoritarianisma - they knew only too well that the Constitution would not permit any political moves in that direction. They in fact injected religion into politics by demanding "a share in governance on the basis of community identity". So long as the minorities had religio-cultural freedom and the same political rights and economic opportunities that others had, they should have no problem about being a part of the political umbrella that the nation provides through the universal adult franchise. If because of numbers the majority sends more members to Assemblies and Parliament it does not violate the intrinsic strand of secularism that runs through a democratic state like India. It is time the Hindu majority of India was consciously involved in building nationalism which is a sentiment to be shared by all communities here. Communal politics in India was pushed to a point where anationalisma was considered a adiminishinga concept if not a politically aabusivea word - all in the name of asensitivitya of the minorities - and there was even an endorsement of the suggestion that saluting the national flag or standing during the singing of national anthem should be made optional. India no doubt had to suffer the unfortunate partition on communal lines in the process of achieving freedom - that was bound to produce a spill over - but many minority leaders of India continued to base their politics on the Hindu-Muslim divide which came in the way of national advancement and reconstruction. A sense of belonging to the cultural heritage of the nation and adherence to the human value system shared by all Indians, should not be impeded by politics and it goes to the credit of Prime Minister Modi that he has been able to legitimise the concept of aVasudhaiva Kutumbakama within India and at the global level as well. The Prime Minister has taken this idea from the esoteric to the level of practicality in the international arena at a time when the world was marked by divisions, stealth attacks and disregard for human values and it is no surprise that he has emerged as a global leader whose influence mattered on the issues of war and peace. Prime Minister succeeded in turning the inauguration of Ram Temple into a starting point for a new nation-building effort, in this light. The civilisational content of a nation today is a factor of newfound importance working for its strength. In a composite scenario marked by a multi-religious and multi-lingual setting, people need to have a deeper sense of unity on the strength of a shared value system, the historical sense of ups and downs and an idea of friendship and adversaries in the present. aReligiona defines the relationship of an individual with his or her God and presumably makes a positive contribution to aculturea that determines how the individual would treat others in society. A collectively acceptable code of ethics can run through the nation provided notions of asupremacisma were not flaunted by the followers of any faith - the assimilative character of Hinduism stood out in this context, for its adherence to the idea that "God was one but the paths to reaching Him could be many". Prime Minister Modias advocacy of this approach in his Ayodhya address befitted the occasion and was timely as well. India should set an example of how nationalism strengthens democracy and vice versa. We should take notice of how China under President Xi Jinping has evolved a new doctrine of aMarxism with Chinese characteristicsa which has been acknowledged as aXias Thoughta in the CPC constitution - like the Maoas Thought was in the party as history - but also how he has called for realisation of the acivilisational strengtha of China for national advancement. India can more than match China on the point of civilisational history in terms of its vintage and richness on all fronts and it is a matter of great satisfaction that Prime Minister Modi in his address at Ayodhya brought out in adequate measure, the civilisational gift that India was able to offer to the entire world. In going through the rigorous practices prescribed for his duty as the principal invitee at the religious ceremony at Ayodhya, Prime Minister Modi was conducting himself as a pious Hindu in his own personal right but it is in his public address that he stood out as the leader of a diverse nation, a torch bearer of nationalism and as a Prime Minister who was totally dedicated to carrying India forward towards prosperity and peace. He talked of the demographic dividend of India accruing from the population of the young, exhorted people to have optimism and expressed his confidence that the installation of Ram Temple was a transformative moment that marked the advancement of a united India afor a thousand years aheada. He mandated all Indians to follow the mission of aRam to Rashtraa. The temple has already showcased Indian talent in the fields of sculpture & arts, mobilisation of internally available material resources, technological progress, management techniques and the countryas acumen for national discipline. Perhaps a good illustration of technological and spiritual advancement going together was in a website put out on the following day showing with the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) how the newly installed Ram Lalla was turning his eyes, changing his smile and even moving his head like a child. It is a sign of the quality of leadership Prime Minister Modi has provided in all walks of national life - political, cultural and economic, not to forget national security and governance as such - that the Ayodhya event emerged as a national milestone in fostering unity and a sense of purpose among all Indians who were prepared to rise above domestic differences to look upon India as a great civilisational whole serving the cause of human development and global economic advancement. (The writer is a former Director of the Intelligence Bureau. Views are personal) San Francisco, Jan 28 : Elon Musk-run X is reportedly hiring 100 full-time employees for a new trust and safety office in Austin, Texas, after Musk had disbanded the trust and safety teams globally after acquiring the company. The team would reportedly focus on content related to child sexual exploitation moderation (CSEM), as the platform faces scrutiny. X CEO Linda Yaccarino is scheduled to depose before the Senate Judiciary Committee on January 31 regarding X's handling of CSEM. According to reports, the X team "will also help with other moderation enforcement, such as those forbidding hate speech". The company has posted job listings for such roles, saying moderators will investigate issues like "spam and fraud" and provide customer support. "At X, we have zero tolerance for Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE), and we are determined to make X inhospitable for actors who seek to exploit minors. In 2023, we made clear that our top priority was tackling CSE online," the company said in its latest blog post. "We are also building a Trust and Safety center of excellence in Austin, Texas, to hire more in-house agents so we can keep accelerating our impact," the company announced. In 2024, the company said it will improve detection mechanisms to find more reportable content on the platform to report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). In 2023, X suspended 12.4 million accounts for violating its CSE policies. This is up from 2.3 million accounts in 2022. "In 2024, we will continue our strong investment in this critical area and expand our efforts to educate our users about the importance of helping us to combat child sexual exploitation online," said the company. UK museum gets 200k pounds grant to tell stories of last Sikh Maharaja. Image Source: IANS News London, Jan 28 : A museum founded by the son of the last Sikh emperor of Punjab in England has received a grant of nearly 200k pounds, which will be used to tell the family's story through its displays, events, and activities. Prince Frederick Duleep Singh, the son of Maharaja Duleep Singh, gifted the Ancient House Museum to the people of Thetford town in the south of Norfolk, in 1924. The National Lottery Heritage Fund, which supports a wide range of heritage projects across the UK, awarded 198,059 pounds to the museum, which enters its centenary year in 2024. "Through the fore-sighted generosity of Prince Frederick Duleep Singh, for the past 100 years, Ancient House Museum has served the people of Thetford and beyond, preserving the history of the town and surrounding area," said Councillor Margaret Dewsbury, Cabinet Member for Communities, Norfolk County Council. "This award will enable the museum to better serve our diverse communities and promote a deeper appreciation of an important aspect of the town's heritage," she added. The displays will present fascinating and important stories of the wider Duleep Singh family, including Prince Frederick and his remarkable sisters -- Princesses Sophia and Catherine Duleep Singh, both pioneers of women's political and private autonomy. In addition, they will include a 'Treasury' style display of treasures of Anglo-Punjab history, a model of Elveden Hall, personal items such as the Maharajah's walking stick, given to him by the future King Edward VII when he was Prince of Wales, which was donated to the museum in 2023. Councillor Robert Kybird, Chairman of the Breckland Area Museums Committee, said that the award will further enhance Thetford as a destination of choice for visiting Sikhs. The youngest son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Duleep Singh became the ruler of Punjab at the age of five but was removed from the throne after the Britain annexation of the territory in 1849. He arrived in England at the age of 15 and lived at Elveden Hall tucked away in the Suffolk countryside. The story of Ancient House as a museum begins when Prince Frederick Duleep Singh purchased the rare timbered Tudor house and gifted it to the people of Thetford as a 'Public Museum' charity with the Council as Trustee. Ancient House opened as a museum on December 11, 1924, and was last redisplayed in 2004-2006. Since then, interest in the Duleep Singhs has grown significantly with new films, articles, TV and radio programmes, books, and annual Punjab festivals in Thetford attended by thousands of people, Norfolk City Council said. Other funding for the two-year project has come from the Thetford Town Council community grant, the Friends of Thetford Museum, Norfolk County Council, and Arts Council England as part of the Norfolk Museum Service's National Portfolio Organisation grant. New Delhi, Jan 28 : The Chairman of the High-Level Committee (HLC) on 'One Nation One Election', Ram Nath Kovind, former President of India, held consultations with Justice U.U. Lalit, former Chief Justice of India; Justice Sanjib Banerjee, former Chief Justice of Madras High Court, and Manan Kumar Mishra, Chairman of the Bar Council of India. The Government of India has constituted the committee 'One Nation, One Election' led by former president Ram Nath Kovind to examine the issue relating to holding of simultaneous elections in the country and make recommendations thereon. The Ministry of Law and Justice said that Justice Sanjib Banerjee, Justice U.U. Lalit and Chairman of the Bar Council gave their considered opinion on the subject. As per the Terms of Reference, the Committee is required to make recommendations for the creation of an appropriate legal and administrative framework for holding simultaneous elections on a permanent basis, identification of necessary amendments to the Constitution and related election laws, preparation of common electoral rolls, logistics such as EVMs/VVPATs, etc., official added. Continuing his discussions with political parties, Kovind also held interactions with Deepak aPanduranga Dhavalikar, President, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, Goa, official added. One Nation One Election committee said that besides the above interactions, the fourth meeting of the HLC was held on Saturday. Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha, N. K. Singh, former Chairman, 15th Finance Commission, Dr. Subhash C. Kashyap, former Secretary General, Lok Sabha, Sanjay Kothari, former Chief Vigilance Commissioner and Shri Harish Salve, senior advocate attended the meeting. A presentation was made before the committee based on the research paper aMacroeconomic Impact of Harmonizing Electoral Cycles, Evidences from Indiaa co-authored by N.K Singh and Prachi Mishra, which indicated that simultaneous elections would precipitate higher economic growth, and result in more government investment on expenditure on capital and revenue, an official said. Earlier in the first week of this month the committee had issued a public notice for inviting suggestions from the general public. The committee said that this initiative was taken for making appropriate changes in the existing legal administrative framework to enable simultaneous elections in the country. Tehran, Jan 28 : Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad bin Abdulrahman Al Thani discussed the use of Tehran's unfrozen funds, the media reported. During a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, Thani said the fund release process was advancing following the agreement between the central banks of Iran and Qatar. Iran's funds were released last year by South Korea as part of a prisoner swap agreement between Iran and the US and were transferred to six Iranian accounts in two Qatari banks. The US Congress has sought to block the funds because of Iran's support for the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. "Qatar and the US were committed to an agreement with Iran regarding the country's use of funds worth $ 6 billion dollars, Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said," semi-official Tasnim news agency reported. As per a statement on the Iranian Foreign Ministry's website, the two sides also discussed the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and stressed the necessity to end the crisis in Gaza. Los Angeles, Jan 29 : Hollywood star Jeremy Renner, who over a year ago was critically injured in a snow plow accident, says he's learned to embrace a softer side. "I certainly got a lot of callousness squashed out of me by that machine," he tells People while discussing his new Super Bowl commercial for Silk. "I've never been bitter, but always maybe a little more callous, a little bit more tough. And I just think those calluses are just scraped off me at this point. Literally, I feel pretty open and wonderfully sensitive and youthful." The actor continues, "I've been blessed," reports people.com. In January 2023, Jeremy, 53, spent more than two weeks in the hospital and underwent multiple surgeries after breaking more than 30 bones in the accident near his home in Nevada. The 'Hawkeye' star has since made a miraculous recovery, and was even able to return to the red carpet in April, where he walked alongside his 10-year-old daughter Ava. It was his young daughter and close family and friends who pushed him to heal, Jeremy says and helped him realise just how loved he really is. "Everything kind of just went right," he said. "Obviously I had a lot of tenacity, I had a lot of support, a lot of reason to recover. That is really special. There's a lot of people that don't have as much, (don't have) those things to live for." Jeremy continued: "It wasn't about me getting better. It was about healing them. That's how I got out of my own way Geez, the love and support I got from people, man." "I just didn't realise that many people gave a crap about me that much. Maybe Hawkeye, they did. (But) just me as a person, it's a different thing, you know what I mean?" While the Oscar-nominated actor says he certainly wouldn't want to go through something like this again, he's grateful to have learned his limits, which were far greater than anyone ever expected. "I know how far I can go. That's pretty useful information give you parameters of your life, and it's pretty hopeful," he says. "I overcame a lot, and there's so many things that could have gone wrong. It all went right, every part of it. From my vision, to walking, that no one said I was going to walk again. I'm like, 'Well'" Jeremy is not only walking again, but is back to performing stunts, like he does in Silk's new Super Bowl spot. "(Silk is) all about wellness, and I've gotten pretty into that because it's forced upon me as a part of a lifestyle, which is great," he says. "I've become so healthy now." The ad is even more special to Jeremy as it co-stars Ava, whom he shares with ex-wife Sonni Pacheco. "It's a beacon of hope for me and for my daughter as well, and this is a new part of our journey together in recovery and in life," he says. "Getting back into life in a different way, out of a hospital bed, out of the house, being social, just doing normal things. It represents a lot to me, and I'm very thankful to be here to do this." New Delhi, Jan 28 : The last time I heard Beethoven's "Pastoral" Symphony and exchanged notes with my fellow concertgoer after the encore, I remember being intrigued by how the thunderstorm in the fourth movement had evoked utterly disparate emotions in us, sitting inches away from each other. For her, the timpani, trombones and strings had harmonised to yield catharsis for a stormy phase of life. To my ears, it brought the promise of rain on a very sultry June evening. That's music. It moves people differently. But move, it does. New Delhi, Jan 28 (IANSlife) The last time I heard Beethoven's "Pastoral" Symphony and exchanged notes with my fellow concertgoer after the encore, I remember being intrigued by how the thunderstorm in the fourth movement had evoked utterly disparate emotions in us, sitting inches away from each other. For her, the timpani, trombones and strings had harmonised to yield catharsis for a stormy phase of life. To my ears, it brought the promise of rain on a very sultry June evening. That's music. It moves people differently. But move, it does. The "Pastoral", Mendelssohn's "Italian", Saint-Saens's "Organ Symphony" and Brahms's Symphony No. 2 will all be played during the SOI Spring 2024 Season. Some of these belong to what's called programme music while Brahms's composition falls under absolute music. The former denotes music intended to evoke images, the latter, not so much. Do such categories, however, make any difference to the experience of a listener? Musicologist Suddhaseel Sen discusses this in the cover story of the February issue. Sufi music, on the other hand, is meant to bridge the gap between mortals and the divine. The poetry, ghazals or Sufiana kalam of bards, minstrels and mystics is associated with an all-surrendering quality so pure, it breaks down the barriers that hold one back. The three-day festival of Sama'a holds that promise for those willing to surrender to the music. For Russian-born American vocalist and trumpeter Ilya Serov, the segue into jazz from his formal education in classical music at St. Petersburg Conservatory was a natural move because music needs no labels. For his first time in India, he brings contemporary takes on jazz classics and some original compositions too. Reimaging traditional movement to explore possibilities in the realm of dance encapsulates the spirit of Spectrum, the NCPA's festival of dances from around India and the world. From a celebration of Lata Mangeshkar's unforgettable melodies to aspects of human existence told in contemporary language, the line-up lives up to the title of the festival. "We have all the time we've always had," says Marriane to Roland in Nick Payne's play, Constellations. The NCPA production, which returns to the Experimental Theatre with a new cast, brings the idea of the multiverse to the stage. Quantum mechanics is integral to the script but only to grapple with the enigma of human existence. In an ensemble of parallel universes, time acquires a new meaning. What if we indeed had all the time we've always had? IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in --IANS os/ tb Patna, Jan 28 : Janata Dal(U) Chief Nitish Kumar resigned as the Bihar chief minister on Sunday after severing ties with the ruling 'Mahagathbandhan' as "things were not going well". Patna, Jan 28 (IANS) Janata Dal(U) Chief Nitish Kumar resigned as the Bihar chief minister on Sunday after severing ties with the ruling 'Mahagathbandhan' as "things were not going well". "I have exited the Mahagathbandhan," said Kumar after leaving Raj Bhawan, and added that he has dissolved the government in the state. Soon after his resignation, Kumar got a surprise phone call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi who congratulated him for leaving the INDIA bloc and joining the NDA, said sources. Earlier in the morning, Nitish Kumar addressed his party MLAs inside the chief minister's residence where he said that working with the RJD was getting very tough and hence has broken the alliance. "Working with RJD was not going smoothly. We have taken the suggestion from every party leader and they are also advocating the same and hence I have given the resignation from the post of chief minister," Nitish Kumar said after resigning. "We have formed an alliance (INDIA Bloc) but they are not working on it. Of late, working with the previous alliance was not going easy. They were making many statements. I was silently watching that. They have said many things but I was doing the job for the common people of Bihar," Kumar said. When asked whether he was an opportunist, Kumar did not react. Nitish Kumar also said that he has given the resignation and will discuss with the leaders of new alliance members and then decide the next step In this article, we will look at the 20 most in demand jobs in Europe. We have also looked at the latest job openings in Europe by big companies. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, head straight to the 5 Most in Demand Jobs in Europe. In 2023, 40 multinational companies, including Amazon.com, Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN), Accenture, Plc (NYSE:ACN) and Adidas AG (OTC:ADDYY), pledged to hire and train over 250,000 refugees across Europe in the next three years. The decision was announced on the evening of World Refugee Day at the Tent European Business Summit and is described as "the most significant set of business commitments ever made to advance the economic integration of refugees" by the Tent Partnership for Refugees. Leading brands such as Adidas AG (OTC:ADDYY), Accenture, Plc (NYSE:ACN), Amazon.com, Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN), Hilton Worldwide Holdings Corp (NYSE:HLT), PepsiCo Inc (NASDAQ:PEP), and Starbucks Corp (NASDAQ:SBUX) are set to directly employ more than 13,000 refugees and provide training to over 86,000. Amazon.com, Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN), for instance, has committed to hiring at least 5,000 refugees and providing different forms of support, like legal fees, counseling, mentorship, and training programs. The goal is not just to offer meaningful employment but also to enable refugees to thrive and contribute value to the companies. On the other hand, PepsiCo Inc (NASDAQ:PEP) has launched its most sustainable factory in Europe, located in Poland, to focus on circular economy principles. The plant incorporates different sustainability solutions, such as rainwater collection, rooftop solar panels, and plans for a climate-neutral status by 2035. With a EUR 300 million ($326.2 million) investment, the facility focuses on reducing utility consumption, generating energy from solar panels, and utilizing potato byproducts for power and low carbon fertilizer. The plant, PepsiCo Inc (NASDAQ:PEP)s fifth in Poland, is expected to create 450 jobs and contribute to the expansion of the company's sustainable farming program in the region. Story continues ManpowerGroup and Randstad, among the worlds largest staffing agencies, have also pledged to connect approximately 152,000 refugees to employment opportunities. This initiative comes as Europe struggles with its largest refugee crisis since World War II, fueled by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, forcing millions to flee their homes. This decision builds on similar efforts in the United States, where Tent mobilized the business community to hire over 22,000 refugees and provide training to more than 13,000, generating an estimated $900 million in income for refugees. While the exact economic impact figure for the European Summit is pending, Tent anticipates that the results will contribute more than 2 billion ($2.17 billion) to the pockets of refugees, particularly from Ukraine. 20 Most in Demand Jobs in Europe kurhan/Shutterstock.com Methodology To compile a list of the 20 most in-demand jobs in Europe, we considered both the highest-paying jobs in Europe and those anticipated to be in high demand in the future. Our analysis also incorporated insights from the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report for 2023. Further, we looked at several reddit threads on the topic of jobs that are in demand across Europe in addition to credible sources. By identifying commonalities across different sources, we assigned scores to these professions based on their consensus among the mentioned references. Here is a list of the most in-demand jobs in Europe 20. Project Manager IM Score: 8 Three of the largest project management companies in Europe are AECOM Technology Corp (NYSE:ACM), Mace Group Ltd, and Turner & Townsend. To read more about project manager job, see highest paying countries for project managers. 19. Business Development Specialist IM Score: 9 The increasing focus on globalization has intensified the need for experts who can navigate cross-cultural business environments and hence, foster international partnerships. Furthermore, the evolving regulatory landscape and the push for sustainable practices in Europe require specialists with a nuanced understanding of compliance and corporate responsibility. 18. Marketing Manager IM Score: 10 According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a marketing manager in Europe is $132,000. Their job is to analyze market trends, identify target audiences, and oversee campaigns to enhance brand visibility and drive sales. Marketing managers have one of the top 10 highest paid jobs in Europe. 17. Salesperson IM Score: 11 The decline in Europe's working-age population, from 272 million in 2009 to 265 million in 2022, with an anticipated drop to 258 million by 2030, has led to a shrinking labor pool. This also explains why a job as common as a salesperson is faced with shortages in Europe. 16. Product Manager IM Score: 13 The job of a product manager is to bridge the gap between development, marketing, and customer needs and hence, ensure a product's success. Product managers define the product roadmap and guide development teams. In Europe, three large companies actively hiring product managers are Spotify, Siemens AG (OTC:SIEGY), and Booking.com. Spotify is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, and is known for its music streaming platform and frequently seeks skilled product managers. Product manager is one of the highest paid jobs in Europe for international students. 15. Electronic Technician IM Score: 14 The average salary for an electronic technician in Europe is 34,999 ($44,603). One usually needs an associate degree to become an electronic technician in Europe. Siemens AG (OTC:SIEGY), Phillips N.V. and Thales Group are companies in Europe which may potentially hire electronic technicians. 14. Medical Sales Consultant IM Score: 15 A Medical Sales Consultant is a professional who promotes and sells medical products or services to healthcare facilities. Roche , Siemens Healthineers, and Novartis are some of the European companies that may have openings for medical sales roles. It is one of the highest paid jobs in Europe for foreigners. 13. Human Resource Specialist IM Score: 17 The estimated total pay for a Human Resources Manager in Europe is 85,900 per year ($93,391). Usually a bachelor's degree in business administration with HR as a specialization is required for this job. It is also one of the highest paying jobs with social sciences degrees. 12. Business Account Executive IM Score: 18 Several companies in Europe that hire Business Account Executives are Siemens AG (OTC:SIEGY), SAP SE, and Vodafone Group Plc, making it one of the most in-demand jobs in Europe. The average salary for an Account Executive is $61,840 per year ($67,200) in Germany. 11. Commercial Pilot IM Score: 20 The demand for pilots in Europe is experiencing a major increase, as confirmed by CAE's recent announcement to increase pilot and cabin crew training capacity for Air Europa in Madrid. According to CAE's Aviation Talent Forecast, Europe is projected to require 44,000 new commercial pilots in the next ten years and hence, sheds light upon the critical need for skilled aviation professionals. It is one of the most well-paying jobs in Europe. It is one of the highest paying jobs in the world. 10. General Physician IM Score: 21 Europe faces a potential health worker crisis as the World Health Organization (WHO) warns of a "ticking timebomb" due to an aging workforce and increased demand for healthcare. In 2021, the European Union had over 1.82 million medical practitioners. However, variations exist across the 27-member bloc, with Germany boasting 234 physicians per 100,000 inhabitants, while Romania lags at 12.7. While Austria leads with 540 practicing physicians per 100,000 people, Italy, despite having the highest number of licensed physicians, is facing challenges with an aging workforce and emigration. It is one of the highest paid jobs in Europe in 2024. 9. Air Traffic Controller IM Score: 22 Europe's air traffic control sector is facing a major shortage, with estimates ranging from 700 to 1,000 controllers needed. The challenge has increased due to gaps in training programs, unattractive working hours, and competition from more lucrative career alternatives. The aging workforce adds urgency to the problem, creating a demographic gap as controllers approach retirement. Additionally, the industry experiences a brain drain to the Middle East, where competitive recruitment efforts lure skilled controllers. 8. Corporate Financial Manager IM Score: 23 To become a corporate financial manager, one has to earn a bachelor's degree in finance or related field, and pursue certifications like CFA or Certified Corporate FP&A Professional. Key skills for this job are strong analytical abilities, effective communication, and attention to numerical detail. It is one of the best jobs in Europe for english speakers. 7. Heavy Truck and Lorry Driver IM Score: 24 While heavy truck and lorry drivers are in demand all over Europe, Spain is grappling with a severe shortage of drivers, particularly in the bus and truck sectors, with over 70% of truck drivers being over 50 years old and an average age of 49 for bus drivers. If current trends persist, Spain could lose a third of its total workforce in the next five years. In response, the government has lowered the minimum driving age for truck drivers, and in 2022, legislation was passed to ban the practice of drivers loading and unloading trucks over 7.5 tonnes. Due to the low entry barrier, it is one of the best jobs in Europe for foreigners. 6. Nurse IM Score: 25 While the entire Europe is struggling with nursing shortages, Bulgaria is facing deficits in general practitioners, psychiatrists, and a major shortage of approximately 16,900 nurses. The uneven distribution of healthcare professionals across regions has further exacerbated the problem. Owing to the high work load for nurses, it is one of the most demanding jobs in Europe. Click here to see the 5 Most in Demand Jobs in Europe. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: None. 20 Most in Demand Jobs in Europe is originally published on Insider Monkey. Los Angeles, Jan 28 : Actor Bryan Cranston, who is known for his work in the television series 'Breaking Bad', has revealed the secret to making his 34-year marriage to wife Robin Dearden work. The actor attended the London premiere of his latest film 'Argylle', and opened up about spending more than three decades with his wife, 70, and his desire to have more quality time with her, reports People magazine. He said: "Marry the right person," of the secret to his relationship with actress Dearden, whom he married in 1989. He told People: "I think there are five things that you should look for in a mate. Whatever those five things are to you, you need those five things. After that, let it go. We're never going to be completely alike on everything." He continued: "Someone said, 'You don't go shopping with your wife?' I go, 'No! Why would I do that? I don't like it!' I just don't like it and she doesn't like things that I like to do either." As per People, the couple, which shares a 30-year-old daughter called Taylor, first met on the set of the 1980s TV series 'Airwolf' and tied the knot on July 8, 1989. Meanwhile, Cranston also spoke about his decision to take a year off from acting in 2026, and how spending more time with Dearden was part of the driving force behind it. "At some point I want to slow it down", the 'Breaking Bad' alum said. "I want to have more life experiences, I want to travel, I want to feel it. When you're working, I've been working for the last 25 years nonstop and that's not real life. And I really do feel like I want more real life experiences. I want to adjust the relationship that the industry has with me and also that it's created for my marriage. I just want to kind of level that out and experience something new." New Delhi, Jan 28 : Karishma Swali and the Chanakya School of Craft present 'Belong' at the India Art Fair in New Delhi from February 1 to 4, located in a dedicated area at the heart of the fair at booth I01. Derived from the transformative power of nature, Belong is a spontaneous immersion into the eternal connection between the human form and the natural world. From this exchange, emerges a fantastical universe, where the interconnectedness between all beings, their inherent nature, and the ecosystems they inhabit come to the fore. Through an interdisciplinary approach, the interconnectedness unfolds, uniting both real and metaphysical worlds. Rendered with a familiarity that transcends space and time, the central figures seamlessly integrate into the landscape, embodying a sense of profound belonging. In doing so, Belong prompts contemplation on this eternal connection, reaching into the realms of collective consciousness and an almost unreachable memory. The series features large scale, interdisciplinary handcrafted works and sculptures conceived by Karishma Swali and meticulously handcrafted by the female graduates of Chanakya School of Craft, alongside the master artisans of the Chanakya ateliers. The intricate interplay of hand-spun yarns and layering techniques, along with micro variations of needlepoint techniques, including couching, bullion knots and the stem stitch, bring to life a layered narrative that honours craft and its role in culture, community and preserving our collective identities. The exhibition also features hand moulded sculptures created with bamboo terracotta and basket weaving techniques, serving as a tribute to the resilient and unyielding spirit of the feminine. "Belong is a tribute to the spirit -- common to us all, the wonder of nature and the interconnectedness of all life forms. Through this presentation, our endeavour is to honour the profound role craft plays in preserving our collective heritage and nurturing communities," says Karishma Swali, Creative Director of Chanakya School of Craft. The India Art Fair also serves as a platform for unveiling the school's artistic collaborations with French-Cameroonian visual artist Barthelemy Toguo and French contemporary artist Eva Jospin, underscoring their collective vision that celebrates the confluence of art and craft to create a new language across interdisciplinary mediums. The French Institute in India -- as part of the launch of its Villa Swagatam residency programme, which encourages exchanges between French artists and Indian craftspeople -- the Basu Foundation and Galerie Lelong & Co. Paris New York will be unveiling the installation 'Water Matters', the fruit of an original collaboration between the Franco-Cameroonian artist Barthelemy Toguo, Creative Director Karishma Swali and the artisans of non-profit school and foundation, the Chanakya School of Craft, based in Mumbai. Presented at the Villa Swagatam booth L02, this installation will reflect a unique dialogue, combining contemporary artistic practice with a wealth of ancestral knowledge. A 5-metre-long embroidery representing man receiving and offering water will be presented in front of a table with a hundred of an engraved bottles filled with water from all over the world. Two other embroideries representing different animals will frame this installation. The interdisciplinary crafted works involve the use of raw organic threads and fine needle techniques. Hand-embroidery techniques such as stem stitch, back stitch, and micro-French knots are employed to achieve an ink spread similar to that found in the paintings. "In India, craft occupies an honoured space, proving to be more unifying in human relationships than even spoken language. Through our artistic collaborations, we aspire to acknowledge the significance of celebrating communities and their material cultures, highlighting the integral role craftsmanship plays in conveying our traditional heritage and our collective identities." says Karishma Swali, Creative Director of Chanakya School of Craft. Over the few years, the Chanakya School of Craft has collaborated with renowned French artist Eva Jospin, known for her mystical cardboard sculptures that intricately detail sections of forests in bas-relief. The resulting works portray captivating landscapes with architectural structures, forests, boulders, lianas, and waterfalls. The graduates from Chanakya School of Craft dedicated months to bring these intricate landscapes to life, employing over 150 variations of embroidery and utilising more than 400 shades of organic silk, linen, cotton, and jute threads. Three works from this artistic collaboration will be presented at the Galleria Continua booth E04, while two unique creations will be presented at the Chanakya School of Craft booth. This presentation not only exemplifies their enduring artistic partnership but also underscores their shared commitment to celebrating craftsmanship across diverse interdisciplinary mediums. IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in Washington, Jan 28 : US President Joe Biden assailed his predecessor Donald Trump for latter's remarks that the economy had tanked under the Democrats, saying the voters are tired of being played for suckers and pointed to facts that showed the economy was actually growing. President Biden also pointed out the latest GDP figures showed the economy was growing. "The bottom line is our economy has grown more in the last six months than it ever did at any point in Trump's entire four years in office," President Biden claimed, referencing the recent gross domestic product report that showed 2.5 per cent growth in 2023. Biden continued to remark on what might become a mainstay of his re-election bid: touting his record in office and leading supporters in a chant of "a promise made, and a promise kept!" President Biden told invitees at the South Carolina Democratic Party's 'First In the Nation Dinner' on Saturday that they are personally responsible for vaulting him into the White House in 2020 and ousting Trump. "You (Trump) are the loser," the President said. Biden's comments came just a week before the Democrats cast votes in the party's first sanctioned primary contest of the 2024 election cycle, wrapped up a whirlwind tour of campaigning from a number of the president's top surrogates, Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA), Democratic National Committee chairman Jaime Harrison, and Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC), a co-chairman of Biden's re-election effort. The president opened his speech by thanking the voters of South Carolina, without whom he "wouldn't be here", before immediately calling Trump a loser, media reports said. "If you ever doubt that the power to change America is in your hands, remember this: You proved it," he said. "You're the reason I am president. You're the reason Kamala Harris is a historic vice president, and you're the reason Donald Trump is a defeated former president. You're the reason Trump is a loser." He was widely quoted in the media as saying. Biden as on previous occasions was interrupted by a string of protesters calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. They were drowned out by chants of "four more years" from others in the room. The President's speech continued to hammer the likely Republican presidential nominee, claiming that voters are "tired of being played for suckers" by Trump on the economy. Though Biden himself has been under fire for his cognitive functions, he made a fierce attack with a hit back on Trump's mental functions. Saturday's speech saw some of the sharpest attacks on Trump's "mental fitness" the president has made till date. Biden, 81, recounted a recent blunder Trump, 77, made on the campaign trail. "By the way, have you noticed he's a little confused these days?" Biden told the crowd. "Trump apparently can't tell apart Nikki Haley and Nancy Pelosi." Biden criticised Trump's past comments about World War II veterans attacking him for recently saying he hoped the economy would crash before the election and countered with a fresh nickname that "Donald 'Herbert Hoover' Trump" is just one of two presidents to exit office with fewer jobs than when he entered. "Folks, there are truths, and there are lies. Lies told for power. Lies told for profit. We must call out these lies with a voice that is clear and unyielding," Biden said referencing Trump's false claims about the 2020 election. "We must stand with the truth and defeat the lies, and when we do, we'll be able to look back and say something few have been able to say. When America's democracy was at risk, we saved it. Are you with me? Let's finish what we started." The Washington Examiner quoted him as saying. Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN), Biden's only lead challenger for the Democratic nomination, also spoke at Saturday's dinner. Phillips opened his remarks by joking about how 95 per cent of Democratic South Carolinians will be voting for Biden, "including most of you in this room," before urging the president to "pass the torch to a new generation ready to take the stage." "Many in this country, in this state, in this very room have been told to stand in line and wait your turn," Phillips said. "Not in America when we have a man like Donald Trump coming back to the White House. I love you all, and no matter what, whether it's President Biden, whether it's me, or whether it's somebody else this November, we have got to do everything we can to energise, to mobilise, and get people out to vote." Biden's campaign looks to the Palmetto State as a chance for Biden to re-energise a Democratic base, and black voters in particular, that appears to be souring on both Biden's age and economic stewardship, even as Republican voters swing around Trump. "President Biden and Vice President Harris have delivered historic funding for HBCUs to the tune of $7 billion, brought black unemployment to a record low, increased black wealth by 60 per cent since before the pandemic, and so much more," Biden's principal deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks said in a statement. "Our message is clear: we won't take any voter for granted and will be showing up, investing, and earning every single vote to win this November." Lucknow, Jan 28 : Soor Sarovar, also known as Keetham Lake, in Uttar Pradesh's Agra, has seen a fall in the number of birds migrating to the Ramsar site this winter. According to experts this could be due to a 'warm and late winter', and a shortfall in the monsoon. A survey report of Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) at Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary in Agra has recorded fewer waterbirds this year as compared to past years. "Water birds are the key indicators of a wetland's health and prevalent ecological conditions. A wetland provides roosting, foraging habitat for wetland birds. Global climate change, lesser rainfall often leaves the wetland dried up, or lowering of water level in the water body. A delayed winter slows down or delays winter migration of long distant migratory water birds," said an ornithologist working for Wetlands International South Asia. During the Asian Waterbird Census for year 2024, there was a slight increase in the number of species of migratory birds reaching Ramsar site of Soor Sarovar this year, but it was not that significant because for most species, the number of birds coming was one or two only. There were 59 species this year as compared to 55 species that landed in 2023 at Soor Sarovar natural habitat. These 59 species included 30 resident species and 29 species from other parts of the continent and Europe. Last year, there were 27 resident species and 28 species from outside the country. "However, there was a fall in the number of migratory birds reaching this Ramsar site. When compared to 2,659 waterbirds arriving in 2023, there were only 2,330 waterbirds this year," the survey said. Global climate change delayed winter and delayed migration and fewer number of winter waterbirds migrated from far Central Asia, North Asia including Russia and Siberia and the pattern is being witnessed almost everywhere in northern India this year. The annual AWC for 2024 was successfully carried out in collaboration with National Chambal Sanctuary Project, Uttar Pradesh Wildlife Department and conservation support from Biodiversity Research & Development Society, Agra, in active participation of volunteers from Dr B R Ambedkar University, Agra; Wildlife SOS, Agra and sanctuary wildlife staff. Experts pointed out that the water level at Soor Sarovar was also less, which lessened the number of birds which swim, but also number of birds walking on water surface remained steady this year. Wetlands International's annual waterbird census, 'Asian Waterbird Census' helps promote the designation and management of internationally important sites such as nationally protected areas, Ramsar Sites, IBA Sites, claimed the ecologist. Soor Sarovar Wildlife Sanctuary is a unique wetland for waterbirds located on the bank of the Yamuna in Agra district. It is one of IBA Sites (Important Bird & Biodiversity Area) in India with a rich birdlife diversity. Amongst the major species, which came in greater number this year were the Northern Shoveler, Bar headed Geese, Great Cormorant, while a fall was witnessed for Common Teal and Pelican. The eight IUCN Red listed threatened species namely Oriental Darter, Black-headed Ibis, Black-necked Stork, Dalmatian Pelican, Greater Spotted Eagle, River Tern, River Lapwing and black-tailed Godwit turned up this year. Kolkata, Jan 28 : Two students of Kolkata's iconic Jadavpur University (JU) have been accused of abetting the suicide of a visibly impaired female student of the same university. The said female student, a resident of Malbazar area in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district, Renaissance Das (20) committed suicide on January 18. Eight days after the incident ,on Friday her family members filed a complaint at the local Mal Police Station accusing one student and one research scholar of JU of abetting her suicide. In the complaint, sources from the state police said the family members have alleged that Renaissance Das committed suicide out of utter mental frustration as the two accused students had been allegedly putting mental pressure on her to consume narcotics within the university premises. Commenting on the late decision to register the complaint after 10 days of the mishap, the victim's father, Biswajit Das said that initially the family members were so shocked over the mishap that they remained indecisive. "But finally after getting out of the shock we decided to register the police complaint to ensure punishment to the accused," he said. He also said that her daughter was in a state of shock since the ragging-related suicide of a minor fresher in front of the students' hostel of the JU. "In addition to that incident, the constant pressure from the accused student and the research scholar depressed her even more. So we decided to bring her back to our home and took her to psychological counseling. She used to go to Kolkata accompanied by her mother only during the examination days. But the accused students used to constantly call her up and disturb her," he said. It is learnt that the victim's family have also forwarded a copy of the complaint letter to the JU authorities on this count. The police have started a detailed investigation in the matter. Washington, Jan 28 : The Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ) verdict on Israel to implement a series of measures aimed at averting genocide in the Gaza is not enforceable but, its more than symbolic, and the legal case brought by South Africa on allegations of genocide will take years to wend through the courts. The UN legal arm is based out of Hague, the capital of the Netherlands. A panel of 17 judges at the Hague-based International Court of Justice on Friday ordered Israel to implement a series of measures aimed at averting genocide in the Gaza Strip. The order is part of a wider case brought by South Africa at the UN's highest court into whether Israel is already committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza as it fights the war against Hamas. Even though the ruling is not enforceable, and the actual legal case as to whether Israel is guilty of genocide is expected to take several years to wend its way through the court, the order is more than just symbolic, a political analyst commented on the order in Sundays edition of USA TODAY. The ICJ's order, said Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs Riyadh Maliki, was a ruling in "favour of humanity and international law. What's the impact of ICJ's ruling on Gaza? Perhaps not a lot immediately in terms of a material change to conditions on the ground, the analyst observed. South Africa had pleaded before the UN court to issue an emergency order forcing Israel to commit to a cease-fire in Gaza. That didn't happen. And it also stopped short of calling the Israeli action as genocide. Instead, it ordered Israel to undertake actions to prevent the killing and harming of civilians in Gaza, such as refraining from killing members of a group and not imposing conditions that could prevent women from giving birth. It ordered Israel to prevent and punish public comments that incite genocide. Legal experts opined that even if the ICJ had ordered Israel halt its military campaign, the court has no formal authority to implement it -- and Israel has stated the war ends only when Hamas is defeated, and extracts all of its hostages. "We will continue to do what is necessary to defend our country and defend our people," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday, speaking after the court's ruling. Meanwhile, Palestinian lawmaker Mustafa Barghouti said that because of the scale of destruction and on-going fighting in Gaza, "Israel cannot implement ICJ decisions without an immediate and permanent ceasefire." What pressure does this put on the US? The ICJ's ruling brings some potential implications for the United States. Israel's strongest military and diplomatic ally, besides being the UN's largest donor country. The US is facing increasing pressure to twist Israel's arm and stop a war that has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, mainly civilians, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. Since the ICJ has no real mechanism to enforce its decisions, it could be voted in the UN Security Council, where members can order economic sanctions or military action against Israel, the USA TODAY observed in its analysis of the verdict. If a UN Security Council vote does happen, "the Biden administration will once again face the choice of protecting Israel politically by casting a veto, and that, would further isolate the United States, or allowing the Security Council to act and pay a domestic political cost for 'not standing by Israel'," said Trita Parsi, the co-founder and executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, a Washington, D.C. think tank. Nancy Okail, president and CEO of the Center for International Policy think tank in Washington, D.C., said that the ruling from the ICJ "is more than a legal technicality; it's about safeguarding human rights on a global scale." So far, the White House hasn't commented on the ICJ's ruling - leave alone the fact whether it respects the decision. Okail said this sends the wrong message to the world at large asking for immediate ceasefire to prevent collateral damage to civilians in Gaza. "If we support the creation of a global community based on shared rules rather than simply might makes right, it is absolutely essential that all countries, including the United States, acknowledge the legitimacy of this ruling and take necessary steps in response," said Okail, in emailed comments. Where does one go after the ICJ ruling? The ICJ has ordered Israel to report, within a month, back to the court detailing what it's doing to uphold all the measures within its power to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza. Israel has not said it will comply. In fact, after the ruling some of Israel's most senior officials such as its Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Foreign Minister Israel Katz expressed disappointment, besides being defiant. "The state of Israel does not need to be lectured on morality in order to distinguish between terrorists and the civilian population in Gaza," Gallant posted to social media. "The IDF and security agencies will continue operating to dismantle the military and governing capabilities of the Hamas terrorist organization." Katz said Israel was committed to international law that existed "independently of any ICJ proceedings." Focus is now on reports suggesting President Joe Biden plans to dispatch CIA Director William J. Burns to the Middle East to help broker a deal between Hamas and Israel that would involve the release of all remaining hostages held in Gaza and the longest cessation of hostilities since the war began last year. Mumbai, Jan 28 : Filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga along with Dasara director Srikanth Odela paid a visit to star Chiranjeevi after he was feted with Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian honour in India. A photograph of the meeting at the star's home is doing the rounds on X. The two filmmaker seemed to visit Chiranjeevi to congratulate the veteran actor for the achievement. In the image, the three are seen engaged in a conversation. The star was given the honour on the eve of Republic Day. A day after he was feted with Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian honour in the country, he in a video thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and said that he has done so "little" and yet, he has been given "such recognition." 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. He added: "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." "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." New York, Jan 28 : Former US President Donald Trump escalated the tensions between Texas Governor Greg Abbot and President Joe Biden's administration by thanking him for defying the White House and the Supreme court orders banning razor wire fencing, thus adding fuel to an impending constitutional crisis. New York, Jan 28 (IANS) Former US President Donald Trump escalated the tensions between Texas Governor Greg Abbot and President Joe Bidenas administration by thanking him for defying the White House and the Supreme court orders banning razor wire fencing, thus adding fuel to an impending constitutional crisis. Trump thanked Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick for defying the US Supreme Court's decision to temporarily bar the use of razor wire at the US-Mexico border as the Texas governor had taken the president and the democrats head on asserting it was the state's rights to do what it deemed fit to stem the large influx of illegal migrants while the democrats would not budge on its policy of open borders. President Biden has said he might take a fresh look at the southern border issue if there was a bipartisan approach in the congress. . The former president and 2024 Republican front-runner, Trump, devoted a major part of his speech at Saturday's "Nevada Commit to Caucus Rally' in Las Vegas talking about the southern border. Trump's comments come amid an ongoing dispute over the border crisis. On Monday, the Court sided with the Biden administration in a 5-4 ruling, allowing US Border Patrol agents to temporarily remove the razor wire that Texas officials put up under Abbott's orders while litigation over the issue proceeds. Abbott issued a statement on Wednesday, declaring Texas' "right to self-defence." He also posted to X on Monday, and wrote "this is not over" and called the razor wire "an effective deterrent, media reports said . Trump told a gathering in Las Vegas, Nevada, that the southern border was a "weapon of mass destruction," and if he were to be re-elected, he would "send reinforcements" to Texas where the state would receive his "full support." He also claimed that he didn't have to spotlight the border when he ran against Joe Biden in 2020 because "we had the safest border in US history." The US has been witness to the largest influx of immigrants from Mexico and Venezuela and a smaller portion from Central American states last year and continuing politically unstable regimes, economic conditions and authoritarian dictatorships ruling those countries send large hordes of its citizens fleeing the country in fear of oppression and suppression by the authorities. As the US faces an unprecedented surge in illegal border crossings, Abbott tried to fend migrants off, using razor wire along parts of the southern border and a circular saw floating barrier in the Rio Grande river that separates Mexico from Texas. The Biden administration, meanwhile, has called these tactics "dangerous" and "cruel," and says the wire prevents agents from gaining access to key parts of the border. Some Texas Democrats including former Representative Beto O'Rourke and Representative Joaquin Castro have urged Biden to federalise the National Guard if Abbott defies the Court's order, reports said. Trump's statements on Saturday come as Biden continues to press Congress to embrace a bipartisan Senate deal to pair border enforcement measures, along with aid to Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia. While experts disagree with Abbott's approach, they agree that solving the issue at the southern border will require complex solutions, Newsweek said in a special dispatch in its latest edition this week. . Agustina Vergara Cid, a Young Voices contributor focusing on immigration policy, wrote in an opinion piece for Newsweek: "Increasing legal immigration and creating more legal pathways for peaceful, hard-working migrants to come to America is the only way to solve the border crisis for good. One strategy for doing that is to allow for more employer sponsorship, getting rid of caps on work visas and letting the market dictate how many migrant workers it can take. More broadly, the US immigration system should be rethought and redesigned to focus on deterring actual threats to the safety and rights of Americans, not economic migrants." Nicole Russell, an opinion columnist, said the border crisis demands stronger federal enforcement: "Since Abbott launched Operation Lone Stara"an effort to deploy as many resources as possible to secure the border and stop illegal migrant crossings -Texas has seen almost 500,000 apprehensions of illegal migrants. Law enforcement agencies have made 38,300 criminal arrests and seized over 453 million lethal doses of fentanyl. Instances of prevented crime and people who haven't died from fentanyl poisoning don't make the news -- only the tragic events do. So while media outlets or Democratic politicians fail to acknowledge over 38,000 criminal arrests, three migrant deaths are reported and condemned immediately, aopinion makers told the journal. Arrests for illegal border crossings from Mexico reached an all-time high in December, according to a section of the media. The Border Patrol tallied 249,785 arrests on the Mexican border in December, up 31 per cent from 191,112 in November and up 13 per cent from 222,018 in December 2022, the previous all-time high. Meantime, Congressional Republicans say they will only accept aid money for Ukraine if it's coupled with tougher U.S. immigration policies. According to PunchBowl News and CNN, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is alleged to have said that discussions around securing the border have flipped for the Republicans and that the party should not do anything that may "undermine" Trump. On Saturday, Trump repeated claims that he will conduct the "largest deportation mission in history" if re-elected in November. In a statement released Friday night, Biden said what's being negotiated in the Senate would be "the toughest and fairest set of reforms to secure the border we've ever had in our country." "[The compromise] would give me, as President, a new emergency authority to shut down the border when it becomes overwhelmed. And if given that authority, I would use it the day I sign the bill into law," Biden's statement said. New Delhi, Jan 28 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his 'Mann Ki Baat' programme on Sunday said that rule of Lord Ram was a source of inspiration for makers of the Constitution. New Delhi, Jan 28 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his aMann Ki Baata programme on Sunday said that rule of Lord Ram was a source of inspiration for makers of the Constitution. "In Part three of the original copy of this very Constitution, the fundamental rights of the citizens of India have been described and it is note-worthy that at the beginning of Part three, the makers of our Constitution had allotted due space to the pictures of Bhagwan Ram, Mata Sita and Lakshman ji," Modi said in his 109th episode of Mann Ki Baat. The PM said, "The rule of Prabhu Ram was also a source of inspiration for the makers of our Constitution and that is why on January 22 in Ayodhya, I had talked about 'Dev se Desh'a Iad referred to 'Ram se Rashtra'. Friends, the occasion of Pran Pratishtha in Ayodhya seems to have bound around a common thread, crores of people of the country together. Everyone's feelings are unanimous, everyone's devotion is in unisona Ram is in everyone's words, Ram is in everyone's heart." During this period, many people of the country sang Ram Bhajans dedicating them at the feet of Shri Ram. On the evening of the 22nd of January, the entire country lit Ram Jyoti and celebrated Diwali. During this time, the country saw the power of togetherness, which is also a major basis for our resolves of a developed India, the PM added. He said, "I had requested the people of the country to run a cleanliness campaign from Makar Sankranti to the 22nd of January. I felt good that lakhs of people joined with devotion and cleaned religious places of their area. Many people have sent me pictures and videos related to this - this sentiment should not diminisha this campaign should not stop. This power of collectivity will take our country to new heights of success." Patna, Jan 28 : After resigning from the post of chief minister, Nitish Kumar claimed that he was spearheading the INDIA bloc but the members were not working as per his expectations. "We formed an INDIA bloc and was asking them to take necessary steps but they were not working on it. The work progress in the INDI alliance was not according to our expectation, and hence I finally decided to exit from it," Kumar said after resigning from the post of chief minister of Bihar. Nitish Kumar also blamed the RJD leaders for making several statements against him. "They were making several statements against me. Working with RJD has turned out very tough and hence I have broken the alliance with them," Kumar said. He was hinting at the three posts of Lalu Prasad's second daughter, Rohini Acharya, who words like "Ayogya" for his son and "Badtameez" for Nitish Kumar. However, she had not taken the name of any leader in her post. Another leader Bhai Virendra, the MLA from Maner in Patna, said in his statement a week ago that Nitish Kumar was chief minister due to the blessings of Lalu Prasad. Key Insights Institutions' substantial holdings in Boku implies that they have significant influence over the company's share price 52% of the business is held by the top 8 shareholders Analyst forecasts along with ownership data serve to give a strong idea about prospects for a business Every investor in Boku, Inc. (LON:BOKU) should be aware of the most powerful shareholder groups. The group holding the most number of shares in the company, around 44% to be precise, is institutions. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn). Because institutional owners have a huge pool of resources and liquidity, their investing decisions tend to carry a great deal of weight, especially with individual investors. Therefore, a good portion of institutional money invested in the company is usually a huge vote of confidence on its future. In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of Boku. See our latest analysis for Boku What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Boku? Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index. Boku already has institutions on the share registry. Indeed, they own a respectable stake in the company. This can indicate that the company has a certain degree of credibility in the investment community. However, it is best to be wary of relying on the supposed validation that comes with institutional investors. They too, get it wrong sometimes. If multiple institutions change their view on a stock at the same time, you could see the share price drop fast. It's therefore worth looking at Boku's earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters. We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in Boku. Looking at our data, we can see that the largest shareholder is Octopus Investments Limited with 13% of shares outstanding. Vitruvian Partners LLP is the second largest shareholder owning 8.0% of common stock, and BlackRock, Inc. holds about 7.4% of the company stock. Story continues We also observed that the top 8 shareholders account for more than half of the share register, with a few smaller shareholders to balance the interests of the larger ones to a certain extent. Researching institutional ownership is a good way to gauge and filter a stock's expected performance. The same can be achieved by studying analyst sentiments. Quite a few analysts cover the stock, so you could look into forecast growth quite easily. Insider Ownership Of Boku The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. Management ultimately answers to the board. However, it is not uncommon for managers to be executive board members, especially if they are a founder or the CEO. Most consider insider ownership a positive because it can indicate the board is well aligned with other shareholders. However, on some occasions too much power is concentrated within this group. We can see that insiders own shares in Boku, Inc.. As individuals, the insiders collectively own UK31m worth of the UK483m company. Some would say this shows alignment of interests between shareholders and the board. But it might be worth checking if those insiders have been selling. General Public Ownership The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 25% stake in Boku. While this group can't necessarily call the shots, it can certainly have a real influence on how the company is run. Private Equity Ownership Private equity firms hold a 21% stake in Boku. This suggests they can be influential in key policy decisions. Some investors might be encouraged by this, since private equity are sometimes able to encourage strategies that help the market see the value in the company. Alternatively, those holders might be exiting the investment after taking it public. Public Company Ownership It appears to us that public companies own 3.4% of Boku. It's hard to say for sure but this suggests they have entwined business interests. This might be a strategic stake, so it's worth watching this space for changes in ownership. Next Steps: I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. For instance, we've identified 2 warning signs for Boku that you should be aware of. But ultimately it is the future, not the past, that will determine how well the owners of this business will do. Therefore we think it advisable to take a look at this free report showing whether analysts are predicting a brighter future. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Seoul, Jan 28 : Days after Pyongyang test-fired new strategic cruise missiles from the west coast, North Korea has fired several cruise missiles from its east coast on Sunday, the South Korean military said. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said the North's launch took place around 8 a.m. in waters off Shinpo Port, but did not elaborate, citing an ongoing analysis, Yonhap news agency reported. "While strengthening our monitoring and vigilance, our military has been closely coordinating with the US to monitor additional signs of North Korea's provocations," the JCS said in a text message to reporters. Experts said the Pulhwasal-3-31 appears to be a nuclear-capable cruise missile, considering that the number in its name is identical to that of the Hwasan-31, a tactical nuclear warhead that North Korea first unveiled in March 2023. The North first test-fired the Hawsal-1 cruise missile in September 2021 and launched several Hwasal-1 and -2 cruise missiles presumed to be capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons last year. The launch of a cruise missile is not a direct violation of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions banning the North's use of ballistic missile technology. But it could pose a serious threat to South Korea's security as nuclear warheads can be mounted on such missiles. North Korea has dialed up tensions on the Korean Peninsula with weapons tests and harsh rhetoric in an election year for South Korea and the United States. North launched a solid-fuel hypersonic missile into the East Sea on Jan. 14 in its first missile firing this year. Pyongyang also claimed it had tested an underwater nuclear attack drone in protest of the latest joint military drills among South Korea, the U.S. and Japan earlier this month. Lucknow, Jan 28 : The Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department has signed an agreement with the American firm M/s Anjali Investment LLC for the construction of a 100-room resort in Ayodhya. State Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said after the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla, Ayodhya is witnessing an unexpected increase in the number of devotees and tourists. The state government is working to facilitate the visit of tourists, and to provide them lodging in the temple town, he said. The owner of the American real estate company, Ramesh Nanguranuri, who is originally from Hyderabad but into real estate business in America, has signed an agreement with UP Tourism department to construct a resort in Ayodhya. He said land has also been identified for establishing the resort, adding that the investment policy of the tourism department is favourable for investors. Singh said constant efforts are being made to achieve this feat with the increased flow of foreign tourists too. After the inauguration of Ram Temple, the state government is encouraging investment in hotels and resorts, so that the tourists coming in get better facilities, he said. Tourism director Prakhar Mishra said the construction of hotels and resorts will improve the experience of tourists and devotees coming to visit Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Lucknow, Jan 28 : The Samajwadi Party spokesman has said that SP President Akhilesh Yadav has placed an alliance model to counter the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections and others should follow the same. The statement came after JD(U) president Nitish Kumar resigned as the chief minister of Bihar. Nitish Kumar, who is likely to form a new government in Bihar with the BJP's support, told reporters in Patna that "things were not working well" for him in the opposition bloc INDIA. Reacting to the development on Sunday, Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ameeq Jamei said, "The elections that are going to be held are for saving our secular democracy. Our party leader Akhilesh Yadav has presented a model by announcing seat-sharing with the Congress and RLD. A second round of talks with the Congress is on. Everyone should follow this to remove the BJP from power." Akhilesh Yadav, on Saturday, had announced that his party's alliance with the Congress was "off to a good start" with 11 "strong" Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh. Soon after, the Congress said constructive seat-sharing talks were on between senior party leader Ashok Gehlot and SP chief Yadav, but it added that a formula was yet to be finalised. On Nitish Kumar's resignation, the SP spokesman said, "This should not have happened. Our leader has followed the path shown by Mulayam Singh Yadav, who did everything to prevent the BJP from grabbing power." Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput said the BJP and a big section of the media were trying to show that the INDIA grouping was broken and weak. "In the coming days, you will see the INDIA bloc getting stronger irrespective of what is happening in Bihar," he added. WASHINGTON, March 16, 2017 (Xinhua) -- Actress, film producer and "Save the Children" trustee Jennifer Garner testifies before the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies subcommittee hearing on "Investing in the Futur. Image Source: IANS News Los Angeles, Jan 28 : Actress Jennifer Garner has posted a picture of herself smiling with two of her former co-stars Victor Garber and Ron Rifkin from 'Alias'. "New York City doesn't happen if I don't get a moment with my best guys, Ron and Victor", the actress, 51, captioned the photo shared on Instagram, reports People magazine. The three bundled up against the winter cold, posed outside together with big smiles. Rifkin, 84, stood out in the middle, wearing a bright yellow jacket and an orange scarf. As per People, Garner wore a black jacket on his left, while Garber, 74, stood on his other side, grinning in a dark blue jacket. 'Alias' ran for five seasons from 2001 to 2006. Garner regularly reunites with the two men, and recently visited Garber at the final performance of his off-Broadway play, Love Letters, which closed at New York's Irish Repertory Theatre in September. "If you are my person and you are on stage I'll do what I can to see you. @therealvictorgarber is my person," she captioned a photo of herself with Garber on Instagram at the time. Garner played an international spy named Sydney Bristow on Alias, and Garber portrayed her father, Jack Bristow. Rifkin played Sydney's enemy Arvin Sloan. In a November 2023 appearance on 'The View', Garner shared her feelings about a reboot of the hit series, saying that it would be up to the show's creator, J.J. Abrams. "Oh my gosh, would that be the most fun ever? That would be so fun," she said. "You know, that's really, that's up to J.J. Nobody has ever really brought it up." Patna, Jan 28 : Nitish Kumar dissolved the Mahagathbandhan government in Bihar after resigning from the post of chief minister on Sunday, and with this he has reached the same stage where he left the NDA on August 9, 2022. This was the fifth time in the last 10 years that he changed alliances. Kumar had exited the NDA last time after making an allegation on BJP that its leaders were involved in breaking his party. He had pointed fingers at BJP chief J.P. Nadda, who had made a statement in Patna BJP office on July 31, 2022 that all regional parties need to be uprooted from the country. After he left the NDA then, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had said that all doors of BJP and NDA were closed for Nitish Kumar. He held a series of rallies in Purnea, Nawada, Sitab Diara, Jhanjharpur, and other places and repeatedly said that all doors of BJP and NDA were closed for Nitish Kumar. This line was used by several BJP leaders, including Samrat Choudhary, Vijay Kumar Sinha, Giriraj Singh, Sushil Kumar Modi, Ashwini Kumar Choubey and several other leaders of Bihar. Now as the situation once again was heading for a change in Bihar, Sushil Modi claimed that doors cannot be closed permanently. "It opens according to the situation," he said. With the new alliance, Nitish Kumar is going to take oath as the chief minister of Bihar for the ninth time., His deputies will be Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Sinha, who were the most vocal faces against Nitish Kumar from August 9, 2022 till the last week. Samrat Choudhary had also taken the oath to remove the turban only after removing Nitish Kumar from the post of chief minister. Nitish Kumar, after the resignation, targeted the leaders of INDIA bloc. "I was instrumental in the formation of INDI alliance in 2022 but they were not working on It. The progress of INDI Alliance was not according to our expectation. Then, I decided to exit from it," Kumar said. "We were doing many public oriented programmes but they (RJD and Congress) were not working as per our expectation. Working with them was getting tough for me and hence I resigned from the post of chief minister and also dissolved the government," Kumar said. "Now, we will discuss with the leaders of new alliance partners to decide the next step," he said. Nitish Kumar's switching the boats to and fro from RJD to BJP started 10 years ago when he broke the alliance with NDA after BJP projected Narendra Modi as a prime ministerial candidate in 2014. Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) contested the election alone and won only two seats. Due to his dismal performance, he resigned from the post of chief minister on moral ground and made Jitan Ram Manjhi the chief minister in 2014. After nine months, Nitish Kumar removed Manjhi from the post of chief minister and took the power in his own hand. He formed the alliance with RJD in 2015 Assembly election and defeated BJP convincingly. He became the chief minister of Mahagathbandhan despite being the younger partner in it with 69 seats and RJD had 80 seats. He broke the alliance with RJD in 2017 after the name of Tejashwi Yadav came in the charge sheet of land-for-job scam. Nitish Kumar again formed the government with the help of BJP then. Nitish Kumar contested the 2020 Assembly election under the umbrella of NDA with BJP HAM-S and VIP being the alliance partners. The JD(U) underperformed with just 43 MLAs winning. As Nitish Kumar is a hard bargainer, he became the chief minister again. Kumar broke the alliance with BJP in August 2022 and formed the government with RJD. He took the oath as the chief minister of Bihar. Lucknow, Jan 28 : Plastic waste, especially single-use plastic, along with bitumen is being used extensively in the construction and strengthening of roads in Uttar Pradesh. This initiative has become an example for the whole country, making the roads cost-effective and at the same time, ensuring its durability. Moreover, through this process, the proper disposal of single-use plastic waste is being promoted on the initiative of chief minister Yogi Adityanath. According to the statistics from the Public Works Department, the Yogi government has constructed and strengthened roads totalling 813 kilometres in Uttar Pradesh through this process. In total, 466 roads and routes have been strengthened through this innovative initiative. On average, one road is being constructed every day, a bridge being built every three days. According to a report from the World Bank Blogs, India is leading in making roads from plastic, with more than 2,500 kilometres of roads in the country built from plastic. This process of constructing roads with plastic is being used in 15 countries, including the United States. In this regard, the Adityanath government has constructed plastic roads with a total length of 813 kilometres during its term, making Uttar Pradesh a leading state in this regard. Besides plastic roads, the Yogi government is rapidly enhancing road connectivity in the state and prioritising the development of new infrastructures. For the financial year 2023-24, Rs 200 crore have been allocated for the removal of 567 black spots on roads. The state is completing the widening and strengthening process at an average of 9 kilometres per day, while the construction of new roads is happening at a rate of 11 kilometres per day. Vijayawada, Jan 28 : Telugu Desam Party (TDP) parliamentary party leader and industrialist Galla Jayadev on Sunday announced that he is quitting politics and will focus on business. The Lok Sabha member from Guntur declared that he will not contest the forthcoming elections. Jayadev, who is Chairman and Managing Director of Amara Raja Batteries, said he took the decision as he did not want to continue as a part-time politician. Addressing media persons in Guntur, he said his decision was temporary and he would later return to politics with new vigor. Explaining the reasons for his decision, Jayadev said at a time when he was being targeted by the state and the Central governments, he canat sit silently as an MP. He said he was unable to do his duty as the MP and hence decided to stay away from politics. Jayadev also said that his father Ramachandra Naidu Galla retired from business two years ago and he had to take a decision to quit politics to focus on business. He recalled that he raised his voice in Parliament for special category status to Andhra Pradesh. He said when TDP pulled out of the government at the Centre and moved a no-confidence motion, he was the one who spoke in Parliament on behalf of the party. The MP said the Enforcement Directorate (ED) called him twice for questioning in different cases. He said his business was under surveillance while ED and CBI were tapping his phones. Jayadev had joined TDP before the 2014 elections along with his mother and former minister Aruna Kumari. He was elected to Lok Sabha from Guntur in 2014 and retained the seat in 2019. Jayadev, who studied politics and economics at the University of Illinois at Urbanaa"Champaign, is brother-in-law of popular Tollywood actor Mahesh Babu. One of the wealthiest MPs, Jayadev had declared assets of Rs 683 crore. New Delhi, Jan 28 : The expression 'Custodial Violence' is not defined under any law. It is an integration of two words 'custodial' and 'violence'. The word custody denotes guardianship and protection; it does not hold any evil symptoms even when applied to arrest or imprisonment under judicial and penal safekeeping. In an actual sense, the term violence is the act of forceful thrusting harm on a person or his property. Numerous instances of police brutality frequently make the news, raising the urgent question of who will put an end to this approved inhumane treatment. "It's critical to recognise the typical patterns of torture employed by Indian police. It is important to note the findings of the study on the torture of political prisoners in India that was presented to the U.S. House of Representatives' subcommittee on international relations in March 1976," Advocate Akankshya Misra said. As per the report, various gruesome physical forms of torture include stamping on the bare body with heeled boots, beating with canes on the bare soles of feet, rolling a heavy stick on the shins with a policeman sitting on it, burning with lighted cigarettes and candle flame, denying food, water, and sleep and then forcing the victim to drink his own excreta, slapping with cupped hands on both ears until the victim bleeds and loses consciousness, made to forcibly lie nude on ice slabs, stripping the victim, blackening his face, and parading him in public, inserting live electric wires into body crevices, suspending the victim by his wrists, beating on the spine, beating with a rifle butt, and making the victim crouch for hours in a "Z" position. "When the inmates of the custody are women, the most vulnerable members of society, they are subjected to additional and unspeakable forms of torture such as pressing lighted cigarettes on sensitive parts, inserting iron rods or sticks along with chilli powder in their private parts, torturing children in the presence of mothers, and so on," Misra told. She added: "They are vulnerable to molestation and rape not only by custodial staff but also by male inmates in jails. As evidenced by the Mathura Rape case, police officers did not spare even minor girls from torture." In recent years, concerns over custodial violence have heightened, shedding light on cases of jail harassment. Misra said that despite stringent prison laws and established regulations, the implementation of legal rights for prisoners remains a challenge. Notable instances include Sukesh Chandrashekhar, an undertrial alleging violence by jail officials, Gulfisha Fatima, an MBA graduate facing Delhi riots charges, who reported mental harassment in Tihar Jail, and Muhammad Amir Khan, an acquitted Delhi resident, recounting brutal police torture during his 14-year imprisonment. Moreover, a tragic incident in Tamil Nadu in 2020 involving a father and son who died in police custody sparked nationwide outcry, drawing parallels to the George Floyd incident and prompting calls for police reform. As per the most recent national data, the Tihar prison complex in Delhi saw the most 'clashes' (57) between prisoners and staff in 2019. Three prisoners died as a result of the violence on the jail grounds, while 279 inmates and 37 jail officials were severely injured. "The data clearly shows that clashes are a recurring feature of Delhi's correctional administration. While the central government has consistently blamed prison violence on security threats posed by specific types of prisoners, the Delhi government has ignored the need to investigate the administrative, behavioural, and psychosocial issues that cause tensions in prisoner-staff relationships," Misra said. In the recent past, there have been two infamous cases pertaining to deaths in judicial custody i.e. one of Ankit Gujjar and another of the gangster Tillu Tajpuriya. Both the Ankit Gujjar case and Tillu Tajpuriya murder case led to serious questions being raised on Tihar Administration and the functioning of Delhi jails. In fact, the after effects of Tillu murder case saw 80 Tihar jail officials being transferred including 5 deputy superintendents. "Delhi jails are known for their notoriety. Even in the Sukesh Chandrashekhar case, several officials were arrested, multiple transferred and suspended including the then DG prisons," Advocate Anant Malik said. "But have the jails learnt their lesson? The answer seems to be no and a major overhaul in terms of policy is required," Malik said. Third-degree torture of suspects held in custody is considered standard by the police. The police frequently simulate extra-legal and violent tactics for case discovery and occasionally execute notable offenders by staging fake encounters. "The perception of Indian police forces as being full of sadists and bloodthirsty maniacs is fostered by reports of police violence. The important question of whether or not the police themselves should engage in unnecessary violence or excessive use of force is brought up by the police's mandate to use torture to stop and prevent violence," Malik said. He said that a police officer who uses the abhorrent third degree methodology brutalises and devalues himself to the level of a criminal. "He is unable to make the case that such a terrible act was carried out for practical reasons, for the sake of society, or in order to bring a criminal to justice," Malik added. In the last ten years, many surveys and studies have shown that people don't like the police. In the same way, the surveys and studies that were done to find out how the police feel about the community also came to broad negative conclusions. The police justification for using torture, particularly third-degree interrogation, appears to be based on factors such as the duration of custody, distrust of their profession, and the desire for quick recoveries. The Amnesty International Report highlights poor working conditions, inadequate training, and political influence as contributing factors. However, caution is expressed regarding the need to address the lack of trust in the police recording confessions. "The emphasis on evidence recovery, especially in routine cases like theft, underscores the pressure on police to show success despite the inadmissibility of statements obtained through torture. This presents a complex contradiction in their justifications," Malik said. The Indian Constitution includes a comprehensive list of fundamental rights. It incorporates the vast majority of the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and other international treaties. India has ratified at least thirteen international human rights treaties. However, Malik said that India should consider ratifying key international treaties, including the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Convention against Torture, and Convention on the Rights of the Child. "This can enhance its commitment to human rights on the global stage," Malik said. He said that implementing these measures collectively can contribute to a more rights-conscious and accountable criminal justice system in India. Overhaul outdated laws such as the Police Act of 1861 and colonial-era Jail Manuals. Implement recommendations from the National Police Commission's reports to align the police department with modern human rights standards. Revise terminology used for prisoners to reflect a more reformative approach rather than focusing solely on punitive labels. Update the Prison Statistics of India report to provide a more nuanced understanding of factors contributing to prison violence. Enforce strict prohibitions on custodial and judicial violence, and establish clear consequences for those found guilty. Consider criminal prosecution for individuals accused of committing custodial torture to serve as a deterrent. Install separate rooms with CCTV cameras in police stations for interrogation purposes. This measure can promote transparency and accountability in police interactions. Develop comprehensive training programs for police officers based on specific guidelines to prevent any form of violence. Emphasise human rights principles and ethical conduct in law enforcement. Ratify the United Nations Convention Against Torture, leading to a systematic review of custodial methods and practices, ensuring alignment with international human rights standards. Act on the Law Commission of India's 273rd Report, advocating for criminal prosecution rather than just administrative action for individuals accused of custodial torture. This can establish a more effective deterrent against such actions. Ensure that prison conditions comply with human rights standards. This includes addressing issues related to overcrowding, sanitation, healthcare, and overall treatment of prisoners. Chennai, Jan 28 : Six persons were killed when a car, in which they were traveling, collided head on with a cement-laden truck in Kadayanallur near Tenkasi early Sunday. While five died on the spot , the sixth car occupant died on the way to the hospital. The passengers in the car had gone to the famed Kuttalam waterfalls for a bath and were returning to their native place, Puliyangudi when the accident took place between Singilipatti and Punnaiyapuram areas on Thirumangalam - Kollam highway road at Kadayanallur. The Chokkampatti police and fire and rescue service personnel rushed to the spot after being informed about the incident. The bodies of the deceased were rushed to Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital for post-mortem. Los Angeles, Jan 28 : Actress Rebel Wilson celebrated her fiancee Ramona Agruma's milestone 40th birthday in Las Vegas. The couple began sharing a look at their fun-filled trip to Sin City with their followers on their respective Instagram Stories, reports People magazine. "My surprise birthday weekend has started," Agruma captioned a picture of herself with Wilson, 43, and a group of their friends outside of a private plane. Wilson danced on the plane in a video on her own Instagram Story, holding what appeared to be a boombox customised with pictures of the couple and a pair of balloons shaped like a four and a zero. As per People, when they landed in Las Vegas, the couple and their friends took in a U2 concert at Sphere Las Vegas, where they spent time in a suite and received a letter from the band's frontman, Bono, before the show, as seen on Wilson's Story. Agruma received birthday wishes from Wilson for all the world to see, thanks to a digital billboard on the side of Resorts World. "Happy Birthday Ramona xoxo Rebel," read the message, which was accompanied by a digital picture of the couple. Their festivities also included a meal at the Las Vegas location of the southern California restaurant Wally's. Wilson also shared a tribute to her fiancAe on Instagram in honour of the occasion. "Sheas on the strip! Happy 40th birthday Ramona my darling," the aPitch Perfecta star captioned a carousel of images of the couple posing with friends and by themselves underneath Agruma's digital birthday message. Fang Zheng / iStock.com Costco members know that the warehouse store is brimming with great deals, but that doesnt mean you should buy everything at Costco. Sometimes thats due to competitors offering better alternatives, and sometimes it comes down to issues like Costcos infamous bulk sizes being too big for the average household. Im a Costco Superfan: These Are The 5 Highest Quality Kirkland Food Items Read: Pocket an Extra $400 a Month With This Simple Hack Michigan couple James Koskela, founder of Zero Day Gear and Elyse Koskela, founder of The Movement Studio are the embodiment of Costco superfans. They met through the app Bumble, and when they started chatting, they talked about their shared love of the superstore. That led to their first date happening at Costco. Now, theyve been married for six years. Each year we travel to a different Costco on our wedding anniversary and recreate our first date in a new city, said Mr. Koskela. The couple even chose Kirk as their sons middle name in a nod to Costcos Kirkland Signature brand. Yet as much as they love Costco, even they have a few things they wouldnt buy there. The Koskelas believe the Kirkland Signature brand diaper is one in the past, they found that product to be both a great deal and of high quality, but a design change caused the diaper to lag behind competitors in the Koskelas view. Other items at Costco that the couple typically passes on include: Sponsored: Owe the IRS $10K or more? Schedule a FREE consultation to see if you qualify for tax relief. 1. Kirkland Signature Toilet Paper While you might get a good deal buying toilet paper at Costco, not everyone loves the store brand. Everyone has their own preference for this one, and my preference isnt the Kirkland brand, said Mr. Koskela. I stick with a softer and stronger name brand roll. The good news is that Costco has a generous refund policy, and if youre not satisfied with this product, you can get your money back. However, you might not want to deal with the extra step of getting a refund. But you dont necessarily have to go to another store to buy toilet paper. You can still find some name brands at Costco. Story continues 2. Copy Paper Another product that Mr. Koskela skips at Costco is generic copy/printer paper, and this decision is based on pricing. Im a small business owner and do monitor expenses and hunt for deals. That is one of the appeals of Costco for me. However, when it comes to generic white paper for our laser printers I look elsewhere, he said. If youre a thrifty shopper you can almost always find a coupon code for a ream of paper from one of the big office supply stores, or even a certain supercenter store, and save a significant amount versus buying at Costco. 3. Bird Food While this may differ by location and personal preferences, Ms. Koskela is not a fan of the bird food for sale at her local Costco in Michigan. The wild bird feed at our local Costco store is filled with seed that our birds wont eat or seed that attracts unwanted birds, she said. My suggestion? Look at your local feed store for a product that isnt a mixed feed product. We use strictly safflower here and it virtually eliminates all waste and helps to discourage grackles. 4. Party Snacks This is another category thats a matter of personal taste. While Costco has plenty of unique and delicious snacks, they dont necessarily have all the classics that many people enjoy. I hate to mention the S word in my suggestion but I have to do it: Sams Club. If you want party snacks, the kind that make you feel guilty the following day, skip Costco altogether and visit your local Sams Club for a vast assortment of mouth-watering snacks that youll never find at Costco, said Ms. Koskela. 5. Kirkland Signature 2L Olive Oil Lastly, the Costco brand of olive oil in the two-liter container may seem like a great way to stock up on this pantry staple, but it could be too large for many families. Unless youre feeding an army, you likely will not require two liters of extra virgin olive oil in your pantry, said Ms. Koskela. Not only is it bulky, but as she pointed out, olive oil can degrade over time some experts suggest using a bottle within three months of opening. So, you might be better off getting a smaller size, which might mean shopping elsewhere. Learn: The Single Best Thing To Buy at Costco in January 2024 While these are a few items that the Koskelas pass on, there are still so many that they love. From the famous rotisserie chicken, to saving on prescription drugs, to free nitrogen used to fill up their tires, the Koskelas have so many reasons to keep coming back to Costco. Yet even superfans have their limits. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Things Costco Members Should Stop Buying, According To Superfans Kolkata, Jan 28 : West Bengal minister of state in charge of correctional affairs Akhil Giri has been censured by Trinamool Congress for making controversial comments about the current whereabouts of the absconding party leader and the mastermind of the attack on ED and CAPF sleuths, Sheikh Shahjahan. Trinamool insiders said that the party leadership has taken exception to his comments on last Thursday where he claimed that Shahjahan is currently outside the state and undergoing treatment. Party insiders said that Giri was summoned to the office of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) mayor Firhad Hakim on Saturday evening where the latter explained to the minister how his comments have posed embarrassment for the party. Hakim also advised Giri to refrain from making such comments in future, a party insider in the knowhow of things said. The comments of Giri, according to party insiders, have been especially embarrassing as even 23 days after the attack on ED and CAPF officials in Sandeshkhali on January 5, Shahjahan has managed to remain elusive. The opposition parties have already started claiming that when a member of the state cabinet is so sure about the whereabouts of the mastermind behind the attack, how could the police fail to track him. On Saturday, Hakim gave an indication of the party leadership distancing from Shahjahan as he said that what the latter had done was nothing but a crime. Now after Giri is being cautioned for his comment regarding the whereabouts of Shahjahan, it becomes quite clear that Trinamool Congress is treading in an extremely cautious manner in the issue. This is not the first time that Akhil Giri has posed an embarrassment to his own party leadership through his comments. Earlier, he had been in the headlines for making derogatory comments concerning the looks of President Droupadi Murmu. Later he had to apologised publicly on the insistence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. New Delhi, Jan 28 : In an era where technological advancements shape our daily lives, the proliferation of scams and cons has become an unsettling reality. Cybercriminals, armed with sophisticated tools, have evolved into a significant challenge for Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) across the globe. Various forms of cybercrime, including sextortion, credit card fraud, illegal digital loan calls, income tax refund services frauds, real estate fraud, investment scams, Ponzi schemes online, impersonation, pig butcher frauds, and job scams, have become pervasive threats. A recent and particularly disturbing trend -- cyber kidnapping -- though not yet prevalent in India, is emerging as a serious cause for concern. In recent months, an alarming increase in cyber kidnapping incidents has raised concerns among people, businesses, and law enforcement agencies worldwide. As the digital landscape evolves, so do the tactics employed by cybercriminals, leading to a surge in virtual kidnappings that exploit vulnerabilities in online security. Cyber kidnapping, also known as virtual kidnapping or e-kidnapping, involves exploiting technology to target people for financial gain. Unlike traditional kidnappings where physical abduction occurs, cyber kidnappings leverage digital means to extort money or sensitive information from victims. Perpetrators often employ tactics such as ransomware attacks, phishing, and social engineering to exploit unsuspecting people and organisations. One of the most common methods involves criminals gaining access to personal information, such as addresses, family details, or workplace information, through various means. Subsequently, they use this information to instill fear in victims by claiming to have kidnapped a family member or loved one. Threats are then made, demanding a ransom payment in exchange for the safety of the alleged victim and in a quick manner. Law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity experts have noted a significant uptick in these incidents, with the pandemic exacerbating the vulnerability of people spending more time online. The remote work trend, increased reliance on digital communication, and a surge in online activities have provided cybercriminals with more opportunities to exploit unsuspecting victims. "The consequences of cyber kidnapping can be severe, both emotionally and financially. Victims may suffer from anxiety, stress, and fear for the safety of their loved ones. Financial losses can also be substantial, as some people, fearing for their family members' safety, may succumb to the extortion demands and pay the ransom," say cybersecurity experts. To combat the rising threat of cyber kidnapping, experts emphasise the importance of enhancing cybersecurity measures, including robust password management, multi-factor authentication, and regular software updates. Last month, a dramatic incident unfolded in the state of Utah, USA, shedding light on a case where a Chinese family, whose son was a foreign exchange student in the United States, fell victim to an extortion scheme. Scammers deceived the family into believing that their son had been kidnapped, leading them to transfer an astounding USD 80,000. However, the truth behind the ordeal revealed that the Chinese student had chosen to isolate himself. The chain of events commenced on December 28 of the previous year when the Riverdale Police in Utah received a distressing report from a local high school regarding the alleged kidnapping of Kai Zhuang, a foreign exchange student. School officials were contacted by the victim's parents in China, who informed them that their child had been abducted. The family was presented with a photograph of Kai Zhuang that conveyed an image of him being held against his will, raising concerns for his safety. Subsequently, the perpetrators demanded a ransom, compelling the family to transfer a substantial sum of 80,000 US dollars (approximately Rs 66 lakh) to bank accounts in China under the continuous threats issued by the alleged kidnappers. Upon learning of the situation, Riverdale Police reached out to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which provided insights into similar cases with comparable modus operandi that had recently occurred in the United States. It was revealed that Zhuang had never been kidnapped; instead, he was located in a tent approximately 40 km north of Brigham City, having isolated himself at the behest of the scammers. Siddarth Malkania, a Delhi based lawyer said that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is spreading in every aspect of our life. Software tracks our purchasing habits; CCTV cameras watch streets and work with AI face recognition softwares. "AI is helping in imaging and scanning human bodies and an army of drones/robots are being used in healthcare industries. But worse is that AI systems may or may be used by humans to commit crimes like invading and exposing privacy, harming reputation, phishing attacks, theft, forgery and fraud," said Malkania. Malkania further said that in India, there are punishments for identity theft and personation under Information Technology Act, 200 and extracting money through such attempts attracts punishment for extortion under Section 308 of BNS 2023. But punishment is lesser in IT Act 2000 for such cases which is also bailable and it is high time that legislature should amend IT Act 2000 and make punishments more stringent for cyber crimes. "Many times cyber crime is not reported due to lack of infrastructure at the level of Police stations and Courts. There are cyber cells now at Police Stations but we should also have dedicated cyber magistrate courts to resolve disputes related to computer networks. Such Cyber Magistrate Courts should be accessible to all in order to well serve the demands of the Internet society. Most proceedings should be online and confidential under Cyber Magistrate Courts" said Malkania. (Shekhar Singh can be reached at shekhar.s@ians.in) New Delhi, Jan 28 : Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud on Sunday said that structural issues affecting the judiciary, such as the pendency of cases, archaic procedures, and the culture of adjournments must be addressed. Speaking at the inauguration of the Diamond Jubilee year of the Supreme Court, CJI Chandrachud stressed that the legal profession must emerge from the adjournment culture to a culture of professionalism. Saying that difficult conversations should begin, Justice Chandrachud said, "Let us begin the conversation on long vacations and whether alternatives such as flexitime for lawyers and judges is possible." "Our ability to remain relevant as an institution requires us to recognise challenges and begin difficult conversations," he said, adding that the length of oral arguments does not interminably delay judicial outcomes. CJI Chandrachud said that the top court was established with a sense of idealism that it would interpret laws in accordance with the rule of law and not by colonial values or social hierarchies. Terming the Supreme Court as an institution of resolution and justice, he said that the large volume of people approaching the judiciary indicates its bulwark role against injustice, tyranny, and arbitrariness. "Through its judgments, the Supreme Court has enhanced the rights of citizens by diluting the standards of locus standi and by recognizing a set of new rights under Article 21 of the Constitution, such as the right to a speedy trial," he added. During his address, CJI Chandrachud said that women in the country can be seen in important positions and India is going through a period of "social and demographic transformation". "Women, traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession, now constitute 36.3 per cent of the working strength of the district judiciary," he said. The CJI said the upgraded e-filing platform launched in May 2023 has made 24x7 filing of cases simpler, faster and convenient and nearly 1,28,000 e-filings have been done so far, with a consistent rise in the share of e-filings compared to physical filings. Further, he said, "The Supreme Court of India today operates in a near complete paperless mode, with almost all Benches using digitized paper-books. More than 13 lakh legacy and live case records with approximately 10 crore pages have been digitized." As the Supreme Court enters into the 75th year of its establishment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the Diamond Jubilee celebration and launched several citizen centric information and technology initiatives, including Digital Supreme Court Reports (Digi SCR), Digital Courts 2.0 and new website of the apex court. After the Constitution of India came into force, the Supreme Court held its inaugural sitting on January 28, 1950. One killed in armed attack on Italian church in Turkey. Image Source: IANS News Ankara, Jan 28 : One person was killed in an armed attack on an Italian church in Turkey's largest city Istanbul on Sunday. Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya posted on X that two masked people organised the attack at the Santa Maria Church in the Sariyer district on the European side of the city. Investigation has been initiated into the incident, the minister said, Xinhua news agency reported. Deloitte in eye of storm as SEC probes Tingo for $470 mn scam, experts call for greater oversight to protect Indian investors. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, Jan 28 : Auditing firm Deloitte has once again been caught in the eye of the storm of regulators. Deloitte's international audit arm certified that Nigerian firm Tingo - accused of fraud by Hindenburg - had more than $470 million in the bank. However, reports indicate that the Securities and Exchange Commission only found $50 in the companyas accounts. The US regulator said it found "billions of dollars" in fictitious transactions through entities controlled by Dozy Mmobuosi, the founder and former CEO of Tingo. Deloitte had given fintech a clean, unqualified audit for its 2022 accounts. This discrepancy came to light when short seller Hindenburg questioned Tingoas accounts, asking whether the firm had "missed or rushed through procedures". Deloitteas Indian affiliate has also been in controversy in the last five years or so. Its auditing practices came into the limelight after the collapse of indebted infrastructure financier IL&FS Group. This led to investigation by various Indian regulators and agencies including the Serious Fraud Investigation Office and the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Deloitteas audit quality was also examined by the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) which found many lapses in the procedure. Hindenburg noted that the issues in Tingoas financials "are glaring enough that wead expect they could have been spotted by any semi-conscious finance undergrad with severe vision loss", Hindenburg wrote. "These issues were apparently not glaring enough for the companyas auditor, however." This is not the first recent instance where the international network of firms has faced regulatory issues. In September 2023, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board sanctioned Deloitte & Touche S.A.S. for its quality control violations and imposed a $900,000 fine on the Colombian affiliate of the Deloitte global network. The PCAOB found that Deloitte & Toucheas Colombiaas system of quality control failed to provide it with reasonable assurance that audit work would be performed and documented in accordance with PCAOB standards. On the other side of the world, Chinese regulators imposed a heavy fine of $30.8 million on Deloitteas Beijing office for its failure to adequately audit a Chinese state-owned asset management company whose former head was sentenced to death on corruption charges. The Chinese regulator noted that Deloitte failed to pay close enough attention to management activities, and that the audit did not meet the requisite standards. Similarly, the Malaysian audit firm Deloitte PLT agreed to pay Malaysia's government $80 million to resolve certain claims related to its auditing of accounts of scandal-linked state fund 1MDB and its unit SRC International from 2011 to 2014. That was when the Malaysian government and regulators investigated the firmas role in auditing the financial statements of 1MDB. In the IL&FS matter, during arguments before the National Company Law Tribunal and the Bombay High Court, the government alleged that Deloitteas Indian audit firm auditing the relevant IL&FS entities connived and colluded with a coterie to conceal information and falsify the books of accounts. It was alleged that the auditors knowingly did not report the true state of affairs at IL&FS as they failed to report the negative net owned funds and negative capital to risk asset ratio of certain IL&FS group entities. Petitions filed by Deloitte and some of its partners that challenged the SFIOas investigation report were dismissed by the Supreme Court through a judgment in May 2023, paving the way for the Mumbai trial court to continue with proceedings arising from the SFIOas criminal complaint. Reports by the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Reserve Bank of India and the SFIO also noted that the auditor, along with their engagement team did not perform their duties diligently. The government alleged that despite having knowledge of the impact of funding of default borrowers for principal and interest payments, Deloitte did not report this in the Auditor's Report from FY 2013-14 to 2017-18, leading to non-compliance of section 143(1)(a) of the Companies Act. The regulators also alleged that Deloitteas firm auditing IL&FS attempted to postpone the provisioning and recognition of NPA by transferring the loans by mere book entry resulting in showing old loans as closed and non-provisioning of new loans. Two audit quality reports by the NFRA also highlighted the failure of Deloitte in auditing certain IL&FS entities.To be sure, the NFRA is tasked with recommending accounting and auditing policies and standards to be adopted by companies. It also monitors and enforces compliance with accounting and auditing standards while also overseeing the quality of service of the professions associated with ensuring compliance with such standards. The audit watchdog concluded that Deloitteas audit firms grossly violated the provisions of Section 144 of the Companies Act, 2013. It notes that the audit firm was in serious breach of the Code of Ethics and did not have adequate justification for issuing an audit report. The NFRA notes that failures and violations by the auditor undoubtedly and fatally compromised the independence required from an audit firm. Similarly the practices relating to independence have been shown to be severely inadequate and not fit for purpose, the NFRA said in its report. As a result of these failures,the NFRA barred the former Deloitte Haskins and Sells LLP chief Udayan Sen from auditing for seven years and imposed a monetary penalty for auditing lapses at Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Ltd (IL&FS). The regulator found him guilty of professional misconduct and not maintaining independence and quality in auditing accounts of the financial company. The findings by regulators and NFRA have been challenged by Deloitte and its partners before various forums. New Delhi, Jan 28 : The historic Vijay Chowk at Raisina Hills will witness 31 Indian tunes during the Beating Retreating ceremony on January 29, marking the culmination of 75th Republic Day celebrations. Beating Retreat traces its origins to the early 1950s when Major Roberts of the Indian Army indigenously developed the unique ceremony of display by the massed bands. The Ministry of Defence said that the 'Beating Retreat' 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 sounding of the Retreat. "The colours and standards are cased and flags lowered. The ceremony creates nostalgia for the times gone by," the ministry said. It said that the music bands of Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will play 31 captivating and foot-tapping Indian tunes before President Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi. "The ceremony will begin with the massed band's 'Shankhnaad' tune which will be followed by the enthralling tunes such as 'Veer Bharat', 'Sangam Dur', 'Deshon ka Sartaj Bharat', 'Bhagirathi', and 'Arjuna' by Pipes and Drums band. The CAPF bands will play 'Bharat Ke Jawan' and 'Vijay Bharat' among others," the ministry said. The ministry said that the 'Tiger Hill', 'Rejoice in Raisina' and 'Swadeshi' are among the tunes to be played the band of the Indian Air Force, while the audience will witness the Indian Navy band playing a number of tunes, including 'INS Vikrant', 'Mission Chandrayaan', 'Jai Bharati' and 'Hum Tayyar Hain'. "This will be followed by the Indian Army band which will play 'Faulad Ka Jigar', 'Agniveer', 'Kargil 1999', 'Taqat Watan' among others," the ministry said. It said that the Massed Bands will then play the tunes 'Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja', 'Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon' and 'Drummers Call'. "The event will come to a close with the ever-popular tune of 'Sare Jahan se Acha'," the ministry added. Hyderabad, Jan 28 : Two more persons, including a police officer, have been detained for allegedly shielding the son of a former MLA in a road accident that occurred in Hyderabad last month, police said. Circle Inspector (Station House Officer) of Bodhan Police Station, Prem Kumar and former MLAas aide Abdul Wasey were detained by Panjagutta police in connection with the case. Both were shifted to Hyderabad. Earlier, Panjagutta Circle Inspector B. Durga Rao was suspended for allegedly shielding Raheel Aamir, son of former Bodhan MLA Shakeel Aamir and implicating another person in the road accident. Police had also issued a lookout circular for Raheel, who had left for Dubai via Mumbai to be with his father on December 24, hours after ramming the BMW car into the barricades in front of the Praja Bhavan, the official residence of the Telangana Deputy Chief Minister. According to police, the incident occurred in the early hours of December 24. A car being driven at a high speed rammed into the barricades in front of Praja Bhavan in Begumpet area. No one was injured but the barricade and the front portion of the car were damaged in the incident. The person driving the car and three others travelling with him escaped leaving behind the car. Later, a person came to the spot to claim the abandoned car. A case of rash driving was registered against him. The person was identified as Ibraheem. However, subsequent investigation revealed that Raheel, son of the former MLA of the BRS, was driving the car. The police officers allegedly helped Raheel to escape. Hyderabad Police Commissioner K. Sreenivasa Reddy on December 26 suspended Station House Officer of Panjagutta Police Station for allegedly trying to shield Raheel. Police said Raheel falsely presented an unrelated individual as the driver despite being at the wheel at the time of the accident. Rahel has been booked for misleading the investigation. Previously, Raheelas was allegedly present in a SUV which hit street vendors crossing the road, resulting in the death of a two-month-old child and injuries to four others. The incident had occurred in posh Jubilee Hills in March 2022. There were allegations that the MLAas son was driving the car. He, however, had denied this and clarified that the car belonged to his cousin. --IANS ms/vd Bhopal, Jan 28 : A village sarpanch in Madhya Pradesh has alleged that he wasn't allowed to unfurl the Tricolour on the occasion of the Republic Day because he belongs to a Dalit family. The alleged incident took place in Tarena village panchayat under Biaora tehsil of Rajgarh district on Friday, following which Congress Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh alleged the sarpanch faced discrimination for being a Dalit. Later, Man Singh Verma also lodged a complaint against rojgar sahayak (employment assistant) Lakhan Singh Sondhia at Janpad Panchayat in Biaora. Subsequently, the action was initiated against Sondhia. "Despite being village sarpanch, I wasn't invited to unfurl the Tricolour on the Republic Day. It was done because I belong to a Dalit family," Verma said in short video clip. "Is it a crime to be a Scheduled Caste? Does the Sarpanch not have the right to hoist the flag in the Panchayat Bhawan? I request the Chief Minister that such guilty Employment Assistant Lakhan Singh should be immediately suspended and action should be taken under ST/SC Act," Digvijaya Singh has posted a message on his social media account. Rajgarh district administration on Saturday removed Lakhan Singh Sondhia from rojgar sahayak post. However, it's not the first time such an incident was reported in Madhya Pradesh. Earlier, on August 15 last year, a Sarpanch in Vidisha district had alleged that he was not allowed to unfurl the national flag at a school on the Independence Day and was subjected to caste-based abuses by the school principal, officials said. Seoul, Jan 28 : Samsung, the world's biggest memory chip maker, has created a new research lab in the United States to focus on developing next-generation three-dimensional (3D) DRAM, industry sources said on Sunday. The new lab is operating under Device Solutions America (DSA) headquartered in Silicon Valley, which oversees Samsung's semiconductor production in the US, and will work to develop an upgraded DRAM model to allow Samsung to lead the global 3D memory chip market, according to the sources. In October, the South Korean tech giant said it is preparing new 3D structures for sub-10-nanometer DRAM, allowing larger single-chip capacities that can exceed 100 gigabits, reports Yonhap news agency. Samsung succeeded in commercialising 3D vertical NAND flash memory chips for the first time in the industry in 2013. Meanwhile, the global semiconductor industryas revenue declined 8.8 per cent in 2023 due to a slowdown in enterprise and consumer spending. AI provided positive news to the semiconductor industry, emerging as a key content and revenue driver, especially in the second half of the year, according to Counterpoint Research. Samsung was affected by the memory market slowdown in both DRAM and NAND segments, reporting a 38 per cent YoY decline in its revenue. The memory market was mainly hit by soft demand in the PC, server and smartphone segments as well as oversupply and excess inventory across the market. New Delhi, Jan 18 : A fatal lung disease that begins with dry cough, causes breathing difficulty, and worsens over years may have played a significant role in the deaths caused by Covid-19 infections, according to a scientist duo. Much like cancer, the disease called interstitial lung disease (ILD), goes undetected for years. As the disease progresses, the lung shrinks, making it difficult for the patient to breathe. India has an incidence rate of 10 to 20 cases per 100,000 in the population related to industries and lung diseases. "The interstitium is the connective tissue between two sacs or the region that links alveoli together in the lungs. When this interstitium thickens, it constricts the air sacs, reducing lung size. This constriction leads to a decrease in airway size, resulting in a significant reduction in the overall oxygen intake. This condition, known as restriction, involves compression due to the shrinking of connective tissue between the lung alveoli," Dr Asmita Mehta, Professor and HoD of Respiratory Medicine at Amrita Hospital Kochi, told IANS. What makes the disease fatal is the late diagnosis, said the distinguished pulmonologist. "By the time the patient will come to us, it will be too late because the diagnosis of ILD happens very late. ILD starts with a very, very minor symptom, dry cough and breathing difficulty, which progresses over years. Just like cancer, the diagnosis of ILD is also delayed," she said. Professor Athol Wells, associated with Royal Brompton Hospital in London and Imperial College London, said that the average survival is three to four years after diagnosis. It is because of the tremendous delay between the time of starting symptoms and the diagnosis made. "It is a fatal disease with a very bad quality of life and significant morbidity," the Professor told IANS. Covid-19 infection is known to cause fibrosis (scarring) in the lungs. While the condition reversed in some people and they returned to their pre-Covid status, however, in some there was no reversal and the infection turned fatal. This could have been due to pre-existing ILD, the scientists said. "There is a fibrosis which causes scarring that will be irreversible. So those people who developed severe Covid, developed almost respiratory failure to the extent that they were on ventilator support for 15-20 days," Mehta said. "I strongly doubt that they were already having some coexisting ILD before they developed Covid and then went on ventilator. They could not go back to that normal level. "I always had a doubt that they might have an already coexisting disease, which was not diagnosed before Covid. In another set of people, we saw total reversal of lung fibrosis," she said. The experts noted that people who already had diseased lungs due to ILD and if they developed Covid, they had more chances for need of ventilation, ICU care and a worse prognosis. They also had a prolonged recovery time and long Covid syndrome. "I have no doubts that if you have interstitial lung disease before you get Covid, you are at much higher risk of dying of Covid because you are starting with the loss of your lung reserve in the first place," Wells said. "Abnormalities that are there beforehand might not have declared themselves clinically. Because together with Covid it may have caused damage to your immune system," he said, adding that the disease may also likely worsen long Covid. While there are about 200 types of ILD, if a person is diagnosed at the juncture of lung inflammation, the disease can be cured. But it "tends to be overlooked" and the coughs get treated for asthma, or other lung disorders. Further, Mehta said that it also becomes hard to explain the disease to the patients, "because unlike cancer it is not much understood, and not much publicised disease, but it is increasing in India". The scientists told IANS that pollution, and smoking are major reasons for the disease, but many are also autoimmune in nature that are majorly genetic. Mehta said people with excreta exposure like farmers or those who indulge in rubber tapping in Kerala, or those exposed to particular fungi in Kerala also have some kind of ILD. The scientists urged the need to sensitise doctors to diagnose ILD early, and not to look at coughing and breathing problems among people as only cases of asthma, COPD, or tuberculosis. (Rachel V. Thomas can be contacted at rachel.t@ians.in) In this article, we will look at the 50 most populated countries in the world in 2024. If you want to skip our detailed discussion on population growth and its impact, go ahead to the 15 Most Populated Countries in the World in 2024. Less than 1 billion people lived on Earth for most of human history. In fact, at the time of the Agricultural Revolution in 10,000 BC, only 5 to 10 million people lived on the planet. For perspective, the population of New York City alone is 8.4 million today. At the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, there were approximately 1 billion people on tearth. However, in the last two hundred years, we have added 7 billion more as the world population reached the milestone of 8 billion people in 2022. It is essential to note that the population growth rate, while still positive, has decreased significantly in the last decade. The United States is one of the most populated countries in the world. Its population is massive compared to other countries in its region, which leads to the following question: what causes population growth in a country? Demographers cite four main factors driving population growth: fertility rates, mortality rates, migration, and the initial age profile of the population. Fertility rates refer to the number of births per woman. Mortality rates are the measure of deaths in a particular population. The higher the mortality rate, the slower the population growth. When mortality rates are lower, more people are available to reproduce, which leads to higher population growth. If the initial age profile of the population is young, there will be higher population growth. The opposite of this is also true with an older age profile. The fourth factor, migration, is quite obvious. As newer people enter a country, they increase their population and reproduce to keep the future growth rates high. Considering these four factors, it is easy to understand why the world population increased significantly after the Industrial Revolution. Technological advancements in medical fields and better living conditions increased fertility rates and decreased mortality rates. Story continues Life expectancy is also increasing all around the world. However, this still does not explain why some underdeveloped countries have one of the highest population figures. A fifth factor, that demographers have only recently started to comprehend, is religious groups. Some religious groups have higher population growth rates than others. Muslims, for example, have the highest fertility rates among the world's major religious groups. Population growth is a significant worry for the world. By 2030 and 2050, the world population is projected to reach around 8.5 billion and 9.7 billion, respectively. The sustainability of a population this huge is a question mark. Population growth in the last two centuries has led to unsustainable agricultural practices, which has caused 40% of the land to lose significant yield capacity. The food supply will need to increase by at least 60% by 2050 to nourish the world's population as it approaches closer to the 10 billion mark. In addition, general resource consumption per person will increase by 75% by 2050. These alarming figures have led to worldwide action. FarmBeats by Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is a technology that helps farmers conserve water through efficient irrigation management. It uses machine learning to track soil features and help farmers make intelligent decisions. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)'s FarmBeats also helps farmers reduce costs through an efficient allocation of resources. The company realizes that most farmers are not tech-savvy. So, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is looking for an end-to-end approach from sensors to the cloud. In addition, companies like Corteva, Inc. (NYSE:CTVA) are developing technologies to increase crop yields and reduce crop variability across seasons. The company is dedicated to making farming easier and more efficient for the farmers. Recently, Corteva, Inc. (NYSE:CTVA) announced a plant breeding innovation to help farmers combat corn disease. It is using gene-editing technology to bring added protection to elite corn hybrids. Corteva, Inc. (NYSE:CTVA) is also investing in the use of microbes to fight off weeds. Other companies are taking population growth head-on and are working to reduce the fertility rates. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (NYSE:TEVA) produces several women's healthcare products, oral contraceptives, and Intrauterine devices (IUD). The company owns Barr Pharmeceutical, Inc., which in turn owns Duramed Pharaceuticals, Inc. Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is the maker of Paragard T-380A. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (NYSE:TEVA) Parragard is the oldest FDA-approved copper IUD in the US. The IUD is well-regarded because it can prevent pregnancy for 10 years after installation. Here is what Sound Shore Management, an investment management firm, said about Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (NYSE:TEVA) in its Q3 2023 investor letter: Away from power, drug maker Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (NYSE:TEVA), a new holding, also performed well during the quarter. Teva develops, manufactures and markets generic and specialty drugs focused on neurological and respiratory diseases, as well as oncology. Following a period of poor capital allocation decisions in prior years, we were able to invest at a very attractive valuation. We now believe management has positioned the company for renewed growth, driven by its most promising branded drug pipeline in years. The investment is off to a good start and the stock gained after second quarter results topped consensus. With that backdrop, let's look at the 50 most populated countries in the world. 50 Most Populated Countries in the World in 2024 Arthimedes/Shutterstock.com Methodology For our list of the 50 Most Populated Countries in the World in 2024, we looked at the various online sources for accurate estimates. It is essential to note that these are the latest estimates based on the population growth rate of the country and the last census. By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional looking for the best stocks to buy you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders. 50 - Madagascar Population - 30,325,732 Madagascar has a population growth rate of 2.41%, and it is projected to reach a population of 54 million by 2050. 49 - Nepal Population - 30,896,590 Since the year 1990, Nepal has seen a steady population growth. Currently, it is nearing the 31 million mark, making it one of the most populated countries in the world. 48 - Mozambique Population - 33,897,354 Mozambique has one of the highest fertility rates in the world, with more than 4.4 births per woman. The country's population is expected to increase by four times by 2100. 47 - Ghana Population - 34,121,985 Ghana has one of the highest population growth rates. Its population is expected to reach more than 78 million by 2100. Its high fertility rate is a concern for the country because it lacks the resources to handle it. 46 - Malaysia Population - 34,308,525 The Malaysian population is predominantly urban, with more than 78% of its people living in urban areas. The median age in the country is around 31 years. 45 - Peru Population - 34,352,719 With over 34 million people, Peru is one of the most populated countries in the world. 44 - Yemen Population - 34,449,825 With over 3 births per woman, Yemen has one of the highest fertility rates in the world. The country's high population growth rate presents the challenge of ensuring access to healthcare, education, and employment. 43 - Uzbekistan Population - 35,163,944 While Uzbekistan is one of the most populated countries in the world, its population growth rate has been on a decline. 42 - Angola Population - 36,684,202 With over 5.3 births per woman, Angola has one of the highest fertility rates in the world. This fertility rate, coupled with its already high population figures, adds approximately one million people to the country every year. 41 - Ukraine Population - 36,744,634 Although Ukraine is one of the most populated countries in the world, its population has been declining since the 1990s because of high immigration rates. 40 - Saudi Arabia Population - 36,947,025 Saudi Arabia has a relatively young population, as more than 30% of its people are aged 14 and below. The country's population growth rate has been on the decline since 2010. 39 - Morocco Population - 37,840,044 Morroco has a median age of around 29.5 years, with a predominantly Urban population. The country has a fertility rate of 2.24 births per woman. 38 - Canada Population - 38,781,291 Canada attracts thousands of immigrants each year. The country has a median age of 40.08 years, which is well above the median age of the world (30.5 years). 37 - Poland Population - 41,026,067 Although Poland is part of our 50 most populated countries in the world in 2024 list, its population is experiencing a decline. Its fertility rate is below replacement levels, and the country has a negative net migration. 36 - Afghanistan Population - 42,239,854 Although Afghanistan has one of the highest infant and child mortality rates, it is one of the most populated countries in the world. 35 - Iraq Population - 45,504,560 The fertility rate in Iraq is more than 3 children per woman. The country has a relatively young population, as the median age is 20.4 years. 34 - Algeria Population - 45,606,480 More than 27% of the population of Algeria is aged 14 and below. The country has a predominantly Arab population. 33 - Argentina Population - 45,773,884 More than 94% of Argentinians live in Urban areas. Argentina's fertility rate is 1.85 births per woman. 32 - Spain Population - 47,519,628 Spain is one of the most populated countries in Europe. The country has a median age of 42.5 years. 31 - Sudan Population - 48,109,006 Sudan has a high fertility rate of 4.25 children per woman. It has a predominantly rural population. 30 - Uganda Population - 48,582,334 Uganda has a high fertility rate of more than 4 children per woman. The population of Uganda is predominantly rural, with more than 70% of people living in rural areas. 29 - South Korea Population - 51,784,059 South Korea is one of the most populated countries in the world in 2024. However, the country is seeing a negative population growth rate currently. 28 - Colombia Population - 52,085,168 Colombia's population is expected to cross the 55 million mark by 2050. It has seen a steady decline in fertility and population growth rate since the 1970s. 27 - Myanmar Population - 54,577,997 Myanmar has a fertility rate of 2.17 children per woman. The country's population is predominantly rural, with more than 70% of people living in rural areas. 26 - Kenya Population - 55,100,586 Kenya is experiencing a 2% population growth rate. Its population is expected to reach 57 million by 2025. 25 - Italy Population - 58,870,762 Italy is one of the most populated countries in the world. Its population is currently declining, with a growth rate of -0.29%. 24 - South Africa Population - 60,414,495 South Africa has a fertility rate of 2.29 children per woman. Its median age is 27.8 years. 23 - France Population - 64,756,584 France is one of the most populous countries in Europe. France's population has been increasing steadily with a growth rate of 0.6%. 22 -Tanzania Population - 67,438,106 Tanzania has a high fertility rate of 4.2 children per woman. It is experiencing a population growth rate of 2.6%. 21 - United Kingdom Population - 67,736,802 The population of the UK is growing with a growth rate of 0.33%. It is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. 20 - Thailand Population - 71,801,279 Although Thailand has a low fertility rate of 1.31 children per woman, it is one of the most populous countries in the world. The country has a relatively high median age of 40.7 years. 19 - Germany Population - 83,294,633 Germany, one of the most populous countries in the world, is seeing a population decline with a -0.05% growth rate. 18 - TurkeyGermany Population - 85,816,199 Turkey's population is growing with a growth rate of 0.52%. The median age in Turkey is 32.2 years. 17 - Iran Population - 89,172,767 Iran's fertility rate is 1.67 children per woman, which is low considering it is an Islamic country. 16 - Vietnam Population - 98,858,950 Vietnam is one of the most populated countries in the world. It is experiencing significant economic and social development, which is improving life expectancy in the country. Click to continue reading and see 15 Most Populated Countries in the World in 2024. Suggested articles: Disclosure: none. 50 Most Populated Countries in the World in 2024 is originally published on Insider Monkey. Patna, Jan 28 : With senior Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader Nitish Kumar walking out of the 'Mahagathbandhan' and joining hands once again with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the upcoming general election, political observers in Bihar underlined the good track record of the dual force -- two parties going to polls together -- in Assembly as well as Lok Sabha elections. Speaking in the context of the fresh developments in Bihar, a political analyst said that Bihar has always witnessed the dominance of three parties -- the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), JD-U and the BJP. "It has been observed that whenever two political forces join hands in Bihar, they easily win the election... be it Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha polls. "In the early 1990s when RJD's Lalu Prasad was a dominant political figure in Bihar with Muslim, Yadav and backward caste equations balanced in his favour, the BJP and George Fernandes-led Samata Party joined hands together to challenge Lalu Prasad," an analyst said. They were successful for the first time in 2000 when they formed a "non-RJD government" in the state. Nitish Kumar became the chief minister of Bihar for the first time with 154 MLAs. However, after the RJD-led alliance soon assembled with 159 MLAs, the Nitish Kumar-led government collapsed. However, that experiment was worth it for BJP and Samata Party with the JD-U coming to power in 2005. Nitish Kumar again became the chief minister of Bihar. In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Nitish Kumar left the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) after the BJP named then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi as the prime ministerial candidate. The JD-U then contested the polls alone in Bihar. The RJD also contested that election alone, and both these two parties performed miserably. The RJD won only 4 seats and JD-U got two seats. In that election, BJP won 22 seats. Even the alliance partners of BJP like RLSP led by Upendra Kushwaha won 3 seats and Ram Vilas Paswan led LJP 7 seats in Bihar. However, the vote percentage of RJD and JD-U were 20.10 and 15.80 per cent, respectively, and the BJP had 29.40 per cent. This had actually given hope to RJD and JD-U leaders that if they joined hands together, they could defeat the BJP The think-tank of both parties believed that the BJP won the contest due to division of votes. Later, Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar joined hands in the 2015 assembly election and managed to stop BJP's winning spree. In 2015 polls, RJD won 80 seats with a vote percentage of 18.4 while the JD-U won 71 seats with a vote percentage of 16.8. The BJP won 53 seats and the vote percentage was 24.4 per cent. In 2019 Lok Sabha election, the JD-U and BJP in Bihar contested together, and the dual force theory got further solidified. The BJP won 17 seats with vote percentage of 23.58 per cent, the JD-U bagged 16 seats with 21.81 per cent votes and LJP won 6 seats with vote percentage of 7.86. The RJD did not win a single seat in that election. The dual forces' dominance continued in the 2020 assembly election too when the BJP and JD-U pact continued. In 2020 Bihar elections, BJP won 74 seats with a vote percentage of 19.46 while the JD-U won 43 seats and the vote percentage was 15.39. The RJD had bagged 75 seats and its vote percentage was 23.11. While analysing the trend, it has been observed that the percentage of votes of two major parties have always higher than the "third party". Political analysts that keeping all these factors in mind, the BJP and the JD-U must have joined hands ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election to gain an edge over RJD and other alliance partners of 'Mahagathbandhan'. This could be the reason why the BJP opened its doors to Nitish Kumar. This time, the BJP has been eyeing at least 16 to 17 seats. Besides, analysts believe the party has a trusted partner like Chirag Paswan who has considerable influence on Dusadh community. Notably, the BJP has aimed for all 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar and its chances look quite bright now with Nitish Kumar stitching an alliance with the saffron camp, analysts say. Chennai, Jan 28 : AIADMK general secretary and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS), has charged that the DMK government was considering farmers of the state as enemies and that it was not doing anything for their welfare. While addressing party cadres at Vallam and Sengipattin Thanjavur district on Sunday, he said that the state government had totally failed in getting the due share of Cauvery waters for Tamil Nadu by holding talks with the Centre and the Karnataka government. He stated that the crops of more than three lakh farmers were destroyed due to lack of water and added that they could not even get the crop insurance scheme. The AIADMK leader said that the farmers were unable to get three phase power supply now. He charged that the DMK government had come to power in May 2021 by raking up attractive promises for the people of the state but failed to execute those promises. The AIADMK leader who is also the opposition leader of Tamil Nadu said that the DMK government has only one agenda of looting the state and was travelling abroad for investing the money he looted. It may be noted that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has embarked on an eight-day trip to Madrid, Spain for garnering investment to the state. Palaniswami charged that Stalin and DMK was trying to cover up his failures by constantly stating that his Dravida model of governance had implemented the poll promises of the DMK in toto. Bhopal, Jan 28 : A middle aged couple and their son were found hanging at their home in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior district, police said on Sunday. A purported suicide note, allegedly written by the son, suggested that he took the extreme step due to distress caused by a specific person. Gwalior's Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajesh Singh Chandel identified the deceased as Jitendra Jha (50), his wife Triveni Jha (40), and their son Achal Jha (17) -- residents of Hurawali Colony under the Sirol police station area. Police said that the bodies of the three persons were found dead when the police broke into the house. "There were cut marks on the wrist of Jitendra. All the articles in the house were found intact," the police said. Police said Achal committed suicide and later his parents, upset over it, took the extreme step. Police said that the forensic evidences have been collected and the investigation is underway. Jitendra was a builder while his wife was a teacher in a school. Achal was a student of class 12. Amaravati, Jan 28 : In another jolt to Andhra Pradesh's ruling party YSRCP, its MLA Koneti Adimulam has refused to contest for Tirupati Lok Sabha seat as directed by the party leadership. The MLA from Sathyavedu constituency in Tirupati district on Sunday revolted against the party leadership for shifting him to Tirupati Lok Sabha constituency in the upcoming elections. He blamed state minister Peddireddy Ramchandra Reddy and some other party leaders for the decision. The MLA is likely to resign from the party and join the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). YSR Congress president and Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy recently appointed sitting MP from Tirupati, M. Gurumurthy as in-charge of Sathyavedu constituency recently and asked Adimulam to contest for Lok Sabha. Alleging that that there is no respect for Scheduled castes in the party, he said he was asked to contest from Tirupati Lok Sabha seat against his wishes. He asked if the party can do the same with other leaders. Adimulam said he had made the allegations of irregularities in sand mining against Ramchandra Reddy but he conspired to send him from the constituency. He asked how Ramchandra Reddy who had only a motorcycle in 1989 had amassed huge wealth today. The MLA alleged that he was tormented for two months over the issue of MLA ticket. He said he directly discussed this matter with Jagan Mohan Reddy and insisted that he be allowed to contest again from Satyavedu as he comes from the same constituency. Despite this, Jagan asked him to contest for the Tirupati Lok Sabha seat. "For 14 years, I have tirelessly supported YSRCP in Sathyavedu constituency. In 2019, I won the ticket and the election through hard work, day and night. I've remained loyal to the party without any mistakes," said Adimulam. Jagan Mohan Reddy has been dropping or shuffling sitting MLAs and MPs. This has created dissidence in some constituencies. Three MPs have quit the party this month. Simultaneous elections to the state Assembly and Lok Sabha are likely to be held in April-May. New Delhi, Jan 28 : Delhi Police on Sunday said that they have recovered the body of the ACP's son, who was allegedly thrown into a canal in Haryana by two men, including a clerk with a lawyer in Tis Hazari court, while returning from a wedding. Officials said that they have also arrested the main accused Vikas Bhardawaj on Sunday. 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 in Haryana. The entire incident was unearthed on Friday after Abhishek,19, 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. "Abhishek was nabbed on Friday and on interrogation, it was revealed that on the noon of January 22 (Monday), Bhardawaj, 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. Bhardawaj 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 Bhardawaj 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 Bhardawaj allegedly pushed Lakshay into the canal and fled the scene in Lakshay's car. Bhardawaj later dropped Abhishek off in Narela before making his escape. "Police had 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," said the DCP. The DCP further said that following the arrest of Abhishek, his three days police custody remand was taken. "Today the main accused Bhardawaj was arrested and the Ecosport car, used in crime, was also recovered. The body of the deceased was recovered from the canal in Haryana near Samalkha," he added. Kolkata, Jan 28 : All India Secular Front (AISF) MLA Naushad Siddique on Sunday said that the silent voters will make AISF a surprise factor in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal. "The AISF workers are being attacked every day. I suggest you not to be too enthusiastic about displaying your strength. If necessary, pick up the flags of Trinamool Congress and attend its rallies but shout the slogans softly. Finally, on the polling days silently go to the polling booths and vote for us. Silent voters will be our principal strength this time," Siddique said while addressing a party meeting in Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency in South 24 Parganas district. He said that in Diamond Harbour constituency, Trinamool Congress and BJP will not be able to make an impact. "How the previous elections in Diamond Harbour were contested is a matter of the past now. The voter has a choice to vote for AISF or against it but voting should be held as per the voters' wishes," Siddique said. He said that Trinamool Congress seeks votes in the name of CAA. "But in reality they might have voted in favour of CAA," he said. There is a strong pulse in the state that Siddique will be the AISF candidate and supported by both Congress and CPI(M)-led Left Front in the Lok Sabha polls. Bhopal, Jan 28 : Tribals at a village in Madhya Pradesh's Ratlam protested at a police station for hours on Sunday with the body of 22-year-old youth, who allegedly committed suicide after a policeman misbehaved with him. As per information, on Friday, a policeman, during night patrolling on Friday, allegedly slapped the tribal youth, identified as Ganesh, a resident of Chhavani Bhabhar in Ratlam. Upset with the treatment he received from the policeman for no mistake of his, Ganesh hanged himself to death on Friday night, the tribals said. The next morning, villagers assembled at Bajana police station and demanded action against the policeman who beat up the youth unnecessarily. Local MLA Kamleshwar Dodiyar also joined the protesters and demanded justice for the aggrieved family. After spending hours at the police station in the cold, the tribals went back to their village with assurances from the senior police officials. However, they came back on Sunday and staged a protest with putting the body of Ganesh on a table at the police station. They insisted that the body will be cremated at the police station only as he died because of the police. However, senior police officials convinced the tribals, assuring them that an investigation would be conducted to find out as to why the policeman had slapped the tribal youth, and subsequently, action would be taken on the matter. During the protest, tribals also demanded that all staff of Bajana police station should be replaced. The district administration has given a cheque of Rs 2 lakh as compensation to the deceasedas family. Tribals subsequently returned to their village and cremated the youthas body on Sunday evening. IANS has learned that the policeman, who has slapped the tribal youth, has been suspended till the investigation is completed. Agartala, Jan 28 : The Railway Police personnel in Agartala railway station have busted interstate drugs peddling racket, involving peddlers of Bihar, West Bengal and Tripura, and arrested six persons six persons in this connection, an official said on Sunday. The official said that drugs valued at around Rs 15 lakh were seized from the apprehended individuals. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel apprehended six drug traffickers in Agartala rail station and recovered around 1,000 Phensedyl bottles from their possession. An official in Agartala railway station said that acting on a tip-off, the six drug peddlers were arrested from Rani Kamalapati Express train. The official said that the drug peddlers, all residents of Bihar, confessed that they were carrying the illicit consignments with the help of their associates in West Bengal and Tripura and the Phensedyl bottles were meant to be sent to neighbouring Bangladesh through clandestine routes. A case has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS). According to officials, Phensedyl, a codeine-based cough syrup, is the main drug that is often abused in the eastern and northeastern states of India and in neighbouring Bangladesh as substitutes by drug users. Patna, Jan 28 : After JD-U leader Nitish Kumar returned to NDA by walking out of the 'Mahagathbandhan', dissolved the Cabinet, and then took oath as Chief Minister of Bihar for the record ninth time, BJP national president J.P. Nadda on Sunday that the Opposition-led INDIA bloc has crumbled even before its full-fledged existence. "Bharat Jodo Yatra was taken out, and it ended without any result, and now they are busy with 'Anyay Yatra' (referring to Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra of Rahul Gandhi) and INDI alliance is conceptually a failed initiative. After Mamata Banerjee's decision to go alone in LS polls, and after the government change in Bihar, the INDIA bloc has already crumbled before existence," Nadda told the mediapersons here. "INDI alliance is not more than a 'Pariwar Bachao Alliance, Property Bachao Alliance'. Those who were involved in corruption have assembled under the umbrella of INDIA bloc. This alliance encourages appeasement in the country," Nadda added. The BJP leader further said that currently, "the people of the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi are heading towards the path of knowledge". "We are taking care of the welfare of the youth, providing guarantees for farmers, and ensuring women's empowerment under the leadership of PM Modi. "The new government formed under the leadership of CM Nitish Kumar will bring stability and development programmes will speed up. The double engine government of NDA will work to take Bihar forward. We want to implement our slogan 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas and Sabka Viswas' in Bihar," Nadda said. "We will win all 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar," he added. New Delhi, Jan 28 : Generative AI (GenAI) will free up to 10 per cent of clinicians' time, translating into an estimated $100 billion in annual healthcare savings in Asia/Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) by 2025, to realise more workflow automation and efficiency. By the end of 2027, driven by the demand to scale hyper-personalised patient experiences, improve collaboration, and foster equity, 60 per cent of Asia/Pacific healthcare organisations will double GenAI investments, according to an IDC report. GenAI is emerging as a transformative force in healthcare and is set to impact workforce efficiency and hyper-personalisation in the care processes. "With the advent of GenAI and the need for consumerization of care, the next five years are set to be the defining period for the healthcare sector, and we are currently at the starting point of this exciting journey," said Manoj Vallikkat, senior research manager, healthcare insights, IDC Asia/Pacific. Driven by the need for improved diagnostic accuracy, speed, and workflow efficiency, care providers in Asia/Pacific will see a 60 per cent increase in AI solution adoption by 2026. By 2027, 50 per cent of the healthcare industry in Asia/Pacific will leverage GenAI to address data and workflow fragmentation across care settings to improve diagnosis and patient safety to scale care anywhere, the report mentioned. By 2026, a doubling of hospital-at-home patients will propel a 55 per cent growth in investments in tech-enabled integrated care initiatives to address patient safety, workforce, and care access concerns in Asia/Pacific. "In the healthcare sector, the unique risks associated with AI are significant, which necessitates a greater focus on explainability and data security," added Vallikkat. Key Insights Significantly high institutional ownership implies REX American Resources' stock price is sensitive to their trading actions A total of 7 investors have a majority stake in the company with 53% ownership Using data from company's past performance alongside ownership research, one can better assess the future performance of a company Every investor in REX American Resources Corporation (NYSE:REX) should be aware of the most powerful shareholder groups. And the group that holds the biggest piece of the pie are institutions with 85% ownership. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk). Because institutional owners have a huge pool of resources and liquidity, their investing decisions tend to carry a great deal of weight, especially with individual investors. As a result, a sizeable amount of institutional money invested in a firm is generally viewed as a positive attribute. Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about REX American Resources. View our latest analysis for REX American Resources What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About REX American Resources? Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing. We can see that REX American Resources does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. If multiple institutions change their view on a stock at the same time, you could see the share price drop fast. It's therefore worth looking at REX American Resources' earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters. Story continues Investors should note that institutions actually own more than half the company, so they can collectively wield significant power. Hedge funds don't have many shares in REX American Resources. BlackRock, Inc. is currently the company's largest shareholder with 18% of shares outstanding. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP is the second largest shareholder owning 8.3% of common stock, and The Stuart Rose Family Foundation, Endowment Arm holds about 7.4% of the company stock. In addition, we found that Zafar Rizvi, the CEO has 1.5% of the shares allocated to their name. On further inspection, we found that more than half the company's shares are owned by the top 7 shareholders, suggesting that the interests of the larger shareholders are balanced out to an extent by the smaller ones. Researching institutional ownership is a good way to gauge and filter a stock's expected performance. The same can be achieved by studying analyst sentiments. There is a little analyst coverage of the stock, but not much. So there is room for it to gain more coverage. Insider Ownership Of REX American Resources The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves. Most consider insider ownership a positive because it can indicate the board is well aligned with other shareholders. However, on some occasions too much power is concentrated within this group. Our most recent data indicates that insiders own some shares in REX American Resources Corporation. In their own names, insiders own US$37m worth of stock in the US$733m company. Some would say this shows alignment of interests between shareholders and the board. But it might be worth checking if those insiders have been selling. General Public Ownership The general public-- including retail investors -- own 10% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies. Next Steps: It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand REX American Resources better, we need to consider many other factors. Consider risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for REX American Resources you should know about. But ultimately it is the future, not the past, that will determine how well the owners of this business will do. Therefore we think it advisable to take a look at this free report showing whether analysts are predicting a brighter future. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Patna, Jan 28 : Veteran RJD leader Shivananad Tiwari on Sunday said that the country "is in shock" at the decision of Nitish Kumar to resign as Chief Minister and dissolve the Mahagathbandhan government in Bihar. aPeople want to know why you had left the BJP in August 2022 and how you entered the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar. Was there anyone in the Mahagathbandhan who invited you to join us? Nitish Kumar, on August 8, 2022, walked along with all his MLAs to Rabri Devi's residence and apologised before her with folded hands for breaking the alliance in 2017 and going with the BJP. "During that time, Nitish Kumar gave the speech before Mahagathbandhan and repeated the same words of BJP leaders not allowing him to work. Same statement is being made after he broke the alliance with Mahagathbandhan today," Tiwari said. "Everyone knew that Tejashwi Yadav announced 10 lakh government jobs in the run-up to the 2020 Assembly election. It was also mentioned in the manifesto of the RJD. At that time, Nitish Kumar said that he is a child who does not have sense. How could he arrange money to give salaries to 10 lakh employees? Interestingly, after the formation of the government with the help of Mahagathbandhan, he announced 10 lakh government jobs and creation of 10 lakh employment opportunities in different sectors. Nitish Kumar was announcing the agenda set by Tejashwi Yadav. Nitish Kumar being a leader of the older generation had adopted the vision and agenda of new generation leader Tejashwi Yadav," he added. The RJD leader said that during the tenure of Mahagathbandhan government of Bihar, the behavior of Tejashwi Yadav was "seen throughout the country". "He maintained a low presence to make NItish Kumar happy. Even as Tejashwi Yadav was holding the post of Health Minister, Nitish Kumar gave advertisements in national newspapers with his own photo for Health Ministry programmes and not gave even a small photo in the corner of Tejashwi Yadav. Still, Tejashwi Yadav ignored it," Tiwari said. "After resignation, Nitish Kumar is saying that the RJD was not allowing him to do the work. He was working but the RJD leaders were not working. This is just a delusion and nothing else of NItish Kumar. Why had he not complained to Lalu Prasad Yadav. The reason Nitish Kumar stated for his exit from Mahagathbandhan and going to BJP is absolutely false. "When he separated from the BJP (in August 2022), he said that 'Mitti mein mil jaunga par BJP ke saath nahi jaunga. Such statements of Nitish Kumar are available in large numbers when you search on Google. BJP's smallest leaders had said that the doors of the party are closed for Nitish Kumar. Despite that, only a person without self-respect like Nitish Kumar can think about going there. Can a person without self-respect be a human," Tiwari asked. Hyderabad, Jan 28 : A refugee from Myanmar was stabbed to death by a rowdy sheeter in Hyderabad on Sunday. Mohammed Ibrahim (22), a refugee registered with the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), was waylaid by one Asif, who allegedly demanded money from him. The offence took place under the limits of Pahadi Shareef police station of Rachakonda commissionerate. According to police, when Ibrahim refused to pay the money, Asif took out a knife and stabbed him repeatedly. The refugee, who was on his way to home at Wadi-e-Salaheen, died of multiple stab injuries. On receiving information, the police rushed to the spot and shifted the body for autopsy. The police registered a case and launched a hunt for Asif, who has several criminal cases registered against him. Bhopal, Jan 28 : A woman officer in Madhya Pradesh's Dindori district reportedly died of cardiac arrest on Sunday. The deceased officer was identified as Nisha Napit, who was posted as a Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in Shahpura tehsil in Dindori. As per the information, around 3 p.m., Napit, who was at her official residence, felt acute pain in her chest. She was immediately rushed to a nearby community health center by her husband Manish Sharma, but did there a few hours later. Upon getting to know of the shocking incident, senior officials from the district administration and police reached the community health centre. The police said that prima facie, it appears she died of cardiac arrest, however, the post-mortem report would make the cause of death clear. Napit, a resident of Chhattisgarh, was married to Gwalior-based Sharma, and she was posted as SDM of Shahpur tehsil before the Assembly election last year. Hyderabad, Jan 28 : A man who made a fake call to police about a bomb being planted in Alpha Hotel near Secunderabad Railway Station here has been arrested, police said on Sunday. Deputy Commissioner of Police, North Zone, Rohini Priyadarshini said that the accused made the hoax call with an intention to spread fear among the public and to disturb public peace. The accused had called police on dial 100 from his phone and informed police that he was near Alpha Hotel when he heard two suspects discussing planting of bombs. He also offered to help the police in catching the suspects. When police personnel from Market police station rushed near Alpha Hotel and tried to call the accused, his phone was not reachable. People in the surrounding areas were alerted. Higher officers and the Control Room were also informed. Bomb detection and disposal teams also reached the spot and checked in the Alpha Hotel and surroundings but no bomb was found. Police realised it was a fake call and registered a case under Indian Penal Code sections 153, 505(1)(b), 506 and 507. Later special teams were sent to Khammam town and accused Gouse Pasha was arrested. On interrogation and other technical evidence, police found that he called police from Khammam. He admitted that to create fear and cause public disturbance like rioting, he called 100 and gave the false information. A native of Khammam, the 39-year-old works as a cook at a hotel in Kukatpally in Hyderabad. --IANS ms/vd Chennai, Jan 28 : The Congress in Tamil Nadu has sought more seats from its alliance partner DMK for the upcoming general elections during a discussion on seat-sharing between the two parties, a source said on Sunday. In 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the Congress in Tamil Nadu contested on 10 of 39 constituencies in the southern state. A senior Congress leader said that the first round of talks between the grand old party and the DMK on seat-sharing for general elections has gone well. Congress general secretary, Mukul Wasnik who is also the convenor of the National Alliance Committee (NAC), and senior party leader Salman Kurshid led the talks for the Congress. Speaking to mediapersons, Mukul Wasnik said that the first round of talks with the DMK had went off smoothly. "We will speak about the rest of the details once the talks are finalised and constituencies are decided," he said, adding that "Tamil Nadu would make a crucial contribution to save democracy". Wasnik said that the people of the country were dissatisfied with the BJP-led government at the Centre. He asserted that the INDIA bloc would emerge stronger after the exit of Nitish Kumar who returned to NDA. During the talks, Wasnik, Kurshid, Ajoy Kumar, KS Alagiri, K. Selvaperunthungai, EVKS Elangovan, Karti Chidambaram and Vijay Vasanth were present from the Congress while DMK was represented by T.R. Baalu, K.N. Nehru, I. Periyasamy, Tiruchi Siva, A. Raja and M.R.K. Panneerselvam. --IANS aal/pgh Washington, Jan 28 : Three US troops were killed and 25 injured in a drone attack on a US base in Jordan, the US announced. The deaths in the base, near the Syrian border, were the first of US service personnel in the region since the Hamas-Israel war broke out on October 7. However, there were variant reports of where the attack exactly took place - in Jordan or Syria. US President Joe Biden says that while facts are still being gathered, the attack was carried out by Iran-backed military groups operating in Syria and Iraq. "Today, America's heart is heavy", he said, adding the soldiers' "ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten by our nation". "And have no doubt - we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner our choosing." Guwahati, Jan 28 : The northeastern region's first 100-bedded Yoga and Naturopathy Hospital will come up in Assam's Dibrugarh for which Rs 100 crore will be invested to develop the state-of-the-art facility on a land parcel of 15 acres, an official said on Sunday. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal along with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma laid the foundation stone of the Central Research Institute of Yoga and Naturopathy (CRIYN) along with Yoga and Naturopathy hospital at Dihing Khamtighat in Dibrugarh on Sunday. Speaking at the foundation laying ceremony, Sonowal said that CRIYN would be developed as the centre of excellence in Yoga and Naturopathy for Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) of India, to develop protocols for management of Non Communicable Diseases (NCD), educational trainings for UG, PG and higher research to be conducted in yoga and naturopathy. The hospital will provide for inpatient services with yoga and naturopathy protocols to heal and enrich quality of lives, he said. The Assam Chief Minister said that with the beginning AIIMS like institutions, medical colleges in every district of Assam, strengthening the Ayush system of medicine with new Ayush hospitals across Assam, and many other progressive steps have bolstered the medical infrastructure in the state. He said that with the beginning of this hospital and research centre on yoga and naturopathy, people of Assam as well as adjoining regions would tremendously benefit from its many benefits. Washington, Jan 29 : An Indian student, working part-time at a convenience store in US's Georgia was brutally beaten to death with a hammer by a homeless man he and other employees had been helping for the past couple of days, the police said as quoted by media reports. The incident in which Vivek Saini, 25, was killed occurred on January 18, local channel WSB-TV reported on Sunday. Witnesses say Vivek was attacked with a hammer by a homeless man at the Chevron Food Mart at Snapfinger and Cleveland Road in Lithonia on January 18 late night. Workers at the Food Mart said since January 14 evening they allowed a homeless man, who police have identified as 53-year-old Julian Faulkner, to come in and out of their store, WSB-TV reported "He asked us for chips, and coke. We gave him everything including the water," said one of the employees at the Chevron. He added that they spent almost two days helping the man. "He asked if I could get a blanket, I said we don't have blankets so I gave him a jacket. He was walking in and out asking him for cigarettes, water and everything," said the employee. "He was sitting here all the time and we never asked him to get out because we know that it's cold." But on January 16 night, Saini told Faulkner it was time to go, WSB-TV reported. "He asked him to leave or else he was going to call the cops, he had been there for two days," said the employee. Police said as Saini left to go home, Faulkner attacked him with a hammer. "He hit him from the back then he kept on hitting for almost 50 times on the face and on the head," the employee added. According to the incident report, when officers arrived Faulkner was still holding a hammer and standing over the victim. Police gave him verbal commands to drop the hammer. Vivek, a recent MBA graduate, was pronounced dead inside the store, WSB-TV reported. "Can't even describe what I'm feeling. We were always trying to be helpful and we never expected this sort of thing would happen." Police said Faulkner is in jail on charges of malice murder and interference with government property. Jerusalem, Jan 29 : A delegation led by the Chief of Israel's intelligence agency Mossad travelled to Paris for talks on a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, an Israeli government official told the media. The official, speaking on conditions of anonymity, said on Sunday that "significant gaps" have remained between Israel and Hamas, Xinhua news agency reported. Contrary to reports in US media, he noted that "a deal is not near. Hamas didn't soften its position and more levers of pressure should be applied to Hamas". According to the official, the US-led talks in Paris held on Sunday, aimed at reaching a deal to end the Gaza conflict, will be held with the participation of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director Bill Burns, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and negotiators from Egyptian and Israeli security agencies. The Israeli official said Mossad Head David Barnea, accompanied by the Chief of the Shin Bet internal security agency Ronen Bar, led the delegation. The objective of the meeting is "to bring up ideas and discuss proposals that will break the ongoing deadlock in the talks," he added. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said that his government will not agree to a deal that involves a full cessation of the conflict while Hamas remains in power in Gaza, and the escalation aims to "eliminate" Hamas. Israel launched its offensive in Gaza on October 7, 2023, in response to Hamas's assault on communities in southern Israel, which killed about 1,200 people and around 240 people being kidnapped. Currently, more than 100 hostages are still held in Gaza by Hamas and other militant groups. The deadly conflict has had a devastating impact on Gaza, with the Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks to 26,422 and 65,087 injured, according to the Gaza-based Health Ministry on Sunday. How much will I make in retirement? That's a big question for many people, especially as they get close to leaving the workforce. Of course, the answer will vary greatly by individual. Some have pension plans, while others don't. Some amass bigger retirement accounts than others. Nearly every American can count on Social Security as a key source of retirement income. Again, the amount of their benefits will vary. How old you are when you begin collecting benefits makes a big difference in how much you'll receive. For anyone born in 1960 or later, the full retirement age (FRA) is 67. What's the average Social Security retirement benefit for age 67? Image source: Getty Images. How is the Social Security benefit amount calculated? Let's first look at how the Social Security Administration (SSA) calculates retirement benefits. The most important variable in this benefits calculation is an individual's earnings history. SSA first adjusts a worker's earnings to account for the change in overall wages that occurred during his or her career. The agency then selects the 35 years when the worker had the highest indexed earnings to calculate an average indexed monthly earnings (AIME) amount. If the person didn't have 35 eligible years of earnings history, SSA uses all of the years to determine the AIME. Next, the agency uses the worker's AIME to calculate his or her primary insurance amount (PIA). The math behind the PIA formula is somewhat involved, so we won't delve into the details. The most important thing to know about the PIA is that it reflects the benefit a person would receive if he or she chooses to begin collecting retirement benefits at his or her FRA. This is where the individual's age for receiving Social Security benefits looms large. SSA will reduce benefits for anyone who collects retirement benefits before reaching his or her FRA. However, benefits will also be increased if a person waits until age 70. Story continues The average Social Security benefit at age 67 Based on the latest data from SSA, the average Social Security benefit for retired workers at age 67 is $1,844.83. The average differs by sex, though. Men at age 67 received an average monthly benefit of $2,054.54, while the average for women was $1,637.87. It's important to note that these numbers were current as of December 2022. SSA hasn't yet released its annual statistical supplement with more recent data. The average Social Security retirement benefit at age 67 is almost certainly higher now as a result of the annual 8.7% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) received in 2023. It's likely that the average will continue to rise in future years as well. Keep in mind, too, some Americans who began collecting Social Security retirement benefits at age 67 in 2022 would have received a bump to the amount they received. Why? The FRA for anyone born in 1955 (the birth year for turning 67 in 2022) is 66 and two months. Therefore, a person born in 1955 who waited until age 67 and two months to collect benefits in 2022 would have received an additional 8% for holding off one year. Ways to boost your Social Security benefits Does the average Social Security retirement benefit of $1,844.83 sound too low for you? There are ways to boost your benefits, especially if you haven't begun collecting them yet. The easiest alternative to increase how much you receive from SSA is to wait to claim your retirement benefits. Don't begin collecting Social Security before your FRA. Even better, postpone receiving them until you reach age 70. Another option is to earn more money. That's easier said than done, of course. However, if you have an opportunity to move into a higher-paying position, it will likely increase your Social Security retirement benefit to some extent. What if you've already started receiving Social Security benefits? It's possible that going back to work will increase the amount you receive from SSA. Remember, the agency uses the 35 years where you earned the most. If you can make more money by going back to work than you made earlier in your career, it just might result in boosting your retirement benefit. 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. This Is the Average Social Security Benefit for Age 67 was originally published by The Motley Fool Comedian Jay Leno has filed for conservatorship of his wife Mavis, who reportedly is suffering from Alzheimer's disease. ADVERTISEMENT TMZ cited an unnamed source as saying 77-year-old Mavis is unable to fully take care of herself and her diagnosis is the basis for Leno's conservatorship request Friday. The New York Post reported that a hearing regarding the conservatorship is scheduled for April 9. The couple met in the 1970s and married in 1980. They do not have any children. Leno hosted The Tonight Show from 1992 to 2014, with a brief break from 2009 to 2010 when Conan O'Brien took over. Leno headlined Jay Leno's Garage from 2014 to 2022. In 2022, Leno, who collects and restores cars as a hobby, suffered significant burns to his face, chest and hands in a gasoline fire at his garage. The comedian was released from the Grossman Burn Center in Los Angeles after undergoing 10 days of burn treatment and quickly resumed touring his standup comedy act. Kylee Russell / Instagram By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 01/28/2024 ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. The Bachelor alum Kylee Russell has revealed where she and Aven Jones currently stand after his cheating scandal and if there's any chance they'll get back together in the future.Kylee, 26, and Aven, 30, left 's ninth season as just a dating couple in June 2023 because he had refused to propose marriage on the show, and one day after the finale aired on ABC, the pair confirmed they were still together with a joint Instagram post on Friday, December 8.But on Saturday, December 9, Kylee took to Instagram Stories to announce that her relationship with Aven was already over due to "multiple infidelities." She thanked God for not allowing her to "live another day in the dark," and she asked fans for privacy because this was "real life" to her.Aven then broke his silence on Sunday, December 10 via Instagram Stories, confirming that he had made "major mistakes" and was the one to blame for the demise of his post- relationship with Kylee."He was the first man I ever truly loved... I loved him so much, and I still have love for him," Kylee said during the Tuesday, January 23 episode of "The Viall Files" podcast, which is hosted by The Bachelor's Season 21 star Nick Viall The Bachelor 27 alum also quipped, "He is a good looking man, unfortunately. It would make it a lot easier if he wasn't."Kylee admitted to Nick that she had posted about Aven's unfaithfulness on social media and made it public news in order to make it more difficult for herself to forgive him and take him back."I've always just wanted to be loved so badly and to build a family and to have that fairy-tale happy ending. I think I would've just looked past it because I had so much love for him, but that's not fair to me," Kylee explained."I've done so much growth in these past few years, especially after my Bachelor experiences, and I respect myself too much to have immediately taken him back. And so I think that was kind of my way of forcing myself, 'No, [breaking up] is the right thing to do.' When I posted it, did I have a little bit of, 'Oh god, what have I done?' Absolutely. But it honestly felt right at the moment."Aven had allegedly cheated on Kylee three times -- once during a guys' night out in Santa Monica, CA, with Eric Bigger and James "Meatball" Clarke as well as twice in Boston, MA, with a childhood friend whom he still has feelings for.Kylee said a woman had DMed her on Instagram about Aven's cheating in Santa Monica, and then when Kylee confronted Aven about the allegation -- with photo evidence -- he "immediately" admitted his betrayal and later owned up to having cheated on Kylee two more times in Boston.Kylee read Aven's apology, a "book-long" text message, on Nick's podcast, and in his apology, Aven claimed that he was going to work on himself and hopefully become a better man. His apology was filled with self-pity and self-deprecating language such as, "I am a selfish and inconsiderate prick."When asked if Aven has truly been trying to make positive changes in his life after his affairs, Kylee shared, "I think the first positive step I saw him take was his response to my post on Instagram. [It was] bare minimum, but he immediately owned up to it. He could've taken the easy way out and said, 'Not everything is as it seems,' or denied it."Kylee also confessed, "I'm not going to sit here and lie and say I haven't spoken to him. I have spoken to him, and he is currently taking the steps to be a better person. I know he's going to therapy now."Kylee said something like this -- a "big slap in the face" -- needed to happen for Aven to open his eyes and change."I don't think our relationship could've gotten where it needs to get to if it wasn't for this moment," Kylee noted, adding how Aven knew about her "The Viall Files" podcast appearance and was supportive."He wants me to be able to share my side of things, to clear the air and to give my story. He honestly did not [ask me to hold anything back]... I'm not doing this podcast to break him down. I respect him too much."Kylee said she believes that if a person truly wants to change, he or she can make it happen."It's one of the hardest things [I've been through]. In an instant, my life changed," Kylee lamented.Nick pointed out how it seemed like Kylee still had hope in her heart that she and Aven could maybe reconcile one day and work things out."I think this topic is a little hard to talk about just because... I don't know myself. I think I'm just taking things day by day. I know, for me, this period of my life is all about making Kylee stronger," Kylee said.Kylee claimed that Aven never actually believed she'd ever move to San Diego to be with him since she's so close to her family in community in Charlotte."I am so glad to say that even after all of this, and after he believed I'd never do it, I am moving to San Diego in the last week of January! But it has nothing to do with Aven," Kylee insisted."It's all about me and my personal growth. I'm moving with [ Jess Girod ] as well as [ Kat Izzo ]."Nick went on to ask Kylee flat out if she'd like to date Aven again, and she replied, "Not in this moment."Nick pushed, "Do you hold out hope that he's doing the work he needs to do so that it would be safe for you to give him another chance?""Yes," Kylee replied. "But do I know if I could ever get back to that space? I'm not sure."Kylee revealed, however, that Aven is "actively" trying to get back with her."He needs to do the work. I need to move. I need to set up this life for myself cross country. And then I think it's all about time. If I see he's found himself in a space where he's a better version of himself, [then maybe]," Kylee shared.But Kylee noted how their breakup is still "fresh" and Aven is coping with the fact he lost her."Is he this strong willed about changing just because he's caught up in the moment?" Kylee questioned. "Six months down the road, is he still going to be this new version of himself? There are no guarantees... If not for myself, I hope he changes for him and for another potential partner."Kylee continued, "I do feel like he has it in him. I just don't know if I'll ever get back into that space of being completely in love with someone but still worrying when they walk out the door what they're going to be doing."Kylee admitted if she sees Aven out in San Diego with another woman, it will "definitely sting."She reiterated, "At the end of the day, I love him and I still hold so much love for him. So that would be hard. And he's going to be a part of my comfort zone because I'm going to be so far away from my family and friends. It's going to take strength for sure."Kylee concluded how she "can't see into the future" and didn't have an answer for Nick at that time."My life was totally swept out from under me, and I'm having to totally regroup and start from scratch. So just give me grace, that's all I ask," Kylee stated.Kylee is also not dating at the moment and has no interest in dating anyone else from Bachelor Nation.When looking back on her experience with Aven on Season 9, Kylee acknowledged how there were definitely some red flags she had ignored.Kylee said there was a "disconnect" between Aven and herself in which she seemed to do "a lot of the talking" and he just did a lot of "agreeing."Kylee -- who insisted she had never met or spoken to Aven before their stint on Paradise -- could see that she was "way more into" Aven than he was into her."I know with the way the show portrayed it, it looked like I was kind of a crazy, stalker girl and I was obsessed with him... [But] it was more so the idea of what could be," Kylee explained.Kylee was a fan of Aven when he had competed on Rachel Recchia 's season of The Bachelorette, and so she almost viewed him like a celebrity.Kylee said once she and Aven became romantically involved on the show, she sensed that Aven was just "there for a vacation with his friends" and not to fall in love."He was spending more time with the guys than he was with me, but that was only in the beginning," Kylee claimed during Tuesday's podcast. "As the weeks progressed and our relationship became stronger, I could tell he was all in on me."Although Kylee thought Aven was "all in" on her, he was clearly reluctant to get engaged, as viewers saw for themselves.Kylee admitted it was "embarrassing" that she had to "beg a man," repeatedly, to propose marriage to her. Kylee said she regrets her persistence but was bothered by the fact Aven had allegedly told her that he was ready to pop the question to Rachel on The Bachelorette -- but not to her."I thought, 'If you can get there for other people, why can't you get there for me?'" Kylee reasoned.She added, "In my defense, there were other conversations where he was giving me false hope in regards to the engagement. He'd be like, 'Okay, I'm thinking about it, and I really do think I can get there with you. Just give me some time.' And then the next day, he'd be like... 'Hell no.'"Kylee suggested that Aven flip-flopped and made her "confused" and "emotional."Kylee also clarified that she was not just looking for a TV engagement but rather a "commitment" from Aven that would "push" them to "work through the hardships" of the real world, especially since they were going to be dating long distance.Interested in more The Bachelor news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group It has been eight years since Blue Island leaders agreed to a redevelopment project for a 2-mile stretch of Western Avenue, the towns main thoroughfare. Now, the city is preparing the second portion of the plan. The plan is to beautify, upgrade and add green spaces along Western Avenue between 119th Street and 135th Street. The portion between 135th and the Little Calumet River was recently completed. Now, a 3/4-miles stretch from the river to 127th street will be upgraded, 4th Ald. Bill Fahrenwald explained. What youll see will have a very similar look and feel down to what weve done already down south of the canal, Fahrenwald said. This includes adding planters for trees and ornamental vegetation, improving pedestrian access, installing distinctive lighting, signage and landscaping and improving facades. New sidewalks and A-frame caution signs signify the recent completion of the first part of the redevelopment project. Fahrenwald said some residents would like to see Western Avenue become a two-way street again in the stretch between the river and 127th street, but doubts the Illinois Department of Transportation would agree to the change. The redevelopment project is expected to cost $21 million to be paid for by a tax of between 0.25% and 1% on profits made over several years by businesses along the corridor, including restaurants that sell food and drink, and hotels, according to the planning document. This small tax caused it to take a long time to accumulate funds for the project, and government inspections and lengthy discussions among city leaders and the public also delayed the program by almost a decade, Fahrenwald said. Mayor Fred Bilotto and the six other aldermen did not return calls regarding the project. Business owners in the area said they are hopeful the citys investment in the walkways, traffic patterns and store front beautification will lead to more customers, though one business manager said the work reduced foot traffic when people were unsure whether stores were open because of the construction out front. Story continues On the opposite side of where the first phase was completed on Old Western Avenue, the owner of B*U*B Cafe said the development went by quickly. I am excited for everybody here: for Front Row, for all of the other businesses to have an experience of a new beautiful business district, said Geena Doherty. There are four new businesses opening up on this block alone. The development just north of the river up to 127th Street is still in the early discussion phase and many of the businesses were not aware of the plans. Unfortunately, I didnt know! said Monica Gavin, a manager for Edible Passport Restaurant & Bar. Im very happy to hear that. Gavin said there is always a concern development will reduce foot traffic and business as a whole. But she is confident. I think that they are pretty loyal customers so I would think hopefully it wouldnt impact business, hopefully, she said. hsanders@chicagotribune.com The BJP has been talking about Ram Rajya for years now. I have asked many a right winger what that means, but they cannot say beyond good government, points out A Ganesh Nadar. IMAGE: Devotees at the Ram temple after its inauguration in Ayodhya, January 22, 2024. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters Did Babur actually destroy a temple to build a mosque? How many mosques did he actually build? These questions have haunted me since 1991. Now that we are done with the Ram temple inauguration, we can move on with governance. It was quite a build up with the prime minister ditching his official duties, going on a pilgrimage to South India for 11 days. The highlights being sleeping on the floor and drinking coconut water. My Uber driver reminded me that the poor sleep on the floor all their life and cannot afford coconut water. Now the question remains, how this will translate to votes for the BJP? IMAGE: Supporters of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party celebrate as they watch a live stream of the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, outside the BJP headquarters in Mumbai, January 22, 2024. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters In the good old days, long long ago, when we were ruled by kings, they built temples for their people to pray and for God to guide them to provide good governance for the citizens. The BJP has been talking about Ram Rajya for years now. I have asked many a right winger what that means, but they cannot say beyond good government. I have never experienced good government. Now that we are done with Bal Ram who has been consecrated, let's move on to another 'Bal' -- Balveer Singh, an Indian Police Service officer who pulled out the teeth of accused in petty cases in south Tamil Nadu police stations. Balveer Singh -- an IIT-Bombay almunus -- was suspended by the Tamil Nadu government after the torture came to light. His suspension has now been revoked though he has been charge-sheeted for multiple offences of torture. The state government says you cannot keep an officer under suspension for long periods. Balveer Singh should have been dismissed from service, and a review of the training of IPS officers conducted. How could such an officer pass through the system undetected? Is this good governance? IMAGE: A priest inside a flooded temple after heavy rainfall in Chennai. Photograph: ANI Photo Floods caused havoc in Chennai and in southern Tamil Nadu. This was a particularly destructive monsoon we witnessed. While Chennai has recovered, the South, I discovered on recent travels, is still reeling while the state government is busy fighting a media war with the BJP. Two bridges constructed in the last decade collapsed while a bridge across the same river, which also serves as a dam and was built in 1941, continues to stand proudly. The state government needs to send some of its engineers to England to study the building of bridges. IMAGE: A devotee waits to enter the Ram temple after its inauguration in Ayodhya, January 23, 2024. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters While the BJP was busy inaugurating a temple, Mamata Banerjee was conducting a harmony event for all religions. She should concentrate on getting rid of poll violence in her state, which was started by the Commmunists who made every election a war. 12th Fail, Vidhu Vinod Chopra's film, made me realise that the selection into India's civil services depends not only on your intelligence, but also on the whims of five men and women who constitute the selection panel. I had bought a ticket to watch Main Atal Hoon on the morning of January 22. The show was cancelled because of the temple inauguration. I was disappointed -- I prefer watching Atal Bihari Vajpayee any day to Narendra Modi. Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com The Congress on Sunday compared Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to a "chameleon", and said the people of the state will never forgive him for his "betrayal". IMAGE: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge speaking reports on Nitish Kumar's resignation, in Kalaburagi, Karnataka, January 28, 2024. Photograph: ANI on X The party was reacting to Kumar's decision to resign as Bihar chief minister and leaving the Mahagathbandhan alliance in the state and also dealing a body blow to the opposition bloc INDIA. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said they already knew about Kumar's decision to leave the alliance but had not said anything to help keep the INDIA bloc together. "There are many people like 'Aaya Ram-Gaya Ram' in the country. Earlier he and I were fighting together. When I talked to Lalu ji and Tejashwi ji, they also said that Nitish is going," Kharge said. The Congress president said if Kumar wanted to stay, he would have stayed but he wants to go. "Therefore, we already knew this, but we did not say anything in order to keep the India alliance intact. If we say something wrong, a wrong message will go out. Lalu Prasad Yadav ji and Tejashwi Yadav ji had already given us this information. Today, it has become true," the Congress chief said. 'Aaya Ram Gaya Ram' was an expression used widely in politics in the 1990s referring to the frequent floor-crossing and switching of parties. Lashing out at Kumar, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said it is clear that a "political drama" is being created in order to divert attention from the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. He said it is clear that the prime minister and the BJP are "scared" of the Yatra being undertaken by Rahul Gandhi, which is set to enter Bihar soon. "Nitish Kumar, who frequently changes political partners, is giving tough competition to the chameleons in changing colours," Ramesh said in a post in Hindi on X. The Congress leader said the people of Bihar will not forgive the "expert of this betrayal" and those who made them dance to their tunes. "It is quite clear that the prime minister and the BJP are scared of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra and this political drama has been created to divert attention from it," the Congress leader said. Kumar submitted his resignation to Governor Rajendra V Arlekar on Sunday morning. The governor accepted Kumar's resignation, and asked him to continue as caretaker CM till a new government is formed, they said. A new government with the support of the BJP is likely to be in place by the evening, according to sources. Congress president M Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday said his party has held talks with all alliance partners of INDIA bloc on seat-sharing for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, and reached an understanding with some of them, while the dialogue with others is at the final stages. IMAGE: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addresses the party's workers convention, in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, January 28, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo He said the Congress has already begun preparation for the Lok Sabha polls with the ongoing 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' led by party leader Rahul Gandhi and his own visit to various places across the country. "Our party's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is going on. I have also visited Telangana, and will be travelling to Dehradun, Odisha, Bihar, Delhi, Kerala and other places. Dates have been fixed for my visits and Rahul Gandhi will also come to a few places. We have already started our preparations. It is our party work and programme, we will do, it should not be compared with other parties," Kharge told reporters in Kalaburagi, Karnataka. On seat sharing with alliance partners, he said he has constituted a six-member committee headed by Congress leader Mukul Wasnik. "The committee has already held talks with everyone -- with partners in Bihar, also AAP, TMC, and all our alliance partners. In some cases there is an understanding and in some it is at the final stage," he added. Faced with the possibility of imminent loss of power in Bihar, the Rashtriya Janata Dal on Sunday put out full-page advertisements in newspapers to "thank" its young leader Tejashwi Yadav for his contributions as the deputy chief minister. Photograph: ANI "Dhanyawad (thank you) Tejashwi," say the advertisements put out in Hindi, from "state unit of Rashtriya Janata Dal, Mahagathbandhan Parivar", in an obvious bid to boost the image of the 34-year-old leader, whose father Lalu Prasad heads the party. The RJD, which emerged as the single largest party in the 2020 assembly polls, ended up in the opposition since the Mahagathbandhan, which includes Congress and three Left parties, fell short of a majority. It tasted power in August 2022, following a realignment with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the Janata Dal-United president, who had dumped the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance, which he is likely to join again. In the last few days of political turmoil, the party has been pleading with Kumar to "clear the confusion" while claiming that it will make "no attempts to pull down the government". Janata Dal-United president Nitish Kumar has distinguished himself as a leader who ruled Bihar for the longest time, without his party having ever won a majority on its own. IMAGE: Bihar acting CM Nitish Kumar with Leader of Opposition of state assembly and BJP leader Vijay Kumar Sinha, party state president Samrat Choudhary and leaders of JD-U and Hindustani Awam Morcha call on Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to stake claim to form the government in the state, at Raj Bhavan, in Patna, January 28, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Concealed beneath the feat, which testifies to his political acumen and survival instincts, is the fact that the 72-year-old leader could never remain at peace with his allies which also made him change partners frequently. "The name of Nitish Kumar deserves to enter the Guinness Book of Records for the number of times he has aligned, dumped and realigned with the BJP, was a tongue-in-cheek remark by Congress MLA from Bhagalpur Ajeet Sharma. Sharma also cited Kumar's famous remark mitti mein mil jaayenge magar BJP ke saath nahin jaaenge (I shall be consigned to dust rather than going back to the BJP), soon after he had first snapped ties with the saffron party in 2013, following his objections to the national ascendance of Narendra Modi, his then Gujarat counterpart. No wonder, in a political career spanning four decades, the accusation of "opportunism" and names like 'Paltu Ram' has stuck out like a sore thumb, even though there has been no dearth of admirers who remember him for keeping at bay taints of corruption, nepotism and misgovernance, and also never giving in to religious majoritarianism. Born on March 01, 1951, in Bakhtiyarpur, a nondescript town on the outskirts of Patna, to an Ayurvedic practitioner-cum-freedom fighter father, Kumar is an electrical engineer by training. During his days at the Bihar Engineering College, now known as NIT, Patna, he became active in student politics and got associated with the "JP movement" which introduced him to many of his future associates, including Lalu Prasad and Sushil Kumar Modi who were then, respectively, president and general secretary of the Patna University Students' Union. His first electoral success came in the 1985 assembly elections which the Congress swept though he managed to win the Harnaut seat for Lok Dal. Five years later, he moved to Delhi as an MP from the now-abolished seat of Barh. After another half a decade, when the Mandal wave was at its peak and Prasad was reaping its dividends, Kumar sided with George Fernandes to float the Samata Party, which later morphed into the JD-U and share power with the BJP at the Centre and, from 2005 onwards, in the state. His first five years as Chief Minister are recalled with admiration even by critics, marked by vast improvements in the restoration of law and order in a state that made headlines for massacres by rivalling militias and kidnappings for ransom. A product of the Mandal churn, the Kurmi leader also realised that he did not have the advantage of belonging to a populous caste group and created sub-quotas among OBCs and Dalits who were called "Ati Pichhda" (EBC) and Mahadalits, a decision that was resented by the dominant Yadavs and Dusadhs (supporters of Paswan). His government hiked the quotas for all the deprived classes recently, a move he had hoped would give a boost to his party's sagging fortunes and also inspire parties in other states, which had joined him to form the opposition bloc INDIA. Kumar also gave patronage to "Pasmanda" Muslims which, besides his ability to keep Hindutva vigilantes in check, endeared him to the minority community despite his ties with the BJP. After his breakup with BJP in 2013, Kumar still survived in power as the JD-U, which was then just a few members short of the majority mark, got outside support from parties like Congress and Communist Party of India, besides a disgruntled faction of the RJD. A year later, though, he stepped down owing moral responsibility for the JD-U's drubbing in Lok Sabha elections. In less than a year, he was back as Chief Minister, elbowing out his rebellious protege Jitan Ram Manjhi, this time armed with ample support from the RJD and the Congress. The Grand Alliance that came into being with JD-U, Congress and RJD coming together, won the 2015 assembly polls handsomely but came apart in just two years. Kumar returned to the National Democratic Alliance in 2017, hoping to get some traction after taking a stand against corruption taint on his then deputy Tejashwi Yadav. Five years later, he again grew disillusioned with the BJP, blaming it for the JD-U's debacle in the assembly polls of 2020, when Chirag Paswan fielded many BJP rebels on tickets of his Lok Janshakti Party. By August 2022, he was back in the Mahagathbandhan or Grand Alliance, which now also included three Left parties. Although he retained his chair, Kumar indicated that he had his fill and wanted to mentor Yadav, back as his deputy, as his political successor in the state while applying himself with great vigour to bring together all political outfits opposed to the BJP, hoping for a Janata Party-like formation which could, like the post-Emergency polls, pull off a victory against a seemingly invincible regime. As host of the first meeting of such like-minded parties, held in Patna last year, he was widely regarded as the architect of the opposition front INDIA which, however, baulked at naming him as its convenor, and irked him with suggestions like projecting the elderly Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge as the Prime Ministerial candidate. Kumar had also been greatly miffed by the delay in seat-sharing arrangements and the inability of the constituents of the united front to sort out differences, as was evident in West Bengal and Punjab. He had, however, remained confident that his party had better days ahead thanks to recent populist measures of his government, a reason why he was said to have toyed with the idea of dissolving the assembly and going to polls early. India is now cooperating with Canada in the ongoing probe into the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in British Columbia and bilateral ties are improving following months of tensions over the matter, a former Canadian national security advisor has said, describing the changing relationship as an evolution. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the G-7 Summit, in Schloss Elmau. Photograph: @MEAInia/X The remarks by Canada's former national security advisor Jody Thomas came during an interview with CTV on Friday. She said India is now cooperating in the ongoing probe into the killing of Khalistani separatist and designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar's murder in June last year in the Canadian city of Surrey. This is the first time a Canadian official has acknowledged that India has moved things forward following allegations of non-cooperation against India by Canada amid tensions over Nijjar's killing. The relations between the two countries saw some bitterness last year following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegation about India's suspected involvement in the killing. India denied the allegation as "absurd and motivated." There was no official response from the Indian government to the remarks made by Thomas, who retired on January 26. India has maintained that Canada has never shared any evidence or information to back its claim that Indian agents were involved in the killing of Nijjar. "I would not describe them as non-cooperating," Thomas said. During the interview, Thomas described the changing relationship between Ottawa and New Delhi as an evolution and said Canada has made advancements in that relationship. My discussions with my counterpart in India have been fruitful, and I think they've moved things forward, said Thomas. When asked whether Canada's improved relationship with India was a result of the US indictment against Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national, in a murder-for-hire plot to kill Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil, Thomas said: The two are connected for sure. The information that they revealed supported our position and our assertions with India. India is working with us, and my counterpart, in particular, far more closely to resolve this, said Thomas. Canada's ability to function in the Indo-Pacific relies on having a healthy relationship with India. "And I think we are working back towards it,"she said. Thomas, who was appointed to the role of National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister in January 2022, in another interview with CBC News said Canada is "working back toward a healthier relationship" with India after months of tense relations. In October, 41 Canadian diplomats left India after it threatened to revoke their diplomatic immunity. Those diplomats have not returned. Thomas, who flew to India on many occasions to discuss the allegations, said the reaction by Indian officials was "really unfortunate" and a "bit of a surprise." The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is investigating Nijjar's case. Thomas said the RCMP is being careful to ensure "that every 'T' is crossed and 'I' dotted to have a successful prosecution." Amid the ongoing political turmoil in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is likely to meet the governor on Sunday, say sources. IMAGE: Bihar Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar exchange greetings during 75th Republic Day function at Gandhi Maidan, in Patna on January 26, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Nitish has reportedly sought time to meet the governor on Sunday morning and is likely to break away from the Mahagathbandhan government, as per sources. Although the Bihar CM is mum over his next move, speculations of a rift between Mahagathbandhan and JD-U leader Nitish Kumar joining the NDA, have been soaring high. Notably, the Bhartiya Janata Party will also hold a meeting with its MLAs and MPs in Patna on Sunday to chalk out the strategy over the latest political situation in the state. Meanwhile, JD-U's political adviser and spokesperson K C Tyagi told reporters in Delhi that the grand alliance government in Bihar is on the verge of collapse, and accused a section of the Congress leadership of repeatedly 'insulting' Kumar. "The INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) bloc is on the verge of collapse. The alliance of INDIA bloc parties is almost over in Punjab, West Bengal and Bihar," he said. On Saturday, state BJP leaders, who held a meeting in Patna, stopped short of making any formal announcement of support to the JD-U chief in the event of his pulling out of the Mahagathbandhan. Requesting anonymity, BJP sources said instructions have been received from the top leadership to put on hold 'any formal announcement' till Kumar, who had dumped the NDA less than three years ago, put in his papers. For Kumar, who has maintained a deafening silence over the turmoil in the 'Mahagathbandhan', ignoring pleas from allies RJD, Congress and the Left to clear the air about the intense political speculation on his future step, it was business as usual. In the Bihar 243-seat assembly 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) and AIMIM have four and one MLAs respectively. The BJP has the largest number of 17 MPs in Bihar, where the total number of Lok Sabha members is 40. The JD(U), headed by Nitish Kumar, has 16 while another NDA ally LJP, now split up between the uncle-nephew duo of Pashupati Kumar Paras and Chirag Paswan, has six. If Nitish crosses over, this would be the fourth time he would be switching sides. 'When he was sidelined in the INDIA bloc, it was was the turning point because it badly hurt Nitish's ambition.' 'After that, he decided to damage INDIA by changing sides.' IMAGE: Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal-United President Nitish Kumar speaks to the media after handing over his resignation to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar in Patna, January 28, 2024. Photographs: ANI Photo Three days after Janata Dal-United President and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar thanked Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi for conferring the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian award, posthumously on veteran Socialist leader Karpoori Thakur, he dumped the Rashtriya Janata Dal-led Mahagathbandhan that included the Congress and Left parties, and aligned with Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party. Bihar's BJP-JD-U government was sworn in on Sunday evening. Till last week, senior JD-U and RJD leaders repeatedly refuted any rift, differences and heartburn in the Mahagathbandhan. This correspondent was the first to report in December that Nitish Kumar was planning to dump the Mahagathbandan and return to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance. IMAGE: JD-U President Nitish Kumar with Bharatiya Janata Party leader Vijay Kumar Sinha, state BJP President Samrat Choudhary and JD-U leaders demonstrate their legislative strength to Governor Arlekar and stake a claim to form the government in the state. What provoked Nitish Kumar to return to the NDA, which he dumped in August 2022? JD-U sources tell me that Nitish was angry after he was not named convenor or the prime ministerial candidate of the Opposition bloc INDIA. Nitish had convened the first meeting of Opposition leaders in Patna in June 2023, which led to the formation of the INDIA bloc in Bengaluru in July 2023. "For Nitish, what matter most is his self interest and ambition, neither ideology nor ethics," confides a senior JD-U leader clearly unhappy with his leader's latest political somersault. "His decision to join hands with the BJP may surprise many, not us. It was on the cards and expected." INDIA leaders, he explains, had frustrated Nitish by their behind the scenes politicking not to name him the bloc's convenor or its prime ministerial candidate for the Lok Sabha election. Nitish, he says, has been ready since last year to play an innings in national politics and for that he had mobilised Opposition parties and worked successfully to unite them. "But when he was sidelined in the INDIA bloc, it was the end of his dream. This was the turning point because it badly hurt Nitish's ambition," the JD-U leader adds, "After that, he decided to damage INDIA by changing sides." A political observer in Patna claims Nitish Kumar made up his mind to move to the NDA after viewing the BJP mobilisation over the Ram temple. JD-U leaders and Bihar ministers, close to Nitish, were already in touch with BJP leaders who were working to convince Nitish that the JD-U would not repeat its 2019 Lok Sabha election performance (16 seats) in 2024 with the Mahagathbandhan in a polarised condition. Senior JD-U leaders K C Tyagi and Bihar ministers Sanjay Jha, Ashok Choudhary, Vijay Kumar Choudhary convinced Nitish to change sides after the INDIA bloc extinguished his convenor ambitions, this commentator adds. "Had he been named INDIA's PM candidate as he expected, Nitish could have take the political risk. But he realised better gains contesting the Lok Sabha elections along with the BJP. Taking into account this weakness of Nitish, the BJP used the service of two Constitutional post holders to convince him to join the NDA," claims the political observer. In January 2023, Nitish had declared that he would prefer to die rather than join hands with the BJP. Earlier, in the state assembly, he proclaimed, 'Mitti mein mil jayenge lekin BJP ke saath nahi jayenge', an identical sentiment. IMAGE: Nitish Kumar with then deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav during the Republic Day 2024 celebrations at Gandhi Maidan in Patna. Nitish Kumar may also have been irked by RJD President Lalu Prasad Yadav's insistence that his younger son Tejashwi Yadav be promoted as chief minister at the earliest. Last year, Nitish himself announced that he wanted Tejashwi to replace him and that the 2025 assembly polls would be contested under the younger Yadav's leadership." According to a senior RJD leader, Lalu had laid down a condition to Nitish -- when the JD-U left the NDA and formed the Mahagathbandan in Bihar in August 2022 -- that Tejashwi would be made chief minister when Nitish moved to national politics. But Nitish was not ready to step aside. JD-U sources say Lallan Singh -- who resigned as JD-U national president on December 29 -- and senior party leader and Bihar minister Bijendar Yadav opposed their party rejoining the NDA on the ground that its political credibility would hit a new low if it did so. The BJP's top leadership in December, these sources say, invited Nitish to rejoin the NDA and contest the 2024 poll together to win all of Bihar's 40 Lok Sabha seats. The BJP leadership, these JD-U sources add, has offered Nitish over a dozen Lok Sabha seats, two Rajya Sabha seats and a governor's post for one of his nominees. Continental AG said its new hydraulic hose factory in Aguascalientes, Mexico, will help the company expand its industrial business into new industries. (Photo: FreightWaves) Borderlands is a weekly rundown of developments in the world of United States-Mexico cross-border trucking and trade. This week: Continental AG announces $90M manufacturing facility in Mexico; 3PL Outerspace opens fulfillment operations in Arizona; South Texas border logistics park announces expansion; and CBP seizes tramadol at Laredos World Trade Bridge. Continental AG announces $90M manufacturing facility in Mexico German tire and industrial parts manufacturing giant Continental AG announced it is investing $90 million in a hydraulic hose factory in Mexico. The facility will initially create 200 jobs and be located in the west-central Mexican city of Aguascalientes. It will be the companys largest plant in the country once completed, according to a news release. Construction of the 914,932-square-foot factory is scheduled to be finished by the end of 2025. Strengthening our industry business in the Americas region is a focus for us, Philip Nelles, a member of Continentals board for its ContiTech operating sector, said in a statement. This investment is our answer to the demand and growth of the hydraulic hose market in the region and underlines our strategic approach to become the innovation leader and full range supplier for hydraulic hoses. Continental officials also said the factory will help the company expand its hydraulics business into industries such as agriculture, mining, construction, manufacturing and energy. The hydraulic market is the largest hose and fittings market segment in our region, Andreas Gerstenberger, Continentals head of industrial solutions Americas, said in a statement. With our new plant in Mexico, we will double our capacity in this field and address current and new customers in multiple industries. The facility will be Continentals second in Aguascalientes and 22nd plant in Mexico. Continentals operations in the country employ more than 23,000 people who produce and develop automotive components, rubber products and tires that are exported globally. Story continues In 2022, Continental invested around $200 million in the Mexican state of Guanajuato to open a tire factory and expand capacity at an existing plant, according to Reuters. 3PL Outerspace opens fulfillment operations in Arizona Third-party logistics operator Outerspace announced it has opened a warehouse in Phoenix, the companys first facility in the southwestern U.S. The 389,000-square-foot facility helps Outerspace establish bicoastal fulfillment opportunities for the companys e-commerce clients, according to a news release. Over the past year, weve been laser-focused on growing our footprint to better serve our clients needs, Ricky Choi, CEO and co-founder, said in a statement. From starting Outerspace in a 1,500 square foot room, to now offering our clients more than a million square feet of warehouse space, this expansion is a major milestone. Carlstadt, New Jersey-based Outerspace was founded in 2019. The company offers fulfillment solutions across the U.S. with four facilities in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Arizona. South Texas border logistics park announces expansion Officials for Capote International Business Park in Pharr, Texas, recently broke ground on a 160,000-square-foot building. The new facility will be near the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge and include 36-inch clearance heights for tractor-trailers, as well as dock doors, a truck court for trailer storage and a secured truck parking area. The building is scheduled to be completed in June. Warehouse space is sorely needed in the Pharr-McAllen market and we hope to be able to fill some of that need, Nick Dyer, principal at Ocotillo Capital Partners, the parks developer, said in a statement. We recognize that cross-border trade is a major part of the growth story of the Rio Grande Valley and we feel privileged to be able to contribute to that growth. CBP seizes tramadol at Laredos World Trade Bridge U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers recently found 159 pounds of tramadol in a tractor-trailer arriving from Mexico in Laredo, Texas. On Jan. 18 at the World Trade Bridge cargo area, CBP officers were searching the trailer, according to a news release, when they found six boxes containing tramadol, an opioid analgesic medication often prescribed for pain relief. Border agents found tramadol at the World Trade Bridge on Jan. 18. (Photo: CBP) This drug bust is a prime example of the efficient targeting strategies utilized in the cargo environment to help disrupt the illicit smuggling of this highly addictive opioid into our communities, Laredo CBP Port Director Alberto Flores said in a statement. CBP seized the tramadol and turned the case over to Homeland Security Investigations. More articles by Noi Mahoney Nearshoring forecast to boost US-Mexico trade in 2024 Mexico aims to compete with Panama Canal by using cargo trains Covenant Logistics predicts gradual freight market recovery The post Borderlands: Continental AG announces $90M manufacturing facility in Mexico appeared first on FreightWaves. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Mostly cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. High 43F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. A few flurries are possible. Low 29F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. BURLINGTON A newly filed federal criminal case against a Bennington man shows the easy flow of unlawfully purchased guns at local stores on behalf of out-of-state gang-affiliated drug dealers to help their illegal business, court records show. Dylan Russell, 26, is charged with making false statements at three Southern Vermont gun shops during the unlawful purchase of at least 15 firearms between 2020 and 2022 that authorities said were shipped out-of-state as part of an illegal drug and serious crime operation, U.S. District Court records show. Russell claimed on the federal purchase forms that the guns were for him when he knew they were being sold or traded for drugs and shipped out of state, officials said. Russell bought 10 handguns at the Bennington Armory at 447 Main St. between Sept. 17, 2020 and March 25, 2022, the records note. He also purchased three more handguns at Resolute Tool Works on Erbs Way in Woodford between Feb. 2, 2022 and March 21, 2022, according to the criminal complaint filed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The ATF said it also traced two more handgun purchases by Russell at Black Dog Shooting Supplies at 233 South Main St. in Rutland on Dec. 12, 2020. Russell was a known associate of several criminal defendants from both the Bennington and Springfield, Mass. areas that were involved in illegal activity, according to federal, state and Bennington authorities. One of those defendants was John Pena Baez, 21, who is serving more than six years in federal prison for four drug distribution charges and one for possessing a loaded handgun to aid in his drug trafficking business. Pena Baez, with the street name "JP", is known as a dangerous man from Holyoke, Mass., who frequented the Bennington area, officials said. He was sentenced last fall. Vermont State Police arrested Pena Baez on April 6, 2022, with a 9-mm handgun bought by Russell at Resolute, records show. They note Russell bought it March 21, 2022, less than three weeks before the arrest of Pena Baez. Vermont is considered a "source state" for guns because there are very few regulations, laws or licensure requirements for purchasing and possessing firearms, the ATF in Springfield, Mass. said in court papers. Massachusetts is classified as a "destination" state for trafficked firearms, ATF Special Agent Marc Maurino said in a court affidavit. He noted Massachusetts law "requires licensure and registration of firearms, which makes comparatively less feasible the acquisition of new firearms from retail sellers for the purpose of quick transfers to criminal actors." He added, "I am aware that drug users without felony convictions or other federally prohibiting disqualifiers will often purchase firearms on behalf of narcotics dealers and/or trade firearms to narcotics dealers for controlled substances." Maurino said the investigation showed that law enforcement detected an unusually high number of individuals coming to Vermont from cities in Hampden County, Mass., which includes Springfield, Holyoke and Chicopee. "Many of these people were gang members and their associates who were engaged in the illegal distribution of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine, among other controlled substances. In addition, these individuals often sought to obtain firearms unlawfully from Vermont residents," Maurino wrote. The Russell investigation was sparked after law enforcement seized a 9-mm handgun in Springfield, Mass. from Joshua Tascon in September 2020, records show. The gun was traced to a sale from the Bennington Armory. A special agent with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, who is embedded with Bennington Police, told the ATF that Russell was a known local drug user, court records show. The ATF said various police reports in the Bennington area showed Russell was a habitual user of narcotics, especially heroin. Maurino cited several cases, starting with a May 21, 2018 heroin overdose in the parking lot of a Chinese restaurant in Bennington when Russell was found unconscious and possessing a .38-caliber pistol. The Bennington County Sheriff's Department investigated crash when Russell's truck plowed into another vehicle and a father and daughter had to be extricated on U.S. 7 in Pownal on March 22, 2021. Then-Deputy Sheriff Chris Miller said Russell reported "I use heroin. I never stopped," records show. A medical exam showed Russell had a high amount of THC, cocaine metabolite and opiates in his blood after the crash and that both needles and glass pipes were found in Russell's backpack, according to the sheriff's department. Bennington Police arrested Russell on charges of possession of heroin and cocaine following a traffic stop on North Street on April 6, 2022, records show. He is on probation for that case, the ATF said. Bennington Police said it encountered Russell on a bicycle near the Mid-Town Motel on Main Street and seized both fentanyl and crack cocaine on Oct. 8, 2023. The ATF spells out the out-of-state recovery of several other Vermont-bought guns that were seized during criminal investigations by various agencies. The FBI seized a 9-mm handgun March 10, 2022 during a court-ordered search of a property associated with Vicente Gonzalez as part of a drug trafficking investigation, the ATF said. Russell had bought the gun at Black Dog in Rutland on Dec. 21, 2020. Springfield, Mass. Police arrested a juvenile named Jayovanny Pita with 6 firearms on Jan. 7, 2023, including a Taurus 9-mm bought by Russell at Bennington Armory on Jan. 11, 2022, the ATF said. Springfield Police seized 300 illegal firearms in the first 10 months of 2023 and that equaled the number taken in all of 2022. Waterbury, Conn. Police, as part of a shots fired investigation executed a search warrant at the home of Jaime Nolasco on May 27, 2023, the ATF said. Police recovered an Anderson-15 7.62x39 pistol that Russell bought at the Bennington Armory. Russell and Pena Baez exchanged extensive text messages and photographs about obtaining firearms, Maurino said. He included transcripts in his court affidavit that mention Pena Baez ordering up the kind of firearms he wanted, along with pictures of them. Some pictures of the requested firearms appear to be taken inside a gun store, the ATF said. During one text exchange on Feb. 22, 2022, Pena Baez also asks for extra bullets and clips and possibly buying some Glocks. Russell says they do not have any Glocks currently and Pena Baez responds with a four-letter expletive all in capital letters, the transcript shows. "Get 3 clips and like 5 6 boxes of ammo," Pena Baez wrote. Talking in code, Pena Baez indicated he would give Russell narcotics that he can sell and also use for himself so he doesn't get sick from withdrawal, the ATF said. Russell, about a week later, appears interested in getting more drugs, court records show. "Can I get you something from shop so I can get back on my feet," Russell texts Pena Baez, who agrees. Russell then sent various photos of firearms, and more sales were discussed, the records show. The ATF noted that some of the guns bought by Russell still are missing. Records show that 9-mm handguns were the weapon of choice for the drug trade. Investigation revealed 8 of the 10 handguns bought by Russell at the Bennington Armory were 9-mm pistols., court records show. The others were a 5.56-mm pistol and a 7.62x39 (30-caliber) semiautomatic pistol. The three weapons bought at Resolute were all 9-mm pistols, while the two at Black Dog were a 9-mm and a .380-caliber handgun, records show. The ATF said the latest charges are part of an ongoing investigation by Bennington Police and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations and state police. An FBI SWAT team, along with Bennington and Vermont State Police arrested Pena Baez on a federal arrest warrant during the night of April 6, 2022. He was a front seat passenger in a car that pulled into a gasoline station on Main Street and police boxed in the vehicle and took him out at gunpoint. The then-18-year-old was in possession of about 22 grams of suspected crack cocaine in his jacket pocket, 54 bags of fentanyl and about $8,150 in cash, including $200 from an earlier monitored drug sale, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Pena Baez was well known to Vermont police in part because he was a major participant in a wild shootout at a home on U.S. 7 in Pownal on Jan. 26, 2022, court records show. While he has not been charged in that case, it was part of the discussion during the court hearing and in the sentencing memos filed by lawyers. His lawyer maintained he was defending himself from the shooters. Bennington County State's Attorney Erica Marthage has charged at least three people in connection with that shooting, which Vermont State Police has said came one week before a drug-related homicide in Danby. The homicide victim, Isaiah Rodriguez, 17, was also involved in the Pownal shootout, police have said. Afghan men have limited options when visiting the barbershop if they do not want to be accused of walking away looking like a trendy Westerner or a North Korean dictator. No haircuts that make them look like an "infidel." No trimmed eyebrows. And no shaved faces or beards shorter than the optimal length. Any of those styles are considered a fashion sin, according to a new six-point list of rules for barbers issued by the Taliban's Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice. The issuance of the directives, initially denied by the ministry, were confirmed by a regional ministry official in the western province of Herat this week. Azizul Rahman Mohajer said on January 23 that certain haircuts were too similar to what the "infidels in the West or North Korea" have. Some among the younger generation in Afghanistan try to follow these styles, Mohajer said, prompting the delivery of the new rules for barbers to follow. "If the style is according to our principles there is no problem," he said, stressing that if customers ask for trendy hairstyles or to have their beards cut, barbers should refuse them. The directives appeared to single out hairstyles that might resemble that of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un -- whose head is shaved on the sides and back, and topped with longer hair in a nod to the cut donned by his grandfather, Kim Il Sung, the founder of communist North Korea. They were also reminiscent of orders issued under the previous Taliban government in power from 1996 to 2001, including "foreign haircuts" styled after the side-shaved, long-on-top hairdo popularized by American actor Leonardo DiCaprio in the film Titanic. Anything resembling the "Beatles cut," the iconic mop top worn by John, Paul, George, and Ringo during the British band's 1960s Beatlemania era, was also banned. The latest rules say that beards should be no shorter than "one strand" and that men's eyebrows should not be trimmed. Barbers were also told not to have music playing in their shops, or to have any images that might advertise undesirable styles on display. It was not clear if the new rules applied only in Herat or across the country. Since seizing power in 2021, the Taliban has outlawed music and made clear that it considers the shaving or cutting of beards to be a violation of its strict interpretation of Islamic law and values. Afghan barbers who spoke to RFE/RL's Radio Azadi expressed incredulity at the latest rules, with some questioning how the styles coming under scrutiny could be in violation of Islamic law and saying the order would harm their business. "If you trim your beard...or wear Western-style clothes, how does that make you a nonbeliever?" asked one barber who spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of retribution. "It doesn't make any difference." "The Koran says that cleanliness is part of the faith, but that is not the case here," a youth from Herat Province who also spoke on condition of anonymity told Radio Azadi. "We understand that wearing a [long] beard is preferred, but it is not a sin [not to have one]." Policing Appearances The new rules for barbers are the latest attempt by the Taliban to police the appearances of Afghan men and women. Since regaining power, the Taliban has ordered male government employees to grow beards and wear traditional attire or risk being fired. In some areas, men have been forced to attend prayers. In some parts of Afghanistan, the Taliban has banned Western-style clothing, including jeans and suits. The extremist group has also ordered male teachers and high-school students in some provinces to grow a beard, wear a turban or Islamic cap, and don the "pirhan tumban," the traditional baggy shirt and pants that is common in rural Afghanistan. In the winter of 1924, inhabitants of a small village near Tehran looked up as a metal-bodied airplane swooped in to land, bumped along a field, then collapsed in a cloud of dust after its landing gear broke. The pilot of the plane was Swiss aviator Walter Mittelholzer, who had received an invitation from the Persian government to deliver a new Junkers aircraft to the country, which would be renamed Iran in 1935. Kaspar Surber, a Swiss journalist who wrote a book on Mittelholzer, told RFE/RL the aviator was chosen for the flight to Persia in part to "popularize flying" through aerial images he would take there. Mittelholzer was famous at the time for becoming the first person to extensively photograph Switzerland's mountains from an airplane. In the 1920s, Surber says there was something of a "race" between German and British aviation companies to begin air services in Persia, making Mittelholzer's photography skills a key promotional advantage. A Swiss newspaper wrote of the aviator, "The Swiss people know what to expect from their Mr. Mittelholzer, who can not only pilot a plane across unknown countries but also photograph and film in flight." After their ignominious landing 40 kilometers outside of Tehran, Mittelholzer and mechanic Ernst Bissegger had a tense confrontation with villagers before help eventually arrived from the Persian capital and their aircraft was repaired. Mittelholzer and Bissegger's flight of more than 3,000 kilometers from Switzerland to Persia included a standoff with Turkish authorities who confiscated their plane, troubles with poor-quality gasoline purchased in Baghdad, and erroneous maps that forced them into the ill-fated landing during which their plane's landing gear collapsed. Mittelholzers initial impressions of the territory of Persia from above were of "areas that lie desolate and empty and wander past the observing eye for hours. Huge alluvial fans, piles of rubble, and deltas of saline rivers [that] characterize the country." Isolated settlements occasionally came into view as the pair flew over Persian territory. "Here and there a green patch shines," Mittelholzer wrote, "a space in the center of which features residents' mud huts rising on narrow and winding streets. Silver bands mark the irrigation channels at the edges of the gardens." Mittelholzer seized the opportunity to photograph Persia extensively from above in photographs that are now held by the ETH Zurich library. The Swiss aviator and photographer also made use of his camera on the ground to capture a country on the cusp of dramatic change under Reza Shah Pahlavi, a ruler who would become known as Persia's "modernizing strongman." At the time of Mittelholzer's visit to Persia, the country was without major rail or road networks, and camel caravans were still in use as a means of foreign trade, making air transport an enticing possibility for the country's rulers. With the aviation industry still in its infancy in Persia, Mittelholzer and Bissegger had the sky virtually to themselves as they swept low over urban centers to snap images that would soon stun European audiences. Mittelholzer predicted that aerial photography would play a significant role in documentary imagery of the future. "Another hitherto unseen world opens up before us. It is as if the Earth has thereby gained a new face, and man a new, unflawed eye," he wrote in 1928. After spending several weeks inside Iran, the two Swiss aviators eventually made the long trek back to Central Europe by car. Mittelholzer would later co-found a company that became Swissair, Switzerland's national carrier until 2002. He died in a mountaineering accident in 1937 aged 43. In a newspaper obituary, a friend noted that Mittelholzer's death in the mountains that he loved, and that had sparked his extraordinary career, had a certain tragic poetry: "They have embraced him 0n his last wanderings and claimed him, and perhaps he would not have wished for a better end, but alas it came all too soon, there was so much more for him to do." If we want to find a stock that could multiply over the long term, what are the underlying trends we should look for? Typically, we'll want to notice a trend of growing return on capital employed (ROCE) and alongside that, an expanding base of capital employed. Ultimately, this demonstrates that it's a business that is reinvesting profits at increasing rates of return. So on that note, British American Tobacco (LON:BATS) looks quite promising in regards to its trends of return on capital. Return On Capital Employed (ROCE): What Is It? For those that aren't sure what ROCE is, it measures the amount of pre-tax profits a company can generate from the capital employed in its business. Analysts use this formula to calculate it for British American Tobacco: Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) (Total Assets - Current Liabilities) 0.10 = UK14b (UK146b - UK16b) (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2023). Therefore, British American Tobacco has an ROCE of 10%. In absolute terms, that's a pretty normal return, and it's somewhat close to the Tobacco industry average of 12%. Check out our latest analysis for British American Tobacco roce In the above chart we have measured British American Tobacco's prior ROCE against its prior performance, but the future is arguably more important. If you're interested, you can view the analysts predictions in our free report on analyst forecasts for the company. The Trend Of ROCE British American Tobacco has not disappointed with their ROCE growth. More specifically, while the company has kept capital employed relatively flat over the last five years, the ROCE has climbed 47% in that same time. Basically the business is generating higher returns from the same amount of capital and that is proof that there are improvements in the company's efficiencies. The company is doing well in that sense, and it's worth investigating what the management team has planned for long term growth prospects. Story continues The Bottom Line As discussed above, British American Tobacco appears to be getting more proficient at generating returns since capital employed has remained flat but earnings (before interest and tax) are up. Investors may not be impressed by the favorable underlying trends yet because over the last five years the stock has only returned 25% to shareholders. So with that in mind, we think the stock deserves further research. If you'd like to know about the risks facing British American Tobacco, we've discovered 2 warning signs that you should be aware of. While British American Tobacco isn't earning the highest return, check out this free list of companies that are earning high returns on equity with solid balance sheets. 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. 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. Investors who take an interest in CosmoSteel Holdings Limited (SGX:B9S) should definitely note that the CEO & Executive Director, Tong Hai Ong, recently paid S$0.13 per share to buy S$361k worth of the stock. While that's a very decent purchase to our minds, it was proportionally a bit modest, boosting their holding by just 7.8%. See our latest analysis for CosmoSteel Holdings CosmoSteel Holdings Insider Transactions Over The Last Year In fact, the recent purchase by Tong Hai Ong was the biggest purchase of CosmoSteel Holdings shares made by an insider individual in the last twelve months, according to our records. That implies that an insider found the current price of S$0.13 per share to be enticing. While their view may have changed since the purchase was made, this does at least suggest they have had confidence in the company's future. We do always like to see insider buying, but it is worth noting if those purchases were made at well below today's share price, as the discount to value may have narrowed with the rising price. In this case we're pleased to report that the insider bought shares at close to current prices. The only individual insider to buy over the last year was Tong Hai Ong. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last 12 months, below. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date! There are always plenty of stocks that insiders are buying. So if that suits your style you could check each stock one by one or you could take a look at this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them). Does CosmoSteel Holdings Boast High Insider Ownership? Many investors like to check how much of a company is owned by insiders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. It appears that CosmoSteel Holdings insiders own 36% of the company, worth about S$13m. While this is a strong but not outstanding level of insider ownership, it's enough to indicate some alignment between management and smaller shareholders. Story continues So What Does This Data Suggest About CosmoSteel Holdings Insiders? The recent insider purchase is heartening. And the longer term insider transactions also give us confidence. Insiders likely see value in CosmoSteel Holdings shares, given these transactions (along with notable insider ownership of the company). So while it's helpful to know what insiders are doing in terms of buying or selling, it's also helpful to know the risks that a particular company is facing. You'd be interested to know, that we found 3 warning signs for CosmoSteel Holdings and we suggest you have a look. Of course CosmoSteel Holdings may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of high quality companies. For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions of direct interests only, but not derivative transactions or indirect interests. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. David Iben put it well when he said, 'Volatility is not a risk we care about. What we care about is avoiding the permanent loss of capital.' It's only natural to consider a company's balance sheet when you examine how risky it is, since debt is often involved when a business collapses. We can see that The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) does use debt in its business. But is this debt a concern to shareholders? When Is Debt Dangerous? Debt and other liabilities become risky for a business when it cannot easily fulfill those obligations, either with free cash flow or by raising capital at an attractive price. If things get really bad, the lenders can take control of the business. While that is not too common, we often do see indebted companies permanently diluting shareholders because lenders force them to raise capital at a distressed price. By replacing dilution, though, debt can be an extremely good tool for businesses that need capital to invest in growth at high rates of return. The first thing to do when considering how much debt a business uses is to look at its cash and debt together. See our latest analysis for Coca-Cola What Is Coca-Cola's Debt? The chart below, which you can click on for greater detail, shows that Coca-Cola had US$41.8b in debt in September 2023; about the same as the year before. However, it also had US$15.4b in cash, and so its net debt is US$26.4b. How Strong Is Coca-Cola's Balance Sheet? Zooming in on the latest balance sheet data, we can see that Coca-Cola had liabilities of US$24.4b due within 12 months and liabilities of US$45.3b due beyond that. Offsetting this, it had US$15.4b in cash and US$3.50b in receivables that were due within 12 months. So its liabilities total US$50.8b more than the combination of its cash and short-term receivables. Since publicly traded Coca-Cola shares are worth a very impressive total of US$256.7b, it seems unlikely that this level of liabilities would be a major threat. Having said that, it's clear that we should continue to monitor its balance sheet, lest it change for the worse. Story continues In order to size up a company's debt relative to its earnings, we calculate its net debt divided by its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) and its earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) divided by its interest expense (its interest cover). Thus we consider debt relative to earnings both with and without depreciation and amortization expenses. Coca-Cola's net debt to EBITDA ratio of about 1.9 suggests only moderate use of debt. And its strong interest cover of 30.6 times, makes us even more comfortable. We saw Coca-Cola grow its EBIT by 6.3% in the last twelve months. That's far from incredible but it is a good thing, when it comes to paying off debt. When analysing debt levels, the balance sheet is the obvious place to start. But ultimately the future profitability of the business will decide if Coca-Cola can strengthen its balance sheet over time. So if you want to see what the professionals think, you might find this free report on analyst profit forecasts to be interesting. But our final consideration is also important, because a company cannot pay debt with paper profits; it needs cold hard cash. So we clearly need to look at whether that EBIT is leading to corresponding free cash flow. Over the last three years, Coca-Cola recorded free cash flow worth a fulsome 86% of its EBIT, which is stronger than we'd usually expect. That positions it well to pay down debt if desirable to do so. Our View Happily, Coca-Cola's impressive interest cover implies it has the upper hand on its debt. And the good news does not stop there, as its conversion of EBIT to free cash flow also supports that impression! When we consider the range of factors above, it looks like Coca-Cola is pretty sensible with its use of debt. That means they are taking on a bit more risk, in the hope of boosting shareholder returns. There's no doubt that we learn most about debt from the balance sheet. But ultimately, every company can contain risks that exist outside of the balance sheet. These risks can be hard to spot. Every company has them, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for Coca-Cola you should know about. If you're interested in investing in businesses that can grow profits without the burden of debt, then check out this free list of growing businesses that have net cash on the balance sheet. 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. This is criminal: After an Atlanta contractor got slapped with $30K water bill for an empty lot with no water line city councillors now say the bill should have been torn up In recent months, FOX 5 Atlanta reported on two baffling cases of the Atlanta Watershed Management slapping outsized water bills on customers and then denying them a bill adjustment. Both account holders appealed to the Water and Sewer Appeals Board but any hopes they had of getting their bills overturned were doused. Now two Atlanta City Council members have told the television station the appeals board is the problem. Dont miss Jeff Raw, president and CEO of Revive Construction Group, received bills totaling nearly $30,000 for alleged water usage on a plot of land with no connection to a water line. This was even before he started construction of a single-family home on the plot in Atlantas East Lake neighborhood. Similarly, Jeffrey Williams, a retiree also living in the East Lake neighborhood, asked for his $12,000 in water bills to be adjusted when his plumber found no leak. "If we used that much water in a four-month period, our yard would look like Lake Lanier," he laughed. The newly appointed Atlanta Utilities Committee chairman Antonio Lewis told FOX 5 Atlanta, "The fix is delete their bill." He said there was a a "training issue" with the appeals board, which has reportedly denied 78% of appeals over 15 months. The committee's vice chair Howard Shook also expressed his surprise. Both Lewis and Shook recommended approaching a City Council member for help. If that fails to work, Shook said the next "costly" step for the customers is to go to the Superior Court. He said, "I wouldn't put up with it." Story continues Heres what happened to Raw and how you can avoid drowning in similar financial misery. 1 million gallons of water Atlanta Watershed Management installed a standalone water meter at the problem plot of land on Oct. 4, 2022. At the time, the plot was just dirt; Raw hadnt even started laying the foundation for the home he would eventually build. A month after the water meter was installed, Revive Construction was billed $8,899 for allegedly using 305,184 gallons of water. To put that into context, the Environmental Protection Agency says the average U.S. household uses around 300 gallons of water per day, which equates to 9,000 gallons per month a cool 296,184 gallons shy of what Revive Construction supposedly consumed on an empty lot. The mega bills poured in for five months, reaching a shocking total of $29,669.43 for the use of more than a million gallons of water, which Raw, of course, appealed. Read more: Here's how much the average 60-year-old American holds in retirement savings how does your nest egg compare? The Atlanta Watershed Management appeals Board said the water was either used, lost (via a leak) or stolen. Raw, who described the appeals board as a kangaroo court, said it seemed like they were probing the possibility that he stole the water. At one point in the saga, the utility company conceded there was a water leak and it corrected Revive Constructions outstanding balance to a far more reasonable $219.29. But it quickly reversed that decision deeming it a mistake and reinstated the construction companys $30,000 bill. Raw appealed that u-turn and lost, despite a senior employee at the utility company siding with him. I feel like it's extortion, said Raw, who is not alone in losing his fight. Over an 18-month period, the Fox I-Team found that 80% of people who disputed their water bills with Atlanta Watershed Management lost their appeals. What to do if you get a weird water bill If you receive an unusually high water bill, dont just throw your money down the drain there are ways to verify your water usage and challenge any discrepancies. First, its important to check your water meter to ensure it matches what is shown on your bill. If it doesnt, then you can use that as evidence to help you seek a refund or a credit on future water bills. But if the number on your bill is accurate, the next most important step is to check your home for leaks. You can do this by turning off all the water sources in your home and then checking your water meter. If the dial is still moving, then you may have a leak somewhere one of the most common culprits being the toilet. Remember, if you suspect you may have a leak, it is important to act as soon as possible to prevent costly water damage and a home insurance claim. That would result in more financial pain on top of your large water bill. Consider getting help from a plumber to confirm whether or not you have a leak and make any necessary repairs. Throughout this process, make sure you keep strong documentation for instance, a plumbers report which you can use to support your application for an adjustment to your bill. What to read next The biggest crash in history': Robert Kiyosaki warns that millions of 401(k)s and IRAs will be 'toast' here's what he likes for protection We're looking at a downsized America': Kevin O'Leary warns any new house, car and lifestyle you enjoy will be significantly 'smaller' here's what he means and how you can prepare Bill Burr once complained to Joe Rogan that his bank took $28 every month for no reason now the government is taking action on these frustrating fees. Here's how you can avoid them This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Politics spotlight Ahsha Safai stands out by standing against Prop E Craig Lee/The Examiner Supervisor Ahsha Safai, pictured above speaking at a teacher picket line on Monday, May 1, 2023, {span id=docs-internal-guid-c3463455-7fff-bc8f-99a6-ee42b3bbba78}{span}is the only major candidate to oppose Proposition E, the ballot measure that would make several changes to San Francisco Police Department policy.{/span}{/span} The battle over policing in San Francisco has revealed ideological daylight between a field of mayoral candidates viewed as unanimously moderate. Supervisor Ahsha Safai stands alone among prominent mayoral candidates in opposing a ballot measure that his opponents claim will improve public safety, but civil-rights advocates warn will erase hard-earned progress. Safai has come out against Proposition E, which incumbent Mayor London Breed placed on the March primary ballot. The measure would reduce use-of-force reporting requirements for police officers, allow cops to more readily chase crime suspects in their vehicles and give the police department more straightforward access to private security cameras and drones. In taking this stance, Safai is aligning himself with the American Civil Liberties Union and potentially those on the left who might otherwise doubt his progressive bona fides, but have no clear option yet in a race featuring political moderates. Hes also taking a risk by opposing a measure that, according to polls commissioned by its backers, has significant support among voters. Should the proposal win in March, Safais position could come back to haunt him in November. I have to stand on my morals and my beliefs, Safai told The Examiner. Every candidate in the race which also includes Breed and nonprofit founder Daniel Lurie is itching to prove they are the best-equipped to tackle The Citys virally videoed but statistically suspect struggles with crime. Proposition E is seen as a vehicle for them to do just that eight months before voters elect a mayor in November. Safai called the proposal shocking. Its almost as if George Floyd and the entire movement, that it didnt happen, that we didnt go through a real phase of reckoning around police oversight and accountability, he said. In a press conference last week, Breed argued that it is ridiculous how far weve gone in order to try to address issues around criminal justice reform. Its really about a balance, Breed said. Its not penalizing the public for what were trying to do in order to make sure there is accountability (for) our officers. What Prop. E would do Prop. E aims to reduce the paperwork burden borne by San Francisco cops and would establish that officers spend no more than 20% of their time on administrative tasks. One of the ways in which the measure would accomplish this is to narrow the scope of incidents that would require officers to write a use-of-force report. Currently, the law requires an officer to type up a report if they use force at least likely to cause injury. Under the measure, such a report would be required only when an officer points a firearm at someone regardless of whether or not they fire it or if they physically injure a person. All other incidents would be reported simply by the footage of a body-worn camera. To the ACLU and the measures opponents, this change would limit the ability to track how police are using force in a city that historically has done so disproportionately against people of color. Mayor London Breed and San Francisco Police Officers Association President Tracy McCray at a press conference to drum up support for Prop E in the Outer Sunset on Jan. 25, 2024. (Adam Shanks/The San Francisco Examiner) But Breed says shes meeting demands. You know whos asking for these policies? she said. The disadvantaged communities, the people in the Fillmore, the people in the Bayview, the immigrant business owners in the Mission. Theyre the ones who are saying, Why arent we doing something? Prop. E would also expand officers ability to pursue a suspected criminal in their cars. The current standard, established in 2013 by the Police Commission, requires officers to believe the suspect is an immediate threat to public safety or has committed a violent felony. The measure would allow officers to engage in a car chase if the person committed or is likely to commit a felony or violent misdemeanor. Breed told reporters that officers are not stupid and could use their best judgment about when to engage in a car chase and when its too risky. The ACLU, Safai and even top police officials argue that the existing policy is in line with national standards, and for good reason police chases are dangerous. Just last week, a chase resulted in a Maserati slamming into the side of a Muni bus, injuring the driver and one passenger, The Standard reported. Even under those existing circumstances that are limited, people are getting injured and people are dying, and that is not an acceptable outcome, Yoel Haile, director of the Criminal Justice Program at the ACLU of Northern California, told The Examiner. The measure would also allow police to install public surveillance cameras without obtaining approval from the Police Commission, as is currently the case, although the department would have to first hold a committee meeting. Prop. E would also clear the way for police to utilize drones to investigate crimes, and both drones and security cameras could use facial-recognition technology. Asked about the measures impact on privacy, Breed told reporters that theres no privacy anymore. Everyone has a cell phone, everyone has recording devices, Breed said. There are cameras everywhere ... we cant have it both ways. Do we want to be protected? Do we want public safety? Do we want accountability? Or do we want privacy? The ACLU contends that police can already utilize such tools, but they must first develop a policy that wins the support of the Board of Supervisors. Daniel Lurie, the third major candidate in the race thus far, liked Breeds measure so much that he formed his own committee to support it. That committee has already outraised Breeds own effort, and the two committees in support of Prop. E now have more than $1.1 million combined, according to the most recent filings received by the Ethics Commission. The ACLU is, thus far, the sole funder of the no effort, to the tune of $100,000. Despite that enormous advantage, Safai is confident that voters in San Francisco are savvy and will turn against Prop E as they understand the nuances. I think it goes against the core beliefs of San Francisco, Safai said. I think everyone in San Francisco wants to prioritize public safety, but they want to do it in a thoughtful and responsible way. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Al, Alex and John Federico, owners of Coastal Supply Group, are regarded as pillars of the Staten Island community. Coastal Supply Group, originally known as Coastal Plumbing Supply, was founded in March 1972 by Alexander Federico, Jr., more commonly known as Al. Over the five decades since the business inception, the Federico family has grown Coastal Supply Group exponentially, expanding to six locations in the tri-state area. At the time of Coastal Supply Groups founding, Federico was a licensed New York City master plumber. Originally a tradesman from Brooklyn, Federico decided that he wanted to open his own business. While looking for a location, Federico saw an ad in the newspaper for a supply house on Staten Island and, upon doing research, Federico decided to purchase the building. He and his family moved to Staten Island, and Zimmerman Plumbing, a supply house in Stapleton that had been on Staten Island since World War I, became Coastal Plumbing Supply. Our first day in business we made $24, the second day we made $18, and the third day I got on the phone and started making all kinds of calls to let people know that Coastal Plumbing Supply was open, reminisces Federico. Thats how we started, and we never looked back. In 1982, just 10 years after Federico started Coastal Plumbing Supply, he acquired a space on New Dorp Lane that opened as a kitchen and bath showroom in addition to a supply warehouse. The New Dorp Lane showroom serves as a place to showcase Coastals products to the general public, appealing to Staten Islands commercial market. Coastal Plumbing Supply has always been a true family business. Alongside Federico since Coastals inception were his sons, Alex and John, who were still in elementary school when Federico opened the business. They started very young, but they participated in every part of the business, said Al Federico. They worked the counter, swept the floors, washed the toilets, worked the showroom and warehouse, kept inventory counts and drove the trucks. Theyve done it all, and that taught them the business inside and out. Federicos late wife, Jacquelin Federico, also worked at Coastal Plumbing Supply as a bookkeeper. As Coastal Plumbing Supply grew, Alex and John grew with it. Under the guidance of their father and mentor, the Federico sons slowly began to take over daily operations, assuming more responsibilities as time went on. Young and ambitious, Alex and John were eager to expand the business and build upon their fathers legacy. In 2006, the Federico brothers opened a third branch of Coastal Plumbing Supply on Staten Island. Located on Arthur Kill Road, the branch was Coastals second specialty shop and its first location to offer HVAC supplies. Following the success of the Arthur Kill store, Alex and John Federico decided to expand further, widening their market share across the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area. In 2010, they opened the first Coastal Plumbing Supply branch in New Jersey, acquiring the former Abe Gruber Co. in Elizabeth. Shortly after, in 2015, Coastal opened its fifth branch in Long Island City, Queens. In conjunction with the newest acquisition, Coastal Plumbing Supply became Coastal Supply Group. In 1972, we started as Coastal Plumbing Supply because we were primarily offering materials to plumbers and homeowners, says John Federico. Over the years, weve diversified a lot of our product offerings, and we sell a lot more than just plumbing materials. In order to identify ourselves as a supplier of many different types of products, we changed our name to Coastal Supply Group. Today, Coastal Supply Group is a group of wholesale supply houses spanning New York and New Jersey that offer a full line of products, including plumbing, heating, kitchen, bath, HVAC, refrigeration, fire suppression, irrigation, landscape lighting, drainage, pumps, wells, and utility piping supplies. Coastal Supply Group is a leader in the supply industry, proudly serving trade professionals and homeowners for over 50 years. Alex and John Federico have worked hard to continue their fathers legacy, making Coastal Supply Group a household name on Staten Island. Their latest acquisition, the former Swan Pump & Supply in Freehold, New Jersey, takes Coastal Supply Groups offerings even further, adding a full line of pumps, wells, drainage, irrigation and landscape lighting. For their accomplishments, Al, Alex, and John Federico are being honored with a Louis R. Miller Business Leadership Award, which they will receive in the Master Businessperson category. The awards, which are presented by the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and the Staten Island Advance, honor the memory of Louis R. Miller, a businessman and West Brighton resident who was also a community leader. In addition to their strong presence on Staten Island through their work at Coastal Supply Group, Al, Alex, and John Federico are also dedicated community members, constantly engaging in organizations that uplift Staten Island. Between the three Federicos, they are members of the Monmouth County Master Plumbers Association, the Master Plumbers Council, the American Supply Association, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, the Kiwanis Club of Richmond County and the Kiwanis Club of North Central Staten Island, the Home Improvement Contractors of Staten Island, the Community Agency for Senior Citizens, the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Italian Club of Staten Island and Integrated Community Facilities. Coastal Supply Group recently celebrated its 50th anniversary with the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce. Federico joined the Chamber in 1973, one year after opening Coastal Supply Group, and he was eventually recommended to be on the Chambers board of directors. Al Federico has also served as chairman of many Chamber committees. It can be very easy to retreat to our offices and disengage with the rest of the community, so we really try to make it a priority to show our faces and get involved, emphasizes John Federico. We try to be as active as possible because we want our customers to know that we care about them and the community that we inhabit. Our roots are in Staten Island, and were proud of that. Questionnaire: Current occupations and titles: Owners of Coastal Supply Group. Hometown: Dongan Hills. Community involvement: We are proud members of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, the Kiwanis Clubs of Richmond County and North Central, the Home Improvement Contractors of Staten Island, Community Agency for Senior Citizens, the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Italian Club of Staten Island, Integrated Community Facilities, the Master Plumbers Council and the American Supply Association. Some of our life goals include: To continue to serve the people and the businesses in our community for the next 50-plus years. The best part of our job: The interaction with our associates, customers, family and friends who have supported our growth and continue to each day. The most difficult part of our job: After 50-plus years we have figured out what makes things difficult and have separated ourselves from it. Our life philosophy: Always do whats right. We are most proud of: Our family. We laugh at: Mostly everything. We admire: Good food, well served. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Staten Island Chuck is gearing up for his annual weather prediction on Groundhog Day 2024. With an accuracy rate around 80%, theres no doubt the furry forecaster is top-notch. But he faces competition from rival groundhogs and imitators. Heres a look at Chucks biggest competition: Groundhog Club handler A.J. Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 137th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023. Phil's handlers said that the groundhog has forecast six more weeks of winter. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)AP PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL Chucks biggest adversary from Pennsylvania is celebrated as a prodigy despite an accuracy rate around 39%, according to Fox 29. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club is gearing up to host a series of events spanning three days. Despite the attention and festivities, the question remains: Why doesnt Chuck get all the accolades and appreciation that Phil does, especially when his accuracy rate is twice as good as Phils. WOODSTOCK WILLIE Based in Woodstock, Illinois, where the film Groundhog Day was shot, Woodstock Willie is credited with an approximately 50% accuracy rate. Willies claim to fame is the films location, but a mishap in 2017 may have affected his professional image. BUCKEYE CHUCK Operating out of Marion, Ohio, Buckeye Chuck has been predicting the weather since the 1970s and boasts a commendable accuracy rate of 70%. Recognized as Ohios official groundhog since 1979, Chuck is known for optimistic predictions, leaning toward forecasting an early spring. Filbert the Beaver Predicts the Weather And now to Stumptown Fil with the 6-week furcast: Posted by Oregon Zoo on Friday, January 31, 2020 FILBERT THE BEAVER A trailblazing beaver from the Oregon Zoo known as Stumptown Fil opts for a unique prediction method, choosing between two scrolls instead of the traditional shadow approach. Despite the innovation, Chuck seems to adhere to the old adage, If it aint broke, dont fix it. SHUBENACADIE SAM Shubenacadie Sam, also known as Sammy, resides in Shubenacadie Wildlife Park in Nova Scotia, Canada. Sammy is the first North American prognosticator to cast his prediction on Groundhog Day. Like our own Chuck, Sammy has his own picture book. Sams accuracy rate is reported to be about 42%, according to The Weather Network, proving that first isnt always best. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- New York could soon become the first state in the country to offer expecting mothers paid leave. Gov. Kathy Hochul has proposed expanding New Yorks paid family leave program to include 40 hours of paid leave to pregnant women to attend prenatal medical appointments. There are too many moms who cannot take time off work to take care of themselves and that is part of the problem here, especially for minimum wage workers or hourly workers, said Hochul. A lot of mothers say, I cant go. I know I should, but I cant take the time off work. New Yorks current paid family leave offers up to 12 weeks of job-protected, paid leave after the birth of a new child, with residents receiving 67% of their average weekly wage, up to $1,151.16 per week. The proposed initiative, which was discussed during the 2024 State of the State and included in the governors Fiscal Year 25 budget proposal, is part of a six-point plan to improve maternal and infant health throughout the state. Make no mistake: we are facing a maternal and infant mortality crisis, Hochul said. As New Yorks first mom governor, this is personal to me. We are committed to tackling this crisis head-on with policies that lift up parents and children throughout the State of New York. A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that the United States infant mortality rate rose 3% from 2021 to 2022, the first increase the county has registered in two decades. Other initiatives of Hochuls maternal and infant health agenda include expanding access to doula care, eliminating co-pays and out-of-pocket costs for pregnancy-related benefits, reducing the number of unnecessary cesarean births, expanding mental health services for mothers and offering safe cribs to low-income New Yorkers free of charge. In New York, we refuse to accept the maternal and infant mortality crisis - were taking action to ensure women and babies have the lifesaving healthcare options and services they deserve, said Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado. This is how we address existing disparities and support families statewide. We will proudly lead the way. (Editors note, 12:53 p.m.: This article has been revised to note two men, not one, were wounded. The NYPD previously said one person was wounded.) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A masked gunman opened fire on two men in St. George Saturday evening, police said. The call came in around 6:44 p.m., to shots fired at 85 Stuyvesant Pl., just one block from the NYPDs 120th Precinct, an NYPD spokesman stated. Two males were shot, police said, with a 36-year-old victim hit twice in the left leg and a 39-year-old man once in the right ankle. Both were transported to Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze. Police initially said a lone victim was struck by gunfire twice in the thigh on the left leg, and had been taken to Richmond University Medical Center, West Brighton. A male was shot in front of 85 Stuyvesant place on Saturday night Jan. 27,2024. A second crime scene was established at St. Marks Place and Wall St. where spent shell casings were found by NYPD units. Evidence Collection officers were seen collecting the spent bullets.(Steve White for the Staten Island Advance) Steve WhiteSteve White The suspect is described as a male wearing a black mask, said a spokeswoman for the Deputy Commissioner of Public Information. He fled Northbound on foot towards Wall Street. At the scene, a Staten Island Advance Advance/SILive reporter noted shell casings were found at Wall Street and St. Marks Place, while part of Stuyvesant Place was taped off by police. The spokesman for the NYPD stated this is an ongoing investigation. This is a breaking news article, check SILive.com for more updates. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Remnants of a former North Shore commuter rail line that closed in the 1950s has again become a problem for Staten Island residents, the Advance/SILive.com has learned. The Port Richmond North Shore Alliance, a civic organization focused on the neighborhood where the elevated tracks of the old North Shore Branch run through, sent an email Jan. 6 outlining challenges local residents have been having with the areas upkeep In the email, the civic organization said multiple trees have fallen from the old train line near Nicholas Avenue, and included video of a tree along the tracks crashing into a Riverside Lane residents backyard damaging property on Nov. 22. The civic organizations website includes further details about rodent problems, debris along the tracks that stretch into the areas, and their challenges dealing with the agency that controls the property, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC). Mario Buonviaggio, vice president of the Port Richmond North Shore Alliance, said his organization wants EDC to clean up the area and shared details of a plan for how the agency can do it. What were hoping for is the New York [City] EDC and the city just to do general housekeeping, cleaning it up, he said. Just take care of your own housekeeping. Buonviaggio said the civic organization presented EDC with a plan that involved four local companies, a price tag of around $100,000, and an estimated timeline of nine days to complete. By law, city-funded work needs to go through a contract negotiation process that involves a host of steps, and EDC has not taken action on the civic associations proposal . An EDC spokesperson said the organization is aware of the problems at the site and working to address it. NYCEDC is aware of the situation, and we are addressing critical maintenance issues around the accessible, outside parts of the railway, the spokesperson said. We are actively working with community partners to address the issues. The North Shore Branch, which at its peak ran from the St. George Ferry Terminal to Port Ivory, shuttered in 1953 along with the South Beach Branch of what was then called Staten Island Rapid Transit. Advance coverage at the time styled the closures as a modernization push to roadways with buses set to meet the need of the estimated 1,200 commuters impacted when the lines shut down. While remnants of the South Beach Branch were mostly removed from the Island, vestiges of the North Shore Branch still mark the old route, including areas of concern for the Port Richmond North Shore Alliance. A front page Advance story from March 31, 1953 reported the closure of two Staten Island rail lines. (Advance file)Advance For decades, community activists and elected officials have pushed for some sort of development to get underway along the tracks, particularly the elevated portion that crosses nine blocks in Port Richmond. The Staten Island Economic Development Corporation (SIEDC), a separate entity from the city EDC, has pushed a Skyway initiative that would transform parts of the old North Shore Branch into a park similar to the High Line that runs through Manhattans West Side. However, the city EDC, which controls the property, has long pushed a plan with the Department of City Planning and Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) that would see the old tracks repurposed into part of a bus rapid transit system. The MTA released a draft environmental impact statement in October that outlined plans for the new bus rapid transit system, and has produced a rendering of what a stop along the route in Mariners Harbor would look like in an existing area of the track below the street. An artistic rendering shows what a possible Mariners Harbor station along a bus rapid transit route would look like. (Courtesy: MTA)MTA A separate study looking at possible projects across the MTAs portfolio set the estimated 2027 construction cost of the North Shore bus rapid transit system at $1.3 billion, and laid out plans to connect the project to a pair of other bus rapid transit projects, one of which would connect to Bayonnes Light Rail system. The MTA spokesperson said a final environmental statement would be released in the first quarter of 2024 for the North Shore bus rapid transit program. Whether any of those project come to fruition, remains to be seen, but for Buonviaggio and other residents of the area, would just like to see the city property maintained in the meantime. Just first, take care of your own housekeeping, he said. Invasive species usually wreak havoc in rural Australia. The imposition of an emergency biosecurity order following the discovery of an imported red fire ant nest in the NSWs Northern Rivers about 100 kilometres south of the Queensland border brings it closer to home. A five-kilometre zone has been imposed around the town of Wardell while sniffer dogs and baiting continue in an effort to find and eradicate other colonies. The discovery followed an attack on a gardener. A fire ant bite typically causes a burning sensation that lasts up to an hour and, in some cases, a fatal anaphylactic shock. Unlike many other invasive species, fire ants can kill. They were introduced to the US state of Alabama in the 1930s and spread across America, where more than 80 deaths have been recorded. Their bite typically causes a burning sensation that lasts up to an hour and, in some cases, a fatal anaphylactic shock. The Wardell discovery comes two months after fire ant nests were detected for the first time in the state, at South Murwillumbah, 13 kilometres south of the border. Advertisement Eating outMelbourne Food and Wine Festival Good Foods picks of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival program With a whopping 400 events on this years program, its hard to know which pop-up restaurant or one-off chef collaboration to prioritise. This guide will help. Good Food team January 29, 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 This story appears in the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival highlights collection. See all stories . Melbourne Food and Wine Festival today added a further 250 events to its 2024 program, taking the tally for its March festival to more than 400 events over 10 days. The 250 additional events are, for the most part, designed by the citys food and drink community, who dream up boundary-pushing ideas such as a dinner with menu and wine pairings designed by AI. Others are unlikely collaborations, such as hit pasta bar Tipo 00 teaming up with hit cocktail bar Caretakers Cottage for a party in a private members club. Melbourne Food & Wine Festival is taking over the city for 10 days in March. Melissa Cowan To help navigate such a wide-ranging program, the Good Food team here share their top picks of whats on from March 15 to 24 across a range of ticket prices. Tickets for the 2024 festival go on sale to the general public on Thursday, February 1. As part of its partnership with Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, subscribers to Nines mastheads can access pre-sale tickets from Monday, January 29. melbournefoodandwine.com.au Advertisement Good Foods picks of the program, from splurge to budget Andrea McGinniss, digital editor Verns and Capitano, from $150 Carlton and Charleston come together at last, with Dan and Bethany Heinze from South Carolina restaurant Verns (named one of the 50 best restaurants in the US by The New York Times) bringing their low-country charm to our very own Italo-American favourite, Capitano. Heres hoping they bring their caramelised apple tart with toasted lime meringue, too. March 18 and 19, Capitano, 421 Rathdowne Street, Carlton Advertisement La Volta Caretakers Cottage and Tipo 00, $33 Talk about a cool way to close the festival: cocktails, pasta and Italo disco at the Kelvin Club, from the crew behind my two favourite cosy city haunts, Caretakers Cottage and Tipo 00. For just $33 you get a cocktail and a snack on arrival plus a coveted spot at what I imagine will be the carb-fuelled, dimly lit little disco of my dreams. March 24, Kelvin Club, 14-30 Melbourne Place, Melbourne The otherworldly design of Di Stasio Carlton will play backdrop to Lauren Eldridges creativity. Luis Enrique Ascui Advertisement Annabel Smith, deputy digital editor Lauren Eldridge x Di Stasio Carlton, $153 Sydney pastry chef Lauren Eldridge (Berowra Waters Inn) has a knack for highlighting Australian ingredients in restrained creations, and her elegant, sculptural desserts served in the gallery-like surrounds of Di Stasio Carlton sounds like a simpatico combo. Im looking forward to living la dolce vita in Melbournes Italian heartland. March 20, Di Stasio Carlton, 224 Faraday Street, Carlton Aalias lamb neck shawarma with accompaniments. Louise Kennerley Advertisement Sunday Shawarma Party, $30 Sydney restaurant critic Terry Durack described Aalia chef Paul Farags lamb shawarma as not so much a dish, then, as an event. The MFWF crew mustve been reading because Paul is flying south to host a shawarma shindig in the shiny disco-era Beirut setting of Aalias charcoal chicken spin-off sibling, Henrietta. Instead of lamb neck, its a choice of chicken, mushroom or smoked beef tongue. Im hoping the tarator and pickles of the original (pictured) make the journey, too. March 17, Henrietta, 75 Chapel Street, Windsor Sarah Cicolini of Santo Palato restaurant in Rome is coming to town. Supplied Emma Breheny, Melbourne reporter Advertisement Sarah Cicolinis Santo Palato pop-up, from $135 Reading Sarah Cicolinis comforting yet clever pasta recipes in an Australian food magazine years ago, I knew I wanted to visit her restaurant in Rome one day. That still hasnt happened, so Im pumped to be able to try her amatriciana in Melbournes Italian heartland, as well as the more inventive dishes she keeps in her arsenal. March 15-24, Seven Seeds, 114 Berkeley Street, Carlton Dans Diner, March 15-24, $50-ish* What if you put a diner in the middle of Fed Square, asked three talented chefs called Dan to cook eggs and waffles, and served some great local drinks by another Dan? I want to know the answer to that question, so Ill be there to try what Dan Hunter (Brae), Daniel Puskas (Sixpenny), Daniel Wilson (Yakimono) and Dan Docherty (Commis) are putting up. Advertisement * Menu is a la carte March 15-24, Fed Square, Melbourne Diner favourites are cooked by top chefs at Dans Diner. Kristoffer Paulsen Roslyn Grundy, deputy editor A Thai-Chinese Feast with Sungeun Mo and Palisa Anderson, from $189 Advertisement Holy basil, Batman! Im excited to see what happens when one of Sydneys leading Thai food exponents, Palisa Anderson, teams up with Sungeun Mo, who heads the kitchen at Melbourne restaurant BKK, to explore an arcane subgenre of Thai-Chinese cuisine: congee shop cooking. Im calling it dinner and an education. March 17-18, BKK, Level 3, 270 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne Sake and Beer Fusion Masterclass Tasting, $46 Im a long-time fan of Preston brewery Tallboy & Moose, so Im intrigued to sample the results of their collab with Melbourne Sake, a sake-beer hybrid. The evening includes snacks, plus tastings of two different sakes and a Japanese-style beer. Kanpai! March 16, Tallboy & Moose, 270 Raglan Street, Preston Advertisement Julia Busuttil Nishimura will be cooking the food of her Maltese heritage. Supplied Sarah Norris, head of Good Food Take a Trip to Malta, $195 The little Mediterranean island of Malta rarely gets its time to shine, but this shared feast with matching wine should reveal its amazing food. Its hosted at Nomad by its Maltese chef Jacqui Challinor and author Julia Busuttil Nishimura. March 20, Nomad, 187 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Advertisement The HCT ham and cheese toastie at Hectors. Supplied A Hectors x France-Soir sandwich party, $44 A collab for the ages. Head to Hectors Deli and get a France-Soir-inspired sando, fries and a glass of beaujolais poured by France-Soirs wine buyer Philip Rich. Fun! March 21 and 22, Hectors Deli, 111 Moor Street, Fitzroy Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up The cost of adding another human being to your family is significant. From pregnancy, birth, actually raising the child and all the costs in between. Historically, having a baby was more often than not part of the journey of life, an assumption placed on anyone in a committed relationship. However, life is much more expensive than it once was so it makes sense that so many people are choosing to remain DINKs: double incomes, no kids. Couples opting for the DINK lifestyle, lets them concentrate on financial objectives before contemplating parenthood. Credit: Dionne Gain As someone currently on the journey to becoming a parent, Ive spent considerable time weighing up the implications and financial intricacies associated with having a child. Its a topic close to my heart literally at the moment but also professionally given my passion and focus on finance. This has prompted a broader exploration into the evolving landscape where, in 2024, the privilege of having children may be more nuanced than ever before. The decision to eschew parenthood, embracing the DINK lifestyle, is becoming an increasingly prevalent choice. Between 2016 and 2021, the number of households without children increased by 643,343, nearly 100,000 of those being young couples. The Australian Institute of Family Studies predicts that by 2030, childless families will outnumber those with children for the first time. It was Aug. 15, 1971, and then-President Richard Nixon delivered an address to the nation to lay out a new economic approach for a country beset by economic worries and challenges to the US dollar. A key prong of his plan was an "import surcharge" in effect a new tariff of 10% across America's trading relationships to prop up US business in the face of what Nixon called unfair exchange rates. "This import tax is a temporary action, it isn't directed against any other country," Nixon said. "When the unfair treatment is ended, the import tax will end as well." President Nixon on Aug. 15, 1971 after delivering a nationwide television address on the economy. (HWG/AP Photo) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) The measure was implemented by executive order but was gone by the end of that year. The episode is instructive as former President Donald Trump campaigns around a strikingly similar idea for "universal baseline tariffs" of 10% that would apply to most foreign products coming into the US. "I love China, I love everybody, but they can't take advantage of us," Trump said at a recent rally in New Hampshire. The episode is also illustrative of the ties between Trump and Nixon that include a political allegiance that spans their decades of separation on the political stage. The two men socialized at least once and often wrote to each other near the end of Nixons life. As Todd Tucker of the Roosevelt Institute once noted on X: "Love it or hate it, like many Trump ideas, the idea of a 10 percent import surcharge comes from things Nixon actually did." The import surcharge as a 'negotiating tactic' The other planks of Nixon's 1971 plan new limits on the exchange of dollars for gold and a 90-day freeze on wages and prices became landmarks in financial history. Nixon's moves on currency eventually ushered in a new era of floating exchange rates and an end of the so-called Bretton Woods international monetary system that had been in place since World War II. Today, the import surcharge may be less remembered largely because it wasnt around long enough to have a sizable economic impact. It was also gone after being "bitterly opposed by the United States' trading partners," as the New York Times noted at the time. Story continues But it appears to have served an important role as a negotiating tactic. Japan was a focus for Nixon at the time as his administration was trying to pressure the nation to negotiate a revaluation of the yen. Germany was also a priority, says Richard Baldwin of the IMD Business School. "The US was mad at the Germans for keeping the value of the Deutschmark low," he explained in a recent interview. Nixon's import surcharge forced both the Germans and Japanese to take another look at their currencies. The import surcharge ended in December 1971 as part of the so-called Smithsonian Agreement among G-10 nations that included significant initial currency wins for the Nixon administration. But Baldwin warns that there may be fewer off-ramps when it comes to Trumps approach to a 10% tariff this time around, especially with his keen focus on China. "There's nothing that the Chinese could do that would make us happy with them," he says, noting that the current rivalry is essentially about the financial structures of two superpowers and the question of who will be the worlds economic engine over the coming decades. Trump is also eyeing much more aggressive measures aimed at China beyond anything on the table for Nixon. The current GOP hopeful has publicly discussed an effort to rapidly decouple with China beginning in 2025 and "phase out all Chinese imports of essential goods." On Saturday, the Washington Post also reported that Trump is privately discussing the possibility of imposing a flat 60% tariff on all Chinese imports. China has "gained competitiveness and that's what people like Trump are all upset about and there's no cure to that," Baldwin notes. Former president and Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump after winning the 2024 Iowa Republican presidential caucuses on Jan. 15. (JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images) (JIM WATSON via Getty Images) As he crisscrosses the country for his current run, Trump often promises he can "get things solved" with China but offers little detail on what that would look like and how long a tariff, which could extract significant economic consequences if left in place for an extended period, might be needed. Instead the candidate whose historic wins this month in Iowa and New Hampshire appear to put him on the path to a third consecutive GOP nomination talks about his tariffs as ones that could be in place for the long term. He has likened them to "a ring around the collar" of the US, adding a claim that they would be a bonanza for the US Treasury as businesses are hit with the new duties. The Tax Foundation recently pegged the proceeds of the 10% tariffs at $300 billion a year. A populist tactic The 1971 episode with Nixon is also evidence of the power of the idea of a tariff to sway public opinion. Future Federal Reserve Chair Paul Volcker who in 1971 was the Treasury undersecretary for monetary affairs later recalled that the surcharge was thought of as two pronged: "both an essential negotiating tactic and a way to attract public support." The import surcharge push from Nixon was also seen as a way to head off more protectionist impulses that were percolating at the time on Capitol Hill. Tucker of the Roosevelt Institute also noted the importance of the surcharge as a PR tool, writing in a 2009 book with Lori Wallach that the surcharge did almost nothing to change the US trading balance. "However," he wrote, "the underlying political goal had been accomplished: Nixon had established his populist credentials" and boosted his poll numbers. This time around, Trump is the one pushing the conversation in a more protectionist direction over many in his own party who might be wary of another round of global tensions. Trump often touts his tariff plan as evidence of how he is the candidate looking to protect Americans even as economic studies of the trade wars he undertook during his term in office suggest mixed results. His tariffs did indeed protect some US jobs but at the cost of higher prices for everyone, according to some of the results. Nevertheless, as Trump declared at a recent rally, "We will impose stiff penalties." Ben Werschkul is Washington correspondent for Yahoo Finance. Click here for politics news related to business and money Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Lang Walker has been praised in death as a pioneering property developer who changed the face of Sydney and helped reorient the citys future toward the west. Walker Corporation developed some of central Sydneys most recognised locations, including King Street Wharf in the 1990s, Broadway shopping centre and the Finger Wharf at Woolloomooloo. Lang Walker at the Rhodes shopping and residential site in 2006. Credit: Louie Douvis However, it was Walkers work decontaminating former industrial land at Rhodes, and transforming Sydneys second CBD with his more recent Parramatta Square project, that cemented the billionaires legacy as a city-shaper. Parramatta Square is clearly his most recent crowning achievement, said Rick Graf, development director at property group Billbergia. It has changed the central city for the better and forever. NSW Premier Chris Minns has been challenged to dramatically increase the affordable housing portion of a major redevelopment on state-owned land in the northern Sydney electorate of a key crossbench MP. Michael Regan, the independent member for Wakehurst, said the government should redraw plans for the new Frenchs Forest town centre to be built next to Northern Beaches Hospital once The Forest High School is relocated to a nearby site. The town centre at Frenchs Forest will be located on the former site of The Forest High School once it is relocated. The strategy, created under the previous Coalition government, calls for 2000 new dwellings in the precinct, including 1000 in the town centre. Fifteen per cent of the units in the town centre, and 10 per cent of those outside it, are to be earmarked as affordable rental housing which is offered at subsidised rates and managed by community housing providers. Premier Chris Minns has warned police could tear the balaclavas off Nazis gathering in NSW and expose them as massive racists to their friends, family and colleagues following their occupation of a Sydney park on Sunday morning. NSW Police said it concluded an operation in Artarmon just after 11am and there was no threat to public safety. Pictures posted by social media users showed men dressed in black, some wearing balaclavas, gathering in Artarmon Reserve. It comes two days after police stopped a group of men in similar attire at North Sydney station while they were on their away to Australia Day events in the CBD. Minns said the fascist, ridiculous behaviour had no place in NSW and warned police had the power to rip balaclavas off people and expose their identities. Youll be exposed as a racist to your family, your friends, your work colleagues, he said. Two people are dead one at the hands of Queensland police after three separate shooting incidents across the state overnight. In Morayfield, north of Brisbane, a 29-year-old woman was allegedly shot in the chest at a Grant Road address at 12.06am. Police were questioning an 18-year-old Morayfield man after taking him into custody on Sunday morning. That male is still currently assisting police with inquiries as we speak, Detective Inspector David Harbison said early Sunday afternoon. Extremism experts say Victoria needs to rethink the way it deals with neo-Nazi gatherings, after the NSW premier slammed white supremacists for importing fascism to Sydney over the weekend and threatened to expose their identities. On Friday, NSW Police detained prominent Melbourne neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell, the self-appointed leader of the National Socialist Network, and dozens of others wearing balaclavas at a Sydney train station, ordering them to stay away from the citys Australia Day events. A NSW police officer on Friday serves Thomas Sewell (left) with an order prohibiting him from entering the City of Sydney. On Sunday morning, police moved on about 20 men in black masks who are believed to be part of the white nationalist group, after they were spotted in a park in Artarmon, in Sydneys northern suburbs. NSW Premier Chris Minns said the fascist, ridiculous behaviour had no place in NSW and warned that police had the power to rip balaclavas off people and expose their identities. 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 gangland boss George Marrogi was rushed to hospital last year, it wasnt just the fire hed set inside his maximum security jail cell that was threatening him with serious health problems. On a rampage after being denied access to a computer, the leader of the Notorious Crime Family had set fire to his clothes, bedsheets and toilet roll inside cell 29 of the Olearia unit at Barwon Prison, in a dangerous act of protest that led to him being treated for smoke inhalation. But before he was returned to his shoebox-sized home, the 34-year-old was subjected to an X-ray that revealed an unexpected new danger there was an internet dongle stuck inside his guts. George Marrogi and his girlfriend and partner-in-crime Antonietta Mannella. The story of how it got there comes in two different versions. The first is that Marrogi swallowed the contraband communications device to avoid it being seized during a search; the other is that he had placed it in what prisoners euphemistically call the boot or the safe. Either way, the small rectangle of hard plastic and circuits a priceless tool for the notorious underworld figure to communicate with his criminal associates in the outside world became trapped inside him. Maybe just for days, but possibly even weeks or months. Advertisement The fluke discovery of the dongle in May 2023 was a fresh black eye for Corrections Victoria, which was still reeling from revelations that Marrogi had been running a massive drug trafficking syndicate under the noses of prison authorities from inside a cell at Barwon only the year before. This kind of serious security breach was not supposed to happen, not when high-risk prisoners like Marrogi were kept essentially isolated in 24 hour-a-day lockdown conditions and their lives placed under a microscope with surveillance and searches. Marrogi, who is currently serving a nearly 50-year sentence for drug trafficking and murder, is now facing fresh criminal charges over the torching of his cell and possessing the contraband device. The Department of Justice and Community Safety declined to comment on any matters concerning Marrogi. Corrections Victoria have some of the strongest security measures in Australia and regular reviews are undertaken to ensure it remains that way. Corrections Victoria has a complex intelligence system, including X-ray technology, in place to detect items entering and exiting correctional centres, a spokesperson said. Any person in custody found with prohibited items or damaging property is held accountable, including the potential for additional criminal prosecutions. But four law enforcement and underworld sources say Corrections Victoria has had a long-running problem managing Marrogi and other high-risk prisoners who can apparently flout security protocols despite being held in multimillion-dollar specialised prison units. Advertisement This includes major organised crime figures obtaining access to mobile phones, USBs and internet dongles that allow them to continue to run serious criminal enterprises from behind bars, according to former inmates who have served significant terms of imprisonment in the states high-security prisons. Loading Smuggled drugs and USBs containing pornography and movies are also popular. They run rings around them. Prisoners spend all their time working out ways to beat the system. The guards dont stand much of a chance and the system is full of holes. Marrogi, who has spent all but 12 months of his adult life in custody, is one of the most infamous cases because his recklessness has led to him being caught multiple times, according to confidential sources and court records. Since his arrest for the murder of underworld figure Kadir Ors in 2016 a crime he was eventually convicted of Marrogi has spent virtually all his time inside the high-security Acacia or Olearia units at Barwon. Hes been a notoriously difficult prisoner to manage, with a well-known history of feuding with authorities and other inmates, staging at least two hunger strikes over his conditions, setting fires and even fashioning a homemade crossbow from bits of material scrounged from inside the jail. Advertisement In 2019, Marrogi used his prison-issue computer to draft the constitution for his Notorious Crime Family (NCF) gang, a document that is believed to have been sent beyond the walls of Barwon Prison using one of the multiple dongles he allegedly obtained during his time inside, according to prison and underworld sources. Loading Marrogi grew the gang into a multimillion-dollar drug trafficking operation while in custody, maintained regular contact with his sister and partner-in-crime Meshilin Mesh Marrogi and his associates on the street through the dongles and by gaming Corrections Victorias secure prison phone system, Arunta. Marrogi was able to make up to 20 phone calls a day by fooling authorities into believing he was speaking to his legal representatives when the line had actually been diverted to his girlfriend, Antonietta Mannella. Under prison rules, calls to lawyers cannot be intercepted or recorded because they are classified as confidential. The secret communication system was also used to bolster Marrogis safety inside prison by organising rewards for protection from inmates whose family members on the outside received regular cash payments and the gift of a car, the sources said. So brazen was his violation of the security protocols at Barwon that Marrogi would eventually be found with a USB in his cell that contained images of millions of dollars in suspected drug money piled on a kitchen bench, and high-powered guns allegedly in the gangs hands. The Australian Federal Police and Victoria Polices Echo taskforce ultimately took down Marrogis jailhouse operation in early 2022. Advertisement The revelation he was caught organising the importation of $55 million worth of drugs and amassing a portfolio of property, cars, jewellery and art worth at least $47 million as well as allegedly planning hits against his enemies represented a massive failure for Corrections Victoria. Trafficking in large quantities of drugs and arranging the importation of drugs from prison while serving a sentence for murder is outrageous, County Court Judge Peter Rozen said at Marrogi and Mannellas sentencing hearing in February last year. George Marrogi and his late sister, Meshilin. Such brazen conduct makes a mockery of the criminal justice system and is an affront to the community. In the aftermath, Marrogis NCF was effectively neutered, and with the river of dirty money drying up, members began dropping out and getting their signature gang tattoos removed or inked over. But what might have changed at Corrections Victoria to correct the mistakes of the past remains unclear. After the sentencing, Marrogi was transferred from Barwons high-security Acacia unit to the even stricter Olearia unit. Advertisement Victorian parents are forking out hundreds of dollars each year for basic services and equipment that some other states provide to students for free. The Education State charges metropolitan students $720 a year to catch public transport. In NSW, most students travel for free on school days. Karen Taylor is relieved to be facing just one set of costs this year after her daughter, Emelia Chernishov, graduated from high school last year. Credit: Wayne Taylor Its one of several big-ticket education costs offered at no charge to all families, regardless of income, in other states. In the ACT, all secondary state students are given a free Chromebook, while Victorian parents are forced to pay hundreds of dollars for laptops. NSW students are also given $50 vouchers twice a year for active and creative activities. And in Queensland, all public school families are granted an automatic annual textbook and resource allowance of up to $337. We can only support the population weve got now because of massive investment in desalination plants, if we took that away we couldnt support our current population, he said. There are places in the world which are hotter that totally survive off using desalinated water, but its not a sustainable practice. New research released last week forecast WA would reach a population milestone of 3 million as early as 2025. In the year to June 2023, WAs population increased by 3.11 per cent, far above the national annual growth rate of 2.4 per cent, said McCrindles principal social researcher and demographer, Mark McCrindle. Over the past 12 months, WA saw an increase of 86,769 residents, its largest increase ever, a split of 16 per cent through natural increase, 13 per cent through net interstate migration, and 71 per cent through net overseas migration. That means more homes at a time when low density suburbia already stretches more than 70 kilometres along the coast. As Perth grapples with the biggest housing supply crisis it has ever faced, planning ideologies from all corners of the property sector are colliding daily over what should Perth look like in the future and how much further it should stretch. Its those newer suburbs on the urban fringe being built to house the citys burgeoning population that are the most susceptible to becoming ghost suburbs in the decades ahead according to Greens MLC Brad Pettitt. Pettitt said a population exodus was likely to be exacerbated by climate change, with the largely tree-less suburbs the most at risk of population decline. In summer there can be a 10-degree temperature difference between coastal and inland suburbs in Perth, he said. But it is these outer areas where we continue to build 70 per cent of Perths new houses in hot, tree-less rows with black roofs a long way from job centres, amenities and everything else that makes a community that are most at risk of becoming ghost suburbs in the decades ahead. Loading Pettitt said for Perth to remain a liveable city there needed to be a shift to being a more compact, better-connected city with sensible infill in established suburbs that are closer to jobs, services and transport options. We also need to diversify our economy away from resource extraction especially fossil fuels that are likely to become stranded assets in the decades ahead. Pettitt said for as long as WA continues to put so many of its eggs in the resource extraction basket Perths population will be vulnerable to the boom-bust cycle of these industries and the population fluctuations that follow. He said a major contraction in the gas and iron ore industries in WA is probable in the decade ahead. Scopelliti said those changes in global trade or resource prices could lead to a depopulation of Perth. He said existing ghost cities and suburbs worldwide, such as Detroit, Michigan and Ordos in China, offered valuable lessons for policymakers and urban planners when mapping out Perths future. While Perth currently enjoys a prosperous present, considering its potential vulnerabilities to climate change, resource depletion, and economic shifts is crucial, he said. Investing in sustainable water management, diversifying the economy beyond resource extraction, and focusing on developing vibrant and well-connected suburbs can help mitigate the risk of ghost suburbs and ensure Perths long-term sustainability and resilience. Callus said it made little sense to continue to build houses on top of each other with black roofs and little space for greenery. Loading He has turned his 670 square metre block in Alexander Heights into an urban farm to combat the heat island effect. On a hot summer day you can see weve created a micro environment on our property. You can feel the difference the green makes as opposed to our neighbours with complete paving out the front or lawn with no trees, he said. How are these new suburbs ever going to have areas with the benefits of all these trees when theres no space to plant them? A leading autism researcher will join the national board that oversees school funding arrangements, in a sign the federal government is taking fresh steps to make sure the education system accommodates students with a disability, which is now almost a quarter of all pupils. It comes weeks after schools were asked to shoulder more responsibility for supporting children with autism and developmental delays, to stop families flocking to the National Disability Insurance Scheme because it is their only source of help. Autism expert Professor Andrew Whitehouses appointment to the school resourcing board was welcomed. Credit: Trevor Collens The number of students with a disability has been rising each year and the latest data from the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority showed there were 991,272 school students who received an educational adjustment due to disability in 2023. This represented 24.2 per cent of total school enrolments, up from 22.5 per cent in 2022 and 18 per cent in 2015. Education Minister Jason Clares appointment of Professor Andrew Whitehouse, head of the Autism Research Team at the Telethon Kids Institute, was welcomed as a positive signal those students will be prioritised as state and federal governments negotiate a new school funding agreement this year. When Tom Cotton and Emily Basham purchased a deceased estate in Mona Vale four years ago, the original 1950s home lacked charm and was decked out in various hues of dark brown. The couple, aged 35 and 34 respectively, have since transformed it into a stylish mid-century family home with a Scandinavian twist, ocean views and a self-contained guest suite. The house had very little endearing features about it. It was a pretty ugly 1950s house and not a good 50s house, said Tom. The windows were small, so the rooms felt dimly lit and there was virtually no indoor-outdoor flow. It's been a good week for IDOX plc (LON:IDOX) shareholders, because the company has just released its latest annual results, and the shares gained 5.4% to UK0.66. Statutory earnings per share fell badly short of expectations, coming in at UK0.012, some 35% below analyst forecasts, although revenues were okay, approximately in line with analyst estimates at UK73m. 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. So we gathered the latest post-earnings forecasts to see what estimates suggest is in store for next year. See our latest analysis for IDOX After the latest results, the four analysts covering IDOX are now predicting revenues of UK88.8m in 2024. If met, this would reflect a huge 21% improvement in revenue compared to the last 12 months. Per-share earnings are expected to jump 27% to UK0.016. Before this earnings report, the analysts had been forecasting revenues of UK85.9m and earnings per share (EPS) of UK0.022 in 2024. While next year's revenue estimates increased, there was also a large cut to EPS expectations, suggesting the consensus has a bit of a mixed view of these results. Curiously, the consensus price target rose 12% to UK0.83. We can only conclude that the forecast revenue growth is expected to offset the impact of the expected fall in earnings. 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. The most optimistic IDOX analyst has a price target of UK0.85 per share, while the most pessimistic values it at UK0.80. With such a narrow range of valuations, the analysts apparently share similar views on what they think the business is worth. Story continues These estimates are interesting, but it can be useful to paint some more broad strokes when seeing how forecasts compare, both to the IDOX's past performance and to peers in the same industry. It's clear from the latest estimates that IDOX's rate of growth is expected to accelerate meaningfully, with the forecast 21% annualised revenue growth to the end of 2024 noticeably faster than its historical growth of 1.4% p.a. over the past five years. Compare this with other companies in the same industry, which are forecast to grow their revenue 8.2% annually. Factoring in the forecast acceleration in revenue, it's pretty clear that IDOX is expected to grow much faster than its industry. The Bottom Line The biggest concern is that the analysts reduced their earnings per share estimates, suggesting business headwinds could lay ahead for IDOX. Pleasantly, they also upgraded their revenue estimates, and their forecasts suggest the business is expected to grow faster than the wider industry. There was also a nice increase in the price target, with the analysts clearly feeling that the intrinsic value of the business is improving. Keeping that in mind, we still think that the longer term trajectory of the business is much more important for investors to consider. We have forecasts for IDOX going out to 2026, and you can see them free on our platform here. You can also view our analysis of IDOX's balance sheet, and whether we think IDOX is carrying too much debt, for free on our platform here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Technology start-up ProcurePro thinks it has the answer to the insolvency crisis hammering Australias construction sector, raising $6 million in funding to help meet its stated goal of saving 1 billion construction administration hours globally. Nearly 2000 construction companies across Australia entered administration between July 2022 and July 2023, according to data from the corporate regulator, with more builders expected to fail over the next year. Its an industry that has been stretched to breaking point due to record inflation in construction costs and devastating losses on fixed-price contracts according to Alastair Blenkin, co-founder of construction tech start-up ProcurePro. ProcurePro co-founders Nathan Dench, Jesse Dymond, Alastair Blenkin, Tim Rogers and Tom Newby. About 80 per cent of head contractors project costs are spent procuring subcontractors, Blenkin said, and ProcurePro consolidates procurement processes traditionally managed with Excel, Word and thousands of emails into a single online platform. In the minutes before dawn, a safari-style vehicle rolls across the top of a desert ridge, towing a plume of red dust behind. The salt sheet of Lake Frome is laid out to the east, looking like a bank of cloud from which the sun will soon rise. Except that in customary outback fashion, theres not an actual cloud in sight. Riding the ridge. As we head across this ridge, were driving along one of the most famous sights in the South Australian outback, but were here at the most uncommon of times. Tour vehicles have been travelling over Arkaroolas Ridgetop Track since it was built by a uranium exploration company in the late 1960s, but only recently has it become possible to sleep out along the way. Launched last winter, the Ridgetop Sleepout is no ordinary camp. Atop this ridge framed by mountains, four timber and corrugated-iron platforms have been constructed among the grass trees and spinifex. Each platform is laid out with a swag and hangs from the ridge like a balcony, providing views across the surrounding domes and saw-toothed peaks. Its the full Ridgetop Track scene condensed, but with sunset, sunrise, steak and wine thrown in. The privately owned Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary is laced with more than 100 kilometres of 4WD tracks, which were built almost entirely by uranium companies, though the land yielded just enough ore to keep them interested for the time it took to build the roads. All of them are open to the public, except this one treasured track with its notoriously steep grades and cliff-edged design. Human Rights Watchs deputy Asia director, Phil Robertson, said the new government in Cambodia had picked up where the previous government left off in its persecution of government critics, but its fresh new face has been on an overseas charm offensive. Hun Manet visited France last week and Japan and the United States before that. Tak, who represents the seat of Clarinda in Melbournes south-east, said the ruling Cambodian Peoples Partys (CPP) establishment of overseas divisions, including a state-based network in Australia, had allowed it to amplify pressure on dissenting voices outside Cambodia. Hun Sen (left) passed on the prime ministership to son Hun Manet in August. Credit: Reuters/File Controlled by fly-in, fly-out senior Cambodian officials, the branches hold banquets in Australian capital cities where attendees dress up in the CPPs sky-blue party colours. The network was set up in 2015 by Hun Manet himself, whose visit to Australia a year later triggered community protests. This network is very secretive, Tak said. In Paris, they managed to gather about 2000 people to attend [a reception for Hun Manet]. In Melbourne, I would say it would be somewhere around that number. If youre part of the CPP and you have your kids study here in Australia, if you have business and want to be protected in Cambodia, you have to attend such events. Lim, who was tried for incitement in Cambodia in absentia and acquitted in 2021, labels such activities as blatant foreign interference and has been among those calling for the Australian government to deny travel visas to select officials. Victorian MP Meng Heang Tak (centre) and former MP Hong Lim (left) were named on a hit list in a warning letter sent to Taks office last year. More immediately, Lim is eager to ensure the security of those who choose to speak out during Hun Manets Australian trip, referencing an assault of a well-known Cambodian activist by two unidentified assailants at a Buddhist temple in Thailand this month. My concern is if they dare do it in Thailand, they would probably dare do it in Australia as well, Lim said. I think the [Australian] government need to take this very seriously because these bastards, they dont care for any law. That would be an insult to this country and our value system, our law and order. CPP spokesman Sok Eysan said Cambodians in Australia had nothing to be concerned about. Loading The Khmer [Cambodian] dissidents in Australia should not be worried because the delegation of [the] Cambodian government will not bring weapons along but only sentiment with Khmer brothers living there, he said from Phnom Penh. He described the anonymous letter Tak reported to Victoria Police last year as non-existent and a smear, saying any accusation Cambodian government officials were involved in nefarious conduct was a contempt of Australian law. An advance party was being sent to organise a gathering between Hun Manet and Cambodian-Australians while he was in Melbourne, Eysan said. Wherever he has paid visits to any country, not only Australia, he keeps them informed about the current development of Cambodia, and he would encourage Australian investors to come to Cambodia to invest. Hun Manet has been joined on his international jaunts by Kim Santepheap, a Cambodian justice ministry official who oversees the CPPs outreach in Australia and New Zealand. Federal Labor MP Julian Hill told parliament last year that Santepheap should not be granted visas to come to Australia. Santepheap, who was in Melbourne in early January to commemorate Cambodias Victory Day which marks the fall of Pol Pots Khmer Rouge last Wednesday posted a photograph of Lim on his Facebook page, which has 507,000 followers. Is a Khmer temple abroad a place for Buddhists to practice religion or just a place for a group of people to use as political parties headquarters? Santepheap said in an adjoining comment. Please, please, please, dont continue to use the temple as a shelter for political parties like this. Its not right and its very ugly. The Australian government last year declared a fresh crackdown on foreign interference but a spokesperson for Australias Department of Home Affairs said it did not comment on individual cases or confirm which matters were under investigation. Australia takes a country-agnostic approach to countering foreign interference and has a robust framework in place to protect our democracy from acts of foreign interference and strengthen our resilience, the spokesperson said. Before the year is out, we are likely to see important changes in the leadership of at least one, if not both, of Australias AUKUS partners. Most attention will, naturally, focus on the United States, where the prospect of a second Trump presidency has moved from the implausible, through the distinctly possible, and is now knocking on the door of the probable. The latest RealClearPolitics average of opinion polls has Trump leading Biden nationally by 3.8 per cent. Every major poll taken since the Iowa caucuses has Trump ahead, as do the betting markets. Keir Starmer is Britains prime minister-in-waiting while Donald Trump is a prospect for a second term as president. Credit: SMH graphic by Aresna Villanueva; Getty and AP Nevertheless, there is a long way to go until November 5. While a second Trump administration so unthinkable to many people barely six months ago is now beginning to seem likely, it is still too soon to predict that it will happen. In the United Kingdom, however, there is little doubt about the outcome of the election later this year. Labour having led the Conservative government by about 20 points for more than a year, two opinion polls published last week had its lead stretching to 25 and 27 points respectively. Incredibly, in the past few days there has been serious speculation about the possibility of yet another Tory leadership change. To lose two prime ministers in the space of seven weeks was bad enough, but to lose three in less than 18 months would have left even Lady Bracknell lost for words. The two-state solution involves the formation of an independent Palestinian state alongside the state of Israel. Prior to October 7 and the ongoing war in Gaza, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was off the international agenda. Other issues from around the world, namely the Russian war on Ukraine, were front-of-mind, and the end of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, and establishment of a Palestinian state wasnt being widely discussed. Even the countries which had sponsored the Middle East Peace Process, which started in the early 1990s, had no desire to return to the topic, in part because, for them, the two-state solution no longer looked possible. The two-state solution was an international consensus accepted by Palestinians in 1988. Credit: Photo: Kate Geraghty; Artwork: Marija Ercegovac The shock of October 7 didnt hit Israelis and the Palestinians only. It took the entire world by surprise, including the surrounding Arab countries. Following the attack, as is the case of all crises, the pursuit for an opportunity began. In this crisis, the only available and viable opportunity is returning to the old paradigm that many had given up on: the two-state solution. Israeli military and intelligence officials have concluded that a significant number of weapons used by Hamas in the October 7 attacks and in the war in the Gaza Strip came from an unlikely source: the Israeli military itself. For years, analysts have pointed to underground smuggling routes to explain how Hamas stayed so heavily armed despite an Israeli military blockade of the Gaza Strip. But recent intelligence has shown the extent to which Hamas has been able to build many of its rockets and anti-tank weaponry out of the thousands of munitions that failed to detonate when Israel lobbed them into Gaza, according to weapons experts and Israeli and Western intelligence officials. Hamas is also arming its fighters with weapons stolen from Israeli military bases. Israels Iron Dome missile defence system fires interceptors at rockets launched from the Gaza Strip, in Ashkelon, southern Israel. Credit: AP Intelligence gathered during months of fighting revealed that, just as Israeli authorities misjudged Hamas intentions before October 7, they also underestimated its ability to obtain arms. What is clear now is that the very weapons that Israeli forces have used to enforce a blockade of Gaza over the past 17 years are now being used against them. Israeli and American military explosives have enabled Hamas to shower Israel with rockets and, for the first time, penetrate Israeli towns from Gaza. Following the catastrophic war in Gaza and Hamas shocking October 7 attack on Israel, there is a fresh recognition that the historic status quo of Israel managing the conflict is no longer an option. Regardless of its merits, and whatever chances for success it may have previously had, the death of the Oslo Peace Process in 2000 left a massive void where once there was an imaginable path toward a more just future. But like any challenge to powerful oppression, in this case Israels over Palestinians, just reaching the point where a viable alternative plan to the two-state solution might be seriously considered will require sufficient pressure. There are many proposals for the solution of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Credit: Photo: Kate Geraghty; Artwork: Marija Ercegovac There is no shortage of proposals and visions for the future of the region two states, one state, or a confederation of some kind of what a just and lasting resolution might look like in the region, where Israel has effective sovereignty over seven million Palestinians and seven million Israelis. Even before the events of October 7, a growing number of Israelis were starting to see the connection between apartheid and the troubling authoritarianism of the Netanyahu government. On October 7, a different realisation struck many Israelis in a tragic way: that its simply impossible to go back to occupation, apartheid and siege, while enjoying the relative quiet and safety they had come to expect. Combined with the uncertainty of what comes next, the realisation that change must occur creates an opportunity. Washington: Former US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she thinks some protests in the United States demanding a ceasefire in Gaza could be linked to Russia, and that the FBI should conduct a probe into their funding. Her comments were dismissed as unsubstantiated smears by some rights advocates, who said they amounted to dehumanisation of the Palestinian people. Former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Credit: Getty Pelosi, who made the remarks in a CNN interview, provided no evidence for her claims. She was asked whether opposition to US President Joe Bidens policy in the war in Gaza could hurt the Democrat in Novembers presidential election. For them to call for a ceasefire is Mr. Putins message, Mr. Putins message. Make no mistake, this is directly connected to what he [Russian President Vladimir Putin] would like to see, Pelosi told CNN. A constitutional question central to the upcoming presidential election that is now before the U.S. Supreme Court was also argued in front of Chicagos courthouse in 1866. On Nov. 2 of that year, U.S. Sen. Richard Yates of Illinois spoke in support of a proposal to ban anyone who served in the government of the Confederacy during the Civil War from holding elected office through a constitutional amendment. The Constitution of the United States says that levying war against the United States shall be held to be treason. Did they not levy war against the United States? Therefore, did they not therefore commit treason? Yates asked an audience that nearly filled the northern portion of the (courthouse) square from the building to the railings on Randolph street, according to the Tribune. U.S. Sen. Richard Yates of Illinois spoke in support of a proposal to ban anyone who served in the government of the Confederacy during the Civil War from holding elected office. The size of the crowd bespoke the enormity of a problem America confronted: Putting the nation back together after a war during which it is estimated that at least 620,000 were killed. Because it depended on unpaid labor, the Souths economic base was all but gone. Northern workers feared losing their jobs to former slaves. To start the nations healing, Congresss first priority was to make it crystal clear that slavery was dead and gone. Accordingly, the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, proclaimed in December 1865, forbade slavery. To prevent it from being reborn, Congress established a Joint Committee on Reconstruction. It confronted a double dose of hard reality: Whatever a law prescribes, in practice the effect of the law is determined by whoever administers it. And unless the federal government was willing to maintain an occupying force in the South, those states had to be allowed to administer the laws. That presented the likelihood of officials in Southern states sabotaging, rather than protecting, the rights of Black citizens. The pool of experienced Southern administrators was largely comprised of former Confederate officials, prompting Sen. Yates to proclaim, as his audience cheered: If you desire me as your senator in Congress to vote for these men until I think they are fit to come in, until I think there is a loyal sentiment in the South, until I think there is no danger of further bloody war, you must call me home and send another senator there. Three days earlier, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Orville Browning, snuck a diametrically opposite argument into the Tribune. A former U.S. senator from Illinois, he sent the paper a copy of a letter he said he wrote to former constituents. U.S. Secretary of the Interior Orville Browning, circa 1855-1865. The Tribune suspected an ulterior motive. It is matter of some curiosity here in Illinois why Browning wrote any letter, particularly such a letter at this time, it reported while sharing the gist of his thinking: Mr. Browning objects to the third section of the proposed (14th) constitutional amendment because it disenfranchises the great majority of the educated men of the states that have been in rebellion from any participation in the affairs of the state and federal government. A battle over the amendment was fought state by state, and proponents and opponents had a tough sell. Chicagos chapter of the story reads like what pollsters call a representative sample of the nations current division. It is a must-read for someone who looks to the past for clues to the present, when some are arguing former President Donald Trump should not be allowed on the 2024 ballot because of his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection in Washington. In 1866, Illinois was a Republican state. Abraham Lincoln was a martyred favorite son. But Chicago had a vocal contingent of Copperheads, a faction of Democrats who opposed the Civil War and Lincoln, who were being courted by his successor, President Andrew Johnson. The Conservative parasites of Andrew Johnson say that he is carrying out in good faith the purposes and principles of the martyred president, the Tribune wrote on January 4th. We hope he is. But like faith it rests on things not seen. Johnson had been chosen as Lincolns running mate in the 1864 election as a southerner opposed to the Souths plantation aristocracy. But following Lincolns assassination, his behavior mutated. He falsely claimed a right to veto a constitutional amendment. He vetoed a renewal of the Freedmens Bureau, which was aimed at helping ex-slaves become self-sufficient, and the Civil Rights Act of 1866. He pardoned thousands of former Confederate soldiers and officials and was finding a following. A wood engraving from 1866 shows Andrew Johnson holding a leaking kettle, labeled The Reconstructed South, toward a woman representing liberty and Columbia, carrying a baby representing the newly approved 14th Constitutional Amendment. The Copperheads have begun the work of Reconstruction in Chicago. A call for a meeting to discuss Johnsons veto, his maudlin harangues and his plot to precipitate twenty-two whitewashed rebels into the Senate and sixty-seven into the House was quietly but industriously circulated among the file leaders all day yesterday and received quite a number of Copperhead signatures, the Tribune reported on February 25. The New York Tribune was troubled by Johnsons veto message regarding the Freedmens Bureau: The presidents manner was very violent. He gnashed his teeth and spoke in a loud voice and boisterous manner. A more undignified exhibition of spleen and rancor from the chief executive of the nation can hardly be imagined, the Springfield (Ill.) Journal wrote. The Montreal Witness headline proclaimed: Andrew Johnson Passes the Rubicon. It alluded to Julius Caesars breaking the Roman Republics rule that generals couldnt bring their legions to the capital, least they seize power. The act set off a civil war that led to the death of Caesar and the Republic. Early versions of the 14th Amendments Section 3 suggested the Committee was in no mood to forgive and forget Johnsons heavy-handed actions. In Section 3, it provided: No person shall be qualified or shall hold the office of President or Vice President, Senator or Representative in the national congress who has been or shall hereafter be engaged in any armed conspiracy or rebellion against the government of the United States. Sen. Lyman Trumbull of Illinois. Sen. Lyman Trumbull of Illinois explained that the wording was intended to put some sort of stigma, some sort of odium on the leaders of the rebellion. But the final form of the amendment provoked a question when it reached Congress. Doubtless it will be repeated and the answer debated during the Supreme Courts scheduled Feb. 8 hearing on the Colorado Supreme Courts decision to strike Trump from the states presidential ballot. As enacted, the amendment makes no specific mention of the president or vice president, only of those offices electors. So can Trump be held accountable for a law that doesnt specify the office he held? During the debate over the amendment, Sen. Reverdy Johnson of Maryland was troubled by the omission. Did that mean it didnt apply to President Johnson? Sen. Justin Morrill of Vermont assured Sen. Johnson that the Reconstruction Committee had no such intention. Let me call the Senators attention to the words or hold any office, civil or military under the United States, Morrill said. Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Ron Grossman and Marianne Mather at rgrossman@chicagotribune.com and mmather@chicagotribune.com. Compass Diversified (NYSE:CODI) shareholders (or potential shareholders) will be happy to see that the Partner & CEO, Elias Sabo, recently bought a whopping US$2.0m worth of stock, at a price of US$22.62. Aside from being a solid chunk in its own right, the deft move also saw their holding increase by some 15%. View our latest analysis for Compass Diversified The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Compass Diversified Notably, that recent purchase by Elias Sabo is the biggest insider purchase of Compass Diversified shares that we've seen in the last year. So it's clear an insider wanted to buy, even at a higher price than the current share price (being US$22.84). While their view may have changed since the purchase was made, this does at least suggest they have had confidence in the company's future. To us, it's very important to consider the price insiders pay for shares. Generally speaking, it catches our eye when insiders have purchased shares at above current prices, as it suggests they believed the shares were worth buying, even at a higher price. While Compass Diversified insiders bought shares during the last year, they didn't sell. You can see the insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date! Compass Diversified is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of growing companies with insider buying. Insider Ownership I like to look at how many shares insiders own in a company, to help inform my view of how aligned they are with insiders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. It appears that Compass Diversified insiders own 2.3% of the company, worth about US$40m. While this is a strong but not outstanding level of insider ownership, it's enough to indicate some alignment between management and smaller shareholders. Story continues What Might The Insider Transactions At Compass Diversified Tell Us? The recent insider purchases are heartening. And an analysis of the transactions over the last year also gives us confidence. But on the other hand, the company made a loss during the last year, which makes us a little cautious. Given that insiders also own a fair bit of Compass Diversified we think they are probably pretty confident of a bright future. While we like knowing what's going on with the insider's ownership and transactions, we make sure to also consider what risks are facing a stock before making any investment decision. To help with this, we've discovered 2 warning signs (1 is significant!) that you ought to be aware of before buying any shares in Compass Diversified. If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt. For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions of direct interests only, but not derivative transactions or indirect interests. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. From the beginning, despite the many attempts by the school to suggest otherwise, this has always been about my Christian beliefs and me being discriminated against for expressing them in my own time, she said. When we have been in the United States, whether it was during the war in Iraq, whether it was in relation to other foreign policy differences that we would have and many of them that we have with America we always will raise the issues of those who we feel are being persecuted across the world and well do that again this year, and I would call on the Irish government to do the same. The UK has been ensuring that we are able to send aid to the people of Gaza and thats something that we want to continue to do. But there is clearly a problem with the UNs (Relief and Works Agency) and its really important that we do something about that. This is an active, ongoing investigation that is our highest priority as an organisation, and we encourage anyone with knowledge of any abuses to report them to us or to the Congolese law enforcement authorities which will assist with the investigation and ensure that the perpetrators of any abuses are brought to justice African Parks I express my closeness to the community of (the church) in Istanbul, which during the Mass suffered an armed attack with one dead and some wounded, the pontiff said. Q: I am using Microsoft Edge (on my MacBook, running up-to-date OS), and I just developed a new problem with Gmail. I constantly use the pop-out when composing new emails. Last week the popout function stopped working. I hit Shift-C to get a pop-out window, and I will get the window, but without the address label in it. Can you help??? Ian K., Foster City, California A: Can I??? Well, maybe!!! As I mentioned in a recent Mac Week issue, Im not much of a Mac guy. What I am, however, is the lone holder of the coveted Geekudon Black Belt in the dark art of Google-Fu. So, I put my mystical powers to work on your issue. The results that I found were confusing. In my research, I found numerous people with your exact complaint. Specifically, that they are longtime users of Gmails pop-out function, and it has always worked on Edge, but, quite suddenly, activating the feature results in a blank window instead of a window containing the mail being composed. Further, these same users stated that the function worked fine in Google Chrome. The confusing part of my research is that scattered among the above-mentioned complaints were an almost equal number of the exact opposite complaint. That is, users of Chrome were saying that the pop-out feature had suddenly stopped working for them, but when they tested it using Edge, it was working just fine. To begin to shed some light on this, you need to know that in 2020 Microsoft released a new version of Edge that is based on Chromium, the same open-source software that Google uses to power its Chrome browser. Thats right under the hood, these two browsers, made by two different vendors, are running the same core software. It may make sense, then, when I tell you that all of those who claimed to have overcome the problem, regardless of whether they were using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge, did so in the same way. The simple solution was that they cleared the browser cache. To do that, regardless of the browser, click the three-dots button near the upper-right corner of the browser and select Settings. In the Search Settings field, enter Cache, and drill down into the entry for clearing the cache. You can clear out as much as you want, but at a minimum clear the one that reads, Cookies and other site data. Make sure you read the assistive text near each entry to understand what will be affected by clearing that item. Story continues I also would recommend completely exiting all browser windows and tabs before trying Gmail again, just to make sure that something else isnt stuck in the process thats causing a problem. . In my final column of 2023 (Geek Note: I.G.T.M. No. 0858, Dec. 31, 2023) I helped out a user of Microsoft Outlook who was faced with changing to a new version, and was apparently concerned that the old Outlook might go away if she didnt switch. In that column, I mentioned that I use webmail almost exclusively for the many email accounts that I manage. Here is one reason why. An article from TechRadar came across my desk quite recently, admonishing Windows 11 users to watch out because Microsoft may be sharing your emails from the new Outlook without telling you. The information shared is more than just the email body. It includes your contacts, browsing history and even location data. All-in-all its a shocking amount of personal information, but perhaps not so shocking given Microsofts history of collecting personal data. If you dont want to take the spartan route that I do and use only webmail, there are ways to protect yourself. Im running out of space for this week, so, rather than try to give instructions here, Im just going to point you to an article at TinyURL.com/IGTM-0861 for more information. It discusses the issue in some amount of detail, and provides ways to protect yourself. Be safe out there, my Geeks! To view additional content, comment on articles or submit a question of your own, visit ItsGeekToMe.co (not .com!) This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Getting around Gmails pop-out problem | Its Geek to Me frankpeters / Getty Images/iStockphoto The new year is still young, but predictions are already emerging about what to expect in the 2024 housing market. Find: 6 Safest and Cheapest Cities to Live in Virginia Learn: 6 Unusual Ways to Make Extra Money (That Actually Work) One popular forecast involves determining which cities offer the most affordable housing compared to cities where home prices will continue to rise. This is especially of interest to buyers planning to purchase real estate in California. If you want to buy a home in California this year, which cities should future homeowners avoid? Sponsored: Owe the IRS $10K or more? Schedule a FREE consultation to see if you qualify for tax relief. Redding In January 2024, CBS reported key findings from real estate firm CoreLogic detailing 20 U.S. cities where there are likely to be pricing gains for residential real estate. The top gainer was Redding, a city in Northern California. According to CoreLogics predictions, home prices in Redding could rise as much as 7.3% in 2024. Zillow data shows the current average Redding home value is $375,981, down 0.2% over the past year. Read: Barbara Corcoran Says Now Is the Best Time To Buy a House: Heres Why San Francisco San Franciscos reputation for exorbitantly expensive real estate doesnt have plans to decline significantly anytime soon. Redfin reported San Francisco was among the least affordable housing markets in 2023. One of its key findings revealed San Francisco homebuyers with the typical local income would need to spend over 80% of their pay on monthly housing costs. Though data from Realtor.com predicts San Francisco may experience a projected decline of -5.2% in home prices this year, it may not be enough of a decrease to sway buyers. San Francisco ranks at sixth place in U.S. News 25 Most Expensive Places to Live in the U.S. 2023-2024. The Bay Area city also ranked in 10th place as one of the 10 most expensive cities in the world in the EIUs Worldwide Cost of Living 2023 report. Story continues Los Angeles Los Angeles, which ranks in second place as one of the most expensive places to live in the U.S., continues to struggle with a high cost of living and lack of affordable housing. The average Los Angeles home value is $918,087, according to Zillow data, which is up 3.5% over the past year. Insurance company The Zebra recently put Los Angeles in sixth place on its list of the 10 most expensive cities to own a home in for 2024, citing issues like a tight housing inventory and expensive property taxes as deterrents to interested buyers. Los Angeles also took sixth place in the Worldwide Cost of Living 2023 report. San Diego There are several good items to watch out for in the San Diego 2024 housing forecast. Data from Realtor.com indicates San Diego is among the top five Californian metros and is expected to have a 13.1% average sales growth. The city also emerged as a leader for veteran households utilizing VA loans to purchase homes last year. Realtor reported San Diego had a 16.5% share of VA loans, almost double the largest 100 market average. However, housing price tags may simply be out of reach for many buyers. Zillow data shows the average San Diego home value is $960,202. This is up 7.1% over the past year and it is the highest value of any cities mentioned on this list. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Housing Market 2024: Avoid Buying a Home in These 4 California Cities HELPING OUT The SoulFisher Ministries awarded a two-year, $300,000 grant partnership with the Shepard McCaskill Foundation. Bayer Fund, a philanthropic arm of Bayer in the U.S., awarded a $75,000 grant to support the Operation Food Search MetroMarket mobile grocery store. MILESTONE St. Louis-based transportation company R & S Delivered celebrated its 10th anniversary. Owner and CEO Stacey Schultz leads an all-female management team. MORE BIZ Brawner Insurance, Kirksville, Missouri, joined Valley Insurance Agency Alliance. PARTNERSHIP General contractor Brinkmann Constructors joined forces with St. Louis-based Ficon Construction to collaborate on solutions for clients in the food, beverage and cold storage industry. PROJECTS St. Louis-based integrated design firm Vestal Corporation, along with design build partners Graycor, Helmkamp Construction, and Salas OBrien, have been awarded Wieland Rolled Products North Americas new state-of-the-art Casting Mill and Rolling Mill projects at its facility in East Alton, Illinois. At the start of 2022, I panicked after realizing I was in my early thirties with only about $4,000 saved for retirement. Once the panic subsided, my solution was to use side hustles to fast-track my retirement savings. Within two years, I was able to use my freelance and 9-to-5 income to grow my retirement savings by over $100,000. Here are some strategies I used to achieve my goal. 1. Draft a retirement plan Over the years, I hadnt put much thought into when I wanted to retire or how much I would need. I got started by reading online articles and using a retirement calculator. Drafting a retirement plan was a cathartic process it challenged me to think about what lifestyle I want during retirement and how much that could cost. I landed around the $2 million mark, which was initially a shock to my nervous system because I only had around $4,000 saved. I arrived at this number by inputting my ideal retirement age, life expectancy, monthly contribution, monthly budget and other variables into a retirement calculator. The retirement calculator also helped me break down how much I needed to save monthly to reach my lofty goal. 2. Create an investing strategy Before hunting for freelance gigs, I wanted to make sure I had an investing strategy in place. Its easy to spend freelance money before it hits your checking account; I would know because Ive done it one too many times. As a side hustler, your go-to accounts for saving for retirement are the IRA, the Roth IRA, the SEP IRA and a solo 401(k), says Alleson Tate, a certified financial planner and founder of Avere Wealth Management in Atlanta. These types of accounts can help maximize retirement and health care savings. To hit my monthly savings goal, I planned to divide my side hustle income into five pots: my emergency savings fund within a high-yield savings account, my 401(k), an IRA, a health savings account and a standard brokerage account. I also planned to max out my allowable contributions to my 401(k), HSA and IRA as my income increased. 3. Budget Eventually, I found multiple consistent freelance writing gigs by focusing on securing high-paying clients who would provide consistent work over an agreed period of time. I was a regular contributor for some online platforms and also had private clients to whom I provided articles. I used job boards, cold emails and tapped my network. Although most of my freelance income was consistent, some contracts didnt get renewed. This meant I had to have a solid budget in place and revisit it regularly to stay on top of my saving goals. Tate suggests using a 50/30/20 budgeting system to manage your side hustle income, which NerdWallet also recommends for primary income. With this method, 50% of take-home income goes to needs, 30% to wants and 20% to savings, debt and investments. Everyones percentages need to be adjusted according to their own lifestyle and financial priorities, Tate says. But that would be a really great starting place. I was frequently adjusting my budget allocations. Some months, I was investing too much and didnt have enough in my emergency fund, while other times, I wasnt leaving enough for bills. I went overboard with the leisure and self-care bucket a few times, and during months when I had less side income, I had to reduce my savings. 4. Plan for taxes During my first year of aggressive side hustling, I wanted the instant gratification of seeing my retirement savings grow. I decided to prioritize saving and waited to pay Uncle Sam in one lump sum during tax season. Before making that decision, I should have read the IRS fine print about self-employment taxes. Reading that couldve saved me the penalty I had to pay that year. The self-employment tax rate is 15.3% for 2023 and 2024. To avoid an underpayment penalty, youll generally need to owe under $1,000 in taxes after subtracting any withholdings and refundable tax credits. Or, you would need to have paid withholding and estimated tax of either 90% of taxes from the current year or 100% of taxes from the previous year. You can do this by paying the IRS estimated quarterly taxes or by withholding enough taxes from your W2 income. To help calculate this, Abraham Ziadeh, a CPA and owner of a certified public accounting firm in Pembroke Pines, Florida, suggests using bookkeeping software, an accountant or a CPA. I chose the W2 route and worked with a financial advisor to calculate how much I need to withhold to avoid another penalty. I also decided to learn about ways to reduce my self-employment taxes. One strategy my tax advisor suggested was to change my business structure from a single member LLC to an S corporation. If you have consistent income and satisfy the requirements, incorporating your business could help you save on taxes, especially if you choose an S corporation structure, Ziadeh says. Leveraging a self-employed retirement account was another way to reduce my tax bill. I went with a SEP IRA, since you can contribute a higher amount than you can with a Roth. Tate says SEP IRAs are her preferred accounts since they reduce your taxable income and have a relatively high contribution limit. That said, its important to choose an account that works best for your financial situation. ST. LOUIS Attorneys for controversial developer and landlord Lux Living threatened legal action against St. Louis over its refusal to release records detailing what the citys development arm has shared with the FBI and U.S. Attorneys Office about Lux and its owners. A Dec. 15 letter from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner attorney Renato Mariotti sent to City Counselor Sheena Hamilton demands a meeting with the St. Louis Development Corp., the citys economic development office, as soon as practicable, with an eye towards reaching a mutually agreeable resolution short of litigation. The letter is the latest example of Luxs owners, Vic Alston and Sid Chakraverty, using Bryan Cave to probe for information on a federal investigation into one of the citys largest and most controversial landlords and apartment developers. Lawyers at the high-powered law firm already sued or threatened to sue former employees of an affiliated company, Big Sur Construction, who they accuse of sharing company information amid an ongoing federal investigation into the developers. For years, tenants have complained about shoddy construction, poor maintenance and unresponsive management at properties owned by Chakraverty and Alston despite high rents. But now the brothers appear to be facing a federal criminal investigation, and records obtained from SLDC under a Sunshine Law request shed more light on exactly what their lawyers believe the feds are looking at. Developers that use St. Louis tax subsidies, as Lux has on most of its recent projects, are required to try and meet goals for using minority and women-owned contractors. A records request from Bryan Cave to SLDC asks for most records tied to minority- and women-owned business participation compliance from Luxs recent developments, eventually narrowing their request to the SoHo apartments in Soulard and the Chelsea apartments north of Forest Park. Lawyers for Big Sur and Lux also seem to be preparing a defense, asking for information on all city developments over a 10-year period that received tax abatement and their minority participation reports. They sought SLDCs criteria for internal employee performance review of staff overseeing the minority participation program and any communication between Mayor Tishaura O. Jones office and SLDC director Neal Richardson about Alston and Chakvravertys companies. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Missouri recently sent a local contractor to prison over minority participation fraud. Brian Kowert, the former chief operating officer and project manager at HBD Construction Inc., was sentenced to 18 months in prison last summer for falsifying documents to get around city requirements to hire a certain percentage of subcontractors owned by racial minorities and women. The Bryan Cave attorneys also ask for any communication between SLDC and the FBI or the U.S. Attorneys office. The SLDCs custodian of records, Edward Roberts, in November denied access to those records, citing federal law that allows such closure if production could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings. Bryan Cave followed up a few days later, writing in the citys Sunshine Law portal that a 2019 Missouri Court of Appeals case, Harper v. Missouri State Highway Patrol, found that federal open records law does not trump the Missouri Sunshine Law. A month later SLDC thanked the lawyers for providing the legal citation, but didnt budge on their interpretation. Mariotti then fired off his letter to the citys top lawyer, Hamilton. But the city still said the FBI communications were closed. On Jan. 10, it said the other records requested by Bryan Cave would be available by March 1 at the earliest, and the records would cost $27,000. Bryan Caves attorneys expressed their frustration after putting up a $6,000 deposit to start the process. We have continually sought to meet-and-confer with your office, now for several weeks, and your latest communication does not provide assurance that SLDC will, in fact, produce records responsive to ... our request, they wrote in the citys Sunshine Law portal. Without receiving explicit assurance that SLDC will comply fully with our request ... we will continue to pursue our legal remedies. SLDC and the city do not appear to have been sued yet by any parties tied to Alston or Chakraverty. Spokespeople for the agency and the mayors office did not immediately respond to requests for comment Saturday. Mariotti did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Bryan Cave request was entered Sept. 20, indicating Alston and Chakraverty have known they were under investigation for months. The Post-Dispatch first reported the existence of a federal subpoena seeking records tied to one of their projects on Sept. 27. A week after their lawyers at Bryan Cave sent the records request to SLDC, Chakraverty claimed, I dont know anything about it. And the brothers longtime lawyer, Clayton Alderman Ira Berkowitz, told the newspaper the subpoena doesnt mean anything. Last month, Big Sur sued a former employee it accused of spreading misrepresentations and lies throughout the company and community. Mariotti on behalf of Big Sur also threatened to sue a former employee for sharing years of company information from its root drive with undisclosed third-party individuals. JENNINGS Two children are safe after the car they were in was stolen Saturday afternoon. St. Louis County police say a car that was running in the 7100 block of Idlewild Avenue in Jennings was stolen around 3:30 p.m. with a 7-year-old boy and 4-year-old girl inside. The boy was found safe elsewhere in Jennings shortly after the the theft, police said, and the girl was located later in St. Louis. Police say they were still searching for the stolen, dark-colored Mitsubishi Outlander. NORTHWOODS Hitting hard on Palestinian rights, U.S. Rep Cori Bush kicked off her reelection campaign Saturday in north St. Louis County. I dont know and I dont want to know what its like to have bombs dropped on my community, said Bush, a Democrat from St. Louis. But if somebody was doing that to St. Louis, Id want someone to stand up to help us. The defense of Bush for her stance on the Middle East drew the biggest cheers from the 200 people who squeezed into Bushs campaign headquarters in a strip mall in Northwoods. Bush went on to say that instead of sending tax money to support the Israeli military, that money needs to be spent right here in St. Louis. That issue was dear to Bushs main guest speaker, U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., the first Palestinian-American elected to the House. Tlaib praised Bushs four years in Congress, describing her ally as unbought and unbossed. When (Bush) is on the House floor and says, I rise for St. Louis, you feel it, Tlaib said. I want her to be my Congresswoman. Tlaib said she especially cherishes Bushs personal support in the Israel-Hamas situation, praising Bush for understanding (that) there can be a peaceful co-existence. Bush is being challenged in the Democratic primary in August by St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell. Joining Tlaib in extolling Bush and the morality of her representation were three members of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen. Aldermanic President Megan Green called Bush a moral compass not just for St. Louis but a moral compass for this entire country. Alderwoman Daniela Velazquez noted Bushs support for abortion rights, reparations and homeless relief. She has my unwavering support, Velazquez said, calling Bush a leader in a fight for our humanity. Also backing Bush was Alderman Rasheen Aldridge. For too long, we had the status quo, Aldridge said, and we aint going back. Underscoring the importance of the Middle East conflict to Bushs reelection, Nawal Abuhamdeh, a local Muslim, and Hannah Rosenthal, of the Progressive Jews of St. Louis, also spoke. Abuhamdeh said the U.S. should use the money it gives to Israel for military aid to help Americans instead. Our choice is not merely political, its a moral necessity, she said. Rosenthal said her group has begun a Jews For Cori campaign. After pointing out that Saturday was International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Rosenthal said she and other Jews are heartbroken, enraged and horrified that the U.S. government supports Israel in the current conflict. Bush was first was elected in 2020, defeating longtime Democratic incumbent William Lacy Clay in the primary. She was reelected in 2022 after turning back state Sen. Steven Roberts primary challenge. The talk of challenging Bush began picking up steam about a year ago, when questions about her campaign management surfaced. After spending heavily on security, ethics complaints were filed after Bushs campaign continued to employ her husband, Cortney Merritts III, as a security specialist after they were married in February. Also, recent reports show Bushs campaign is in debt about $130,000, with less than $20,000 cash on hand. Then in October, after Bush embraced a pro-Palestine stance, a pro-Israel lobby group reportedly set aside millions of dollars to defeat members of Congress who do not support Israel. Even before the Hamas attack, Bush had been portrayed as being unsympathetic to Israel, having voted against extending defense aid and opposing other measures considered to be pro-Israeli. The 1st Congressional District, including all of St. Louis and much of North County, is solidly Democratic and about 50% African American. Photos: Rep. Cori Bush joined by member of 'The Squad' for reelection campaign kickoff ST. LOUIS The St. Louis Cathedral Basilica has long been a world-class destination for Catholics and others who appreciate the Byzantine interior. More than 41 million mosaic pieces, arranged high on the walls and domed ceilings, tell epic stories from the Bible and Catholic history. In this case, the devil is not in the details God is in the details, Laurie Ayers, 63, a Methodist from Minnesota, said in awe during a recent guided tour. Out of all of the murals, she said, her eyes were naturally drawn to the words Racial Justice in a section featuring Cardinal Joseph Ritter, who, amid protest, ordered St. Louis Catholic schools desegregated in 1947. Decree in hand, Ritter is portrayed as a hero, but key details about the obstacles he was trying to overcome are not part of the Eurocentric mosaics and tour: The Roman Catholic experience in St. Louis was shaped by Christian leaders who enslaved people, referring to them like livestock or other property in church records and correspondence. In 2018, lagging behind Catholic religious orders that also built frontier outposts into thriving ministries, the St. Louis archdiocese embarked on an effort to give a fuller account of its troubled past. The archdiocese says it has since identified 87 people enslaved by former clergy. Among the enslavers were these heavyweights: Louis William DuBourg, bishop of Louisiana and the Floridas; St. Louis Bishop Joseph Rosati and Archbishop Peter Kenrick, who was at the helm from 1843 to 1895, a period of tremendous growth. Other Catholic luminaries, such as St. Rose Philippine Duchesne and Dr. Moses Linton, who feature prominently in the mosaics, also were slaveholders. In October, the archdiocese hosted a national conference meant to encourage transparency with records that document Catholic slaveholding. Organizers said knowing the stories and clues, found in anything from old financial ledgers to personal letters, are necessary to begin acknowledging and reconciling with the past. Black Catholics in St. Louis say this legacy still shapes the archdiocese today, even as it closes parishes in predominantly Black areas as part of its All Things New consolidation. They say something more meaningful should be done to commemorate those enslaved by the church. Its very important because I would assume there are still descendants here, said Abraham Lopez, 67, a Black Catholic whos been driving from OFallon, Missouri, to St. Augustine Catholic Church in north St. Louis for years to attend Mass. It would be nice to recognize those folks in some fashion. I dont know what form, but to say, Yeah, you are part of the history of the church. Seems like we dedicate and honor people for all sorts of things. Eric Fair, director of Archives and Records for the archdiocese, has advocated for the research project, now called Forgive Us Our Trespasses. In a lengthy interview in late December, his voice cracked when stressing the importance of the work his team was doing. You always have to acknowledge sin. Its part of being a Christian, he said. And this is clearly a case where the church has sinned. And yet, more than five years since the project began, Fair was unaware if the history theyve unearthed is part of the curriculum at Catholic schools such as Bishop DuBourg High, which is named after one of the slaveholders. Archivists for the archdiocese havent published a report with narrative stories that lay out the saga. When asked, Fair said that the first report of findings would come together in early 2024 and be posted this spring on the website of the archdioceses Office of Racial Harmony, created in 2019. He said the report will cover what the project is, how it came about and findings regarding the three bishops who owned enslaved people. He said there will be a reference to the names that have been uncovered, with information to how they were found. We have been open with our process the whole way, he said. In early January, Fair said by email that he should be able to release the 87 names uncovered so far to the Post-Dispatch. Then he refused, pending a meeting with the Forgive Us Our Trespasses leadership team. After the Thursday meeting, he said, community outreach will be an important part of the next phase of the project. Fair stressed that many of the people on the list are only identified by nickname, first name or, in some cases, as child of another enslaved person. I feel the weight of this responsibility, and Im dedicated to ensuring the stories of the enslaved persons are told, he said. The closest the archdiocese has come to publicizing the list has been at an annual Maafa Procession the past two summers thats titled after the Swahili word for disaster. According to a flyer for the event: We commemorate the approximately two million lives lost during the Middle Passage of the Atlantic slave trade, attest to our broken past, and ask God to lead us on a path of acknowledgment, penance, forgiveness and healing. We actually start in the Old Cathedral, Joyce Jones, director of the Office of Racial Harmony, said in an interview about the procession. It was one of the first places that we know enslaved people worshiped. There has been some resistance to history. We hear people say, Oh, that was 400 years ago, you know, you should be over it by now. It didnt affect you, right? Jones said of slavery. You cant put an end date on trauma. Eventually, she foresees some sort of sculpture or something being added to the Old Cathedral museum by the Arch grounds. While finding descendants of those enslaved by Catholic clergy is a project goal, she said, money hasnt been set aside yet to cover that piece of the effort. I want us to move forward in a way that people wont feel threatened by what we are doing, she said. Profiting from the slavery system The unapologetic book, The History of Black Catholics in the United States, had a sense of urgency when it came out in 1990. Too often black Catholics have been ignored in conventional assessments of American Catholicism, wrote Cyprian Davis, a Benedictine monk who was African American. In the light of history, they cannot be ignored. They add another essential perspective to the meaning of the word Catholic and to the understanding of the American Catholic church. Davis described DuBourg, a bishop in the Louisiana Territory, as someone born into aristocracy who had no problems, it would seem, in profiting from the slavery system. As a slaveowner, he provided the Vincentians in Missouri with their first slaves and helped them acquire others, Davis wrote. He was willing to use his slaves as collateral to borrow money and as investments for other financial ventures. Rosati, the first bishop of St. Louis, was a Vincentian who helped establish the religious order in the United States, including a seminary, St. Marys of the Barrens, in Perryville. Davis acknowledged Ivan James, of St. Louis, for helping inform his book. James converted to Catholicism in his 30s, after being refused entry to engineering school in Missouri for being Black. He went to college instead in Milwaukee, then returned to St. Louis. Among his works, James produced a 27-page pamphlet about the history of Black Catholics in St. Louis. One timeline begins with their first school, run by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, at Third and Poplar streets. An angry mob threatened the sisters. After a little over one year in operation, Kenrick closed the school in 1846. The Missouri Legislature subsequently passed a state law forbidding the practice: No person shall keep or teach any school for the instruction of negroes or mulattoes, in reading or writing, in this State. The law, enacted in 1847, also required Black people who held religious assemblies to have a police presence to prevent seditious speeches, and disorderly or unlawful conduct of every kind. After the Civil War, the Jesuits, another Catholic religious order that enslaved people in the St. Louis region, wanted to open a parish for Blacks in the city. It was called St. Elizabeths. As archbishop, Kenrick officially supported the effort, while firmly noting no pews shall be rented to any other than colored people, no sacraments ever administered there to whites. The parish opened in 1873. Cardinal Ritter closed it in 1951 to encourage racial integration. James, who vowed to write about local church history forever, died in 2014 at age 98. His son, Edward, 77, of Normandy, said he hadnt heard of the archdioceses effort to atone for its racist history, initially by identifying their former slaves and slaveholders by name. I think he would say it is a good first step, Edward said of his father. If you dont bring it out, then you will do more of a disservice. But Edward, who is no longer a practicing Catholic, wondered how many steps the archdiocese will take. How deep are they willing to go, and what price are they willing to pay to ease their conscience? he said. Black Catholics react The number of Black Catholics has fallen to about 7,000 to 8,000, less than 2% of the estimated 440,000 Catholics in the archdiocese, which covers the city and 10 surrounding counties in eastern Missouri. The Black Catholic community in north St. Louis is seeing some of the starkest changes in the All Things New restructuring shepherded by Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski, as it did in previous consolidations. Fewer congregants dont justify keeping the same infrastructure. Four parishes have been clustered together to figure out efficiencies: St. Augustine in Hamilton Heights; Our Lady of Holy Cross in Baden; St. Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist in Penrose; and St. Matthew in the Ville. To this day, some of the faithful there still carry the history of segregation around with them. When my parents came to St. Louis in the 40s, to St. Matthews, they were not allowed to sit in the front pews. They had to sit in the back, said Claire Hay, 69. Prejudice goes a long way. Racism goes a long way. She wasnt surprised to hear that early bishops had slaves. The white male always wanted somebody below them and somebody to cater to them, she said. She said its notable that the archdiocese hasnt found descendants of people enslaved by its clergy a contrast with what Jesuits did at St. Louis University. I dont think they are going to do a lot of research, she said. Just look at the political atmosphere right now. And yet it was educational opportunity that brought her parents to St. Louis from New Orleans years ago. Part of the Great Migration, they wanted to be close to family members who studied nursing at Homer G. Phillips Hospital, the first teaching hospital for Black people west of the Mississippi River. She went to local Catholic schools. She said she remains Catholic because of my family history and the history of the Bible. But her 49-year-old son drifted off. They have nobody to connect with, she said of young Black Catholics. It helps if there is somebody who looks like you, can be a mentor to you. If you dont have that, what do you do? You drop out. She has seen a lot of Black Catholics leave the church in her lifetime. I think maybe they dont feel included, she said. Kim Spain, 58, is still in. She also attends St. Matthews and volunteers down the street at Claver House, named after the patron saint of slaves. She said some type of memorial to help promote healing should be placed at Catholic cites where slaves built things and served. But she struggles to delve into the history of the church she loves. Its too painful, she has a full plate. I am so busy to make sure people are fed who dont have enough to eat, she said. I am down at the very core needs of the community that I dont have that type of fight in me. Ronda Smith Branch, 40, was one of four people who showed up on a recent Wednesday night for a Young Adult People of Color ministry event. She worships at St. Alphonsus Liguori Rock Catholic Church. She says it can be a struggle to stay Catholic, given interactions that trigger past trauma, including being singled out and essentially told to shut up and dribble and dont make waves when she attended Rosati-Kain High School. She said there is absolutely a through-line from slaveholding to the present, one that continues to influence the Black Catholic experience in St. Louis. While its good for church leaders to acknowledge the past, Branch said they need to fund the healing work that has to be done. To me that would solidify the commitment, she said. There is still more work that has to be done. Seeing Christ The green-domed Basilica in the Central West End, commonly called the New Cathedral, draws thousands of tourists each year. Its also been a spiritual home for devout Catholics for more than a century. I have been made to feel extremely welcome, said Beatrice Parwatikar, 81. She grew up in New York and traces her family roots to a South Carolina plantation. For years, she worked as a nurse in St. Louis. She attends Mass multiple times a week and can often be found, silently praying, below the mosaic murals. She knows the missing details. A lot of the things in the United States were built on the backs of Black people and also Natives whose land was taken, she said. Thats particularly heavy in the context of Christian leadership. These people would have brought insight into what is humane because they were religious, but what happened is, they were people of their time, she said. Thats what we are finding. I am not excusing it, but its something people need to understand. She looked up at the Basilica walls, reminisced in the courage of Cardinal Ritter. He had a vision beyond what was there, she said. This man stood up. She was encouraged that he learned a valuable lesson that his predecessors who helped build the archdiocese apparently had not. Somewhere, he must have been taught that all humans are the same, she said. If you dont see everyone as brother and sister, then you have not seen Christ. As Missouri Republicans this year choose their nominee for governor, an important factor in the decision should be whether the candidates adhere to their own stated conservative principles. Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, like Republicans generally, claims he would be a responsible steward of the publics money. And Ashcroft has long laid particular claim to the issue of election integrity. So its worth noting Ashcrofts recent actions betraying both those principles. Hes currently poised to waste more than $1 million in taxpayer dollars paying private attorneys to handle ideologically driven litigation he shouldnt be involved in. And his MAGA-pandering decision to remove Missouri from a national election-security system is so irresponsible that the states top fiscal guardian a fellow conservative Republican is calling him out publicly on it. Ashcroft isnt the most radical-right demagogue in his three-way nominating contest with Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe and state Sen. Bill Eigel of Weldon Spring. That dark honor would go to Eigel, a truly unhinged extremist who has vowed to burn woke books on the lawn of the governors mansion. But Ashcrofts eager embrace of MAGA World these days is especially disturbing because he was once widely viewed as a reasonable establishment Republican. His more recent abuses of his authority in his quest to woo the fringy right of his party have included imposing state censorship on public libraries and sabotaging legitimate efforts to put abortion rights on the statewide ballot. But even conservative voters who arent offended by those stunts should consider the other, deeply unconservative games Ashcroft is playing in his bid for power. One of them involves ESG (environmental, social and governance) investing, a business trend that takes social responsibility on issues such as climate change into account during investment decisions. Naturally, that makes right-wing populists come out of their skins. There was a time when Republicans believed in keeping the governments nose out of private business decisions, but todays MAGA-affiliated extremists think nothing of ditching those and other conservative principles in favor of forcing their intolerance onto everyone else. So after the Republican-controlled Missouri Legislature last year declined to address ESG investment in law, Ashcroft who, as secretary of state, regulates securities in Missouri unilaterally imposed new rules restricting the practice, saying he was protecting investors. In addition to that ironic nanny-state rationale from a supposed conservative, Ashcrofts decision violates federal law and the First Amendment, says a lawsuit filed by the Security Industries and Financial Markets Association. In defending his clearly campaign-motivated rule, Ashcroft has already spent more than $160,000 in state funds for outside legal counsel, and has sought authority to ultimately spend some $1.2 million. He is raiding public coffers in order to defend his power to interfere in private business decisions, in other words. That may draw fist-pumps from MAGA hotheads, but in what world is it defined as conservative? Then theres Ashcrofts supposed dedication to election security which is now less secure thanks to his decision to pull Missouri out of the multi-state Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), which helps election authorities scrub their voter rolls of dead or duplicate voter registrations. In pulling out, Ashcroft follows the lead of other red-state election officials kowtowing to former President Donald Trump, who has publicly trashed ERIC as part of his phony voter-fraud conspiracy campaign. A recent, blistering report by Republican Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick notes that Ashcroft has offered nothing to replace the system, leaving local election officials with no efficient way to clean up their cluttered voter rolls. As Fitzpatrick notes, Public trust in the electoral process is the cornerstone of our democratic institutions. And Missouris electoral process is under the control of a man determined to prove his fealty to the most dangerous election denier in America. In pandering to Trumps false claims of fraudulent elections, Ashcroft has increased the risk of actual fraud. How conservative is that? Its a question Missouri Republican voters should be asking themselves as they consider Ashcrofts bid to lead their party and their state. The entire day was accompanied by heavy security for the museum and the youth who visited the site, after the museum had been closed to the general public since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 due to concerns for the safety of visitors and the local Jewish community. PORTO, PORTUGAL / ACCESSWIRE / January 28, 2024 / The Holocaust Museum in the northern city of Porto, Portugal, marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day last Friday by hosting some 2,000 middle- and high-school students from schools all over the country. The ceremony was brought forward by one day from the date set in 2005 by the UN General Assembly as the International Day of Remembrance for the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis between 1938 and 1945. Hall of Names at the Museum of Holocaust in Porto Dr. Michael Rothwell, director of the Holocaust Museum in Porto, together with Portuguese teenagers who participated in the memorial service for the victims of the Holocaust on International Holocaust Remembrance Day (CIP/CJP - BIZARRO) The entire day was accompanied by heavy security for the museum and the youth who visited the site, after the museum had been closed to the general public since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 due to concerns for the safety of visitors and the local Jewish community. Museum staff prepared a program for the young visitors that included an introduction to the genocide perpetrated against the Jews of Europe during those years. Each school that participated in the day held its own memorial ceremony, which included lighting a memorial candle in the museum's Names Room, a unique space documenting the names of tens of thousands of Jews murdered in the Holocaust. In the three years since its establishment, the Porto Holocaust Museum, the only one on the Iberian Peninsula, has hosted some 150,000 youth. Visitors to the museum learn about what happened before, during and after the Holocaust, and a visit to the precisely planned and designed space leaves a strong impression on the visitors. Among the exhibits at the site are a reproduction of sleeping cells from the Auschwitz death camp, artifacts and documents that belonged to survivors who fled the Nazis to Porto. "Every year, about 50,000 youth visit the museum from schools all over the country, a number that constitutes about 5% of all school children in the country. Here they communicate with us and we feel they understand and love us," said Michael Rothwell, director of the Holocaust Museum whose grandparents were murdered in Auschwitz. Contact Information Shelly Paz Marketing Manager [email protected] SOURCE: The Jewish Community of Porto View the original press release on newswire.com. DAVOS, SWITZERLAND / ACCESSWIRE / January 27, 2024 / A newly formed advocacy group called "Neurodivergent and Neurodistinct Leaders in Davos" is proud to announce the following: Last week in Davos at the World Economic Forum '24, the main theme was about rebuilding trust in an increasingly polarized world with a focus on the acceleration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into every facet of our lives, the skills of the future, climate change, and increasingly complex social problems that will define the 21st century. Dr. Dunne leading a meeting of global neurodivergent leaders during WEF One neurodivergent leader, Dr. Maureen Dunne, set out to drive change at the event. Dr. Maureen Dunne represented the neurodivergent community in Davos as a speaker on several panels and events, including Top Tier Impact's panel on Conscious Leadership as well as key speaking roles at events such as the World Economic Forum Social Impact Investor gathering. Recognizing the importance of establishing opportunities for other neurodivergent leaders to contribute to the conversation, Dunne started the "Neurodivergent and Neurodistinct Leaders in Davos" group, teaming up with Silvan Ruthenberg, Global Head, Institute of Neurodiversity, and Denise Brodey, Senior Contributor at Forbes. Their goal: To make the conversation more accessible by leading the first-ever hybrid panel discussion mirroring some of the topics and themes of WEF '24. Following Dr. Dunne's panel on Conscious Leadership, the first kickoff meeting took place from the Swiss Alps where neurodivergent leaders around the world logged in remotely to contribute to the conversation. Silvan Ruthenberg and the Institute of Neurodiversity helped spread the word, and the first meeting was met with excitement: finally, there is a forum where neurodivergent people can contribute to the conversation. "This perspective must reach the mainstream zeitgeist," noted Dr. Dunne. "So many organizations can benefit from more cognitive diversity and universal design, and so many neurodivergent people have been left out of the equation. This message is finally starting to resonate with business leaders. We need to get this right. It opens up so much potential for everyone." Throughout the week, Maureen represented the community in Davos and displayed a hand-drawn sign that read, "Neurodiversity is Welcome Here." During WEF, she also formed small groups of neurodivergent leaders and, collectively, they found their own voice by meeting in quiet areas in the Swiss Alps to discuss the major themes being presented in Davos. She documented spaces at Davos that are sensory-friendly and created vehicles for participation. The group is working on a report on how the Davos experience can be more accessible. "I see future generations as being the most triumphant about their differences," remarked Brodey. "They have been taught, often early on, that they are not disabled but different." Dunne added, "Creating opportunities to make the Davos experience more accessible so that neurodivergent leaders can contribute to shaping the global conversation, even remotely, is a great start. Many conversations happening in Davos are focused on the big global problems we need to solve. Neuroinclusion and valuing all kinds of minds is vital and must be a priority for our collective future." Ruthenberg put it this way, paraphrasing Confucius: "The one who moves mountains starts by carrying small stones." Contact Information Rebecca Proulx Fortier Public Relations [email protected] Elyse Burton [email protected] Related Images Dr. Dunne leading a meeting of global neurodivergent leaders during WEF Dr. Dunne as a Key Speaker on Neurodiversity in the Age of Transformation Dunne and Ruthenberg at World Economic Forum Dr. Dunne speaking during World Economic Forum SOURCE: Neurodivergent and Neurodistinct Leaders in Davos View the original press release on newswire.com. LAS VEGAS, Jan. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- READOUT PRESS OFFICEDate: Jan. 27, 2024 Contact: [email protected]Number: RO24-03 Follow us on X, LinkedIn, Facebook, & Instagram Readout of SBA Administrator Guzmans Visit to Las Vegas with Vice President Harris, Second Gentleman EmhoffVisit highlighted the Biden-Harris Administrations Small Business Boom, celebrated new SBA rule to increase economic opportunity for returning citizens LAS VEGAS, NV On Jan. 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, traveled to Las Vegas with Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff to highlight the Biden-Harris Administrations commitment to inclusive economic empowerment and opportunity for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Upon arriving in Las Vegas, Administrator Guzman and Vice President Harris joined 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 The Chef Jeff Project. Founded by Chef Jeff Henderson, The Chef Jeff Project is a non-profit organization that teaches at-risk young people and those with prior involvement in the criminal justice system culinary and soft skills to help them secure employment. At The Chef Jeff Project, the leaders discussed a forthcoming SBA rule that will remove restrictions on loan programs that currently prevent returning citizens, including those who are currently on parole and probation, from being eligible for loans. As part of that rule change, the SBA will also remove questions about criminal history from its loan applications. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, more Americans than ever are filing applications to start a new business, and this rule change will build on that historic momentum by providing a second chance to those seeking the American Dream of entrepreneurship. Administrator Guzman then joined Second Gentleman Emhoff for visits to local Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander-owned small businesses, including World Wide Safety, Status Sparkling Wine, and Straight Up Cafe, to learn about the state of the AAPI-owned small business landscape under this Administration. The leaders heard from the small business owners about their entrepreneurial journeys and highlighted 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. For follow-up interview requests for Administrator Guzman, please contact Rebecca Galanti at [email protected]. Event Photos: Photos available upon request at [email protected] ### About the U.S. Small Business Administration The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit sba.gov. Kirk McElwain U.S. Small Business Administration 202-205-6175 [email protected] Source: U.S. Small Business Administration NEW YORK, Jan. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of common stock of Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) between April 30, 2020 and January 22, 2024, both dates inclusive (the Class Period). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than March 25, 2024. SO WHAT: If you purchased Archer-Daniels-Midland common stock during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Archer-Daniels-Midland class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=22028 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than March 25, 2024. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) the Nutrition segments financial reporting and accounting practices did not provide investors with an accurate impression of Archer-Daniels-Midlands performance and future prospects, including reported operating profits; (2) that the Nutrition segments accounting practices created a heightened risk of regulatory scrutiny and adverse impacts to Archer-Daniels-Midlands business; and (3) that, based on the foregoing, Defendants lacked a reasonable basis for their positive statements about Archer-Daniels-Midlands Nutrition segment and related financial results, growth, and prospects. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Archer-Daniels-Midland class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=22028 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. ------------------------------- Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.rosenlegal.com Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation. My Tooth Media announces the expansion of its search box autocomplete optimization service, now available to a variety of local dental specialists across the US, including orthodontists, endodontists, and pediatric dentists. The recent update follows the success of the new technology with general and family dental clinics, with many reporting near domination of first-page search rankings since beginning to use it. The system is designed to link dental specialists with popular search phrases suggested by major search engines, such as Google and Bing, as well as making the name of practice appear as one of those suggestions. More details can be found at https://www.mytoothmedia.com/ My Tooth Media explains that, by connecting orthodontists and endodontists with the autocomplete function, the new technology reaches potential patients at the earliest stage in the search process. In addition, the company states that the service is considerably less expensive than other marketing techniques, such as SEO and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising. The autofill function on major search engines was first developed over 20 years ago, and aims to simplify the process by suggesting a list of full search strings based on the keywords being typed, the users location, and previously completed searches. According to Google, a significant percentage of searches are now completed by clicking on one of autofills suggestions. With the latest update, My Tooth Media states that it can connect local dental specialists with the most popular search phrases in their region when a potential patient begins typing orthodontist or endodontist. The firm states that each phrase is offered on an exclusive basis for a given region, and they are now available on a first-come-first-serve basis. As a new technology, autocomplete optimization is often compared to what the market knows as search engine optimization, or SEO, a company representative explained. However, when examining search results, there is little similarity. Think of autocomplete optimization as SEO on steroids. The differences are vast and will allow a business to dominate search rankings for their local market. About My Tooth Media Headquartered in California, My Tooth Media states that its new technology is unique in the digital marketing industry. While the firm is currently introducing the system to dentists and dental specialists across the US, it works equally well for almost any industry, and can also be used by businesses working at a national or international level. My Tooth Media delivers exactly what they promise, and were extremely happy with the results, one client recently stated. We opted to get as many search phrases as possible so we could dominate the local search market. Interested parties can find more information by visiting https://www.mytoothmedia.com/ Contact Info: Name: Damien Gallow Email: Send Email Organization: DJG Global Investments, LLC DBA My Tooth Media Address: 578 Washington Blvd Suite 203, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292, United States Website: https://www.mytoothmedia.com/ Release ID: 89119936 Should any problems, inaccuracies, or doubts arise from the content contained within this press release, we kindly request that you inform us immediately by contacting [email protected]. Our dedicated team will promptly address your concerns within 8 hours, taking necessary steps to rectify identified issues or assist with the removal process. Providing accurate and dependable information is at the core of our commitment to our readers. Shenan Reed of General Motors appointed as Vice Chair of the IAB Board NEW YORK , Jan. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), the digital media and marketing trade association, today announced that it has named John Halley , President, Paramount Advertising, Paramount as the new Chair of the trade organization's Board of Directors. Halley has served on the board since March 2021 , most recently as the Vice Chair. Halley takes on the role that was held by Alysia Borsa , Chief Business Officer and President of Lifestyle, Health and Finance, at Dotdash Meredith. Borsa will continue to remain on the IAB Board and on the Executive Committee. Additionally, Shenan Reed , Global Chief Media Officer of General Motors, will move into the role of Vice Chair. "The strength of IAB and the strength of our industry depends on our ability to attract the very best talent to our Board. John and Shenan bring a wealth of experience, a readiness to confront the industry's toughest challenges, and a thirst for innovation that is inspirational. This year will be meaningful as we are grappling with trends defining the digital ecosystem, from the seismic shift in privacy and addressability, AI, unified identity and the retirement of third-party cookies. I'm so pleased to welcome them aboard," said David Cohen , CEO, IAB. "I am eager to work alongside Alysia, David, Shenan, and the rest of the board to ensure we are helping all stakeholders improve and evolve the digital ecosystem during such a critical time," said Halley. "IAB is doing important work, and I look forward to contributing additional perspective as we map our path to the future." "The trajectory of digital growth hinges on the strategic decisions we make today," said Reed. "Collaborating with John, David, and the entire IAB Board on the intriguing challenges ahead, we will have an increased emphasis placed on initiatives supporting sustainability, diversity, and breakthrough creativity at scale. Our choices now pave the way for better consumer experiences with media, and a markedly different industry by 2030." New members of the IAB Board of Directors elected to a three-year term include: Kristi Argyilan , Senior Vice President, Retail Media, Albertsons Media Collective , Senior Vice President, Retail Media, Albertsons Media Collective Michael Scott , Vice President of Ad Sales and Operations NA , Samsung Ads , Vice President of and , Samsung Ads Jason Spero , Vice President, Global Product Lead, Google Current board members re-elected for a new three-year term include: Alysia Borsa , Chief Business Officer and President of Lifestyle, Health & Finance, Dotdash Meredith , Chief Business Officer and President of Lifestyle, Health & Finance, Dotdash Meredith Patrick Harris , President, Americas and Partnerships, Snap , President, and Partnerships, Snap Lisa Howard , Global Chief Revenue Officer, Hearst Magazines , Global Chief Revenue Officer, Norm Johnston , Global Head of Advertising Strategy, NewsCorp , Global Head of Advertising Strategy, NewsCorp Joy Robins , Global Chief Advertising Officer, The New York Times , Global Chief Advertising Officer, The New York Times Kya Sainsbury-Carter , Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Advertising , Corporate Vice President, Aaron Sobol , Head of Media Investment , U.S. , Unilever The IAB Board of Directors is also comprised of the following members: Sheri Bachstein , Chief Executive Officer and General Manager, The Weather Channel and IBM Watson Advertising , Chief Executive Officer and General Manager, and Dani Benowitz , President, U.S. and Global, MAGNA Global ( IPG Mediabrands ) , President, and Global, ( ) Alvin Bowles , Vice President, Global Business Group Americas, Meta , Vice President, Americas, Meta Deva Bronson , Executive Vice President, Global Head of Brand Assurance, dentsu , Executive Vice President, Global Head of Brand Assurance, dentsu Rajeev Goel , Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, PubMatic , Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, PubMatic Ryan Gould , Head of Digital Ad Sales , Warner Bros. Discovery , Head of Digital , Warner Bros. Discovery Elizabeth Herbst-Brady , Chief Revenue Officer, Yahoo , Chief Revenue Officer, Yahoo Scott Howe , Chief Executive Officer, LiveRamp , Chief Executive Officer, LiveRamp Jia Hyun , Vice President, Head of Strategic Accounts, LinkedIn , Vice President, Head of Strategic Accounts, LinkedIn Todd Kaplan , Chief Marketing Officer Pepsi, PepsiCo , Chief Marketing Officer Pepsi, PepsiCo Craig Kostelic , Chief Business Officer, Global Commercial Revenue, Conde Nast , Chief Business Officer, Global Commercial Revenue, Alison Levin , President, Advertising & Partnerships, NBCUniversal , President, Advertising & Partnerships, NBCUniversal Helen Lin, Chief Digital Officer , Publicis Media , Publicis Media Alan Moss , Vice President, Global Ad Sales , Amazon Ads , Vice President, Global , Amazon Ads Susan Schiekofer , Chief Digital Investment Officer, GroupM , Chief Digital Investment Officer, GroupM Donna Speciale , President of U.S Advertising Sales and Marketing, TelevisaUnivision , President of Advertising Sales and Marketing, TelevisaUnivision David Spector , Co-Founder, ThirdLove , Co-Founder, ThirdLove Sarah Travis , President, Roundel - Media Designed by Target , President, Roundel - Media Designed by Target John Trimble, Chief Advertising Revenue Officer, SiriusXM Lisa Valentino , Executive Vice President, Client Solutions & Addressable Enablement, Disney Advertising , Executive Vice President, Client Solutions & Addressable Enablement, Joe Zawadzki , General Partner , AperiamVentures Ex-officio members include: Miranda Dimopoulos , Regional Chief Executive Officer, IAB SEA & India , Regional Chief Executive Officer, & Townsend Feehan , Chief Executive Officer, IAB Europe , Chief Executive Officer, Rich LeFurgy , General Partner , Archer Advisors , , David Moore , Chairman, 4screen , Chairman, 4screen Randall Rothenberg , Limitless Partner, Randall, Ltd. , Limitless Partner, John Toohey , Senior Vice President of Finance, Cumulus Media (Treasurer) IAB Executive Committee include: Alysia Borsa , Chief Business Officer and President of Lifestyle, Health & Finance, Dotdash Meredith , Chief Business Officer and President of Lifestyle, Health & Finance, Dotdash Meredith David Cohen , Chief Executive Officer, IAB , Chief Executive Officer, IAB Gina Garrubbo , Chief Executive Officer, National Public Media , Chief Executive Officer, National Public Media John Halley , President, Paramount Advertising , President, Peter Naylor , Vice President of Sales, Netflix , Vice President of Sales, Netflix Shenan Reed , Global Chief Media Officer, General Motors The new board slate was formally announced at the 2024 IAB Annual Leadership Meeting (ALM) . For more information about the IAB Board of Directors, please visit iab.com/boardofdirectors . About IAB The Interactive Advertising Bureau empowers the media and marketing industries to thrive in the digital economy. Its membership comprises more than 700 leading media companies, brands, agencies, and the technology firms responsible for selling, delivering, and optimizing digital ad marketing campaigns. The trade group fields critical research on interactive advertising, while also educating brands, agencies, and the wider business community on the importance of digital marketing. In affiliation with the IAB Tech Lab, IAB develops technical standards and solutions. IAB is committed to professional development and elevating the knowledge, skills, expertise, and diversity of the workforce across the industry. Through the work of its public policy office in Washington, D.C. , the trade association advocates for its members and promotes the value of the interactive advertising industry to legislators and policymakers. Founded in 1996, IAB is headquartered in New York City . View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/iab-board-of-directors-announces-john-halley-president-of-paramount-advertising-as-new-board-chair-for-2024-302046183.html SOURCE Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) Key Insights Genel Energy's significant individual investors ownership suggests that the key decisions are influenced by shareholders from the larger public A total of 3 investors have a majority stake in the company with 60% ownership 24% of Genel Energy is held by insiders If you want to know who really controls Genel Energy plc (LON:GENL), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. The group holding the most number of shares in the company, around 30% to be precise, is individual investors. In other words, the group stands to gain the most (or lose the most) from their investment into the company. Meanwhile, individual insiders make up 24% of the companys shareholders. Institutions often own shares in more established companies, while it's not unusual to see insiders own a fair bit of smaller companies. Let's delve deeper into each type of owner of Genel Energy, beginning with the chart below. Check out our latest analysis for Genel Energy What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Genel Energy? Many institutions measure their performance against an index that approximates the local market. So they usually pay more attention to companies that are included in major indices. As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in Genel Energy. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. When multiple institutions own a stock, there's always a risk that they are in a 'crowded trade'. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see Genel Energy's historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story. Hedge funds don't have many shares in Genel Energy. The company's largest shareholder is Bilgin Grup Dogal Gaz A.S., with ownership of 24%. Meanwhile, the second and third largest shareholders, hold 19% and 17%, of the shares outstanding, respectively. Story continues After doing some more digging, we found that the top 3 shareholders collectively control more than half of the company's shares, implying that they have considerable power to influence the company's decisions. While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. Quite a few analysts cover the stock, so you could look into forecast growth quite easily. Insider Ownership Of Genel Energy The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves. Most consider insider ownership a positive because it can indicate the board is well aligned with other shareholders. However, on some occasions too much power is concentrated within this group. It seems insiders own a significant proportion of Genel Energy plc. It has a market capitalization of just UK199m, and insiders have UK49m worth of shares in their own names. This may suggest that the founders still own a lot of shares. You can click here to see if they have been buying or selling. General Public Ownership With a 30% ownership, the general public, mostly comprising of individual investors, have some degree of sway over Genel Energy. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies. Private Company Ownership Our data indicates that Private Companies hold 24%, of the company's shares. It's hard to draw any conclusions from this fact alone, so its worth looking into who owns those private companies. Sometimes insiders or other related parties have an interest in shares in a public company through a separate private company. Next Steps: I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 1 warning sign with Genel Energy , and understanding them should be part of your investment process. Ultimately the future is most important. You can access this free report on analyst forecasts for the company. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Members of the Israeli settler community gather at a convention calling for Israel to rebuild settlements in the Gaza Strip and the northern part of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, in Jerusalem, January 28, 2024. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's hard-right Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urged Jewish settlers to return to Gaza at a packed gathering on Sunday, drawing condemnation from Palestinians who said his words amounted to a call for their forced deportation. The statement from the firebrand Ben-Gvir clashed with the official government position iterated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel does not intend to return a permanent presence to Gaza once the war with Hamas is over. The Palestinian Authority quickly said such calls incited the forced displacement of Palestinians and threatened the security and stability of the region. The comments were also condemned on Monday by both Hamas and by Israeli opposition figures. Ben-Gvir, who leads one of the small nationalist parties in Netanyahu's right-wing coalition, told a conference that a return of Jewish settlers and the military was the only way to ensure there was no repeat of the devastating attack on Israel by Hamas fighters on Oct. 7. "We yelled and we warned," Ben-Gvir told the event organised by settler groups that was attended by hundreds of people and as many as a dozen government ministers, according to Israel's Channel 12 television. "If we don't want another Oct. 7, we need to return home and control the land." He said there was a need to "encourage emigration" by Gazans. Israel, which withdrew its military and settlers from Gaza in 2005 after a 38-year occupation, has launched fierce air strikes and a land incursion into the enclave in retaliation after the attack by Hamas. Sunday's meeting underlined the high tension around the issue of Jewish settlements, which has been at the heart of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians for decades. Attendees chanted their support for rebuilding Jewish settlements in Gaza and the northern part of the occupied West Bank. Finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, another hard-right member of Netanyahu's coalition, said many of the children who were evacuated from settlements in Gaza had returned as soldiers to fight in the war with Hamas. He said he opposed the government's decision to evacuate Jewish settlements from Gaza in the past. "We knew what that would bring and we tried to prevent it," Smotrich said in a speech. "Without settlements there is no security." Israel has said its aim is to destroy Hamas and bring home more than 130 hostages still held in Gaza, but says it does not intend to keep permanent presence in the enclave even though it wants security control once the war ends. The United States, Israel's closest ally, has said that Gaza must be continue to be run by Palestinians after the war and that there must be serious moves towards establishing a Palestinian state. Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which Palestinians want as the capital of a future independent state, were captured by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war. Most countries consider Jewish settlements built there to be illegal. Israel disputes this, citing the Jewish people's historical and biblical ties to the land. Benny Gantz, a centrist member of the war cabinet, said on Monday the attendance by government and coalition members hurt Israel's standing abroad and would compromise efforts to bring about a hostage release. Opposition chair and former Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid called the convention delusional and dangerous in a televised statement in the Knesset. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry denounced Sunday's event, which followed hearings at the International Court of Justice of South African allegations - denied by Israel - that public statements on Gaza by some rightist Israeli officials amounted to genocide. "The colonial meeting in Jerusalem poses a blatant challenge to the International Court of Justice decision, accompanied by public incitement to forcibly displace Palestinians," it said on X on Monday. Hamas said the meeting "revealed the intentions to implement the crimes of displacement and ethnic cleansing against our Palestinian people". (Reporting by Emily Rose; Editing by David Holmes and Andrew Heavens) By Suleiman Al-Khalidi AMMAN (Reuters) -Jordan condemned on Sunday the "terrorist attack" on a military advance post just inside its border with Syria that killed three U.S. military members and injured dozens. In the first official statement on the attack, staunch U.S. ally Jordan said it was working with Washington to fight terrorism. Earlier, a government spokesperson had said the attack was on a U.S. base in Syria adjacent to the border but not on Jordanian soil. A senior Jordanian security source told Reuters that Jordan had recently appealed for more advanced U.S. defence hardware and support because of worries Iran and its proxies could become embroiled more deeply in any wider Middle East conflagration. Jordan has recently alerted Washington to the urgent need to bolster its defences against Iranian-backed militias building up their strength on Jordan's borders with Iraq and Syria, the official said. There has been growing concern within the Jordanian military and security establishment that Iranian militias who now hold sway in southern Syria were exploiting the Gaza war to achieve a security breakthrough. Iran's influence in Syria has expanded since Tehran's allies, including Lebanese group Hezbollah, helped Syrian President Bashar al-Assad quell a rebellion that erupted in 2011. Iranian-backed militias hold sway on Syria's southern border with Jordan, and Amman blames them and Iran for running a drug smuggling business. Some Jordanian officials say that pro-Iranian militias in both Iraq and Syria, which have been escalating attacks on U.S. bases in the area since the Israel-Hamas war, are also using the drug war to pile pressure on Jordan, a staunch U.S. ally that hosts hundreds of U.S. troops. Jordan had also requested Patriot air defence systems from Washington as part of its growing concern about being caught in the crossfire if the war in Gaza pulls in Iran and its well-armed regional militias on the kingdom's borders. The presence of U.S. troops in Jordan is a sensitive matter in a country where anti-U.S. sentiment runs high because of Washington's support for Israel in its war against Hamas. Jordan's government signed a defence deal with the United States in January 2021, offering U.S. forces "unimpeded access" to several Jordanian military facilities, storage sites for pre-positioning equipment, and other installations. (Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi;Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Lisa Shumaker) By Garba Muhammad KADUNA, Nigeria (Reuters) - The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Sunday said it regretted a strike that killed dozens of civilians and injured others a year ago, accepting for the first time its responsibility for the incident investigated by Reuters. Dozens of ethnic Fulani herders died in the January 2023 aerial bombing in central Nasarawa state as they unloaded cattle retrieved from authorities in a neighbouring state, according to witnesses, local leaders and detailed complaints. In a rare acknowledgement of responsibility, the air force said its chief of air staff Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar had at the weekend visited affected communities after reviewing reports of the incident. "Innocent civilians may have erroneously been killed or injured in the process," the NAF said. "In expressing regret over the incident, Air Marshal Abubakar noted that the unfortunate incident was not deliberate but had targeted suspected terrorists and cattle rustlers in view of the heightened level of insecurity in the area at the time." While Nigeria's air force is mired in a war with Islamist insurgents in the northeast, it is also often called on to tackle criminal activity such as banditry in other areas. The air force, which is backed by the United States and other Western powers, has killed civilians in other attacks too but seldom addresses that in public. In November, at least 85 civilians were killed in northern Kaduna state following an army drone attack targeting insurgents and bandits. President Bola Tinubu ordered a thorough investigation, the outcome of which is expected later this year. The air force said meeting with representatives of victims of the 2023 bomb attack "will assist in answering some important questions, promote accountability, transparency" and prevent similar incidents in future. There was no mention of compensation. The air force statement quoted a local community leader, Sidi Bage Muhammed, as saying after a meeting: "We have wholeheartedly accepted your apology." Representatives of victims could not be immediately reached for comment on the air force statement. (Writing by MacDonald Dzirutwe; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne) FILE PHOTO: A North Korean flag flutters at the propaganda village of Gijungdong in North Korea, in this picture taken near the truce village of Panmunjom inside the demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas, South Korea, July 19, 2022. REUTER By Hyonhee Shin SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korea fired multiple cruise missiles off its east coast on Sunday, its second such launch in less than a week, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said. The missiles were launched at around 8 a.m. (2300 GMT on Saturday) and were being analysed by South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities, the JCS said, without specifying how many missiles were fired or how far they travelled. "While strengthening surveillance and vigilance, our military is cooperating closely with the United States and monitoring additional signs and activities from North Korea," it said in a statement. The latest launches came days after North Korea fired what it called a new strategic cruise missile called "Pulhwasal-3-31", suggesting it is nuclear capable. 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. Pyongyang 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 China, and scrapped its decades-long goal of peacefully reuniting with South Korea. Earlier on Sunday, North Korea's state media KCNA denounced a series of military drills conducted in recent weeks by U.S. and South Korean troops, warning of "merciless" consequences. "The reality that nuclear war exercises against our republic have been going on like crazy since the beginning of the New Year demands that we be fully prepared for a deadly war," the dispatch said. North Korea carried out its first test of a cruise missile with possible nuclear strike capabilities in September 2021. While U.N. Security Council sanctions do not bar the isolated country from testing conventional cruise missiles, South Korea's defence minister Shin Won-sik condemned the recent launches as a serious threat to his country and beyond. The latest launch came a day after a Chinese delegation led by Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong returned home following a three-day visit to Pyongyang, during which both sides vowed to boost tactical cooperation and defend common interests. In a separate dispatch on Sunday, KCNA said a North Korean delegation headed by sports minister Kim Il Guk left on Saturday for China. (Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Editing by Kim Coghill) Talat Xhaferi reacts on the day the North Macedonian parliament voted him as the first Albanian prime minister since the country became independent in Skopje, North Macedonia, January 28, 2024.REUTERS/Ognen Teofilovski SKOPJE (Reuters) - North Macedonia's parliament elected Talat Xhaferi to head a caretaker government on Sunday, the first time an Albanian has held the position, and he will lead the country until general elections scheduled for early May take place. Xhaferi served as the speaker in parliament before he was nominated by the ruling government coalition to become prime minister. The current government's main task is to secure fair and free elections. Xhaferi got 65 votes in the 120-seat parliament but the opposition party boycotted the vote even though it will have a few seats in the caretaker government. "I will do this duty with trust, honour and high responsibility," Xhaferi told lawmakers before the vote. Xhaferi becoming PM marks the first time an Albanian has held such a high office in the country. Albanians make up about 29.5% of the population of North Macedonia which has about 1.8 million people. The elections are due to be held on May 8, where the biggest issue for the new parliament and government will be changing constitution to recognise a Bulgarian minority. In exchange, Bulgaria will allow its West Balkan neighbour to start membership talks with the European Union. The country has seen many internal ups and downs since 2001 when fighting broke out between government troops and ethnic Albanian rebels demanding more rights. (Reporting by Fatos Bytyci and Ognen Teofilovski. Editing by Jane Merriman) ROME (Reuters) - A man carrying a knife was arrested on Sunday during routine checks of people heading towards St. Peter's Square, a police spokesperson said, on the day the pope gives his weekly address to the crowds. The spokesperson said the man was a 51-year-old Italian who underwent checks in the morning in Via della Conciliazione, a road leading up to the St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. In a confrontation to disarm the man, one officer reported being lightly injury, police said. The spokesperson added that there was no evidence suggesting the man was carrying the knife for terrorism-related purposes and he was arrested on charges of injuring and resisting an officer. Ansa news agency reported that the arrested man suffered from a mental disorder. (Reporting by Angelo Amante; Editing by Hugh Lawson) (Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division) (Tribune News Service) An Army deserter who was sentenced in absentia to 64 years in confinement Jan. 19 has been arrested in Redmond, Wash., authorities have confirmed with The News Tribune. On Friday, officers with the Army Criminal Investigative Division (CID) arrested Jonathan Kang Lee. The CID did not provide any further details. Lee was convicted and sentenced for felony offenses during a military court martial held on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, according to the Army. The Army did not describe the felonies. Lee was last seen Jan. 14 on JBLM. A Be on the Lookout (BOLO) notice posted Jan. 24 asked the public for information leading to his capture. A source close to the investigation told The News Tribune that Army CID was tracking Lee and arrested him Friday at a residence in Redmond. Redmond Police Department spokesperson Jill Green referred The News Tribune to the Tukwila Police Department. Tukwila Police did not return messages seeking comment Saturday. (c)2024 The News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.) Visit at www.TheNewsTribune.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Coast Guard Cutter Confidence is shown on a patrol in April 2018. On Jan. 26, 2024, Confidence returned to its homeport of Cape Canaveral, Fla., after a 60-day deployment. (U.S. Coast Guard) The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Confidence is home after a 60-day deployment during which the crew processed migrants, helped rescue disabled vessels and monitored drug trafficking operations in the Windward Passage and Florida Straits. The Confidence returned Friday to its homeport at Cape Canaveral, Fla., according to an agency news release. Confidences crew demonstrated exceptional commitment and skill throughout the patrol, Cmdr. Thomas Martin said. I am incredibly proud of the Confidence crew for exemplifying the cutter motto Measure of Excellence in all facets of this patrol. During this deployment, Confidence: Interdicted and oversaw the humanitarian treatment and processing of 65 migrants from various countries of origin. Assisted a damaged American-flagged vessel low in fuel off the coast of Haiti. Confidence provided critical supplies to the vessel to ensure the safe voyage to its final destination. Confidence is a 210-foot, Reliance-class medium endurance cutter. The primary missions are counter drug operations, migrant interdiction, enforcement of federal fishery laws, and search and rescue in support of U.S. Coast Guard operations throughout the Western Hemisphere. In September, Confidence seized over 12,000 pounds of cocaine in Miami, worth more than $160 million. The drugs were seized in nine different interdictions in the Caribbean Sea, and 17 suspected smugglers were taken into custody. Members in support of Joint Task Force-Red Hill (JTF-RH) open a low point drain to enable the removal of residual fuel from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility Jan. 16, 2024, in Halawa, Hawaii. (ZaBarr Jones/Department of Defense) The Navy has created a new website to help track the efforts to shut down and clean up the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. The site, created in conjunction with the Navy Closure Task Force-Red Hill (www.navyclosuretaskforce.navy.mil), launched Thursday. The website will include information about the new task force. Once fully operational, it will serve as a comprehensive resource for information on the ongoing closure and environmental remediation efforts at Red Hill. The site will host a range of digital content, to include news updates, educational tools, resource documents and more. We believe open communication and collaboration with the community are crucial in achieving various goals toward the closure and environmental remediation of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, Rear Adm. Marc Williams, Deputy Commander, NCTF-RH, said in a statement. Final cleansing of the 20 massive tanks that make up the Red Hill underground fuel storage facility in Hawaii will take three to four years, Williams said Jan. 17 during the announcement of the establishment of Navy Closure Task Force-Red Hill. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in March 2022 ordered the World War II-era facility closed in the wake of a jet fuel spill in late 2021 that contaminated the Navys water distribution system that served roughly 93,000 people. In November, more than 100 military family members, including active-duty service members, and civilians filed federal-court claims against the Navy over the catastrophic contamination of the water supply. Contributing: Stars and Stripes reporter Wyatt Olson. Key Insights Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Sarawak Plantation Berhad fair value estimate is RM4.15 Current share price of RM2.19 suggests Sarawak Plantation Berhad is potentially 47% undervalued Our fair value estimate is 93% higher than Sarawak Plantation Berhad's analyst price target of RM2.15 Does the January share price for Sarawak Plantation Berhad (KLSE:SWKPLNT) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example! We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. For those who are keen learners of equity analysis, the Simply Wall St analysis model here may be something of interest to you. View our latest analysis for Sarawak Plantation Berhad What's The Estimated Valuation? We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value: Story continues 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM68.4m RM68.8m RM69.8m RM71.2m RM73.0m RM75.1m RM77.4m RM79.9m RM82.5m RM85.3m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 1.44% Est @ 2.07% Est @ 2.52% Est @ 2.83% Est @ 3.04% Est @ 3.20% Est @ 3.30% Est @ 3.38% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 9.0% RM62.7 RM57.9 RM53.9 RM50.5 RM47.5 RM44.8 RM42.3 RM40.1 RM38.0 RM36.0 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM474m We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (3.6%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 9.0%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = RM85m (1 + 3.6%) (9.0% 3.6%) = RM1.6b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM1.6b ( 1 + 9.0%)10= RM683m The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is RM1.2b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of RM2.2, the company appears quite undervalued at a 47% 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. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Sarawak Plantation 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 Sarawak Plantation Berhad Strength Currently debt free. Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows. Weakness Earnings declined over the past year. Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Food market. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 3 years. Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value. Threat Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the Malaysian market. Moving On: Although the valuation of a company is important, it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For 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 sitting below the intrinsic value? For Sarawak Plantation Berhad, we've put together three essential factors you should further research: Risks: As an example, we've found 2 warning signs for Sarawak Plantation Berhad that you need to consider before investing here. Future Earnings: How does SWKPLNT'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. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the KLSE every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks 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. A makeshift memorial honoring the victims killed in the Aug. 8 fires and those who remain missing is seen in Lahaina on Aug. 29. (Tamir Kalifa/The Washington Post) Police on Maui have identified the 100th and final known victim of the blaze that swept through Lahaina in August, in the deadliest wildfire to hit the United States in more than a century. In a statement Friday, Maui county and police department said they had identified Lydia Coloma, 70, and informed her next of kin. It is with a heavy heart that the County of Maui and the Maui Police Department confirm the following identity of a victim involved in the West Maui Wildfire incident, the statement said. Our hearts go out to the families, friends, and community affected by this devastating event. According to the Associated Press, police said they identified Coloma based on the location of the remains, rather than through DNA or other positive identification methods. Coloma, who was Filipina and lived in Lahaina, was the ninth member of her family to be confirmed dead, the Honolulu Civil Beat reported. Colomas sister-in-law, Tina Acosta, said she did not know why identification had taken so long, telling the AP: We were waiting. The scale and intensity of the fire has made identifying victims, or even confirming the number of people killed, extremely difficult. The remains we are finding are through a fire that melted metal, Maui Police Chief John Pelletier said in the days after the blaze, as he asked for the publics patience while DNA tests were conducted on human remains. Officials revised the confirmed death toll from 115 to 97 in mid-September following more precise testing that revealed some body bags contained human remains belonging to the same people. The figure rose slightly over the following month as some people died of their injuries or police discovered further remains, according to the AP. The latest estimated death toll is 100, with all 100 individuals identified and their families notified, Maui county said in its Friday statement. At one point after the fire, almost 400 people were reported missing or unaccounted for following the disaster. However, that number went down as individuals were located alive, or their remains were identified. Now, just three people remain on the list of people unaccounted for, according to police: Paul Kasprzycki, Robert H. Owens and Elmer Lee Stevens. The wildfire on Maui - believed to have been sparked at least in part by fallen power lines and spread by high winds and months of drought - razed the historic city of Lahaina on Aug. 8. Several months later, the community still needs to rebuild, and faces difficult challenges - including a housing shortage for survivors, and disagreement over where to dump the toxic ash and debris from the disaster. Last week, The Post reported, survivors from the city gathered together to mourn, in an event known as the Lahaina Unity Gathering. Thousands marched along a four-mile route and congregated at a beach park, where they shared stories, sang, danced and chanted for those who had died in the fire. Lahaina is my beloved town, Buddy Greig, who was born and raised in Lahaina and now lives temporarily in a vacation rental on the south of the island, told The Washington Post. This means the world. Its like the beginning of the healing. When you buy shares in a company, it's worth keeping in mind the possibility that it could fail, and you could lose your money. But when you pick a company that is really flourishing, you can make more than 100%. Long term Australian Ethical Investment Limited (ASX:AEF) shareholders would be well aware of this, since the stock is up 227% in five years. It's also good to see the share price up 44% over the last quarter. Now it's worth having a look at the company's fundamentals too, because that will help us determine if the long term shareholder return has matched the performance of the underlying business. View our latest analysis for Australian Ethical Investment There is no denying that markets are sometimes efficient, but prices do not always reflect underlying business performance. One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS). Over half a decade, Australian Ethical Investment managed to grow its earnings per share at 4.6% a year. This EPS growth is slower than the share price growth of 27% per year, over the same period. This suggests that market participants hold the company in higher regard, these days. That's not necessarily surprising considering the five-year track record of earnings growth. This optimism is visible in its fairly high P/E ratio of 96.56. You can see below how EPS has changed over time (discover the exact values by clicking on the image). It might be well worthwhile taking a look at our free report on Australian Ethical Investment's earnings, revenue and cash flow. What About Dividends? It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. We note that for Australian Ethical Investment the TSR over the last 5 years was 252%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. This is largely a result of its dividend payments! Story continues A Different Perspective We're pleased to report that Australian Ethical Investment shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 23% over one year. Of course, that includes the dividend. However, that falls short of the 29% TSR per annum it has made for shareholders, each year, over five years. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. Consider risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Australian Ethical Investment you should know about. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Australian exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Coone didnt hide his money under a mattress and splashed hundreds of thousands on luxury holidays, private school fees and his gambling habit. Buckley and his partner Lorna (both pictured) were linked to the Coones John and Pamela Coone travelled to Santorini for six weeks during Covid lockdown Cash-rich drug dealer John Coone has been linked to an international criminal network that leads all the way to George The Penguin Mitchell. Forty-seven-year-old father of six Coone is known to associate with one of the so-called Munster Mafias senior figures, Alan Buckley. Buckley and his partner Lorna Bowes-Busteed enjoyed flashing their cash and going on luxury holidays until he was busted in Spain for his part in a 6m drug seizure. Former antiques dealer Buckley was a well-known figure on Corks social scene for decades despite his links to the drugs trade. Likewise, Coone didnt hide his money under a mattress and splashed hundreds of thousands on luxury holidays, private school fees and his gambling habit. Buckley and his partner Lorna (both pictured) were linked to the Coones This also included pouring cash into his wife Pamela Coones beauty business, Riverview Aesthetics, and a six-week trip to Santorini during a Covid lockdown. Last week Coone didnt contest a Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) legal action targeting cars and cash seized from him. Details of Coones long criminal career and his lucrative drugs operation were laid bare in the High Court in evidence presented by CAB. Significantly, this included his links with Alan Buckley once regarded as Corks Mr Big and another convicted drug dealer, Michael Tanner. Buckley was considered a smooth operator who organised logistics for the Munster Mafia and whose senior figures had direct links to George The Penguin Mitchell. John and Pamela Coone Coones case highlights the extensive international drug dealing operations throughout Ireland and independently of the Kinahan Cartel. In 2015, Buckley was given a five-year jail sentence in Spain for his part in a bid to smuggle half a ton of hash on board the Irish-registered Colin Hannah yacht. The yacht was seized off the Moroccan coast in 2012 and Buckley spent three years on remand at Cadiz Royal Prison following his high-profile arrest. Buckley and his partner Lorna, who was later released without charge, were among seven people arrested by Spanish police at the time. It later emerged police had the Cork-based criminal organisation under surveillance for nine months before making their move. Buckley was considered the coordinator of the Munster Mafia and was a target of the national drugs unit way back in the early 1990s. The gang was suspected of being involved in some of the biggest drug shipments into the country, working alongside The Penguin Mitchell. Mitchell fled Ireland shortly after the Criminal Assets Bureau was set up in the 1990s. Buckley always prided himself on remaining out of reach of the gardai and once ran a jewellery shop as a front in Cork and dabbled in antiques. CAB reached settlements with members of the gang, including Buckley for 500,000, and by 2008 he was living between Spain and Cork. Another Coone associate named in the CAB case against him was west Cork drug dealer Michael Tanner, who was sentenced to 14 years after he was caught with cocaine and cannabis worth 485,000 in 2004. John and Pamela Coone Tanner and his gang were targeted in an operation codenamed Fox mounted between national and local garda drug units from Cork City and Bandon. His mob was developing into one of the biggest in the country when the Operation Fox team seized 500,000 worth of cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy. Tanner, who was a barman before he got into the drug trade, was initially convicted and jailed for 15 years. He won an appeal but was re-tried and convicted again, and got 14 years behind bars. Tanner had started building his criminal business in the 1990s when he gave up his job as a barman to focus on his drug dealing. In his ruling last week Judge Alex Owens said the CAB evidence shows John Coone has access to substantial income streams over several years. He said the obvious source of the money flowing into his wife and mothers bank accounts was his drug dealing and that Coone has been a significant drug dealer. The Coones lived an exotic lifestyle with no known source to fund it and enjoyed a life of luxury, he said. Judge Owens said he had little option other than to rule the assets as being derived from crime and accept the evidence from the Bureaus Chief Officer. The court was told Michael Dunne has been placed in protective custody due to the upset of other prisoners Michael Dunne was convicted with criminal damage of a Luke Kelly Statue in Dublin, pictured earlier this year. Photo: Collins Courts A man who threw blue paint on a Luke Kelly statue causing 240 worth of damage has been handed a prison sentence. Michael Dunne (50) who was living in homeless accommodation at the time, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to criminal damage on July 12, 2020. He has 51 previous convictions dating back to 1986, which included five for criminal damage. Judge Orla Crowe handed Dunne a sentence of 18 months, with the final nine months suspended on strict conditions. She said Dunne's actions had caused a lot of upset to a lot of people because a statue was erected in memory of Luke Kelly, a prominent character. Judge Crowe said the aggravating factors include Dunne's previous convictions and that a bench warrant had been issued as he did not attend the last sentence date in December. The court was told that Dunne was unable to attend the last court date as he was in hospital at the time. Judge Crowe noted the mitigation includes his guilty plea, expressions of remorse, his vulnerable history and personal circumstances. Luke Kelly statue in central Dublin. Garda David Kelly told John Moher BL, prosecuting, at an earlier sentencing date that he discovered the damage to the memorial statue and harvested nearby CCTV footage which led to the identification of Dunne. He was arrested but nothing came out of those garda interviews. Gda Kelly agreed with Katherine McGillicuddy BL, defending, that her client offered his sincere apologies for the damage he caused. He accepted that Dunne was a long-standing drug addict and it had not been his idea to damage the statue. He accepted a suggestion from Ms McGillicuddy that her client was vulnerable and agreed to do this without asking any questions. It was further accepted that Dunne got drugs as a reward for throwing the paint. Ms McGillicuddy acknowledged that the statue was very important in the local community and that Luke Kelly is an iconic figure. She said her client felt that his actions had caused a lot of upset. His sister is heavily involved in the local community and was embarrassed and ashamed when she learned of her brothers behaviour. Ms McGillicuddy said her client has not been coping well and outlined that he has significant mental health difficulties. She asked the court to take into account that this case has attracted some media attention. In the short time her client has been in custody, he has been placed in protective custody due to the upset of other prisoners, counsel said. A psychological report was handed to the court. Defence counsel said Dunne had a very difficult upbringing and his life started to unravel at an early age. She asked the court for as much leniency as possible for her client. Judge Crowe said Dunne's actions had caused upset to others and while the case had attracted some publicity, she noted he must bear the consequences of his actions. Byrne, who has 44 previous convictions, was convicted in 2021 by the Special Criminal Court of five charges Lifelong criminal Trevor Byrne, who dropped his phone at the scene of an armed robbery where he hijacked a womans car at gunpoint and threatened to kill her, has appealed his conviction submitting that correct procedures were not followed when he was identified from CCTV. Byrne, who has 44 previous convictions, was convicted in 2021 by the Special Criminal Court of five charges arising from the armed robbery of Boylesports in Applewood Village in Swords, Co Dublin, on March 19, 2010. Byrne (43) of Cappagh Road, Finglas West in Dublin, had pleaded not guilty to the robbery, possession of a firearm, false imprisonment, threatening to kill and to unlawfully seizing a vehicle used in the getaway. The court had heard that Byrne was released from a separate sentence in November 2009, just four months before carrying out the Swords raid. By the time of his sentencing in July 2021, the father-of-three was already serving a nine-year sentence for another firearms offence from November 2019. At the Special Criminal Court in July 2021, Mr Justice Michael MacGrath sentenced Byrne to eight-and-a-half years for both the armed robbery and the false imprisonment, six-and-a-half years for the threat to kill and seven-and-half years each for the possession of the firearm and for hijacking the car. Mr Justice MacGrath said that all five sentences arising from the raid on the bookies would run concurrently to each other but would run consecutively to the conviction for the other firearm offence of November 2019, resulting in jail sentences totalling 17.5 years. Byrne has appealed all five convictions arising from the robbery of the bookies. At the Court of Appeal, John D Fitzgerald SC, for Byrne, said the conviction of his client could have been unsafe due to the lack of contemporaneous notes taken by gardai around the CCTV identification process. Mr Fitzgerald said his client was appealing the convictions, submitting that the identification evidence of Detective Garda Patrick McDonagh from the CCTV footage recorded inside the bookies should not have been admissible in the trial. Det Gda McDonagh was the only Garda in the case to give evidence of recognising Byrne from the CCTV. The detective said he had worked in Finglas for 17 years and been on regular mobile patrols during which he encountered the appellant and had previously arrested him. Det Gda McDonagh had said he was 100 per-cent certain that the man in the footage was Byrne. Det Gda Mcdonagh said he had not been given any details of the purpose of the identification request other than that there had been a robbery and that the getaway car had been abandoned in Finglas. Mr Fitzgerald said that Det Gda McDonagh had said he could see the appellants eyes, nose and mouth from the footage. However, said counsel, the detective had then been shown a CCTV still from which he made the identification, that did not show the appellants eyes. Mr Fitzgerald said that Det Gda McDonagh said he was familiar with the procedures of identification contained within the UKs Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 or Pace which is increasingly being adopted in Ireland. Mr Fitzgerald said the failure to take notes of the identification process was at odds with the Pace codes, which were procedures to ensure transparency and fairness, especially when the identification is historic and the [Garda] witness in charge of the procedure was unavailable to give evidence. Shane Costello SC, for the State, said there had been no unfairness in the procedure, that the Pace code did not apply to this jurisdiction and that the failure to record the process did not render the evidence inadmissible but merely meant a consideration was needed regarding what weight to give the evidence. However, Mr Fitzgerald said the failure to document the identification severely hampered the ability of the defence to effectively cross-examine and probe the identification aspect of the prosecutions case. This failure, said counsel, amounted to a fundamental unfairness to the appellant. The procedural defects were such as to render the conviction of the appellant unsafe, submitted Mr Fitzgerald. Mr Costelloe said the CCTV evidence was supplemental to other circumstantial evidence such as Byrne dropping a phone at the bookies. The phone, said counsel, had a number that Byrne submitted in a passport application. Mr Costelloe said that when Byrne was arrested, he had two phones on him that both had a connection to the dropped phone. The footage was extraordinary - two men go into the bathroom of the bookies and they hide in the ceiling before they drop out again 35 minutes later. The whole thing was captured from multiple angles. Det Gda McDonagh says the one raising the phone in the CCTV is Trevor Byrne. Det Gda McDonagh says he knows that because he says: I know, I worked in the area for 17 years and arrested him in the past, said Mr Costelloe. Counsel said Det Gda McDonagh was perfectly positioned to say he recognised him [Byrne]. Mr Costelloe said the CCTV was of good quality and that the appellant had pointed to no law saying the evidence should be inadmissible. Presiding Court of Appeal judge Mr Justice John Edwards said the court would reserve its judgement in the matter. When sentencing Byrne, Mr Justice MacGrath said that Byrne had put staff at the bookmakers and the victim of his hijacking in "great fear and terror" and placed them in fear of their lives. Mr Justice MacGrath said that the robbery involved two men and was "intentional, premeditated and planned" for the day of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, when the bookies would be busy. A previous hearing of the court was told that some members of the public were present when firearms were put to the heads of staff members in the bookies. The alarm was raised when another member of the public attempted to enter the shop, saw the robbery taking place and called the gardai. However, before they arrived, the raiders had compelled staff to open a shutter and let them out. It was the Gold Cup day of the Cheltenham festival, but the raiders got away with only 1,490 in cash. Threats were also made to a woman, whom Byrne and another male car-jacked at gunpoint outside the Boylesports shortly after closing time that day. She gave evidence in court of one of the men telling his accomplice during their getaway that he "could not believe" he had dropped his phone at the scene. The mobile phone found at the scene was examined. A phone number saved on it as Ma matched the number given by Byrnes mother on various official government documents. Judge Martin Nolan said if Tsai had been an English-speaking national, he would have received a longer sentence A man has been sentenced to four years in prison for money-laundering after he was caught with over 1.78 million in cash at Dublin Airport. Chen Hsien Tsai (59) pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing the money in various denominations including euro, sterling and US dollars at Terminal One last March 7. Tsai, of no fixed abode in this country, has no previous convictions in Ireland or the UK, but the court heard that its unknown whether he has any in Taiwan, his country of origin. Passing sentence on Thursday, Judge Martin Nolan said if Tsai had been an English-speaking national, he would have received a sentence of five or six years. Judge Nolan said an Irish prison can be a very lonely place for a foreign national and that he accepted that Tsai had been merely transporting the cash for third parties. Its certainly a significant amount of cash, said Judge Nolan, adding that Tsai was an ideal man for the task as he did not disclose any of his connections. Garda Philip Murphy told John Moher BL, prosecuting, that a customs officer on duty at Dublin Airport saw a passenger acting in a suspicious and evasive manner on the day in question. The man said he had arrived from Gatwick and that he had packed his two bags himself. Customs officers noticed an anomaly when the bags were screened and when they unpacked them they found two envelopes, one sealed and one open. The open envelope contained $3,000 US in $100 dollar bills. The sealed envelope contained 500. The bags also contained boxes of food and sanitary items, which when opened, were found to contain large quantities in different denominations including sterling, euros and US dollars. Tsai was questioned via a Taiwanese interpreter and said he had been asked by a friend to bring the bags to Ireland as a favour. He said he was not being paid and did not know how much cash was in the bags. When gardai asked him, Do you know more and wont tell us? Tsai replied yes. Tsai was arrested and said it was his second time in Ireland and that the first time was years ago. However, a stamp on his passport revealed he had travelled into Rosslare Port days earlier. Tsai said he couldnt remember the name of the friend who had given him the bags or the name of the hotel in Cork where he was due to spend the night before returning to Gatwick the following day. Garda Murphy told Judge Nolan all they know is that Tsai was transporting cash and that there was interest in the case from the UK authorities. Gda Murphy agreed with Simon Matthews BL, defending, that Tsai was the gopher in the case and did not appear to be someone of means. When Mr Matthews submitted that his client was on the lower level of the operation, Garda Murphy agreed but pointed out that someone had trusted Tsai with a large amount of money. The court heard that Tsai told gardai on arrest that he was afraid and scared of the situation he found himself in. Counsel said Tsai is struggling in terms of loneliness in Cloverhill Prison and has no family ties in Ireland or the UK. He is incredibly isolated, said Mr Matthews of his client, but added that Tsai was working as a cleaner in prison and studying for a certificate. Mr Matthews said the court could infer that the 500 was belonging to Tsai and that this represented an incredibly large amount for him. The sentence was backdated to March 7 last, when Tsai went into custody. Judge Nolan said it was unlikely that Tsai would reoffend in the future. The tasteless scammers even posted a picture of the deceased young man to accompany the fake streaming service. A Co Donegal undertaker has appealed to the public to report a fake social media account which has been set up in the name of a West Donegal man who died in a tragic crash five years ago. Funeral director Kieran Roarty was forced to make the appeal after the fake page claimed to be streaming the young man's funeral in recent days. The tasteless scammers even posted a picture of the deceased young man to accompany the fake streaming service. The man was one of a number of young people killed in a crash in West Donegal in January 2019. A notice placed on Mr Roarty's own official page directed people to the fake page and warned people "Scam page. Do not accept friend requests from this page. "Kieran Roarty Funeral Director does not have any other pages, please report the attached page." As of this morning the fake page had almost 100 followers online. Locals have slammed the fake page leaving comments. Katrina Boyle Bonner said "That's disgraceful what is wrong with people, shame on them." Brid Sweeney asked "How sad are scammers out there?" Mr Roarty, who is based in Gaoth Dobhair, was forced to issue a warning before Christmas after fraudsters began copying details of live funeral streams to demand credit card details. The hackers copied genuine Facebook pages belonging to funeral directors showing live-streams of funeral services. They then duplicated notices of obituaries and livestreams and then ask unsuspecting viewers for credit card details to continue watching the services. Mr Roarty said at the time: "I am pleading with people that if these details are not directly on the funeral director's page or on other legitimate sites such as rip.ie, then I would ask them not to click into the link. "A lot of people are vulnerable at this time and they could be caught out by this. "We have already received reports of it locally and up the country in other parts of Ireland." He admitted that it is almost impossible to apprehend those behind the scam, saying those organising it "could be anywhere on the globe". He added: "It's just another scam out there trying to cash in on other people but to prey on people when they are vulnerable after losing a loved one is just the lowest of the low." The Cork artist is suing the streaming service, claiming she never signed a location agreement for filming on her property during making of the 2021 series Three months before his sudden death, Ian Bailey signed a declaration in favour of his estranged partner Jules Thomas to help her in a legal battle with the streaming giant Netflix. Thomas is suing Netflix, claiming she never signed a location agreement with the company during the making of a 2021 documentary on the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier. In proceedings issued in the High Court in Dublin against Netflix Inc, Lightbox Media, and John Dower, she claimed that the filming on her property was an invasion of privacy and that a series of false statements were made in relation to her involvement in the aftermath of the murder. On October 17, 2023, Bailey described as a gentleman of Barrack Street, Bantry, Co Cork signed a solemn statutory declaration at the offices of ODonovan Murphy & Partners supporting her case, although they were estranged at that point. In May 2018, I did write to the managing director and the legal department at Lightbox Media and informed them that my then partner Jules Thomas was deeply unhappy that I had facilitated filming of the Netflix series about the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier on her property on May 7, 2018, and May 8, 2018, he said in his declaration. The filming had taken place without her permission or authorisation I informed Lightbox Media that Ms Thomas, the owner of the property, did not consent to the filming and that she instructed that none of the recordings should be used in any way, he continued. In this letter, dated May 18, 2018, sent before the Netflix series, Sophie: A Murder in West Cork, was aired, Bailey informed the makers that an issue has arisen concerning consent and location. Jules Thomas in her studio in Schull, Co Cork, in 2001. Photo: Donna McBride/Provision It went on: As you will be aware I gave extensive interviews on the property. Ms Thomas has asked me to make it clear to Lightbox Media that she gave no consent, nor was asked and she wishes that none of the recordings are used in any way. I myself was happy to co-operate with your crew and was unaware at the time of her objection to what she saw as an invasion of privacy. I am sorry about this and maybe I was at fault not to check with her first, although with the benefit of hindsight a more professional approach would have been for the company to have raised the matter of consent prior to recordings, which might have saved so much wasted time. Bailey who signed his letter Ian Kenneth Bailey BCL, LLB, LLM said that a small amount of recording had taken place on a public boreen and he had no objection to this footage being used, but any further interviews would have to take place at the West Cork Hotel in Skibbereen. Jules Thomas had ejected Bailey from the farmhouse they shared for years around March 2021. In a separate document, dated October 26, 2023, lodged in the High Court in Dublin, (Catherine) Jules Thomas, of The Prairie, Lissacaha, Schull, Co Cork, has challenged the documentary makers, claiming that inaccuracies, fabrications and falsehoods in the series caused her financial and psychological damage. Ms Thomas, who is a lay litigant (taking the case without legal representation), said she had been shunned by her neighbours, ostracised by friends, forced for a time to stay away from the local market where she sold artwork, suffered losses from customers and galleries refusing to deal with her, and experienced stress, isolation and depression because of the Netflix series. She also disputed that Ian Bailey exercised coercive control and manipulated her, that he had told her he had a feeling that something bad was going to happen that night or that he was going over to Alfies a property adjacent to where the murder took place. She said claims that Ian Bailey had confessed to the murder of Sophie to their neighbours Richie and Rosie in her presence and that they had run screaming from the house, were false. The false narrative, she claimed, also included statements that when questioned by a French journalist if Bailey could be the murderer she had replied I dont know and that she was aware that a coat belonging to Bailey had been washed and was soaking in a bucket in the bathroom of her house the day after the murder. The documentary makers were aware that this material was false or had a reckless disregard for the facts and she was never invited to contradict them she said. She added that an inevitable consequence of these statements was emotional harm and suffering inflicted on the injured party and she could produce medical evidence to support this. The legal document concluded that she, the plaintiff, has suffered a psychiatric and/or psychological injury arising from the wrongful actions of the defendants (Netflix etc) and as of the time the claim was lodged (October 26, 2023) it was premature to calculate income losses she had suffered from sales of her artworks. The document setting out replies for further and better particulars from solicitors for Netflix and the other defendants (Matheson) also refers to defamation proceedings in the USA in relation to two of its earlier series, The Queens Gambit and Inventing Anna arising from its false portrayal of real persons for dramatic effect. On December 14, 2023, Matheson Solicitors wrote to Ms Thomas saying it was currently taking our clients instructions regarding her request for voluntary discovery of material relating to her case, and it hoped to respond to her request within the next few weeks. It is understood that Ms Thomas will apply to the Master of the High Court on March 6, 2024, to make discovery of the documents which are or have been in their possession relating to the matters at issue and for costs relating to the application. Lightbox Media was contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of publication. Limerick gang murderer back in main prison after inmate row Infamous Limerick gangland killer Anthony Noddy McCarthy has been moved out of the cushy prison unit known as The Grove after a fight with another prisoner. The recent confrontation cost McCarthy his place in the sought-after unit and a transfer back into the main prison at Castlerea, Co Roscommon. A smart phone was also found due to the incident, according to Sunday World sources. McCarthy is one of five men who have now been in prison for 20 years over the murder of gang boss Kieran Keane in January 2003. Last year the Sunday World reported how McCarthy was furious over plans to move a dozen inmates convicted of sex crimes into chalets at The Grove. The unit is made up of separate chalets in which prisoners look after themselves, cook their own food and enjoy greater freedom to mix. The Grove, Castlerea Prison Inmates are usually sent there ahead of being released or before they are sent to an open prison. McCarthy got a life sentence for his part in the murder of Kieran Keane that set off a decade-long lethal gangland feud in the city. The trial judge at the time said McCarthy, along with the other convicted men, should never be released while the feud remains ongoing. As the five men were being led away, McCarthy shouted towards members of the Keane family: For every action theres a reaction remember that. Along with McCarthy, those convicted were Dessie Dundon, David Frog Eyes Stanners, James McCarthy and Christopher Smokie Costello. The killing was part of a sophisticated plot in which Keane was abducted along with his nephew Owen Treacy and an attempt was made to lure two of the Collopy brothers into the trap. Keane (36) was shot in the head, and Treacy, who received 17 stab wounds, survived after he played dead. Treacy was the key witness in the trial of five McCarthy-Dundon gang members, who were later each jailed for life for Keanes murder and Treacys attempted murder. Kieran Keane Noddy McCarthy had high hopes that he would have be released from prison by now, according to sources. He gave evidence in court against Wayne Dundon and Nathan Killeen, who were convicted of the 2009 murder of Roy Collins. Noddy McCarthy said in court that while in Wheatfield prison Wayne Dundon told him he had ordered James Dillon to go kill Roy Collins. Noddys co-accused, James McCarthy, has previously spent time in Loughan House, an open prison in Co Cavan. Last year David Frog Eyes Stanners was found dead in his cell in Mountjoy Prison when warders opened his cell door. Dessie Dundon, one of three Dundon brothers serving life for murder, is doing his time in Mountjoy Prison. Murder suspects private papers lay inside parked car in public view for days after his death Papers and diaries found in Ian Bailey's car following his death. Papers and diaries found in Ian Bailey's car following his death A cache of Ian Baileys personal journals, notes and records lay in plain sight on the front seat of his car for five days after his death, prompting fears among locals someone would steal and try to sell them on eBay. Our pictures show the diaries and documents lying undisturbed on the front passenger seat of his 07-registered Nissan Note in Bantry on Wednesday afternoon four days after the 66-year-old passed away. His brown leather satchel was also visible amongst a litter of poetry material, including a large poster for his book A John Wayne State of Mind that he stored in the rear of the vehicle. The removal of the documents and journals didnt occur until Friday around the same time gardai raided Baileys ground-floor apartment in a building at the top of Barrack Street. A local business owner told the Sunday World yesterday: It was a filing cabinet for him as much as a car and he always parked it there in the same spot. Papers and diaries found in Ian Bailey's car following his death People were wondering what would happen to it and all the stuff that he kept inside. The things in the back were in an awful mess. I didnt realise the Guards were in searching his flat because the entrance is round the corner. But when I got in yesterday (Friday) morning the car was gone and I thought to myself, good, its been taken away. But it was parked back there again yesterday evening. The business person said when they looked in the car following its return it appeared that Baileys books and journals had been removed while the rest of his materials had been placed in black bags in the rear of the car. It was a mess before and now everything is neatly arranged, he said. To me, it looks like it was methodically searched. Last Thursday, prior to the Garda searches, the Sunday World spoke with a restaurant worker on Barrack Street, where the car was parked. Murder victim Sophie Toscan du Plantier Pointing out Baileys car, he said he was concerned that someone would break into it and remove the possessions. Theres still a lot of interest in what happened, he said. Youd be afraid someone would put a rock through the window to get his stuff and itd end up on eBay. People pay money for that kind of thing. Speaking yesterday, Baileys solicitor, Frank Buttimer, described An Garda Siiochanas search of Baileys property and the pursuit of his client as a suspect beyond the grave as one of the most extraordinary things he has come across in his criminal practice. Have we entered the Twilight Zone of criminal justice? he asked. That there should be a pursuit by police of someone who has died in the past number of days and that pursuit now follows him into the grave. Its obvious to me that Ian has remained in the eyes of the police the target of their investigation in the murder of Madame du Plantier. But nothing has changed in my mind in relation to his status as an innocent person. According to sources, when gardai entered Baileys flat on Friday, they removed everything the former journalist had written, everything that had the capacity for containing recordings and any computer equipment that he had in the house. Ian Baileys silver Nissan Note parked on Barrack Street Sources say gardai will examine the documents and recordings with a view to establishing whether Bailey may have said or written something that could directly link him to the murder. In a statement, Gardai 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, Co. Cork. As this is an ongoing investigation An Garda Siochana will not be commenting further at this time. The Garda cold-case investigation into Ms Du Plantiers murder was established in June 2022 and is being conducted by the Serious Crime Review Team. The death of Ian Bailey last Sunday removes the possibility of him ever facing charges in connection with murder of the French national in Schull, west Cork, in December 1996. However, once a file is completed, its understood the DPP will be asked to review it and decide whether there would have been enough evidence to bring charges against Ian Bailey were he still alive. The DPP has to date declined to press charges against Mr Bailey, with former DPP Eamonn Barnes previously saying the Garda investigation was thoroughly flawed and prejudiced against the English journalist. Papers and diaries found in Ian Bailey's car following his death. Mr Bailey was arrested twice for questioning about the murder. He was never charged after the DPP reviewed the Garda file and concluded there was insufficient evidence to prosecute. He was convicted in absentia in France in 2019 of the voluntary homicide of Ms Toscan du Plantier and sentenced to 25 years in jail. However, the Irish courts refused on three occasions to sanction his extradition to France. Most recently, in 2020, the High Court prohibited his surrender on the basis the murder was committed outside French territory. Two men and a teenage boy have already been charged with murder in relation to Sherrys death, while several others have been charged with other offences in relation to the death. Two more men have been arrested over the Christmas Eve attack in a Blanchardstown restaurant in which fleeing gunman Tristan Sherry was killed after shooting Jason Hennessy Snr, who later died in hospital. Two men and a teenage boy have already been charged with murder in relation to Sherrys death, while several others have been charged with other offences in relation to the death. The two men held this morning were the eighth and ninth people arrested as part of the garda investigation. In a statement, a garda spokesperson said: Gardai arrested two males this morning, Sunday 28th January 2024, as part of the investigation into the murder of Tristan Sherry that occurred at a premises on the Main Street in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 at approximately 8pm on Sunday, 24th December 2023. Both males are currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at Garda Stations in West Dublin. This is the eighth and ninth arrest made as part of this investigation. On Wednesday, a boy aged 17 was brought before the Childrens Court charged with Sherrys murder and was refused bail. Sherry (26) was found dead after he carried out a gun attack in Brownes Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on Christmas Eve. Hennessy Snr (48) was shot by Sherry while having a meal with family and friends. Hennessy Snr was shot in the neck and upper body as he stood up and confronted Sherry in the popular restaurant. He was rushed to hospital, but his condition deteriorated, and he passed away on January 4 as a result of his injuries. Sherry was confronted at the scene and disarmed before being killed and a number of people are currently before the courts in relation to his death. On Saturday week, around 15 to 20 mourners, which included Hennessy Snrs sons, Jason and Devon, led the funeral procession from the murdered mans home to St Patricks Church in Corduff. Behind them, Hennessy Snrs Incredible Hulk wrapped casket was transported to the church on the back of one of his Hulk Recovery towing trucks. His funeral saw gardai enact a major security operation over fears the funeral cortege or church could be targeted by the rival gang. Checks were carried out both inside the church and at the exits ahead of the ceremony. Three busloads of public order gardai provided back-up to uniformed and plainclothes officers, while more than a dozen mobile units from Armed Support patrolled the roads around the church. A number of gardai present used discreet hand-held cameras as an intelligence-gathering tool aimed at collating the members of the gang with whom Jason Hennessy Snr had been associated. Where is the justice in turning a gardas act of kindness for an elderly gentleman into a three-year suspension? Gardai are being hamstrung and persecuted by guidelines MOST right-thinking people would regard it as an act of innate, benign kindness, a big-hearted gesture grounded in sound judgement, gold- standard policing. But then, somewhere in the corridors of power, the bulb of common sense blows. And good people are compelled to stumble and thrash in semi-darkness down the Twilight Zone of Bureaucratic Boulevard. An avenue landmined with nonsense and folly, paved with unbending, ankle-breaking rules-and-regulations gibberish, where intelligent thinking goes to die, where reputations are gratuitously sabotaged. For those wondering why an abundance of An Garda Siochana members are fleeing the force, the following mind-bending story first reported in our sister publication, the Sunday Independent might signpost one or two clues. Allow me to borrow a paragraph or two from Ali Brackens article. A garda suspended for three years after he provided an elderly, isolated man with an unclaimed bicycle for transport during the pandemic will appear before a sworn disciplinary enquiry on Tuesday. In June 2020, gardai from the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI) raided the home of the garda who is nearing the end of an exemplary career. The elderly mans home was also visited by the NBCI and the bicycle retrieved. Sweet son of Jehovah. That line about the lunatics taking over the asylum comes to mind. The events read like some overblown, absurdist satire, or an April 1st wind-up, or the Father Ted concept adapted into a pee-taking police farce. At times such as this, the thought occurs that 21st century Irelands national flag should consist entirely of red tape. Drill into the detail and the sense of disbelief expands to Himalayan dimensions. The recipient was a vulnerable and isolated elderly man who lived alone in a rural area and whose own bicycle had become unusable. In those bleak, and, for many older folk, terrifying early Covid days the poor creature was, essentially, marooned, miles from anywhere, a prisoner in his own home. A humane garda did the decent and appropriate thing. He handed over a bicycle that had lain unclaimed for some time, gathering cobwebs in the station. He offered a man probably drowning in fright and solitude a precious lifeline. In a world that had not become suffocated and warped by control- freakery, where Orwellian codes of practice didnt close in around people with the menace of junkyard car crushers, the garda would have earned a commendation for his initiative. Instead, in this rigid, rule-bound, procedure-obsessed era, his benevolence saw him shamefully treated like some thieving lowlife. His home was raided. In front of his distressed, disbelieving wife and children. How can that happen? The Ballon dOr for over-reaction goes to... Imagine the unimaginable stress, bewilderment, uncertainty and raw terror that must have consumed the man over the course of those three years when he was suspended from his duties. Three years: Thats a longer sentence than is frequently doled out to violent criminals or serial offenders or those peddling the poison that reduces young men and women to the addicted living dead. Consider the shattered morale of his colleagues, watching with disbelief as their friend becomes a fall-guy, a victim of the kind of inflexible diktats that gave authoritarian Soviet regimes such a forbidding reputation. Ponder the wastage of resources, officers deployed to search the home of a colleague fulfilling his oath to serve the people even as rural Garda stations have their doors bolted shut because of cost-cutting and manpower issues. As professional, callous burglary gangs run amok with little fear of consequence, bringing bone-deep anxiety to every small town and village and rural lane. For the longest time it has seemed that the priorities in law-making have been skewed, clauses inserted and oversight introduced that benefits those perpetrating rather than policing crime. A few loudmouth and opportunistic political voices cynically avail of every opportunity to bad-mouth and undermine the forces of law and order. The sorry yield of all the seeds of oppressive micromanagement sown over the years are harvested during events like Novembers Dublin riots when officers, taunted and assaulted, are reluctant to take action for fear of being disciplined for over-aggression or rule-breaking. And, knowing this, the salivating, destructive, hateful, looting mob guffaw in the face of outnumbered rank and file guards. Now, in a grotesque and unbelievable development, we read of a garda having his life turned upside down for an act of charity. Apparently his crime was he failed to fill out the paperwork when handing over with the bike. Ah yes, our old friend the paperwork. The beloved child of faceless officialdom. Of course, as we have discovered in recent high-profile cases, there are a few bad apples in the vast orchard of law enforcement. They shame the uniform, their colleagues, the public they serve and have been rightly brought to book. But they are a tiny fraction set against the vast majority who are dutiful, diligent, trustworthy and conscientious. So it comes to this: A garda gifts a venerable, isolated member of his community an unwanted bicycle and somebody, somewhere in a back office just about stops short of sending in a SWAT team. Sometimes youd wish that storied old street policeman Lugs Branigan was still around to knock some common sense into those who draft rules that needlessly diminish reputations and ruin the lives of good people. Following recent staff cuts in Googles Augmented Reality (AR) division, the advertising sales team now faces additional layoffs, marking part of a broader restructuring initiative aimed at improving the quality of ads customer service. This move aligns with an industry trend seen in significant job cuts at companies like Amazon and Duolingo in 2024. Googles culture, it seems, goes beyond policies; its about employees sentiments, posing a profound challenge. In January 2023, Google implemented a substantial workforce reduction, cutting 12,000 employees, equivalent to approximately 6% of its workforce. The company notified affected US staff abruptly through an early-morning email, leading to expressions of dismay among some laid-off workers. The Layoffs Are Continuing To Unfold Anticipated next is Googles CEO addressing employee concerns and sharing insights on recent developments, including details on layoffs and their potential impacts on various roles. The CEOs decision to retain their position amidst ongoing uncertainties adds a layer of significance. As changes continue unfolding within Googles advertising sales team, regular updates will be provided, prioritizing transparency to ensure employees stay well-informed about the evolving situation. This commitment aims to sustain morale and trust during these challenging times. Googles Layoffs Are Part of a Broader Trend According to data compiled by Crunchbase News, the week of January 12, witnessed layoffs affecting at least 4,066 U.S. tech sector employees. This figure adds to the broader picture of a year marked by significant workforce changes, with a total of at least 4,290 workers at U.S.-based tech companies losing their jobs in 2024. Zooming out further, the tumultuous year of 2023 saw mass layoffs impacting over 191,000 workers in U.S.-based tech companies or those with a substantial U.S. workforce. This marked a profound upheaval in comparison to the preceding year, 2022, which witnessed over 93,000 job cuts across public and private tech companies in the U.S. The escalating trend underscores a transformative phase within the tech industry, with companies grappling with strategic adjustments to navigate an ever-evolving landscape. Story continues Whats Next For Google The challenges faced by Googles advertising sales team offer insights into the strategies required to navigate the ever-changing tech landscape. Proactive measures, including support mechanisms like tailored career development initiatives and skill-building programs, become imperative for both employees and corporations. Transparent communication about the rationale behind restructuring efforts, coupled with a commitment to collaborative and supportive work environments, emerges as a strategic imperative. In the face of transformative changes sweeping through the industry, such adaptive strategies are crucial for fostering resilience and ensuring a seamless transition for both individuals and organizations. Assembly hopeful was arrested in UVF drugs crackdown Hutton turned to cocaine after the death of her father Maggie Hutton poses with a gun in a picture posted on her Facebook page Convicted cocaine dealer Maggie Hutton has left egg on the face of alleged East Belfast UVF leader Stephen Matthews after he backed her to become an MLA. The alleged crime kingpin went against convention by snubbing his factions traditional political party, the PUP, and endorsed the now-shamed drug pusher. On Friday, former UUP constituency worker Hutton was sentenced to 15 months behind bars, suspended for three years, after she admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine over six months from September 1, 2018. Hutton has only herself to blame after she was caught up in a police operation against the drug-dealing activities of East Belfast UVF. A coke and a smile: Hutton with alleged East Belfast UVF leader Stephen 'Mackers' Matthews She stood as an independent candidate in the 2016 Assembly election getting 1,099 votes but has now confessed she started doing cocaine the same year and claimed she did so after her father died. But her demise is an embarrassment to Matthews, who has continuously denied any involvement in drug dealing and criminality. For three years before her arrest, Matthews and disgraced ex-UVF commander Dee McConnell were publicly pushing Hutton to go to Stormont to represent East Belfast. Matthews and McConnell were reported to be ordering their rank-and-file to mark their number one vote beside the now disgraced former Assembly hopeful, according to sources. The move was a massive break from tradition as they snubbed long-term PUP candidate Dr John Kyle, who had been a respected councillor in east Belfast for years with the UVF-linked political party. Today we reveal the embarrassing words coke-dealer Hutton spewed when she was first lifted as part of a special investigation into the East Belfast UVFs drug operation. Hutton turned to cocaine after the death of her father In what can now be seen as a jaw-droppingly brazen interview with loyalist campaigner Jamie Bryson on his Unionist Voice blog, she repeatedly lambasted the media for damaging her reputation and strenuously denied that she was a criminal. Yet Belfast Crown Court heard on Friday that the 51-year-old, of Wolff Close in east Belfast, told a probation officer that her arrest in March 2019 was a blessing in disguise and she hasnt snorted a line of cocaine since. Over her involvement in the supply of cocaine, Hutton told the probation officer: I am stupid. It is all my own fault. But it is all a far cry from what she said just weeks after her arrest by officers from the PSNIs Paramilitary Crime Task Force (PCTF). Maggie Hutton's election poster In an interview with Bryson on April 16, 2019, Hutton hit out at the media. She told him: I fully support the criminal justice system. However, I feel that my reputation has been severely damaged by the media and also by the media turning up at my house on the morning I was arrested. It portrayed me as a criminal and I am not. I havent been offered the fairness of trial. Everything is going through the media, on Twitter, whatever. People are making assumptions about me and my reputation has been severely damaged. Over the years, maybe 25 or 27 years, I have worked as a local community worker within east Belfast, from a youth worker to working for a former MLA. During that time I have run many courses within my positions of work drug courses, drug awareness courses, working with young people, being out on the streets at night with young people, talking to them and trying to steer them away from drugs that are on the streets right across Belfast. Basically, what I want to say is that the community as a whole has been very supportive and I want to thank them for that. And on top that, what I would like to say is that the media has played a major part in what has happened to me. As I say, they turned up at my house. Neighbours saw them and sometimes, even now, some of the neighbours are dropping the head. This is all because how the media portrayed me when they came to my house. Rainey brothers Hutton was a prominent supporter of the flag protest campaign and at one stage appeared to endorse the activities of the UVF. She later claimed she had been misquoted but remarked in 2011 that she believed the UVF was the only group capable of protecting Protestant communities from what she described as Catholic gangs. She later insisted there is no place for paramilitary violence, but suggested organisations needed help to move away from violence. There needs to be a process to bring these people forward so we can leave the troubled days behind, she said. Hutton told the probation service that she started to use cocaine following the death of her father to cope with his loss. As a result of her arrest in dealing in cocaine in east Belfast, the court heard on Friday that she has now lost her licence to work in the security industry. Hutton is a one-time assistant to ex-Ulster Unionist Party leader Lord Reg Empey and a former independent Assembly election candidate. The veteran UUP constituency worker was employed by her party for 13 years. Hutton on her wedding day She was a personal assistant to East Belfast MLA Andy Allen when she announced her intention to run against the party in the 2017 Assembly elections, claiming it no longer represented the interests of working-class communities. But neither Lord Empey nor Mr Allen had any knowledge of her cocaine-dealing activities for East Belfast UVF. In total, 14 people were convicted of drug offences as part of the same investigation that snared Hutton including UVF drug-dealing brothers Glenn and Mark Rainey. On Friday, both Raineys had to hand themselves into prison after a judge rectified a mistake in how they were sentenced two weeks ago. Although handed three-year sentences on January 11 by Judge Paul Ramsey KC, the brothers laughed as they were freed from Maghaberry within 48 hours. The Prison Service freed them on a time served basis as the pair had been in jail from a previous sentence for drug dealing. However, at Newry Crown Court on Thursday, Judge Ramsey said the sentences he handed down were meant to be served consecutively. Mark (43) and Glenn (37) were part of a group of 14 people arrested in connection with the supply of the Class A drug. In September 2022, the Rainey brothers were handed six-year sentences by Judge Richard Greene. Judge Greene said it was clear the defendants were commercial suppliers of cocaine and cannabis and that they were part of serious organised crime. Arrested in August 2021 as part of a wider investigation into suspected crime connected to the East Belfast UVF, searches of Glenn Raineys car and home uncovered 29 grams of cocaine in addition to scales, a large quantity of deal bags and 2,000 in cash. Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. Key Insights Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Lindsay Australia fair value estimate is AU$1.37 Lindsay Australia is estimated to be 22% undervalued based on current share price of AU$1.07 Our fair value estimate is 14% lower than Lindsay Australia's analyst price target of AU$1.58 Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Lindsay Australia Limited (ASX:LAU) as an investment opportunity by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. It may sound complicated, but actually it is quite simple! Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model. Check out our latest analysis for Lindsay Australia Crunching The Numbers We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate: Story continues 10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (A$, Millions) AU$53.6m AU$34.4m AU$39.2m AU$34.0m AU$31.1m AU$29.4m AU$28.5m AU$28.0m AU$27.9m AU$27.9m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Est @ -13.23% Est @ -8.64% Est @ -5.42% Est @ -3.17% Est @ -1.60% Est @ -0.49% Est @ 0.28% Present Value (A$, Millions) Discounted @ 8.5% AU$49.4 AU$29.2 AU$30.7 AU$24.5 AU$20.7 AU$18.0 AU$16.1 AU$14.6 AU$13.4 AU$12.4 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = AU$229m After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 2.1%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 8.5%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = AU$28m (1 + 2.1%) (8.5% 2.1%) = AU$445m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= AU$445m ( 1 + 8.5%)10= AU$197m The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is AU$426m. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of AU$1.1, the company appears a touch undervalued at a 22% 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 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 Lindsay Australia as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 8.5%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.283. 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 Lindsay Australia Strength Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry. Debt is not viewed as a risk. Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows. Weakness Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Transportation market. Shareholders have been diluted in the past year. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Australian market. Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value. Threat Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year. Next Steps: Whilst important, the DCF calculation 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. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. Why is the intrinsic value higher than the current share price? For Lindsay Australia, there are three fundamental items you should further examine: Risks: Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Lindsay Australia you should know about. Management:Have insiders been ramping up their shares to take advantage of the market's sentiment for LAU's future outlook? Check out our management and board analysis with insights on CEO compensation and governance factors. 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 Australian 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. Key Insights Accordant Group's estimated fair value is NZ$0.95 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Accordant Group's NZ$0.95 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate Peers of Accordant Group are currently trading on average at a 21% discount How far off is Accordant Group Limited (NZSE:AGL) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. Our analysis will employ the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. There's really not all that much to it, even though it might appear quite complex. Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model. See our latest analysis for Accordant Group The Method We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Seeing as no analyst estimates of free cash flow are available to us, we have extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the company's last reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate: Story continues 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (NZ$, Millions) NZ$2.56m NZ$2.39m NZ$2.30m NZ$2.26m NZ$2.24m NZ$2.25m NZ$2.27m NZ$2.30m NZ$2.34m NZ$2.38m Growth Rate Estimate Source Est @ -10.37% Est @ -6.53% Est @ -3.84% Est @ -1.96% Est @ -0.64% Est @ 0.28% Est @ 0.92% Est @ 1.38% Est @ 1.69% Est @ 1.91% Present Value (NZ$, Millions) Discounted @ 8.7% NZ$2.4 NZ$2.0 NZ$1.8 NZ$1.6 NZ$1.5 NZ$1.4 NZ$1.3 NZ$1.2 NZ$1.1 NZ$1.0 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = NZ$15m 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 2.4%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 8.7%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = NZ$2.4m (1 + 2.4%) (8.7% 2.4%) = NZ$39m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= NZ$39m ( 1 + 8.7%)10= NZ$17m The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is NZ$32m. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of NZ$0.9, the company appears around fair value at the time of writing. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind. dcf Important Assumptions We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Accordant Group as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 8.7%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.259. 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 Accordant Group Strength Dividend is in the top 25% of dividend payers in the market. Weakness Earnings declined over the past year. Interest payments on debt are not well covered. Current share price is above our estimate of fair value. Opportunity AGL's financial characteristics indicate limited near-term opportunities for shareholders. Lack of analyst coverage makes it difficult to determine AGL's earnings prospects. Threat Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow. Dividends are not covered by earnings and cashflows. Next Steps: Whilst important, the DCF calculation ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For Accordant Group, we've compiled three relevant factors you should assess: Risks: Take risks, for example - Accordant Group has 7 warning signs (and 3 which can't be ignored) we think you should know about. 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! Other Environmentally-Friendly Companies: Concerned about the environment and think consumers will buy eco-friendly products more and more? Browse through our interactive list of companies that are thinking about a greener future to discover some stocks you may not have thought of! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every New Zealander 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. darklord BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: TVM (KL-16) Posts: 741 Thanked: 3,098 Times View My Garage Re: Safari 2.2 goes cave-diving - From Trivandrum to Ajanta-Ellora Day 5 : Aurangabad-Ajanta Caves-Aurangabad 1702 to 1897 km (195 km) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Good morning Aurangabad: Breakfast: At the breakfast table, we finalized the plan for the day. We would visit Ajanta (~100 km one way) first and while returning, visit Bibi Ka Maqbara (~5 km from the hotel). Since the maqbara was open till 10 p.m. and it was a full moon day, even if we got back from Ajanta by 8-9, we could have a decent amount of time there and might even capture a few moonlit photographs...or so we thought. We finished our breakfast and set out towards Ajanta by 9:30 a.m. Since our hotel was at one end of the city, we had no trouble getting out of the city, crossed underneath the Samruddhi Mahamarg, and reached Phulambri by 10: Once we crossed Phulambri, the road improved to a 4-lane one: Some stretches though were still under construction: There was some minor traffic around Sillod, but nothing that held us up. Around 11, we crossed the town of Ajanta and just as Google showed about 6 or 7 km left to Ajanta caves parking, a huge red line appeared on GMap and traffic crawled to a halt: The traffic inched to a point where the four-lane road narrowed down to a regular 2-lane road and our left and right were soon filled with impatient drives and soon, even the oncoming traffic got stuck. Thankfully, cops appeared and shooed and whistled everyone to discipline and maintained a single lane and couldn't have been sooner as the ghat section began: Impatients still tried their luck but had to reverse all the way on the face of oncoming traffic in a ghat section road. Time was ticking away and GMaps showed +30 to +50 to +1 hour and then +2 hours. Once traffic began to move, we noticed 3 different incidents, all in the ghat section, that caused the traffic holdup, a car that had run off the road, a laden truck that had its tyres run into a ditch, and another broken down truck. We cursed our bad luck, but there was nothing we could do about it. Finally, by 1:30 we pulled into the parking of Ajanta Caves. The system here was that we had to park our cars here and get on an MSRTC bus for the remaining 4 km to the cave entrance. By now, it was lunch time, but there were limited facilities at the parking lot and the facilitation center, so we thought we will have lunch from an MTDC restaurant that we knew was operating near the cave entrance. We got into a bus from the boarding point (IIRC Rs. 25 per head): After a short ride, we reached the cave entrance/ticket counter. Some informational boards there: After the security check and ticket purchase (Rs. 40), we headed to the restaurant, only to find it jam packed with people. We decided to make do with some snacks and sat under this tree while we ate: Post box of Ajanta Caves PO: After snacking, we began our visit to the caves. Right at the beginning is a steep climb, with either steps or a ramp to choose from: The return pathway as seen from the top: The caves were spread over in a horse-shoe pattern with Waghur river flowing in between: Zoomed in: After getting our tickets checked, we were at the courtyard of Cave #1. Cave #1: This is a vihara or monastry (the other type being chaitya or prayer halls). This is most renowned for its paintings. Cave 1: General rules applicable to all caves: There was a small queue to enter the cave: I used the time to click the artwork on the doorway: Once inside, it was dimly lit with optical fiber lights. There was a chemical odor in the air, preservatives for the paintings, perhaps: Finely carved pillars: Paintings on the walls, this one depicts Sibi Jataka: The king undergoes the traditional rituals for renunciants. He receives a ceremonial bath: This one depicts: The king announces his abdication to become an ascetic: The relief on the pillars: A shrine carved on the rear wall to house an impressive seated image of the Buddha, his hands being in the dharmachakrapravartana mudra: After spending some time here, I got out. All I did was a quick look-see, one could spend an hour and still would not be enough to take in all that were on offer in just this cave. Source: Wikipedia Aurangabad-Ajanta Caves-Aurangabad1702 to 1897 km (195 km)----------------------------------------------------------------------------Good morning Aurangabad:Breakfast:At the breakfast table, we finalized the plan for the day. We would visit Ajanta (~100 km one way) first and while returning, visit Bibi Ka Maqbara (~5 km from the hotel). Since the maqbara was open till 10 p.m. and it was a full moon day, even if we got back from Ajanta by 8-9, we could have a decent amount of time there and might even capture a few moonlit photographs...or so we thought.We finished our breakfast and set out towards Ajanta by 9:30 a.m.Since our hotel was at one end of the city, we had no trouble getting out of the city, crossed underneath the Samruddhi Mahamarg, and reached Phulambri by 10:Once we crossed Phulambri, the road improved to a 4-lane one:Some stretches though were still under construction:There was some minor traffic around Sillod, but nothing that held us up. Around 11, we crossed the town of Ajanta and just as Google showed about 6 or 7 km left to Ajanta caves parking, a huge red line appeared on GMap and traffic crawled to a halt:The traffic inched to a point where the four-lane road narrowed down to a regular 2-lane road and our left and right were soon filled with impatient drives and soon, even the oncoming traffic got stuck. Thankfully, cops appeared and shooed and whistled everyone to discipline and maintained a single lane and couldn't have been sooner as the ghat section began:Impatients still tried their luck but had to reverse all the way on the face of oncoming traffic in a ghat section road. Time was ticking away and GMaps showed +30 to +50 to +1 hour and then +2 hours. Once traffic began to move, we noticed 3 different incidents, all in the ghat section, that caused the traffic holdup, a car that had run off the road, a laden truck that had its tyres run into a ditch, and another broken down truck. We cursed our bad luck, but there was nothing we could do about it. Finally, by 1:30 we pulled into the parking of Ajanta Caves.The system here was that we had to park our cars here and get on an MSRTC bus for the remaining 4 km to the cave entrance. By now, it was lunch time, but there were limited facilities at the parking lot and the facilitation center, so we thought we will have lunch from an MTDC restaurant that we knew was operating near the cave entrance.We got into a bus from the boarding point (IIRC Rs. 25 per head):After a short ride, we reached the cave entrance/ticket counter. Some informational boards there:After the security check and ticket purchase (Rs. 40), we headed to the restaurant, only to find it jam packed with people. We decided to make do with some snacks and sat under this tree while we ate:Post box of Ajanta Caves PO:After snacking, we began our visit to the caves. Right at the beginning is a steep climb, with either steps or a ramp to choose from:The return pathway as seen from the top:The caves were spread over in a horse-shoe pattern with Waghur river flowing in between:Zoomed in:After getting our tickets checked, we were at the courtyard of Cave #1.Cave #1: This is a vihara or monastry (the other type being chaitya or prayer halls). This is most renowned for its paintings.Cave 1:General rules applicable to all caves:There was a small queue to enter the cave:I used the time to click the artwork on the doorway:Once inside, it was dimly lit with optical fiber lights. There was a chemical odor in the air, preservatives for the paintings, perhaps:Finely carved pillars:Paintings on the walls, this one depictsThis one depicts:The relief on the pillars:After spending some time here, I got out. All I did was a quick look-see, one could spend an hour and still would not be enough to take in all that were on offer in just this cave. Last edited by darklord : 21st January 2024 at 19:32 . Japan is now enhancing its national security and strengthening global alliances by implementing stricter export controls. The aim is to prevent the potential misuse of goods and parts for military purposes, especially focusing on third-party transfers to China and Russia (via Nikkei Asia). Export Restrictions on China, Russia Under the proposed rules, Japan plans to align regulations for a group of nations, including China and Russia, with those banned under UN Security Council resolutions like North Korea and Iraq, effectively elevating the scrutiny on exports to these countries. The measures include adopting restrictions similar to those enforced in the US and Europe, designed to safeguard sensitive technologies from falling into the wrong hands. Japan's proposed rules target the countries above to enhance control over commodity-grade products. This step is significant as Japanese-made machine tools and telecommunications equipment, considered technologically advanced even in commodity-grade form, have the potential for use in conventional weapons, standard military equipment, unmanned aircraft, and other weaponry. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) is expected to present these rules to a council on export controls in the current fiscal year, intending to curb the risk of goods being transferred via third parties to nations with concerns about military use. A notable aspect of the proposed regulations is that if the Japanese government determines that goods shipped to a seemingly safe country could be transferred to a nation where they might be used as weapons, companies involved may be required to apply for export permission formally. The move comes in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, prompting some Japanese companies to voluntarily abstain from trading with businesses suspected of military ties in China and other nations. The government is even considering publicizing a list of nations that warrant caution when exporting, possibly expanding beyond entities associated with weapons of mass destruction. Read Also: US Army Awards $154 Million Contract to Raytheon, Upgrading Bradley Fighting Vehicle Japan's Role in Global Security Simultaneously, the United States Department of Defense highlighted Japan's growing leadership roles in the Indo-Pacific and its increased security contributions. Grace Park, Director for Japan Policy at the Defense Department's Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Office, emphasized the deepening U.S.-Japan alliance, citing the modernization of roles, missions, and capabilities as a crucial aspect. This includes the optimization of force posture within the region and the multilateral networking of alliances. Park highlighted Japan's commitment to enhancing its national defense capabilities, with plans to double the amount dedicated to self-defense, reaching 2% of its gross domestic product. Japanese leaders are also working to break down barriers to innovation, particularly in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, as well as in maritime domain awareness. Additionally, the US and Japan are working to deepen industrial cooperation, ensuring interoperability in contingencies. These efforts reflect a broader strategy to position the alliance in a versatile and resilient manner, addressing security challenges in the East China Sea, South China Sea, and the Taiwan Strait. Stay posted here at Tech Times. Related Article: Report: North Korea Is Developing AI Tech for COVID, Nuclear Energy, Surveillance, War Games 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Thousands of newly arrived migrants have stepped off buses into freezing Chicago temperatures over the past few weeks, and most city-run shelters are at capacity. But any chances of help from Congress look slim. In negotiations that have lasted weeks, congressional Republicans have refused to approve any further aid for Ukraine without major U.S. border policy changes, which congressional leaders cannot agree on. Experts observing the issue closely say that even if legislation passes, it will not improve Chicagos situation much, if at all. While details of the bipartisan bill have not been made public, proposals from Republican senators center around raising the bar for migrants to claim asylum and curbing the presidents ability to grant parole or permission to enter the United States on a temporary basis while asylum claims are reviewed by the courts. These efforts may deter the flow of migrants across borders, but there are larger factors that could keep driving immigrants to Chicago. The national policy deal holds even more consequence ahead of a 2024 presidential election cycle where immigration will likely be a central and contentious issue. President Joe Biden has been heavily criticized by Republicans who say his liberal policies have encouraged record movement of migrants across the southern border. This is partially what led Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott to begin sending migrants on buses to Chicago nearly 17 months ago to make a statement about promises by liberal cities and states to welcome asylum-seekers. Migrants, mostly from Venezuela, are now reliant on shelters or camping out on the streets of a sanctuary city that said it would provide shelter and resources. The result is an increased sense of urgency about immigration reform locally, and a plea for more national humanitarian aid. As negotiations faltered Friday, Biden released a statement saying a bipartisan group of senators have been working around the clock over the past two months to address the border crisis and that the deal being hashed out would empower him to shut down the border. Lights illuminate a section of fence at the U.S.-Mexican border on July 10, 2023, in El Paso, Texas. For too long, we all know the borders been broken. Its long past time to fix it, he said. Whats been negotiated would if passed into law be the toughest and fairest set of reforms to secure the border weve ever had in our country. It would give me, as President, a new emergency authority to shut down the border when it becomes overwhelmed. And if given that authority, I would use it the day I sign the bill into law. Whats happening in congressional debates now? U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, told the Tribune Friday morning he believed senators were close to a congressional agreement until former President Donald Trump weighed in on last week social media. Trump, who last week became the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, posted, 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. Durbin blamed Trump for halting progress. We were so close until this week, Durbin said. And now the Republicans are listening to Donald Trump, and many of them are walking away from the process. Im not giving up, but he is not helping. Durbin said Texas busing policies have created hardships for both Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson, and that the federal government isnt providing enough money to address the issue. We need a bipartisan approach to solve this problem at the border, Durbin said. In Washington on Friday, House Speaker Mike Johnson sent a letter to colleagues to say he strongly opposed a bipartisan Senate deal pairing border enforcement measures with Ukraine aid, The Associated Press reported. Saying the bill was dead on arrival, the Louisiana Republican is siding with hardline conservatives who have expressed fierce opposition to any compromise on border and immigration policy. In an interview with the Tribune on Friday, U.S. Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia blamed the House GOP for stalling any efforts at progress. This is a continuation of Republicans wanting to villainize immigrants and wanting to double down, Garcia said. Garcia called congressional proposals draconian. He said leaders have refused to receive input from immigrant communities or the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Its bad politics, he said. Limits on asylum-seekers Grace Cano of Templo Elim Fabens church, left, stands next to migrants who are inside a fenced-in area during a service, held outside a migrant shelter at Sacred Heart Church in El Paso, Texas, on July 11, 2023. 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. When migrants enter the United States at the border, they have credible fear interviews lasting up to 10 to 20 minutes with immigration authorities, said Stephen W. Yale-Loehr, professor of immigration law practice at Cornell Law School. The interviews offer a chance to establish that they were persecuted or have fear of persecution in their home countries in five categories: race, religion, nationality, social group and political opinion. Authorities try to assess whether migrants have a credible fear of persecution, or some likelihood of winning a claim for asylum on those grounds. If migrants are deemed not to have credible fear of persecution, they can be turned around at the border in a process called expedited removal. Proposed legislation recommends raising the bar for asylum eligibility, which means there could be more expedited removals after migrants credible fear interviews, Yale-Loehr said. That may reduce the number of asylum-seekers in Chicago because theyre deemed not even to be eligible to apply for asylum at the border, he said. 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. Parole As part of the negotiations in Congress, the issue of parole has also become a sticking point. The emergency authority allows migrants to temporarily enter the United States without visas and live and work here while waiting for their court date. The president has had the authority to grant parole since the 1950s, but Republican lawmakers say Biden has abused his powers. Since Biden has been in office, he has paroled more than 1 million people into the country. The largest recipients of Bidens parole power have been Ukrainians leaving Russia, Afghans escaping the Taliban, and Venezuelans fleeing violence and hunger. Biden also has granted a certain number of Cubans, Haitians and Nicaraguans the ability to seek parole each month. It is unclear how a limit on the presidents parole powers would be implemented. It could be an overall cap on the number of people allowed into the United States or on the number granted to any one nationality. Similar to making asylum more difficult, limiting the presidents ability to grant parole would almost certainly decrease the numbers of people crossing the border and, therefore, the number of people arriving on buses in Chicago. Republicans have advocated removing Bidens ability to grant parole altogether, while migration advocates have pushed back, saying it runs counter to American values embracing immigrants and wouldnt allow the U.S. to assist people from countries during emergency situations. In a moment of crisis, the president regardless of political party should be able to allow the U.S. to be the global partner that we say we are, said Jennie Murray, president and CEO of the D.C.-based nonprofit National Immigration Forum. Increased border security National Guard soldiers stand guard on the banks of the Rio Grande at Shelby Park on Jan. 12, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. The Texas National Guard continues its blockade and surveillance of Shelby Park in an effort to deter illegal immigration. The Department of Justice has accused the Texas National Guard of blocking Border Patrol agents from carrying out their duties along the river. In a further effort to curb inflow at the border, the deal might also include funding for militarization of the border. Biden is asking for more money from Congress to manage the unprecedented flow of hemispheric migration, according to a supplemental funding request to Congress he made at the end of 2023. This includes an additional 1,300 Border Patrol agents, 1,600 asylum officers to help with expedited removals, more beds in detention centers, an increase in deportations and resources for other countries to do their own repatriation flights, among other asks. If migrants cross at border ports of entry, they must do so through a U.S. Customs and Border Protection application called CBP One. Many migrants in Chicago cite extreme violence in Mexico as a reason for not waiting for entry through an appointment on the CBP One App, which can take months for approval, according to nonprofit leaders in border cities. So the migrants cross illegally between border checkpoints, are briefly detained by immigration authorities and are given credible fear interviews to determine eligibility for asylum, experts say. Nationalist attitudes affected border policy after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and CBPs budget has ballooned since then. In recent years, the United States has spent more money on immigration border enforcement than ever before. The 2024 federal budget includes nearly $25 billion for CBP and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, an increase of almost $800 million over the 2023 enacted level. Angela Garcia, a sociologist and assistant professor at the University of Chicago who specializes in immigration, government and policy, said border security is much more likely to move forward than long-term solutions for migrants. All federal administrations have broadly supported securitization and militarization of the border. Weve done a lot on the enforcement side, but we havent done a lot on the comprehensive side. And I see that as being unlikely to move forward in this political climate, she said. The number of border encounters in December were unprecedented. On Dec. 19, a record 12,000 migrants arrived at the U.S.-Mexico border without authorization to enter, according to the Migration Policy Institute. In June, encounter levels were less than a third of this rate. Can new legislation stop inflow at the border? Many questions remain as to how long a proposed policy, if passed, will take to go into effect and how it will affect the number of border crossings. The current congressional proposal one of the most conservative ever, observers say is ambitious. But immigration laws passed decades ago are dated and cant be changed easily. Failed democratic states, violence and climate change will continue to drive people to the United States, Murray said. Even if supplemental funding is approved, there will not be immediate effects felt on the border, as migrants who are denied legal entrance will likely continue to cross illegally. Migrants dont often understand nuanced changes in immigration policy, Yale-Loehr said. People who are fleeing likely dont read The New York Times. They are going to come no matter what the law is or how Congress changes, Yale-Loehr said. A record number of migrants crossed the southern border recently in part due to factors such as growing inequality in their countries of origin and mobility through places that people used to think were impenetrable like the 60-mile harrowing rainforest called the Darien Gap. According to Ana Gil Garcia, founder of the Illinois Venezuelan Alliance, the majority of migrants coming from Venezuela are between the ages of 25 and 35. They are savvy in something she called immigration intelligence or the exchange of information between immigrants that happens through social media Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Many migrants who arrive in Chicago decided to go all the way to the United States partly because other migrants posted videos on social media about making the trip. This publicization makes a harrowing trek look doable and almost appealing, she said. Existing legal system Vehicles pass through a checkpoint at the U.S.-Mexican border on July 11, 2023, in El Paso, Texas. While national measures to affect legal proceedings for migrants may stem or slow future inflow, they are unlikely to result in more deportation flights, or efforts to remove the millions that have crossed since the start of 2021, according to Ivan Espinoza-Madrigal, executive director of Lawyers for Civil Rights. He said deportations are expensive. The federal government will have a difficult time effectuating the removal of thousands of people. It makes a lot more sense to figure out a way to integrate these people into our current economic opportunities so that migrants are not seen just as a drain, but also as an economic asset, he said. The asylum system in the United States is already buckling under pressure and a lack of resources. At the end of December, over 3 million active cases were pending before immigration courts. The process is confusing and expensive, and many migrants miss their court hearings. Migrants sometimes dont report to court for fear of losing their case. Its already hard to qualify for asylum without the higher bar being proposed by congressional Republicans. Immigration judges ordered deportation orders in 35.1% of cases heard in court in 2023. Venezuelan migrants arriving in Chicago are coming from a country with a tanking economy under the leadership of a far-left leader, but economic hardship doesnt qualify as one of the five categories of persecution. Famine is not a criterion. More busing, Abbott? Chicago immigration attorney John Heiderscheidt thinks the city could still see an increase of up to 100,000 migrants within the next seven months ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, regardless of whether asylum law changes. Even if no immigrants crossed into the U.S. starting tomorrow, Texas, or Colorado, or Florida could easily increase bussing here, and until Illinois leaders or the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security put a stop to it, really nothing stands in the way of continued new arrivals en masse, he said in a statement to the Tribune. Heiderscheidt said that if fewer are released on parole, the number of migrants coming to Chicago might decrease. But Abbott started the inflow to Chicago, he said, and without the Texas governors cooperation it wont end. Through Operation Lone Star, Texas officials paid for 550 buses and planes of migrants over 24,000 passengers to Chicago from Jan. 2, 2023, through Dec. 23, 2023, according to data received by the Chicago Tribune. During the same time period, New York received 605 buses and planes of migrants, Denver 281 and Los Angeles 32. !function(){use strict;window.addEventListener(message,(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data[datawrapper-height]){var e=document.querySelectorAll(iframe);for(var t in a.data[datawrapper-height])for(var r=0;r